2015: Pre-Season Injury Status Updates
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Nic Naitanui and Scott Selwood back into action as West Coast braces for Fremantle
http://www.news.com.au/sport/afl/ni...es-for-fremantle/story-fndv8w9k-1227262639738
WEST Coast big man Nic Naitanui is set to make his first appearance of the NAB Challenge against Fremantle next Sunday.
The ruckman has been on light duties for the past fortnight with back soreness and hamstring tightness that Eagles management has described as minor.
Midfielder Scott Selwood is also tipped to make a return to the midfield to confront Dockers on-ballers Nat Fyfe and David Mundy, while Michael Barlow is not expected to play as he completes recovery from an ankle strain.
And Eagles management has dismissed fears key forward Jack Darling could miss a large chunk of the premiership season after a setback in his recovery from stress fractures in his foot and lower leg.
Darling, 22, has resumed running for the first time since the final game of last season against Gold Coast as the athletic big man recovers from a fractured navicular bone in his right foot.
He has also suffered a stress related fracture low in his right leg and has now been set a target to be back into full training in a month with an aim to resume playing after Round 4.
Darling is understood to have told teammates just last week that he still wants to play the season opener against the Western Bulldogs in Melbourne on Easter Saturday.
Eagles football operations boss Craig Vozzo said there plans for Darling to resume playing about a month into the regular season.
“We’re really positive,” Vozzo said.
“We’ve adopted a really cautious approach with the stress injury to his foot from day one, because of the serious consequences if it goes wrong.
“He had a setback in his rehabilitation but not a diabolical setback which was alarm bells.
“But we backed him off the rehab program about four weeks ago and now he’s progressing back through that program but he’s lost some time.”
Vozzo also disclosed that veteran utility Xavier Ellis has not suffered a serious hamstring strain and was expected to be back in training ahead of the Bulldogs clash.
Selwood is in closing stages of full recovery from ankle surgery before Christmas and will play against the Dockers if he is given the all clear from his first match outing of the summer with East Perth on Friday night.
Selwood’s playing return firmly indicates he is on course to be fit to play in the against the Dogs.
“The build up to playing in Round 1 incorporates this week next week and then a week off, or possibly another game at East Perth,” Vozzo said.
“So we’d expect he will probably play against Fremantle.”
Vozzo did not rule out the experienced Selwood playing on Sunday as well as another game back in the WAFL at East Perth in a fortnight a week ahead of the AFL premiership season launch.
Vozzo says Naitanui was held out of last Sunday’s clash with Port Adelaide to avoid potentially aggravating back soreness with a flight and overnight interstate stopover.
“We’re expecting him to be available for the Freo game with a good week of training.”
http://www.news.com.au/sport/afl/ni...es-for-fremantle/story-fndv8w9k-1227262639738
WEST Coast big man Nic Naitanui is set to make his first appearance of the NAB Challenge against Fremantle next Sunday.
The ruckman has been on light duties for the past fortnight with back soreness and hamstring tightness that Eagles management has described as minor.
Midfielder Scott Selwood is also tipped to make a return to the midfield to confront Dockers on-ballers Nat Fyfe and David Mundy, while Michael Barlow is not expected to play as he completes recovery from an ankle strain.
And Eagles management has dismissed fears key forward Jack Darling could miss a large chunk of the premiership season after a setback in his recovery from stress fractures in his foot and lower leg.
Darling, 22, has resumed running for the first time since the final game of last season against Gold Coast as the athletic big man recovers from a fractured navicular bone in his right foot.
He has also suffered a stress related fracture low in his right leg and has now been set a target to be back into full training in a month with an aim to resume playing after Round 4.
Darling is understood to have told teammates just last week that he still wants to play the season opener against the Western Bulldogs in Melbourne on Easter Saturday.
Eagles football operations boss Craig Vozzo said there plans for Darling to resume playing about a month into the regular season.
“We’re really positive,” Vozzo said.
“We’ve adopted a really cautious approach with the stress injury to his foot from day one, because of the serious consequences if it goes wrong.
“He had a setback in his rehabilitation but not a diabolical setback which was alarm bells.
“But we backed him off the rehab program about four weeks ago and now he’s progressing back through that program but he’s lost some time.”
Vozzo also disclosed that veteran utility Xavier Ellis has not suffered a serious hamstring strain and was expected to be back in training ahead of the Bulldogs clash.
