Injuries & Suspensions
- Thread starter Impromptu
- Start date
Not really injuries, but worth noting that Rioli (lack of conditioning) and Ceglar (back issue) will sit out of the hawk's intraclub. Birchall obviously still out.
http://www.afl.com.au/news/2018-02-08/hawks-to-put-stars-through-intraclub-paces
http://www.afl.com.au/news/2018-02-08/hawks-to-put-stars-through-intraclub-paces
http://www.essendonfc.com.au/news/2018-02-09/watch-live-intraclub
Dons intraclub broadcast live tomorrow morning.
Dons intraclub broadcast live tomorrow morning.
AFL pre-season Barometer: How healthy is your club’s list before AFLX and JLT series?
Staff writers, Herald Sun
February 12, 2018 11:11am
Subscriber only
THE AFL pre-season gets serious on Thursday night when clubs face off for the first ever AFLX competition.
Round 1 is just over a month away — how healthy is your club’s list?
Who will play in the pre-season, who’s pushing for Round 1 and who’s on the sidelines — get the latest on every team below.
ADELAIDE
INJURY LIST
Taylor Walker (foot)
Brodie Smith (knee)
Hugh Greenwood (achilles)
Brad Crouch (managed)
Likely to go young for AFLX with Jordan Gallucci and Myles Poholke at the front of the queue. Skipper Taylor Walker probably wouldn’t have played anyway after minor finger and ankle surgery during the off-season. Now he’s set to miss 5-6 weeks after straining the plantar fascia in his foot at training. He will wear a moon boot for two weeks and the Crows say they expect him to be available for Round 1.
Cam Ellis-Yolmen has put in a strong summer as he makes his comeback from a knee injury but Brodie Smith, who ruptured his ACL against GWS in last year’s finals, is unlikely to be back until late in 2018. Hugh Greenwood says he feels “way better” three months after foot surgery and is running on top of the ground, while Tom Lynch returned to full training before Christmas after a bout of glandular fever. Brad Crouch is being managed during pre-season because of recent injury history.
Taylor Walker will miss the rest of the pre-season with a foot injury. Picture: Tricia Watkinson
BRISBANE LIONS
INJURY LIST
Cian Hanley (retired)
Sam Skinner (knee)
Marco Paparone (back)
Category B rookie Cian Hanley has returned to Ireland following a difficult year in 2017 (younger brother Tommy died last year). Sam Skinner, recovering from a third knee reconstruction, started running in early December. There will be no rush as the Lions slowly increase his workload. Marco Paparone recently had surgery to relieve pressure on his sciatic nerve and will miss eight weeks.
Ryan Bastinac has put up his hand for AFLX and Allen Christensen will almost certainly playafter nearly two years of injury issues — he hasn’t played since Round 11, 2016. Ben Hudson will coach the Lions’ AFLX side.
CARLTON
INJURY LIST
Sam Docherty (knee)
Sam Rowe (knee)
Matthew Kennedy (shoulder)
Defender Sam Rowe is hoping to be back for Round 1 after suffering a serious knee injury in May last year. Several other Blues are on modified programs including Sam Petrevski-Seton and Harry McKay, who is reportedly battling turf toe.
Recruit Jarrod Garlett and Aaron Mullett have also been training away from the main group, while former Giant Matthew Kennedy is focused on strengthening his shoulder following surgery. He is hopeful of playing against Richmond on March 22. In more positive news, Charlie Curnow starred in match simulation and Liam Jones is reportedly flying on the track.
COLLINGWOOD
INJURY LIST
Jeremy Howe (calf)
Darcy Moore (achilles)
Jamie Elliott (ankle)
Levi Greenwood (knee)
Alex Fasolo (shoulder)
Not an ideal start for Nathan Buckley’s men. Jeremy Howe is on a modified program and hopes to be ready for the JLT Series. Darcy Moore (achilles), Jamie Elliott (ankle), Levi Greenwood (knee) and Alex Fasolo (shoulder) are also returning from injuries.
Moore is the biggest concern of the Pies and is still battling achilles soreness. Fasolo is a good chance to take part in the JLT Series, while Elliott is more likely to make his return in the home-and-away season, possibly Round 1.
