AFL injury news: Dion Prestia to miss Richmond season opener after hamstring setback

The patience of Richmond fans could soon be rewarded with one of their prized youngsters likely to be considered to fill the void left by a midfield gun’s latest injury.

The Saints have lost star ruckman Rowan Marshall to injury. Picture: AFL Photos/Getty Images

Richmond will be without gun midfielder Dion Prestia for at least the season-opener after another hamstring setback.

The tough nut onballer has suffered a hamstring strain and will be out for the short to medium term, the club confirmed on Friday.

Depending on how Prestia responds to treatment, he could be sidelined for four-to-eight weeks which rules him out of the Round 1 clash against Carlton at the MCG on Thursday March 18 as a minimum.

He would have been slated for a tough job against Carlton superstar onballer Patrick Cripps in the season-opener as the Blues look for their first win against the Tigers since the 2013 elimination final.

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In that seven-year span Richmond has won 10-straight games against Carlton.

Prestia has a history of soft tissue problems including a pair of hamstring setbacks in 2018 which in part restricted him to 13 games for the season.

It means the Tigers will take a cautious approach with the triple premiership star who was poached from Gold Coast in 2016 one of the most successful trades in recent years.

Veteran defender Bachar Houli is also under a cloud for the first game of the season as he struggles to shake off the calf injury he suffered in the Grand Final.

Houli had a setback with the injury over pre-season and was forced to back down his training loads.

Dion Prestia is facing a delayed start to his 2021 campaign.

Prestia’s hamstring is another frustrating setback for the star ballwinner who missed up to three months with a serious ankle injury and infection last year.

The 28-year-old also tweaked an ankle earlier this month and was on light duties for one week before the latest hamstring blow.

But the Tigers have an excellent record at managing their stars’ recoveries with Prestia making it back for the finals last year when he averaged 18 disposals a game as the Tigers clinched a third flag.

Prestia’s absence could open up more early-season midfield opportunities for electric ballwinner Shai Bolton, who is out of contract this year and looking at a considerable pay rise.

Tiger fans have been waiting for Riley Collier-Dawkins to be unleashed.

Dual premiership player Marlion Pickett and youngster Thomson Dow and tall ballwinner Riley Collier-Dawkins could also benefit.

Richmond will take on Melbourne in a scratch match next weekend and meet Collingwood in the AAMI Community Series on Friday, March 5 at Marvel Stadium.

SAINTS’ DISASTROUS PRE-SEASON RUN CONTINUES

St Kilda’s disastrous spate of injuries has continued with defender Ben Paton feared to have broken his leg in intra-club action at Moorabbin on Thursday.

An ambulance was called to RSEA Park after medicos rushed onto the ground following a collision, and Paton’s leg was held in place as he lay on the ground.

Paton played 19 games as a small defender last year and while he is not one of the club’s stars he proved an excellent lockdown small in the club’s back six.

St Kilda’s co-captain Jarryn Geary fractured his fibula in late January in a training accident, leaving the club short on lockdown defenders.

This week the club revealed ruck-forward Rowan Marshall would be off his legs for at least the next month with a foot injury that will see him miss Round 1.

Midfielder Zak Jones is also out with yet another hamstring injury, while Dan Hannebery is being slowed by yet another calf complaint.

Scans on Marshall have revealed the “early signs of a stress injury” and the Saints are yet to put a time frame on his return.

Marshall has been one of this year’s most popular selections in KFC SuperCoach and still features in more than 30 per cent of teams.

“To have this happen right before the season is obviously disappointing given Rowan is such an important player in our squad,” Saints chief operating officer Simon Lethlean said.

“Fortunately, we identified the injury very early, Rowan is not in any pain and there’s no fracture to the bone which is a good result.

“These types of injuries are ones that you just need to monitor and take your time with, so we’ll work closely with Rowan to make sure it continues improve so that he can return as soon as possible early in the season.”

Rowan Marshall won’t be ready for Round 1.

Marshall joins co-captain Jarryn Geary (fractured fibula), Zak Jones (hamstring), and Ryan Byrnes (hamstring) on the Saints’ injury list.