Selwood is in closing stages of full recovery from ankle surgery before Christmas and will play against the Dockers if he is given the all clear from his first match outing of the summer with East Perth on Friday night.
Selwood’s playing return firmly indicates he is on course to be fit to play in the against the Dogs.
“The build up to playing in Round 1 incorporates this week next week and then a week off, or possibly another game at East Perth,” Vozzo said.
“So we’d expect he will probably play against Fremantle.”
Vozzo did not rule out the experienced Selwood playing on Sunday as well as another game back in the WAFL at East Perth in a fortnight a week ahead of the AFL premiership season launch.
Vozzo says Naitanui was held out of last Sunday’s clash with Port Adelaide to avoid potentially aggravating back soreness with a flight and overnight interstate stopover.
“We’re expecting him to be available for the Freo game with a good week of training.”
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FREMANTLE could be without its two best small forwards for round one, after Hayden Ballantyne injured his calf and Michael Walters was reported during Sunday’s NAB Challenge clash against the Sydney Swans.
On a difficult day for football with strong winds and late rain, Ballantyne finished up with calf soreness that could signal a spell on the sidelines if a strain is diagnosed.
Walters was reported for misconduct in a third quarter incident when he ran into Craig Bird while the Swan’s head was over the ball.
Lyon didn't see the Walters collision but conceded Ballantyne's chances of facing Port Adelaide on April 5 were in jeopardy.
"We've got a couple of little concerns," Lyon said.
"[Tendai] Mzungu tightened up in the hamstring so I think he'll be OK, but Ballantyne looks like he’s hurt a calf so that's a concern.
"If it is, he’ll probably miss round one, so that's not ideal."
Mzungu was subbed off for Lachie Weller in the second half and David Mundy also tightened up late in what was a physical game.
But Nat Fyfe returned successfully from a hamstring injury and was one of the team's better players.
Lyon said fatigue wasn't the reason behind Ballantyne's injury.
"They're relatively fresh because under the CBA you get two three-day breaks, so they've had two consecutive weeks of three-day weekends," he said.
"It's not like they've been in at the club a lot.
"Maybe it's been ‘unders’ a little bit … everyone's going to get a soft tissue, you hope not to get them but it's part of the game and you try and get through unscathed but it doesn't always work that way."
Ruckman Aaron Sandilands didn't make the trip despite being named in the expanded squad but should play against West Coast next Sunday in their final NAB Challenge game.
"He tightened up … he's a unique frame so we're expectant he'll play against West Coast," Lyon said.
Lyon was pleased with the performance of Lachie Neale, who racked up 33 touches as the Dockers' best midfielder, but said Hayden Crozier and Tom Sheridan "could have done more" to press their cases for round one.
On a difficult day for football with strong winds and late rain, Ballantyne finished up with calf soreness that could signal a spell on the sidelines if a strain is diagnosed.
Walters was reported for misconduct in a third quarter incident when he ran into Craig Bird while the Swan’s head was over the ball.
Lyon didn't see the Walters collision but conceded Ballantyne's chances of facing Port Adelaide on April 5 were in jeopardy.
"We've got a couple of little concerns," Lyon said.
"[Tendai] Mzungu tightened up in the hamstring so I think he'll be OK, but Ballantyne looks like he’s hurt a calf so that's a concern.
"If it is, he’ll probably miss round one, so that's not ideal."
Mzungu was subbed off for Lachie Weller in the second half and David Mundy also tightened up late in what was a physical game.
But Nat Fyfe returned successfully from a hamstring injury and was one of the team's better players.
Lyon said fatigue wasn't the reason behind Ballantyne's injury.
"They're relatively fresh because under the CBA you get two three-day breaks, so they've had two consecutive weeks of three-day weekends," he said.
"It's not like they've been in at the club a lot.
"Maybe it's been ‘unders’ a little bit … everyone's going to get a soft tissue, you hope not to get them but it's part of the game and you try and get through unscathed but it doesn't always work that way."
Ruckman Aaron Sandilands didn't make the trip despite being named in the expanded squad but should play against West Coast next Sunday in their final NAB Challenge game.
"He tightened up … he's a unique frame so we're expectant he'll play against West Coast," Lyon said.