Defender turned forward Ben Reid was a standout in a recent intra-club game.
ESSENDON
INJURY LIST
Michael Hurley (wrist)
Travis Colyer (foot)
Kobe Mutch (knee)
A small injury list at Tullamarine. Colyer will miss at least the first six rounds after foot surgery last week and Hurley hurt his wrist in Bombers’ intra-club hitout on Saturday, but is hopeful it’s bruised and not broken. Young midfielder Mutch has had knee surgery that rules him out of AFLX and the JLT Series. Jake Stringer was a standout in Saturday’s scratch match, booting two goals playing midfield and forward.
Zach Merrett, Dyson Heppell and Joe Daniher will miss upcoming AFLX games after interrupted pre-seasons, while ruckmen Tom Bellchambers and Matthew Leuenberger have also been ruled out of the new competition. Anthony McDonald-Tipungwuti, Adam Saad, Orazio Fantasia and Darcy Parish will spearhead the Bombers’ AFLX campaign. David Zaharakis is set to captain the Bombers in the tournament.
FREMANTLE
INJURY LIST
Sean Darcy (calf)
Harley Bennell (suspension)
Aaron Sandilands (hamstring)
Young ruckman Sean Darcy suffered a calf tear but is on track to participate in the JLT Series.
Harley Bennell is serving a club-imposed suspension and must hit skinfold and fitness targets before he’s considered for selection. It’s still unclear how much game time, if any, Aaron Sandilands will receive in the JLT. He’s not exactly the prototype for AFLX. Expect to see draftees Andrew Brayshaw and Adam Cerra in action next week.
GEELONG
INJURY LIST
Scott Selwood (ankle)
Stewart Crameri (hip)
Patrick Dangerfield (sore back)
Lachie Henderson (knee)
Cory Gregson (foot)
Lincoln McCarthy (groin)
Patrick Dangerfield is doubtful to play AFLX after training away from the main group for most of last Thursday’s session and later completing some run-throughs. Rhys Stanley and Jordan Murdoch also missed the session but completed a series of running exercises. The Cats are also unlikely to risk Joel Selwood and Gary Ablett in AFLX. Stewart Crameri is on a modified program and Lachie Henderson still isn’t running after minor knee surgery before Christmas.
Injury-plagued small forward Cory Gregon (foot) hasn’t played since Round 14, 2016 but last week completed running and match simulation drills. Lincoln McCarthy was back running in November after being grounded by a hip-related groin problem since Round 3. Several Cats are keen to put their hand up for the tournament, including Mitch Duncan.
Patrick Dangerfield at Geelong training. Picture: Alison Wynd
GOLD COAST
INJURY LIST
Pearce Hanley (hand)
Michael Barlow (broken leg)
Sam Day (hip)
Callum Ah Chee (hand)
Pearce Hanley injured his hand during the International Rules Series. He made a quicker than expected return to training before Christmas, but the Suns will be cautious with the Irishman, who is set to spend more time in the midfield this season.
Callum Ah Chee is on light duties and Sam Day was close to joining full training in December but the Suns won’t rush him. Touk Miller has put up his hand for AFLX.
GWS GIANTS
INJURY LIST
Zac Williams (achilles)
Toby Greene (toe)
Adam Kennedy (knee)
Matt Buntine (knee)
Brent Davis (knee)
Zac Williams ruptured his achilles tendon at training in mid-January and will miss most of the season in a huge blow for the Giants. Defenders Adam Kennedy and Matt Buntine are both returning from knee reconstructions and won’t feature in the early home-and-away rounds.
Small forward Toby Greene broke a toe while on holiday in New York and his recovery has been slower than expected, but the Giants say he will be available for the JLT Series. Forward Jeremy Cameron, who missed two of the Giants’ three finals with a hamstring injury, has been a standout on the training track but says he isn’t sure if he is part of the club’s AFLX plans.
Zac Williams will miss most the season after hurting his achilles. Picture: Phil Hillyard
HAWTHORN
INJURY LIST
Grant Birchall (knee)
Kaiden Brand (thumb)
Jon Ceglar (back)
Isaac Smith (ankle)
James Frawley (groin)
The Hawks are in a much healthier position than they were for most of last year. James Frawley is back in full training after missing the bulk of 2017 but injured his hamstring in Friday night’s intra-club hitout. Cyril Rioli (compassionate leave) and Grant Birchall (modified program) were the only players absent at a Moe training camp in mid-January and were the big names not to please in the intra-club.