Former Swan Dan Hannebery (calf) has also been on light duties in recent weeks.

“Overall, the majority of our list is very fit and healthy and focused on preparing themselves to be ready to go in round one,” Lethlean said.

GIANT’S SURGERY WOE

GWS recruit Braydon Preuss has been ruled out for the start of the season after suffering a shoulder injury at training on Monday.

The former North Melbourne and Melbourne ruckman, wo features in more than 20 per cent of KFC SuperCoach teams, is expected to have reconstruction surgery on Thursday.

The Giants confirmed the severity of the injury on Wednesday night and said the 206cm Preuss would be looking at a mid-season return.

The ruckman, who arrived at the Giants via last year’s trade period after two seasons at the Demons, hurt his shoulder at training on Monday and is awaiting an update from his specialist on Thursday.

Braydon Preuss has been hit with some bad injury news.

Coach Leon Cameron had praised the big man’s early impact this pre-season.

“He has had a wonderful pre-season, an outstanding pre-season. He has made a massive impact and we probably underestimated, even when we took him, he is 208cm, 112kg and has just gone about it in a wonderful way that you want your big ruckmen to go about it,” Cameron told SEN.

“He and Matthew Flynn have had a really good ding-dong battle.”

Preuss’s injury comes as Giants midfielder Lachie Whitfield recovers from a bruised liver, which has ruled him out of any pre-season games and has him in doubt for Round 1.

Cameron said it had taken the 26-year-old more than a week to recover from the impact he suffered at training and his availability would depend on how quickly the bruising heals.

“Lachie is so brave, playing a little bit of match-play and he just backed into the pack and he was a bit sore around the ribs and we scanned him the next day when he was a little bit sore after that and we found that he had a bruised liver, which is the first time I have ever heard of it,” Cameron said.

“He has taken about six or seven days to initially get over the hit and he is probably not going to play for the next four or five weeks.

“I can’t say whether he is going to be ready for Round 1 yet, the doctors and the specialists need to see him week by week just to see how that bruise on his liver is actually mending.

Lachie Whitfield is in doubt for Round 1 with a bruised liver.

“He is in a really good spot the last three or four days, but he could take some really good steps forward in the next couple of weeks, but he could also take a couple of steps back.

“So it is a little bit of an unknown. He will not be playing in any of the pre-season games but Lachie’s fitness base does allow him to step back into our program pretty quickly.

“He might start running in a week, week and a half – that will be determined by the specialists and he can do all his weights and that stuff but the final tick-off will be clearly the contact.”

Cameron said recruit Jesse Hogan was tracking “really well” and confirmed the Giants saw the former Demon and Docker in a forward role – with stints up the ground – rather than in defence.

“He has played 50 games in the last four years so we are also mindful that he hasn’t played a lot of footy,” Cameron said.

Can Jesse Hogan rediscover his best at the Giants? Picture: Ryan Pierse/Getty Images

“He trains every Monday and Friday in terms of on-legs, so two times a week he is probably punching out probably 12-13kms on each of those days … his foot and his body is in really good nick, in a good place.

“In terms of connecting with our group, it is getting better and better every session. There are four young talls that are vying for two or three spots and spots and competitive and he is one of those guys who is putting up his hand.

“I see him playing forward, that’s not to say he can’t have a little stint here or there up around the footy because he has got really good running power. No doubt, there was talk about him back last year – we haven’t trialled that yet – we have really honed in on his forward craft.

“We see that and maybe a little stint up the ground.”

HURLEY HEALTH WORRIES CONTINUE

Essendon says it is unclear when veteran Michael Hurley will be available to train as he continues to fight a debilitating hip infection.

Hurley, 30, was last week admitted to hospital for a second time after failing to shrug the worrying bug which he initially contracted last month.

The big man has since been discharged from hospital again in recent days but is racing to recover in time for the Bombers’ season-opener against Hawthorn at Marvel Stadium on March 20.

Essendon believes there was no obvious cause for the infection and that it is simply a case of bad luck. He is continuing a course of antibiotics to combat the infection.

