AFL round 20: All the latest selection and injury news

The Blues and Swans have taken a hit for their charge towards September, with two key players dealt massive injury blows. But there’s better news for Carlton on Harry McKay.

MELBOURNE, JULY 21, 2024: 2024 AFL Football – Round 19 – Carlton Blues V North Melbourne Kangaroos at Marvel Stadium. Tom De Koning of the Blues with the doctors. Picture: Mark Stewart

The Swans are likely to be without Tom Papley until finals after scans showed the small forward suffered a medial ankle ligament injury in the loss to Brisbane while Fremantle skipper Alex Pearce has suffered a fresh blow.

Papley sustained the injury in a marking contest late in the second quarter and had to be helped from the field. He returned to the bench in the second half wearing a moon boot and took no further part in the game.

Sydney confirmed on Monday evening that Papley would likely miss between four to six weeks of football. The more conservative part of that time frame would place his return for the first week of the finals.

Tom Papleyleaves the field in the hands of a trainer at the Gabba on Sunday. Picture: Russell Freeman/AFL Photos via Getty Images.

In better news for Sydney, Will Hayward remains a test to play this Sunday against the Western Bulldogs. He also suffered an ankle injury in the second quarter against the Lions after trying to launch in a marking contest.

Hayward played out the match, kicking two crucial goals and proving an important marking target higher up the ground. His injury has only been classified as a lateral ankle sprain.

Dane Rampe was also subbed out of the game with calf tightness in the first half. The Swans are yet to properly assess the injury, and he will come into the club on Tuesday for examination. However, it is expected the former co-captain will at least miss a couple of weeks of football.

Sydney should certainly welcome back captain Callum Mills this week after he was managed for the game against Brisbane. James Rowbottom could also be a chance as the Swans work through a plan for his return from a cheekbone injury.

Meanwhile Fremantle skipper Alex Pearce has fractured his arm in his first game back after four weeks off.

“Unfortunately, Alex has suffered another fracture of his left radius after an incident in the third quarter against Melbourne,” Executive General Manager of Football Joe Brierty said.

Alex Pearce of the Dockers heads to the interchange after re-injuring his forearm on Sunday. Picture: Paul Kane/Getty Images.

CARLTON STAR HIT WITH DOUBLE BLOW

Carlton has taken a hit in the run to the finals with ruckman Tom De Koning set to miss the rest of the home and away season after suffering a punctured lung and a foot fracture in Sunday’s win over North Melbourne.

De Koning, who battled the foot issues throughout the match, copped a hit from Kangaroos ruckman Tristan Xerri during the last quarter.

He tried to play on after a chat with club medical staff, and took two more ruck contests before being taken from the field for the rest of the game.

Subsequent tests revealed the internal issue and he was sent to hospital for treatment. The foot fracture was also confirmed, ruling him out until at least the start of the finals in a blow for the second-placed Blues.

“As tough as the news is for Tom, first and foremost we are pleased he is feeling OK and recovering following his treatmentin hospital overnight,” Carlton general manager of football Brad Lloyd said.

De Koning will miss the rest of the regular season. (Photo by Darrian Traynor/Getty Images)

“Tom reported symptoms of being unwell within half an hour of the game finishing, so the priority for us was immediately ensuringhe got the treatment he needed and he is now recovering with the appropriate care around him.

“Tom will undergo surgery this week to correct his foot injury, which we expect will sideline him for the remainder of the home-and-away season, and we will continue to monitor his recovery over that period of time.”

Marc Pittonet looms as his replacement.

But while De Koning could be sidelined for the immediate future, Carlton forward Harry McKay has been cleared of any issues amid criticism of the club’s handling of an incident in which the goalkicker seemed dazed following a heavy collision.

Blues coach Michael Voss defended the action’s of the club’s medical which went minutes before attending to McKay, who kicked a goal before eventually being taken from the field for an assessment.

He was cleared to return, had no issues post match and on Monday was again found to have no issues after more testing and he’s set to take his place in Friday’s clash with Port.

Several pundits were stinging of Carlton’s handling of the situation but Voss was adamant the protocols were followed and that McKay “got the care he needed”.

“I couldn’t speak to specifics of the time, but what I do know is the protocol was there and we got notified that we needed to get him off the ground,” Voss said.

Harry McKay has been cleared. (Photo by Darrian Traynor/Getty Images)

“He came off the ground, went into the protocols and fortunately he was able to respond and be okay. He was able to keep the game going.

“The downside was we had to hold our tactical sub to work out whether we needed to change Harry or not. That’s a different discussion maybe in time, but certainly not today. I feel like we followed what we needed to and Harry got the care he needed.”

But star wingman Blake Acres has been sent for scans.

Acres was subbed out of the win over North Melbourne with what Voss said were “ bumps and bruises” but would now need to be cleared to play against Port.

“He was hobbling around a bit with a couple of bumps and bruises he was battling with and probably wasn’t moving as well,” Voss said.

“He was keen to go on, but we just felt we had some fresh legs so once we knew Harry was okay, we could go with something different.”

Originally published as AFL round 20: All the latest selection and injury news