Birchall, who played just five matches last season, had further knee surgery before Christmas and is back running but a comeback date is uncertain. Jarryd Roughead was sidelined for about three weeks in December after having a knee clean-up. Smith, Ceglar and Brand also missed the intra-club match as a precaution. Jaeger O’Meara was the scratch match star while youngsters James Worpel, Dylan Moore, Jackson Ross and Kieran Lovell all showed promising signs.
Cyril Rioli has returned from compassionate leave but didn’t play in Friday night’s intra-club. Picture: Tom Huntley
MELBOURNE
INJURY LIST
Jack Viney (foot)
Aaron vandenBerg (foot)
Joel Smith (left)
James Harmes
Jack Viney says he is hopeful of playing in Round 1 after admitting he returned too soon from a foot injury late last year. He did some running on the Demons’ training camp in Maroochydore but is yet to return to full training and must be under a major cloud. VandenBerg had foot surgery in June last year and is still a while away while Joel Smith, James Harmes and Sam Weideman are in the rehab group. Expect to see Christian Petracca and Christian Salem in the midfield this year, along with Angus Brayshaw, while Tom McDonald is training as a forward.
NORTH MELBOURNE
INJURY LIST
Mason Wood (thumb)
Alex Morgan (quad)
Jed Anderson (thumb)
A few bruises from Friday night’s intra-club game but nothing Kangaroos fans need to be too worried about. Luke McDonald, who starred in the midfield, finished the match on the bench after copping a knock to the head while Mason Wood hurt his left thumb. Former Bomber Alex Morgan also limped off the ground late with a sore left quad. Jed Anderson is still out of action after thumb surgery the week before Christmas.
PORT ADELAIDE
INJURY LIST
Chad Wingard (hamstring)
Jared Polec (hamstring)
Steve Motlop (hamstring)
Matthew Broadbent (ankle)
Lindsay Thomas (hamstring/back)
Charlie Dixon (back)
Port is taking the AFLX concept seriously, with extra training sessions scheduled to prepare for the tournament. Robbie Gray and Jack Watts will be playing, with Sam Gray and Karl Amon among other players in the mix. Chad Wingard, Jared Polec, Matthew Broadbent and Lindsay Thomas did not take part in a trial game earlier this month. Wingard and Motlop could play in Port’s opening JLT match.
Charlie Dixon was a late withdrawal from Saturday’s intra-club match with back soreness.
Recruit Jack Trengove was on a managed program earlier in the pre-season but is back in full training and performed well in the in the intra-club hitout. Recruit Dom Barry was a standout.
Robbie Gray will feature in AFLX.
RICHMOND
INJURY LIST
Daniel Rioli (foot)
Nathan Broad (club suspension)
Shaun Hampson (back)
Nathan Drummond (knee)
Daniel Rioli is back running after surgery on the foot he hurt in the Tigers’ Grand Final win, but is only an outside chance of playing in Round 1. He has been training with the midfield group along with Jayden Short and Reece Conca. Shaun Hampson remains on a modified program and Nathan Drummond is increasing his workload as he aims to make a comeback from a second knee reconstruction. Assistant coaches Justin Leppitsch and Xavier Clarke will coach Richmond’s AFLX side.
ST KILDA
INJURY LIST
Jack Newnes (knee)
Josh Bruce (knee)
Billy Longer (calf)
Lewis Pierce (knee)
Daniel McKenzie (ankle)
Jack Newnes had a knee clean-out before Christmas and will miss AFLX but plans to play some pre-season games before Round 1. Jack Steele was briefly in a moon boot after hurting his left ankle but is back in full training. Injury-cursed midfielder Nathan Freeman has also upped his workload and kicked a goal in match simulation last week.
Josh Bruce, Daniel McKenzie, Billy Longer and Lewis Pierce didn’t take part in match simulation but are expected back in full training this week. Paddy McCartin has overcome a minor foot sprain and took the field last week. Hugh Goddard, taken in the same draft as McCartin, has completed a full pre-season after his past two seasons were ruined by injury.