Lyon was pleased with the performance of Lachie Neale, who racked up 33 touches as the Dockers' best midfielder, but said Hayden Crozier and Tom Sheridan "could have done more" to press their cases for round one.
Gary Ablett set to play a half in Gold Coast’s NAB Challenge derby against Brisbane
Andrew Hamilton
News Limited
March 15, 2015 7:00PM
GOLD Coast expects Friday’s clash with Brisbane to be a major step-up from a standard NAB Challenge match and will be played at premiership intensity. Brisbane will pick the best available side and will no doubt take every opportunity to turn the derby into a Q-Bash by testing out Suns skipper Gary Ablett’s rebuilt shoulder. Suns coach Rodney Eade has already declared that he wants his Round 1 side on the park against the Lions.
Ablett will be asked to play at least a half in his first competitive hit out since having a major shoulder reconstruction after Round 16 last year. He has been in full training since the club returned from Christmas break but continues to wear the orange hat which specifies no contact in the match drills. Ablett refuses to take painkillers and is attempting to give the rebuilt joint maximum recovery time before he puts it under major duress.
The rumour going around footy circles is that he cannot raise his arm above shoulder height. But he has never had a major injury in his career and it seems the restricted movement is because he does not yet have full confidence in the joint. You can see at training he favours the injury — he is taking marks on his chest and occasionally reaching for balls one handed.
But in the heat of training he looks fine. He has taken marks out in front of his face on the lead and he unknowingly put a smile on the faces of the coaching staff at training last week when instincts kicked in and he raised his arm to deliver a solid “don’t argue” fend-off to a team mate. And the Suns say he has been doing one-on-one contact drills with fitness coach Matthew Kennedy, away from the public training sessions, for several weeks.
The return of Dion Prestia and Steven May in an NEAFL match against Southport on Saturday means Ablett, Rory Thompson and Sam Day are the only players from the intended round one side who have yet to play a game. Prestia was thrilled to get a game under his belt and says he expects both sides will be desperate to win on Friday. “I got through the game really well, my body feels fine and it looks like we will have our strongest team yet on Friday for our game against the Lions,’’ he said. “Even though round one is a few weeks away this is as close as you can get to the real thing. “The Lions have been impressive so far and like us have added a couple of handy recruits over the off-season. “Both teams have a lot to look forward this season, for the first time both teams have a lot to be excited about and that’s great for AFL in Queensland.’’
Andrew Hamilton
News Limited
March 15, 2015 7:00PM
GOLD Coast expects Friday’s clash with Brisbane to be a major step-up from a standard NAB Challenge match and will be played at premiership intensity. Brisbane will pick the best available side and will no doubt take every opportunity to turn the derby into a Q-Bash by testing out Suns skipper Gary Ablett’s rebuilt shoulder. Suns coach Rodney Eade has already declared that he wants his Round 1 side on the park against the Lions.
Ablett will be asked to play at least a half in his first competitive hit out since having a major shoulder reconstruction after Round 16 last year. He has been in full training since the club returned from Christmas break but continues to wear the orange hat which specifies no contact in the match drills. Ablett refuses to take painkillers and is attempting to give the rebuilt joint maximum recovery time before he puts it under major duress.
The rumour going around footy circles is that he cannot raise his arm above shoulder height. But he has never had a major injury in his career and it seems the restricted movement is because he does not yet have full confidence in the joint. You can see at training he favours the injury — he is taking marks on his chest and occasionally reaching for balls one handed.
But in the heat of training he looks fine. He has taken marks out in front of his face on the lead and he unknowingly put a smile on the faces of the coaching staff at training last week when instincts kicked in and he raised his arm to deliver a solid “don’t argue” fend-off to a team mate. And the Suns say he has been doing one-on-one contact drills with fitness coach Matthew Kennedy, away from the public training sessions, for several weeks.
The return of Dion Prestia and Steven May in an NEAFL match against Southport on Saturday means Ablett, Rory Thompson and Sam Day are the only players from the intended round one side who have yet to play a game. Prestia was thrilled to get a game under his belt and says he expects both sides will be desperate to win on Friday. “I got through the game really well, my body feels fine and it looks like we will have our strongest team yet on Friday for our game against the Lions,’’ he said. “Even though round one is a few weeks away this is as close as you can get to the real thing. “The Lions have been impressive so far and like us have added a couple of handy recruits over the off-season. “Both teams have a lot to look forward this season, for the first time both teams have a lot to be excited about and that’s great for AFL in Queensland.’’
