By Jake Niall
In today’s AFL Briefing, your wrap of footy news
- Demon Clayton Oliver is on track to play in the AFL season opener against the Swans at the SCG, subject to confirming his fitness levels.
- Sydney will be without three of their best midfielders for the AFL’s ‘opening round’ after scans revealed the extent of injuries to Luke Parker and Taylor Adams
- Skipper Patrick Cripps says Carlton have an “ace” up their sleeve to unlock Harry McKay, coming as the Blues prepare for two key training sessions.
Demon Oliver on track for opening match
Jake Niall
Gun Melbourne midfielder Clayton Oliver is on track to play in the AFL season opener against the Swans at the SCG, subject to confirming his fitness levels.
The Demons confirmed that Oliver was trending in the right direction to be selected and play at senior level in the first game of 2024.
But Oliver, who performed well in the VFL practice match against Carlton on Wednesday, had to show he was fit enough to run out the game at senior level, according to a senior club source, speaking on condition of anonymity about a player who has been in headlines over summer.
Clayton Oliver shows some dash against the Tigers last month.Credit: AFL Photos / Getty Images
Oliver’s probable return is boost for the Demons, given the challenges the four-time best and fairest winner has faced since the end of last season, and the issues that surfaced with his health just before Christmas, and the retirement of Angus Brayshaw last week on medical advice due to the impact of concussions.
Oliver attended Melbourne’s season launch function last week and was in good spirits. He has played in the VFL for the past two pre-season games after missing a chunk of training over summer when he took extended leave to deal with personal issues.
He trained alone for much of January during his period away, returning to full training at the end of that month.
The AFL has been assisting Melbourne and Oliver in helping the superstar and premiership midfielder deal with his issues.
Oliver, who is contracted for another seven seasons (including 2024) on close to $7 million and is one of the most decorated players in Melbourne history, had been potentially on the trading block in October, when the Demons explored the possibility of trading him to another club, in what was widely viewed as an attempt to get him to improve his behaviours and standards.
Clubs, including Adelaide, had shown interest in acquiring Oliver before the Demons closed down the prospect of a trade.
When Oliver took leave from Melbourne’s pre-Christmas training camp at Lorne, Melbourne football boss Alan Richardson said they were supporting Oliver and “manage his program in a way that prioritises his health and wellbeing”.
Oliver was taken to hospital after a seizure in October, had minor knee surgery in post-season and had to face court earlier this month for driving while his licence was suspended due to medical advice after his seizure.
Having endured a challenging off-season dealing with Oliver’s issues and the provisional suspension of Joel Smith, who is being investigated by Sport Integrity Australia following a game-day positive test for cocaine late last season, the Demons had an encouraging pre-season performance against Carlton on Wednesday evening, in which they moved the ball efficiently and used Christian Salem and Tom Sparrow in midfield roles that gave the team a different look.
Young Demon Caleb Windsor.Credit: Getty Images
Youngster Caleb Windsor also demonstrated his talents, booting two goals and making a case for inclusion against Sydney for what is already a sold-out first game of the AFL season on Thursday night at the SCG.
Parker and Adams ruled out for a month as injuries hit Swans
Vince Rugari
Sydney will be without three of their best midfielders for the AFL’s ‘opening round’ after scans revealed the extent of injuries to Luke Parker and Taylor Adams, who will join new skipper Callum Mills on the sidelines for the first month of the season.
Parker broke his arm in the final stages of the Swans’ match simulation against Greater Western Sydney last month and underwent surgery the next day. A visit to a specialist has determined he will be ruled out for around a month, the club said in a statement.
Taylor Adams could miss the first month of Sydney’s AFL season.Credit: Getty Images
Adams, meanwhile, hurt his left knee in a Cameron Rayner tackle during Thursday’s practice match defeat to the Brisbane Lions in Blacktown, suffering a lateral ligament strain which will keep him out for between three and four weeks.
With Mills already set to miss the first half of the season with a shoulder injury, it means Sydney will be short on midfielders for what looms as a difficult start to the new campaign, starting with their clash with Melbourne at the SCG on Thursday night – the first of four games in the ‘northern states’ comprising the AFL’s opening round initiative, designed to boost the presence and visibility of the code in NSW and Queensland.
