AFL injury news: Find out who is hurt and who could return at your club

The return of Zak Butters was up in the air until he was named to play in the SANFL — and he might be back at AFL level sooner than first thought.

Adam Treloar could be sidelined for the rest of the season. Picture: Getty Images

Port Adelaide senior coach Ken Hinkley has declared Hawthorn have been as good as any team in the AFL following its bye, saying Shaun Burgoyne’s 400th game isn’t the only reason why the Power’s clash against the Hawks is a danger game.

Much of the build-up for Saturday night’s clash at Marvel Stadium has centred around Burgoyne becoming just the fifth player in AFL/VFL history to reach the landmark 400-game milestone.

Over 150 of these games were at Port Adelaide, including the 2004 Premiership, and while Hinkley said Burgoyne was a champion of the club the Power were desperate to spoil the party.

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Zak Butters, right, at Port Adelaide training last week. Picture: Dean Martin

“There is no doubt that will be a massive part of their preparation, it can’t be part of ours and in our factoring,” he said.

“The time for acknowledging Shaun’s career and achievements are for after the game when we have won … we want to be a bit of a party pooper for Shaun and the Hawks in this game because we need to be.”

On top of Burgoyne’s milestone, the Hawks are also coming off an impressive win over GWS last weekend.

Hinkley said Alastair Clarkson had the Hawks playing as one of the most dangerous teams in the competition in recent weeks.

“Every game is a danger game … we saw last night (Richmond’s loss to Gold Coast, you see it all the time,” he said.

“Shaun is part of their build up but their build up since the bye has been really strong.

“Clarko has talked about how they went to work on some of their defensive stuff and you can see that in the numbers.

“You have to acknowledge that their form is first class … they are in as good form as anyone in the competition.”

Trent McKenzie and Connor Rozee have shaken off shoulder and knee injuries to be able to play while Riley Bonner and Sam Mayes come into the side for Dylan Williams and Marty Frederick.

Zak Butters will play in the SANFL, and Hinkley hinted he could return for next week’s blockbuster against Melbourne at Adelaide Oval – which will likely be on Thursday night.

Ken Hinkley said Zak Butters could return for the Power’s blockbuster with Melbourne. Picture: Michael Willson/AFL Photos via Getty Images

The young gun playing for the Magpies comes after he was listed on Monday as TBC, as he recovered from nerve damage after syndesmosis surgery.

“They will be controlled (his minutes) to some extent, they will be more controlled around what the opportunities present for us and for him next week and managing him into a potential five-day break (to face Melbourne),” he said.

Hinkley said Butters had nothing more to prove by just being confined to running.

“His progression has been consistent over six to eight weeks now. what we were mindful of was that we didn’t know how it was going to behave,” he said.

“So to be accurate with our injury assessment was difficult, we knew as soon as Zak was ready he would come quick.

“And we’ve said over the last couple of weeks and what I’ve seen at training is why can’t he play, he has looked close and this week it just got to a point where there is nothing more to prove for him to be running around at training he just needs to go and play some footy.”

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He is not the only AFL regular to come off the Power’s injury list.

Key defender Tom Clurey, who has not played since breaking his jaw against the Western Bulldogs in Round 9, and last week’s late withdrawal Hamish Hartlett (hip flexor) will join Butters in the SANFL on Saturday.

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Jackson Mead, leading the Power running group at training, will also return to footy in the SANFL this weekend. Picture: Mark Brake.

Second-year midfielder Jackson Mead will also play his first state-league match since suffering a lacerate spleen in April and having a stint in intensive care.

Connor Rozee (knee) and Trent McKenzie (shoulder) have been named to face Hawthorn at Marvel Stadium on Saturday night despite their injuries in last week’s home win over Sydney.

Riley Bonner and Sam Mayes, who booted a crucial late goal against the Swans after being the medical sub and playing a half in the SANFL earlier in the day, replaced omitted youngsters Marty Frederick and Dylan Williams.

The match against the Hawks will be Port Adelaide premiership star Shaun Burgoyne’s 400th.

Power defender Darcy Byrne-Jones said his side was focused on “getting the four points and then congratulating him on his achievements afterwards”.

“He is a player a lot of Port Adelaide fans will remember fondly, so it is a nice coincidence for him to play against us,” Byrne-Jones said.

Adelaide made three changes for its clash with Brisbane, handing a debut to tough midfielder Luke Pedlar and recalling tall forward Billy Frampton and defender Nick Murray.

It dropped Will Hamill, Shane McAdam and Darcy Fogarty.

‘Complications’ could sideline Treloar for rest of 2021

Western Bulldogs star Adam Treloar has suffered some “complications” after ankle surgery and may not play again this season.

Treloar, who crossed to the Bulldogs from Collingwood in an acrimonious departure from the Magpies, had surgery in May after suffering an ankle syndesmosis injury.

Bulldogs coach Luke Beveridge said his recovery was taking more time than anticipated, and he may not be back in time to be a part of the club’s premiership push.

“It‘s taking a little bit more time and the important thing with Adam is he’s going to be with us for a long time, so we just keep an open mind,” Beveridge said.

“It‘s a possibility (that he doesn’t return this season).

“These syndesmosis injuries are obviously significant and some (players) come back really quickly.

Adam Treloar is now in danger of missing the rest of the season. Picture: Michael Klein

“Libba (Tom Liberatore) came back after about five weeks, which was probably a bit too early, in ‘16, but hasn’t had any ill-effects, whereas sometimes your body reacts to surgery in different ways.

“Sometimes you have a bit more swelling or inflammation and it can take a little bit more time to get back on your feet.

“Adam’s experiencing some of that.”

Treloar joined the Bulldogs on a five-year deal and starred for his new club over the first 10 weeks of the season before suffering his injury against St Kilda.

Beveridge said the Bulldogs would take a “glass half-full” approach and wouldn’t rush Treloar back, knowing he was a long-term player for the club.

“As much as he’ll be frustrated with it, we’ve just got to reassure him that we’re not going to rush him and he’s got to be 100 per cent.” he said.

Adam Treloar hasn’t played since Round 10. Picture: Getty Images

“We hope to get him back towards the end of the year and if for some reason that doesn’t happen and it’s going to take a little bit more time, it’s not going to be a major issue.”

Treloar told Fox Footy his rehab was going “slower than what I’d hoped” and that the club was taking every precaution.

“Especially with the way the boys are going there’s no reason to really rush,” he told AFL 360.

“There’s still eight games in the season to go and I would love to get back for most (of them). But like I said, (I’m) being super precautious and ticking the boxes but moving slowly.”

The second-placed Bulldogs also have injury concerns with Stefan Martin (groin), Easton Wood (ankle) and Ryan Gardner (shoulder).

The Bulldogs play last-placed North Melbourne on Sunday afternoon.

Originally published as AFL injury news: Find out who is hurt and who could return at your club