Michael Hurley is battling a leg infection. Picture: Daniel Pockett/Getty

Hurley has been a star playing largely in defence over his 193-game career but has spent time this summer back in a key forward position to bolster the Bombers’ goal scoring options.

Essendon football manager Josh Mahoney said it was unclear how long Hurley would need off from training and be in a position to push for selection.

But there is some hope he would need only weeks off rather than months, with Round 1 only one month away.

“First and foremost, Michael’s health and wellbeing is our main priority right now and he is now recovering after being in hospital again over recent days,” Mahoney said.

“Having spoken with Michael, he is in reasonably good spirits but is now resting and in recovery.

“We do need to see how he responds as the infection clears over the coming days before we can put any timelines on his return to the club and training.

“We’ll continue to take a conservative approach with the management of this infection with Michael but we’re hopeful of a full recovery soon.”

In another blow, Jake Stringer could be absent for the AAMI Community Series clash against Geelong on March 6 at GMHBA Stadium as he recovers from an achilles problem.

Stringer was slated to play a key forward role this year but the setback could rob the Bombers of one of their most damaging goalickers if he cannot recover in time for the season-opener.

Stringer and Hurley’s absence would open up more opportunities for the club’s burgeoning group of young talls including Harrison Jones, Nikolas Cox and Zach Reid.

The Bombers are set on blooding their youngsters after two strong draft hauls in a bid to reposition the list.

Goalkicker Peter Wright has also made a strong impression playing deep forward in pre-season training while Jye Caldwell is expected to make an instant impact in the midfield after crossing from GWS Giants.

He could help take the place of captain Dyson Heppell who is set to move into a half back role where he won the Rising Star award in a sensational debut AFL season.

Essendon has been hurt by the loss of senior players Joe Daniher, Adam Saad and Orazio Fantasia in the exchange period.

The club made the big decision to keep senior coach John Worsfold in his position alongside Ben Rutten last year but a subsequent review found a contrast of coaching philosophies was a problem in the handover.

The club parted ways with football manager Dan Richardson who has since been replaced by Mahoney.

CATS GET GOOD NEWS ON DANGER INJURY

– Jon Ralph

Star Geelong onballer Patrick Dangerfield will be fit to take on former side Adelaide in Round 1 after turning a corner in his recovery from groin issues.

And Cats recruit Jeremy Cameron will join him as he overcomes a minor hamstring strain.

The mobile big forward is hitting top speed while covering 10km during training sessions.

Beaten grand finalist Geelong has spent the summer introducing new acquisitions Shaun Higgins and Isaac Smith to a team that saw club legends Gary Ablett and Harry Taylor retire in the off-season.

Dangerfield’s groin injury hampered him late in the year but Geelong football boss Simon Lloyd told the Herald Sun he was on track with the build-up to Round 1.

“We are very pleased with Patrick’s progress,” Lloyd said.

“He has progressed through his footy loads without any issue and looks strong and fit. We are very happy with where he is at.”

Cameron has already settled into the club and town after a bruising trade period that saw Geelong forced to trade with GWS for his services but retaining three 2021 second-round picks.

Despite stepping out of some match simulation including last week’s contest, Lloyd said he had been on the track enough to build synergy with his new teammates.

Patrick Dangerfield is on track to play in Round 1. Picture: Alison Wynd

“Jeremy is completing large loads of football training,” he said.

“He is up around the 10km (distance) mark in sessions and we have seen him hit his maximum speed.

“You can see with Jeremy how quick his decision-making is and he is getting used to the dynamics of working with the new forward line. He’s settled in here and to be honest it feels like he’s been here forever.

“He’s a highly intelligent footballer and he’s working with Corey Enright, the forwards coach, and they are training in small groups this week but the more they train together the more comfortable they will be.”

Geelong and Collingwood will play in a practice match on February 26 at GMHBA Stadium before the Cats take on Essendon on Saturday March 6 in their only AAMI Community Series clash.

Jeremy Cameron at Geelong training. Picture: Michael Klein

The scratch match against Collingwood will again be an informal affair in which the clubs will work on match strategy with a mix of normal game time and then specific drills such as forward 50 stoppages to hone their craft.

Luke Dahlhaus is building his strength after groin issues, while Darcy Fort (PCL) is in modified training after a recent setback.