SYDNEY
INJURY LIST
Dan Hannebery (calf)
Heath Grundy (foot)
Lance Franklin has declared himself ready for Round 1 after three bouts of post-season surgery. He returned to full training last week after clean-ups on both knees and an ankle operation.
“The body feels good because I’ve looked after myself over the break and came back in good condition, so I’m running well and training good,” he told Channel 7. “Everything is going really well, so I’ll be right to play Round 1.”
But don’t bank on seeing him in AFLX or the JLT Series.
Isaac Heeney had minor knee surgery before Christmas and the Swans say he will play “in the latter part of the JLT (Series).” Captain Josh Kennedy is also on a managed program after a knee clean-out but he is in no doubt for Round 1. Heath Grundy is in the rehab group and Dan Hannebery is the furthest behind of the injured Swans after a calf setback, but the Swans are confident they will have a full list to choose from for the home-and-away season.
WEST COAST
INJURY LIST
Nic Naitanui (knee)
Scott Lycett (shoulder/knee)
Josh Kennedy (ankle)
Eric Mackenzie (toe)
Elliott Yeo (ankle)
Andrew Gaff (ankle/foot)
Lewis Jetta (calf)
Luke Shuey (managed)
Nic Naitanui has already been ruled out of AFLX. The Eagles hope the ruckman, who missed all of last year with a knee injury, will take part in the JLT series, possibly for their second match. He still hasn’t started competitive training so their priority will be getting him right for Round 1. Eric Mackenzie was in a moon boot in late January after a setback in his recovery from foot surgery and the Eagles will be conservative with his return.
Elliott Yeo reportedly hurt his ankle in a recent AFLX simulation but is back in full training.
Josh Kennedy and Andrew Gaff, however, are also on modified programs. Lewis Jetta returned to training in early January after tearing calf before Christmas. Like their cross-town rival, Eagles also expected to expose fresh talent in AFLX, including forwards Willie Rioli and Liam Ryan, and speed machine Jack Petruccelle.
Nic Naitanui missed all of 2017 with a serious knee injury.
WESTERN BULLDOGS
INJURY LIST
Lin Jong (knee)
Tim English (hip)
Roarke Smith (knee)
This time last year a host of Dogs were recovering from post-premiership surgery. The list looks a lot healthier this season, with knee victim Lin Jong the only top-line Dog ruled out of Round 1 — plus Jack Redpath, who still has one match of a three-week ban to serve for punching Giant Phil Davis. Tim English is recovering well after hip surgery, Roarke Smith is making his way back from a second knee reconstruction and Marcus Adams is targeting the JLT Series for his comeback from successive foot injuries.
Staff writers, Herald Sun
February 12, 2018 11:11am
Subscriber only
THE AFL pre-season gets serious on Thursday night when clubs face off for the first ever AFLX competition.
Round 1 is just over a month away — how healthy is your club’s list?
Who will play in the pre-season, who’s pushing for Round 1 and who’s on the sidelines — get the latest on every team below.
ADELAIDE
INJURY LIST
Taylor Walker (foot)
Brodie Smith (knee)
Hugh Greenwood (achilles)
Brad Crouch (managed)
Likely to go young for AFLX with Jordan Gallucci and Myles Poholke at the front of the queue. Skipper Taylor Walker probably wouldn’t have played anyway after minor finger and ankle surgery during the off-season. Now he’s set to miss 5-6 weeks after straining the plantar fascia in his foot at training. He will wear a moon boot for two weeks and the Crows say they expect him to be available for Round 1.
Cam Ellis-Yolmen has put in a strong summer as he makes his comeback from a knee injury but Brodie Smith, who ruptured his ACL against GWS in last year’s finals, is unlikely to be back until late in 2018. Hugh Greenwood says he feels “way better” three months after foot surgery and is running on top of the ground, while Tom Lynch returned to full training before Christmas after a bout of glandular fever. Brad Crouch is being managed during pre-season because of recent injury history.