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Nic Nat set to play first match of 2015 on Sunday
http://www.afl.com.au/news/2015-03-17/nic-nat-set-to-return
NIC NAITANUI will finally play his first game of 2015 against Fremantle on Sunday, but West Coast coach Adam Simpson said it will be the only match he plays ahead of round one.
The star ruckman has had a strong pre-season but hasn't featured in any of the Eagles' pre-season matches against the Indigenous All Stars, Carlton and Port Adelaide due to back-related tightness.
West Coast has the option to play some players in the WAFL on March 28 ahead of the round one clash with the Western Bulldogs on April 4, but Simpson said Sunday's NAB Challenge match will be Naitanui's only hit-out of the pre-season.
"You'll see him play (this week), definitely," Simpson said at the Eagles' season launch at Crown Perth on Tuesday morning
"I would've thought 70-80 minutes would be around about the time we're looking for. We'll manage that in a way that's different than we would in round one.
"He's probably a game off being absolutely cherry ripe. But we think a good hit-out this week, see how he pulls up, and get him for round one."
Scott Selwood will also return to the Eagles' side this week after playing 58 minutes for East Perth last Friday night.
"He pulled up well," Simpson said.
"The progression for him now is 80-90 minutes this week. We'll look at whether he needs to play WAFL again before round one."
The Eagles received some positive news about Jack Darling this week with the dynamic forward set to return to the training track after increasing his running loads but there is still no definitive date placed on his playing return.
"He's training now," Simpson said.
"He's just about to get into using the footy and training with the main group.
"When he gets his fitness up, and (if) progresses back to full strength, I'd say between rounds one and six if everything goes well."
The Eagles have suffered another foot stress injury with draftee Damien Cavka set to miss eight or nine weeks. Cavka was in a moon boot at the season launch and Simpson said the club would be very cautious with the 18-year-old midfielder.
"We'll manage him in the right way," Simpson said.
"It's not about getting him back as soon as we possibly can, it's about getting 10 years out of him.
"He's probably a week or so in the boot, and then he'll start to transition back. So he might be an eight- or nine-week process."

The Eagles will train on Domain Stadium on Tuesday ahead of the clash with Fremantle on Sunday.
Simpson thought the surface was safe following the damage caused by the One Direction concert on February 20 but he wasn't certain about how it looks.
http://www.afl.com.au/news/2015-03-17/nic-nat-set-to-return
NIC NAITANUI will finally play his first game of 2015 against Fremantle on Sunday, but West Coast coach Adam Simpson said it will be the only match he plays ahead of round one.
The star ruckman has had a strong pre-season but hasn't featured in any of the Eagles' pre-season matches against the Indigenous All Stars, Carlton and Port Adelaide due to back-related tightness.
West Coast has the option to play some players in the WAFL on March 28 ahead of the round one clash with the Western Bulldogs on April 4, but Simpson said Sunday's NAB Challenge match will be Naitanui's only hit-out of the pre-season.
"You'll see him play (this week), definitely," Simpson said at the Eagles' season launch at Crown Perth on Tuesday morning
"I would've thought 70-80 minutes would be around about the time we're looking for. We'll manage that in a way that's different than we would in round one.
"He's probably a game off being absolutely cherry ripe. But we think a good hit-out this week, see how he pulls up, and get him for round one."
Scott Selwood will also return to the Eagles' side this week after playing 58 minutes for East Perth last Friday night.
"He pulled up well," Simpson said.
"The progression for him now is 80-90 minutes this week. We'll look at whether he needs to play WAFL again before round one."
The Eagles received some positive news about Jack Darling this week with the dynamic forward set to return to the training track after increasing his running loads but there is still no definitive date placed on his playing return.
"He's training now," Simpson said.
"He's just about to get into using the footy and training with the main group.
"When he gets his fitness up, and (if) progresses back to full strength, I'd say between rounds one and six if everything goes well."
The Eagles have suffered another foot stress injury with draftee Damien Cavka set to miss eight or nine weeks. Cavka was in a moon boot at the season launch and Simpson said the club would be very cautious with the 18-year-old midfielder.
"We'll manage him in the right way," Simpson said.