Sam Simpson (shoulder surgery) is back in training and nearly ready to progress to full contact training after his breakout 2020 season.

“Dahlhaus is progressing well,” Lloyd said.

“He is picking up speed and working on change of direction and working through different footy sessions and that will increase in coming weeks.

“Darcy is completing modified craft sessions at the moment and we will monitor how his knee responds in the coming two or three weeks. We are happy with his progress.”

LIONS INSIST INJURY WON’T HOLD NEALE BACK

– Chris Honnery

Brisbane is confident Brownlow Medallist Lachie Neale will be fit for the Lions’ season opener next month after a calf complaint disrupted his pre-season.

Neale will be involved in his first match simulation on Friday after dealing with a soft-tissue concern in his calf muscle for the past month.

The 27-year-old has been nursing the injury for much of the pre-season and was absent from the Lions’ last two intraclub matches to manage the calf complaint.

He began the pre-season on restricted duties and is expected to be back into full training next week.

Neale is set to line up for the Lions when they play the Suns in next week’s practice match leading into the AAMI Community Series.

Brisbane’s former No. 1 draft pick Cam Rayner was a standout during the Lions match simulation last Friday, impressed with his efforts in the midfield.

Lachie Neale goes through his paces at training. Picture: Bradley Kanaris/AFL Photos/Getty Images

DEMON TAKES LEAVE AFTER FAMILY TRAGEDY

– Nick Smart

Melbourne’s forward line issues continue to mount with rising star Kysaiah Pickett currently away from the club following the death of his mother.

Pickett has flown to Western Australia to be with his family and is unlikely to return until sometime next month.

The Demons’ season opener will be on March 20 against Fremantle at the MCG, which gives Pickett a short window to be ready for Round 1 despite him still training while in Perth.

“‘Kozzie’ will be away for a little while,” Demons general manager of AFL football performance Alan Richardson said on SEN.

“Unfortunately, and condolences to the family, his mother passed away. He needs to do the right thing there and has committed to going back.

“The funeral is in late February or early March.

“He’ll be there until then and when he feels like it’s the right time to leave the family he’ll be back.”

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Kysaiah Pickett has flown home to WA to be at his mother’s funeral. Picture: Michael Klein

Richardson said club welfare officer Matthew Whelan was working closely with Pickett and his family during this time.

“He’ll train over there,” he said.

“We’re blessed to have Matty Whelan as a welfare advisor.

“We don’t profess to know everything about the indigenous culture, but we understand that there are some differences and we need to respect that.

“We’re incredibly supportive of whatever Kozzie and his family think is right.

“It looks like it will still be a couple of weeks.

“Until he’s back he’ll train and then he’ll still have a couple of weeks prior to Round 1.

“We’ll just have to wait and see how he goes.”

Pickett’s absence is compounded by the setback to forward and big-name recruit Ben Brown, who is unlikely to debut for the Demons until at least Round 4 following knee surgery.

Youngster Sam Weideman will also miss some time after a stress fracture in his femur was detected.

“It’s obviously disappointing, they’re going to miss the start of the season both lads,” Richardson said.

Sam Weideman has suffered a stress fracture in his leg. Picture: Michael Klein

“Brown with the cartilage, we’re hoping that he’d be back between Round 4 and Round 6.

“Weids just kept getting sore in the top part of his thigh.

“We presumed it was actually his hip, and so he went in for X-rays and it ended up being a crack in his femur, (which is) an unusual one.

“The same sort of time frame, which means potentially … we could be a little bit light on.”

Although, the former St Kilda coach believed the Demons had the depth to cover the losses.

“We’ve still got Tommy Mac (McDonald) who’s training really well,” he said.

“Luke Jackson is also an incredibly exciting young player only his second year, while (Mitch) Brown and Harrison Petty can go forward and has done so.

“So we’ve still got some depth there, but if we continue to get injuries it just makes things a bit light.”

It is why the Demons have brought in delisted ex-Kangaroo Majak Daw, who is training with Melbourne in the hope of winning a rookie spot.

