AFL round 17: Andrew Phillips offered one-week ban, Jordan Ridley cleared of serious knee injury

The Bombers are already without star ruckman Sam Draper, now their big man depth is set to be put to the test when they head to GMHBA stadium to take on the reigning premiers.

MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - JULY 09: Jordan Ridley of the Bombers leaves the field with trainers during the round 17 AFL match between Essendon Bombers and Adelaide Crows at Marvel Stadium, on July 09, 2023, in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Daniel Pockett/Getty Images)

Essendon is preparing to be without ruck Andrew Phillips for Saturday night’s season-shaping blockbuster against Geelong after he was handed a one-match ban for a high hit on Adelaide’s Reilly O’Brien.

The Bombers will head down the highway without Phillips or fellow ruck Sam Draper (hip) for the crunch clash, should the Dons accept Phillips’ ban.

Phillips was given one week by the match review officer after he bumped O’Brien high late in Sunday’s win over the Crows, with the bump graded as careless conduct, medium impact and high contact.

Phillips will surely miss v Geelong for this bump. Buddy got a one week ban for a similar hit on Collins in round 1. Don’t think it’s more than that. Draper is still TBC with his hip. Likely careless and medium impact. O’Brien not concussed so probably only a week @FOXFOOTYpic.twitter.com/oTm8hdddqH

— Jon Ralph (@RalphyHeraldSun) July 9, 2023

Essendon will be hoping Jordan Ridley will be available in defender to tackle the Cats, after the reliable defender suffered bone bruising from an awkward landing on his left knee in a contest with Adelaide star Taylor Walker in Sunday’s win.

Ridley appeared to jar the left knee and had to be helped from the ground while in genuine pain.

But the Bombers are still hoping he can face the Cats, after he avoided a serious issue and walked away with bruising.

He was later subbed out of the game as the Bombers ran away with the contest.

Essendon said on Monday Ridley “remains an outside chance to play Geelong this weekend”.

Ridley remains a chance to play against Geelong. (Photo by Daniel Pockett/Getty Images)

The 24-year-old is enjoying a strong season down back and could be set for a match-up with Geelong star Jeremy Cameron on Saturday, if the Cat returns from concussion.

Running defender Mason Redman spent significant time on the bench in the second half of Sunday’s game nursing a sore hamstring but he was given the all-clear, with the issue put down to cramp.

A loss at GMHBA Stadium on Saturday night would see Essendon overtaken by Geelong on the ladder and potentially out of the top eight.

Fremantle has also copped a blow, with gun midfielder Caleb Serong handed a one-week suspension for a dangerous tackle on former teammate Adam Cerra.

Fremantle faces arguably the toughest test in football on Saturday afternoon, taking on Collingwood at the MCG, and will be hard pressed to stop the Magpie machine without ball winner Serong.

He became the latest to be rubbed out as part of the AFL’s crackdown on dangerous tackles for a second quarter drag down of Carlton’s Cerra.

Both Essendon and Fremantle will decide on Tuesday whether to challenge the suspensions.

King’s season over, Saints search for finals saviour

Max King’s season is officially over as Ross Lyon searches for key position cover that can keep St Kilda’s finals hopes alive.

King was to have scans on Sunday for a dislocated shoulder that popped out only seconds into the fighting loss to Melbourne on the same arm that was surgically repaired in December this year.

While King had made a brilliant recovery in round 10 – kicking 13 goals in his first four games and 14 overall – the Saints have already conceded he will need a second reconstruction.

Lyon told 3AW on Sunday King would consult with his surgeon options for a second reconstruction.

St Kilda has few available key forwards to bring in, with Josh Battle previously a swingman before settling into defence and Jack Hayes making his return on Sunday after a lengthy lay-off with foot and hamstring issues.

Not a good start for the Saints...

Max King leaves the field with an apparent shoulder injury. 🤕

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🔢 MATCH CENTRE https://t.co/2aF4eJGRUipic.twitter.com/yZnTcxcXIW

— Fox Footy (@FOXFOOTY) July 8, 2023

Sport medicine expert Peter Larkins told the Herald Sun on Sunday strapping the shoulder up and allowing King to play would only postpone the inevitable.

He said the Saints would likely consider a different shoulder surgery this time around which inserted a piece of bone in the front of the shoulder to make it harder to dislocate.

While the Latarjet procedure speeds recovery compared to the conventional reconstruction it would end his season.

“It is frustrating when it happens again but even with the best repair jobs the shoulder is high risk,” he said.

“Most people have a similar operation the first time – the arthroscopy keyhole. The second time around they would do the Latarjet like Nat Fyfe and Gary Ablett. They put a bit of bone across the front of the shoulder and it’s certainly popular the second time around for elite athletes.”

Max King will likely undergo surgery before the season ends. Picture: Darrian Traynor/Getty Images

“It is more secure but the shoulder ends up a little bit stiffer which isn’t ideal for ruckmen or forwards with the high overhead mark. The issue the second time around (with the arthroscopy keyhole) is the risk is just as high.

“So the option is to do the same thing or there is a slight advantage time-wise if they put a piece of bone in. You put it in, screw it into place and the bone heals in six to eight weeks. Eight weeks is the absolute shortest time.”

St Kilda forward Zaine Cordy will miss next week’s away clash against Gold Coast with concussion, while Seb Ross will be out for some time with a hamstring strain.

Ross played despite a sore medial ligament and Lyon said the changed running pattern could have compromised his hamstring.

Speedster Brad Hill missed the clash with his own medial ligament injury but should be fit to take on the Suns at Heritage Bank Stadium next Saturday.

At 9-7 St Kilda still has its finals destiny in its own hands with Lyon excited about the style of play an undermanned St Kilda fulfilled against the Demons.

Ross, King and Cordy all watched on the bench as Melbourne got the better of the Saints. Picture: Michael Willson/AFL Photos via Getty Images

All-Australian Jack Sinclair said the Saints would have to find a way to win without King, as they did early in the season.

“It was very flattening to lose Max, because that was a big part of how we wanted to play (against Melbourne),” he said.

“Having guys like Tim Membrey and Max going out, it is some of the more experienced guys who have played a lot with our midfielders and have that synergy with the guys. We are working on it.

“The reality was we didn’t have Max for the first nine rounds of the year, it doesn’t matter who it is, we just expect those guys to come in and play really good footy.

“Without Max, it is obviously deflating for him and I don’t know how serious it is but I am sure he will miss a little while, but we expect the new guys to come in and play their role.”

Sinclair praised the Saints’ effort on Saturday night but said poor execution in the front half had become a worrying theme.

“The ladder position is out of our control now and we just have to prepare for the next few weeks,” he said.

“That connection going inside-50, even myself I could barely hit a kick. It is frustrating. I think the idea is there at times but the execution is not and that is frustrating but you can’t criticise the guys.

“Everyone is getting the work in and trying to improve it, but it just didn’t come off tonight and we go again.”

Originally published as AFL round 17: Andrew Phillips offered one-week ban, Jordan Ridley cleared of serious knee injury