"It's not about getting him back as soon as we possibly can, it's about getting 10 years out of him.
"He's probably a week or so in the boot, and then he'll start to transition back. So he might be an eight- or nine-week process."

The Eagles will train on Domain Stadium on Tuesday ahead of the clash with Fremantle on Sunday.
Simpson thought the surface was safe following the damage caused by the One Direction concert on February 20 but he wasn't certain about how it looks.
ST KILDA'S Nathan Wright is set to miss the club's round one clash with Greater Western Sydney after suffering a suspected thigh strain in Thursday night's NAB Challenge loss to Hawthorn.
It wasn't the only injury concern for the Saints in the 106-point thrashing, with veteran midfielder Leigh Montagna also substituted out of the game with a knee injury.
The club will have both players scanned on Friday to assess the damage, and although confident Montagna will be fit to face the Giants they are less hopeful on Wright, who was set for a more prominent role in his third season.
"'Wrighty' had a tough night. He got stood on and came off the ground with some bruising on the foot. He went back out and got pushed as he was kicking as it looks like he might have done something to his thigh and adductor region," Saints coach Alan Richardson said after the game.
"[Montagna] gave his knee a tweak, so we'll scan that in the morning. We're very optimistic. The doctors are pretty confident that 'Joey' (Montagna) should be OK, so time will tell.
"Wright looks unlikely now [for round one]. He'd need a bit of luck with the scan but their early diagnosis is that he's given it a fair old tweak and done a bit of damage, but we'll know a bit more in the morning."
Richardson expects experienced options Jarryn Geary, Shane Savage and David Armitage to be available for round one, but that second-year midfielder Jack Billings was unlikely to be picked for the senior team after his hamstring strain.
It wasn't the only injury concern for the Saints in the 106-point thrashing, with veteran midfielder Leigh Montagna also substituted out of the game with a knee injury.
The club will have both players scanned on Friday to assess the damage, and although confident Montagna will be fit to face the Giants they are less hopeful on Wright, who was set for a more prominent role in his third season.
"'Wrighty' had a tough night. He got stood on and came off the ground with some bruising on the foot. He went back out and got pushed as he was kicking as it looks like he might have done something to his thigh and adductor region," Saints coach Alan Richardson said after the game.
"[Montagna] gave his knee a tweak, so we'll scan that in the morning. We're very optimistic. The doctors are pretty confident that 'Joey' (Montagna) should be OK, so time will tell.
"Wright looks unlikely now [for round one]. He'd need a bit of luck with the scan but their early diagnosis is that he's given it a fair old tweak and done a bit of damage, but we'll know a bit more in the morning."
Richardson expects experienced options Jarryn Geary, Shane Savage and David Armitage to be available for round one, but that second-year midfielder Jack Billings was unlikely to be picked for the senior team after his hamstring strain.
I guess this means Ellis-Yolmen's chances of playing are improved and the possibility that NVB might have to tag.
Sam Kerridge, Luke Lowden suffer injury setbacks at Adelaide Crows training
ADELAIDE midfielder Sam Kerridge is in doubt for Round 1 after injuring his hamstring at training.
The 21-year-old suffered the injury at training on Thursday and was immediately ruled out of the Crows final NAB Challenge game against Port Adelaide on Sunday.
Kerridge sat out last Thursday’s loss to Geelong and was set to ramp up his preparations against the Power before the setback.
The club has yet to determine the severity of Kerridge’s injury with two weeks before the Crows face North Melbourne on April 5.
The Crows will definitely be without ruck recruit Luke Lowden against the Kangaroos.
Lowden has been forced out of Round 1 after aggravating a long-standing Achilles injury at Thebarton Oval.
The Crows’ decision to hold four closed training sessions at the suburban venue because of the unavailability of AAMI Stadium due to a pop concert backfired, with coach Phil Walsh blaming the hard surface for Lowden’s latest setback last month.
The former Hawk, a giant at 206cm and 103kg, has since returned to full training but needs more conditioning before he is ready to play.
“He won’t be available for us Round 1,” Walsh said.
“He came to the club with an Achilles (injury) and we’ve had a couple of guys with Achilles (injuries) this pre-season.
“One of the difficulties, and this is not a complaint, but we had to move off AAMI Stadium, off the main deck, and train at Thebarton.