Taylor Walker will miss the rest of the pre-season with a foot injury. Picture: Tricia Watkinson
BRISBANE LIONS
INJURY LIST
Cian Hanley (retired)
Sam Skinner (knee)
Marco Paparone (back)
Category B rookie Cian Hanley has returned to Ireland following a difficult year in 2017 (younger brother Tommy died last year). Sam Skinner, recovering from a third knee reconstruction, started running in early December. There will be no rush as the Lions slowly increase his workload. Marco Paparone recently had surgery to relieve pressure on his sciatic nerve and will miss eight weeks.
Ryan Bastinac has put up his hand for AFLX and Allen Christensen will almost certainly playafter nearly two years of injury issues — he hasn’t played since Round 11, 2016. Ben Hudson will coach the Lions’ AFLX side.
CARLTON
INJURY LIST
Sam Docherty (knee)
Sam Rowe (knee)
Matthew Kennedy (shoulder)
Defender Sam Rowe is hoping to be back for Round 1 after suffering a serious knee injury in May last year. Several other Blues are on modified programs including Sam Petrevski-Seton and Harry McKay, who is reportedly battling turf toe.
Recruit Jarrod Garlett and Aaron Mullett have also been training away from the main group, while former Giant Matthew Kennedy is focused on strengthening his shoulder following surgery. He is hopeful of playing against Richmond on March 22. In more positive news, Charlie Curnow starred in match simulation and Liam Jones is reportedly flying on the track.
COLLINGWOOD
INJURY LIST
Jeremy Howe (calf)
Darcy Moore (achilles)
Jamie Elliott (ankle)
Levi Greenwood (knee)
Alex Fasolo (shoulder)
Not an ideal start for Nathan Buckley’s men. Jeremy Howe is on a modified program and hopes to be ready for the JLT Series. Darcy Moore (achilles), Jamie Elliott (ankle), Levi Greenwood (knee) and Alex Fasolo (shoulder) are also returning from injuries.
Moore is the biggest concern of the Pies and is still battling achilles soreness. Fasolo is a good chance to take part in the JLT Series, while Elliott is more likely to make his return in the home-and-away season, possibly Round 1.
Defender turned forward Ben Reid was a standout in a recent intra-club game.
ESSENDON
INJURY LIST
Michael Hurley (wrist)
Travis Colyer (foot)
Kobe Mutch (knee)
A small injury list at Tullamarine. Colyer will miss at least the first six rounds after foot surgery last week and Hurley hurt his wrist in Bombers’ intra-club hitout on Saturday, but is hopeful it’s bruised and not broken. Young midfielder Mutch has had knee surgery that rules him out of AFLX and the JLT Series. Jake Stringer was a standout in Saturday’s scratch match, booting two goals playing midfield and forward.
Zach Merrett, Dyson Heppell and Joe Daniher will miss upcoming AFLX games after interrupted pre-seasons, while ruckmen Tom Bellchambers and Matthew Leuenberger have also been ruled out of the new competition. Anthony McDonald-Tipungwuti, Adam Saad, Orazio Fantasia and Darcy Parish will spearhead the Bombers’ AFLX campaign. David Zaharakis is set to captain the Bombers in the tournament.
FREMANTLE
INJURY LIST
Sean Darcy (calf)
Harley Bennell (suspension)
Aaron Sandilands (hamstring)
Young ruckman Sean Darcy suffered a calf tear but is on track to participate in the JLT Series.
Harley Bennell is serving a club-imposed suspension and must hit skinfold and fitness targets before he’s considered for selection. It’s still unclear how much game time, if any, Aaron Sandilands will receive in the JLT. He’s not exactly the prototype for AFLX. Expect to see draftees Andrew Brayshaw and Adam Cerra in action next week.
GEELONG
INJURY LIST
Scott Selwood (ankle)
Stewart Crameri (hip)
Patrick Dangerfield (sore back)
Lachie Henderson (knee)
Cory Gregson (foot)
Lincoln McCarthy (groin)
Patrick Dangerfield is doubtful to play AFLX after training away from the main group for most of last Thursday’s session and later completing some run-throughs. Rhys Stanley and Jordan Murdoch also missed the session but completed a series of running exercises. The Cats are also unlikely to risk Joel Selwood and Gary Ablett in AFLX. Stewart Crameri is on a modified program and Lachie Henderson still isn’t running after minor knee surgery before Christmas.