Majak Daw is training with Melbourne in the hope of getting an AFL second chance. Picture: Michael Klein

“Majak, we think he has the attributes to be able to support us in a couple of areas, and one of those being where we’ve lost a couple of players – key forward,” Richardson said.

“He’s kicked six goals in an AFL game, last year post his return to play when he predominantly played ruck, in fact his performance was so good in centre bounce in particular that (Todd) Goldstein would start forward.

“So that gives us potentially a bit of flexibility, if it is that we needed him.

“Our hope would be that the guys that I mentioned earlier, Tommy Mac and co, will be able to get the job done and stay injury free.

“But if it is that we’ve got injuries, we think that he’s probably the person that would be the most ready to be AFL fit at the start of the year.”

STAR DOGS RECRUIT SUFFERS SETBACK

– Jay Clark

Western Bulldogs’ midfielder Adam Treloar will have to overcome a significantly interrupted pre-season preparation to play in the Round 1 grudge match against his former side Collingwood.

The club on Monday confirmed the star midfielder is battling a calf problem which is expected to keep him sidelined for at least another fortnight.

Treloar has been on light duties with calf tightness and is in doubt to play in the Dogs’ informal scratch match against Hawthorn in two weeks.

It continues Treloar’s dreaded run of soft tissue problems which included dual hamstring surgery in 2018.

The 27-year-old also only played 10 games last year amid dual hamstring setbacks.

Bulldogs recruit Adam Treloar is battling a calf injury. Picture: Michael Willson/AFL Photos

While the Dogs do not think the problem will put Treloar in danger of missing the Round 1 clash against his old teammates, the calf tightness is an unfortunate hiccup as he looks to an instant impact at his new club.

Bulldogs‘ head of sports medical Chris Bell said the club wanted to be careful with its new recruit given his run of soft tissue worries.

“With Adam‘s history of soft tissue injuries, we are taking a conservative approach with him at this stage of the season,” Bell said.

“We have been proactive with managing Adam‘s calf tightness over the past fortnight.

“His recovery is progressing and we anticipate he will return to full training over the next couple of weeks.”

Collingwood made the shock decision to trade the ball magnet against his wishes to relive some pressure on its bursting salary cap in last year’s trade period.

There were also some concerns about how Treloar would cope or perform being in Victoria when his fiancée, Kim Ravaillion, and daughter Georgie moved up to Queensland so Ravaillion could play Super Netball for the Firebirds.

Adam Treloar with wife Kim Ravaillion and daughter Georgie.

But Treloar strongly disputed those claims and was adamant he wanted to stay at Collingwood for the rest of his career, meaning he could face an emotional first encounter against the Magpies in the season-opener under lights.

The Magpies are paying up to $300,000 a year of his salary which is believed to be worth as much as $900,000 a season.

Treloar was upset he was given the flick but has settled in well at the kennel aside from the injury setback in the new year.

The club has begun ramping up some match simulation training in recent weeks but the calf problem has prevented the former Magpie and GWS Giant from participating with his new teammates.

The club will be cautious with Treloar and may not risk him in the AAMI Community Series game against Melbourne on March 8 at Marvel Stadium depending on how much training he can do in the lead-up.

Ideally, he will fit in at least one practice game before the Round 1 clash so he can build on the chemistry and synergy with his new midfield teammates.

The Bulldogs will open their regular season against the Magpies on Friday March 19 at Marvel Stadium.

Adam Treloar at Whitten Oval. Picture: Darrian Traynor/Getty

At his best Treloar, who averaged 27 disposals a game last season, is one of the most prolific linebreaking midfielders in the AFL.

But the Bulldogs face an interesting juggling act trying to fit all of their superstar ball winners into the same engine room in 2021.

While Josh Dunkley has been assured significant midfield minutes after failing to secure a trade to Essendon last year, Jackson Macrae, Lachie Hunter, Marcus Bontempelli, Tom Liberatore, Bailey Smith and Treloar will all compete for time in the middle.

Captain Bontempelli, who is tipped to ward off his free agency options and sign a long-term contract extension at the kennel, could spend more time forward this season.

Originally published as AFL injury news: Dion Prestia to miss Richmond season opener after hamstring setback