“It was great for us to get that venue but it was just too hard.
“With Luke, he probably trained two days in a row on a really hard surface that’s given him a small setback.’’
Lowden was carrying an Achilles injury when he joined the Crows, along with defender Kyle Cheney, from Hawthorn in a trade in October and has yet to feature in any game for his new club.
His latest setback came after Adelaide was forced off AAMI Stadium due to the One Direction concert at the venue on February 17.
The Crows moved to Thebarton Oval to run closed training sessions but abandoned the ground after Lowden and other players pulled up sore on the hard surface.
“We ended up moving back, we came back to Max Basheer (Reserve) because of it — we did penetrometers and we got readings,” Walsh said.
“We looked at maybe going to West Adelaide as well but we ended up deciding the surface here was probably just as good.
“It (Thebarton) was a good venue to do a closed session because it’s a bit hard to do a closed session at Max Basheer.
“Hopefully there are no boy bands coming to Adelaide next year so we can still stay at AAMI.’’
Walsh said he hoped to give Lowden his first run in an SANFL trial in two weeks.
While he has drawn a round one selection line through Lowden, Walsh isn’t giving up on 264-game midfielder Scott Thompson, despite the veteran also not featuring in a pre-season game.
“He is a chance (of playing in round one) because he’s got great experience and has done a big chunk of the pre-season,” Walsh said.
“But he won’t play a (pre-season) game going into round one, so it would be a risk. Am I prepared to take that risk? I’ll probably tell you in two weeks’ time.”
Sam Kerridge, Luke Lowden suffer injury setbacks at Adelaide Crows training
ADELAIDE midfielder Sam Kerridge is in doubt for Round 1 after injuring his hamstring at training.
The 21-year-old suffered the injury at training on Thursday and was immediately ruled out of the Crows final NAB Challenge game against Port Adelaide on Sunday.
Kerridge sat out last Thursday’s loss to Geelong and was set to ramp up his preparations against the Power before the setback.
The club has yet to determine the severity of Kerridge’s injury with two weeks before the Crows face North Melbourne on April 5.
The Crows will definitely be without ruck recruit Luke Lowden against the Kangaroos.
Lowden has been forced out of Round 1 after aggravating a long-standing Achilles injury at Thebarton Oval.
The Crows’ decision to hold four closed training sessions at the suburban venue because of the unavailability of AAMI Stadium due to a pop concert backfired, with coach Phil Walsh blaming the hard surface for Lowden’s latest setback last month.
The former Hawk, a giant at 206cm and 103kg, has since returned to full training but needs more conditioning before he is ready to play.
“He won’t be available for us Round 1,” Walsh said.
“He came to the club with an Achilles (injury) and we’ve had a couple of guys with Achilles (injuries) this pre-season.
“One of the difficulties, and this is not a complaint, but we had to move off AAMI Stadium, off the main deck, and train at Thebarton.
“It was great for us to get that venue but it was just too hard.
“With Luke, he probably trained two days in a row on a really hard surface that’s given him a small setback.’’
Lowden was carrying an Achilles injury when he joined the Crows, along with defender Kyle Cheney, from Hawthorn in a trade in October and has yet to feature in any game for his new club.
His latest setback came after Adelaide was forced off AAMI Stadium due to the One Direction concert at the venue on February 17.
The Crows moved to Thebarton Oval to run closed training sessions but abandoned the ground after Lowden and other players pulled up sore on the hard surface.
“We ended up moving back, we came back to Max Basheer (Reserve) because of it — we did penetrometers and we got readings,” Walsh said.
“We looked at maybe going to West Adelaide as well but we ended up deciding the surface here was probably just as good.
“It (Thebarton) was a good venue to do a closed session because it’s a bit hard to do a closed session at Max Basheer.
“Hopefully there are no boy bands coming to Adelaide next year so we can still stay at AAMI.’’
Walsh said he hoped to give Lowden his first run in an SANFL trial in two weeks.
While he has drawn a round one selection line through Lowden, Walsh isn’t giving up on 264-game midfielder Scott Thompson, despite the veteran also not featuring in a pre-season game.
“He is a chance (of playing in round one) because he’s got great experience and has done a big chunk of the pre-season,” Walsh said.
“But he won’t play a (pre-season) game going into round one, so it would be a risk. Am I prepared to take that risk? I’ll probably tell you in two weeks’ time.”