Injury-plagued small forward Cory Gregon (foot) hasn’t played since Round 14, 2016 but last week completed running and match simulation drills. Lincoln McCarthy was back running in November after being grounded by a hip-related groin problem since Round 3. Several Cats are keen to put their hand up for the tournament, including Mitch Duncan.
Patrick Dangerfield at Geelong training. Picture: Alison Wynd
GOLD COAST
INJURY LIST
Pearce Hanley (hand)
Michael Barlow (broken leg)
Sam Day (hip)
Callum Ah Chee (hand)
Pearce Hanley injured his hand during the International Rules Series. He made a quicker than expected return to training before Christmas, but the Suns will be cautious with the Irishman, who is set to spend more time in the midfield this season.
Callum Ah Chee is on light duties and Sam Day was close to joining full training in December but the Suns won’t rush him. Touk Miller has put up his hand for AFLX.
GWS GIANTS
INJURY LIST
Zac Williams (achilles)
Toby Greene (toe)
Adam Kennedy (knee)
Matt Buntine (knee)
Brent Davis (knee)
Zac Williams ruptured his achilles tendon at training in mid-January and will miss most of the season in a huge blow for the Giants. Defenders Adam Kennedy and Matt Buntine are both returning from knee reconstructions and won’t feature in the early home-and-away rounds.
Small forward Toby Greene broke a toe while on holiday in New York and his recovery has been slower than expected, but the Giants say he will be available for the JLT Series. Forward Jeremy Cameron, who missed two of the Giants’ three finals with a hamstring injury, has been a standout on the training track but says he isn’t sure if he is part of the club’s AFLX plans.
Zac Williams will miss most the season after hurting his achilles. Picture: Phil Hillyard
HAWTHORN
INJURY LIST
Grant Birchall (knee)
Kaiden Brand (thumb)
Jon Ceglar (back)
Isaac Smith (ankle)
James Frawley (groin)
The Hawks are in a much healthier position than they were for most of last year. James Frawley is back in full training after missing the bulk of 2017 but injured his hamstring in Friday night’s intra-club hitout. Cyril Rioli (compassionate leave) and Grant Birchall (modified program) were the only players absent at a Moe training camp in mid-January and were the big names not to please in the intra-club.
Birchall, who played just five matches last season, had further knee surgery before Christmas and is back running but a comeback date is uncertain. Jarryd Roughead was sidelined for about three weeks in December after having a knee clean-up. Smith, Ceglar and Brand also missed the intra-club match as a precaution. Jaeger O’Meara was the scratch match star while youngsters James Worpel, Dylan Moore, Jackson Ross and Kieran Lovell all showed promising signs.
Cyril Rioli has returned from compassionate leave but didn’t play in Friday night’s intra-club. Picture: Tom Huntley
MELBOURNE
INJURY LIST
Jack Viney (foot)
Aaron vandenBerg (foot)
Joel Smith (left)
James Harmes
Jack Viney says he is hopeful of playing in Round 1 after admitting he returned too soon from a foot injury late last year. He did some running on the Demons’ training camp in Maroochydore but is yet to return to full training and must be under a major cloud. VandenBerg had foot surgery in June last year and is still a while away while Joel Smith, James Harmes and Sam Weideman are in the rehab group. Expect to see Christian Petracca and Christian Salem in the midfield this year, along with Angus Brayshaw, while Tom McDonald is training as a forward.
NORTH MELBOURNE
INJURY LIST
Mason Wood (thumb)
Alex Morgan (quad)
Jed Anderson (thumb)
A few bruises from Friday night’s intra-club game but nothing Kangaroos fans need to be too worried about. Luke McDonald, who starred in the midfield, finished the match on the bench after copping a knock to the head while Mason Wood hurt his left thumb. Former Bomber Alex Morgan also limped off the ground late with a sore left quad. Jed Anderson is still out of action after thumb surgery the week before Christmas.