After that, the Swans face reigning premiers Collingwood at the MCG, Essendon at home, and then Richmond away.
Luke Parker is set to miss the opening part of the 2024 season with a broken arm sustained in a match simulation against the Giants.Credit: AFL Photos
It will be an earlier test of Sydney’s newfound on-ball depth than what coach John Longmire would have liked, with the retirement of Lance Franklin opening up salary cap room that allowed them to bring in Adams, who missed Collingwood’s grand final win due to a hamstring injury, as well as ruckman Brodie Grundy and utility James Jordon from Melbourne.
Jordon was one of the Swans’ best performers in their 12.9 (81) to 8.8 (56) defeat to the Lions, the team Collingwood beat to win the premiership last September, collecting 31 disposals and taking nine marks. Adams had 15 touches and seven clearances in just over a half before his knee injury forced him off the field. The match was delayed twice - first due to oppressive heat, then a power outage in Blacktown, and ultimately unfolded in energy-sapping humidity.
Mills has been installed as Sydney’s sole skipper, having previously served as one of three co-captains with Parker and Dane Rampe, despite the Mad Monday wrestling mishap which damaged his rotator cuff and forced him to have surgery that has ruled him out for an extended period.
‘That is definitely an ace card’: Cripps says McKay can push into ruck
Jon Pierik
Skipper Patrick Cripps says Carlton have an “ace” up their sleeve to unlock Harry McKay, coming as the Blues keep a close watch on a handful of injured players heading into their season-opener against Brisbane next Friday night.
Jack Martin has been ruled out of the Lions’ clash, with football department chief Brad Lloyd declaring the dynamic half-forward won’t be available for up to three weeks, while Sam Walsh’s bid to prove he has overcome a back issue will become clearer at an open training session on Sunday, and a further hit out on Tuesday.
Jesse Motlop (toe), Corey Durdin (hamstring) and Matt Owies (calf) are also being monitored, but former Essendon and Port Adelaide speedster Orazio Fantasia is in line to debut for his new club.
Back on the tools: Sam Walsh will need to prove his fitness if he is to line up against Brisbane next weekend.Credit: Jonathan DiMaggio
The Blues were beaten by 38 points in their community cup clash on Wednesday, but the form of McKay was encouraging. The 2021 Coleman medallist, bedding down a revised run-up when kicking for goal, booted three goals and had 18 disposals and 10 marks, while also spending time in the ruck after Marc Pittonet was rested at half-time.
Cripps said McKay could expect to spend key minutes in the ruck this season, particularly if Pittonet or Tom De Koning were unavailable.
“It’s just another layer. It’s about adding strings to your bow. What it does is, if he is getting locked down as a key forward, he can go in the ruck and roam around. A bit like Charlie [Curnow], he has a massive tank as well,” Cripps said.
“We have two guys who are big, great marks who can move around the ground. That is definitely an ace card we have got up our sleeve.”
The season-long absence of an injured Jack Silvagni also means McKay is likely to be used more in spells on the ball.
Curnow was also impressive against the Demons, the 2022-23 Coleman medallist – the first Blue to claim the honour in back-to-back seasons – booting three goals.
Cripps said Curnow had completed a strong pre-season.
“For him, he has two full years of footy which is pretty remarkable when you think about what he has done,” Cripps said.
“Just like anyone, he will have learnt a lot from last year, but I think his ability, he can beat you in so many ways, Charlie, I think what he does is special. His marking ability is freakish but also what is under-rated is his tank, he can take you up and down the ground.
“He is one guy you watch train and you are just amazed at the things he does.”
The Blues will take a conservative approach with Walsh, particularly as he had back surgery last year. The star midfielder has been a modified program, but Cripps said he was pushing to face the Lions in a preliminary-final rematch at the Gabba.
“He is back running at the moment. I don’t know exactly when he is going to play, but I wouldn’t be surprised if he plays round zero,” Cripps said.
“Last time when he had the surgery was very different. When he plays, he will dominate like he always does. He is a freak, so I have no concerns about him.”