Star Power trio on track to face Dockers in round one
Harry Thring March 20, 2015 12:26 PM
PORT Adelaide stars Chad Wingard, Hamish Hartlett and Jackson Trengove are expected to play against Fremantle in round one. The trio, recovering from respective knee, groin and shoulder injuries, will miss Saturday's NAB Challenge game against Adelaide – although Power coach Ken Hinkley said Hartlett could almost have played. Trengove is building towards competitive work at training, while Wingard tested out his strapped right knee with agility runs on Friday morning.
The Power fly to Perth to face the Dockers on April 5 and Hinkley was confident all three would be on the plane. "We're really comfortable that Chad's OK ... as I sit here today I expect to pick the three of them in round one," Hinkley said. "Chad's [test] is about when he can start twisting and turning and doing what he can and you've seen out there today he's doing that, so that's not a problem. "Jackson's is about the competitive side to the game and he's not going to test that until very late because we don't need to. "[Hamish] could have nearly played tomorrow and we made the decision not to play him tomorrow so we're being conservative with Hamish and making sure he's right for round one."
Saturday's game against the Crows will be Hinkley's return to the coaching box, after defence coach Matthew Nicks handled the opening two NAB Challenge games. The experience will prove invaluable for Nicks, who on Thursday was accepted into the AFL's level four coaching accreditation program. As excited as he is to return to game-day coaching, Hinkley wished it was against different opposition. He doesn't like the idea of pre-season Showdowns, believing it dilutes the significance of the showpiece of the South Australian football calendar.
The main argument for the Crows and Power facing off prior to round one is the lack of travel involved, but Hinkley said he'd happily fly to preserve the integrity of the rivalry game. "I'm not a fan of it, if I'm honest. I think it's a great game, it's a marquee game in the state and we should protect it as much as we possibly can and put it out when it's significant. "It's a national competition, we travel every second week – [it's] no big deal. "I said the same thing to Gillon McLachlan, I said I don't mind if we travel a week out (from round one) ... the Showdown should be protected."
Harry Thring March 20, 2015 12:26 PM
PORT Adelaide stars Chad Wingard, Hamish Hartlett and Jackson Trengove are expected to play against Fremantle in round one. The trio, recovering from respective knee, groin and shoulder injuries, will miss Saturday's NAB Challenge game against Adelaide – although Power coach Ken Hinkley said Hartlett could almost have played. Trengove is building towards competitive work at training, while Wingard tested out his strapped right knee with agility runs on Friday morning.
The Power fly to Perth to face the Dockers on April 5 and Hinkley was confident all three would be on the plane. "We're really comfortable that Chad's OK ... as I sit here today I expect to pick the three of them in round one," Hinkley said. "Chad's [test] is about when he can start twisting and turning and doing what he can and you've seen out there today he's doing that, so that's not a problem. "Jackson's is about the competitive side to the game and he's not going to test that until very late because we don't need to. "[Hamish] could have nearly played tomorrow and we made the decision not to play him tomorrow so we're being conservative with Hamish and making sure he's right for round one."
Saturday's game against the Crows will be Hinkley's return to the coaching box, after defence coach Matthew Nicks handled the opening two NAB Challenge games. The experience will prove invaluable for Nicks, who on Thursday was accepted into the AFL's level four coaching accreditation program. As excited as he is to return to game-day coaching, Hinkley wished it was against different opposition. He doesn't like the idea of pre-season Showdowns, believing it dilutes the significance of the showpiece of the South Australian football calendar.
The main argument for the Crows and Power facing off prior to round one is the lack of travel involved, but Hinkley said he'd happily fly to preserve the integrity of the rivalry game. "I'm not a fan of it, if I'm honest. I think it's a great game, it's a marquee game in the state and we should protect it as much as we possibly can and put it out when it's significant. "It's a national competition, we travel every second week – [it's] no big deal. "I said the same thing to Gillon McLachlan, I said I don't mind if we travel a week out (from round one) ... the Showdown should be protected."
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Wright AND Montagna confirmed out for round 1.
The Saints just can't catch a break.
http://www.afl.com.au/news/2015-03-20/double-blow-for-saints
The Saints just can't catch a break.
http://www.afl.com.au/news/2015-03-20/double-blow-for-saints
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