PORT ADELAIDE
INJURY LIST
Chad Wingard (hamstring)
Jared Polec (hamstring)
Steve Motlop (hamstring)
Matthew Broadbent (ankle)
Lindsay Thomas (hamstring/back)
Charlie Dixon (back)
Port is taking the AFLX concept seriously, with extra training sessions scheduled to prepare for the tournament. Robbie Gray and Jack Watts will be playing, with Sam Gray and Karl Amon among other players in the mix. Chad Wingard, Jared Polec, Matthew Broadbent and Lindsay Thomas did not take part in a trial game earlier this month. Wingard and Motlop could play in Port’s opening JLT match.
Charlie Dixon was a late withdrawal from Saturday’s intra-club match with back soreness.
Recruit Jack Trengove was on a managed program earlier in the pre-season but is back in full training and performed well in the in the intra-club hitout. Recruit Dom Barry was a standout.
Robbie Gray will feature in AFLX.
RICHMOND
INJURY LIST
Daniel Rioli (foot)
Nathan Broad (club suspension)
Shaun Hampson (back)
Nathan Drummond (knee)
Daniel Rioli is back running after surgery on the foot he hurt in the Tigers’ Grand Final win, but is only an outside chance of playing in Round 1. He has been training with the midfield group along with Jayden Short and Reece Conca. Shaun Hampson remains on a modified program and Nathan Drummond is increasing his workload as he aims to make a comeback from a second knee reconstruction. Assistant coaches Justin Leppitsch and Xavier Clarke will coach Richmond’s AFLX side.
ST KILDA
INJURY LIST
Jack Newnes (knee)
Josh Bruce (knee)
Billy Longer (calf)
Lewis Pierce (knee)
Daniel McKenzie (ankle)
Jack Newnes had a knee clean-out before Christmas and will miss AFLX but plans to play some pre-season games before Round 1. Jack Steele was briefly in a moon boot after hurting his left ankle but is back in full training. Injury-cursed midfielder Nathan Freeman has also upped his workload and kicked a goal in match simulation last week.
Josh Bruce, Daniel McKenzie, Billy Longer and Lewis Pierce didn’t take part in match simulation but are expected back in full training this week. Paddy McCartin has overcome a minor foot sprain and took the field last week. Hugh Goddard, taken in the same draft as McCartin, has completed a full pre-season after his past two seasons were ruined by injury.
SYDNEY
INJURY LIST
Dan Hannebery (calf)
Heath Grundy (foot)
Lance Franklin has declared himself ready for Round 1 after three bouts of post-season surgery. He returned to full training last week after clean-ups on both knees and an ankle operation.
“The body feels good because I’ve looked after myself over the break and came back in good condition, so I’m running well and training good,” he told Channel 7. “Everything is going really well, so I’ll be right to play Round 1.”
But don’t bank on seeing him in AFLX or the JLT Series.
Isaac Heeney had minor knee surgery before Christmas and the Swans say he will play “in the latter part of the JLT (Series).” Captain Josh Kennedy is also on a managed program after a knee clean-out but he is in no doubt for Round 1. Heath Grundy is in the rehab group and Dan Hannebery is the furthest behind of the injured Swans after a calf setback, but the Swans are confident they will have a full list to choose from for the home-and-away season.
WEST COAST
INJURY LIST
Nic Naitanui (knee)
Scott Lycett (shoulder/knee)
Josh Kennedy (ankle)
Eric Mackenzie (toe)
Elliott Yeo (ankle)
Andrew Gaff (ankle/foot)
Lewis Jetta (calf)
Luke Shuey (managed)
Nic Naitanui has already been ruled out of AFLX. The Eagles hope the ruckman, who missed all of last year with a knee injury, will take part in the JLT series, possibly for their second match. He still hasn’t started competitive training so their priority will be getting him right for Round 1. Eric Mackenzie was in a moon boot in late January after a setback in his recovery from foot surgery and the Eagles will be conservative with his return.
Elliott Yeo reportedly hurt his ankle in a recent AFLX simulation but is back in full training.
Josh Kennedy and Andrew Gaff, however, are also on modified programs. Lewis Jetta returned to training in early January after tearing calf before Christmas. Like their cross-town rival, Eagles also expected to expose fresh talent in AFLX, including forwards Willie Rioli and Liam Ryan, and speed machine Jack Petruccelle.
Nic Naitanui missed all of 2017 with a serious knee injury.
WESTERN BULLDOGS
INJURY LIST
Lin Jong (knee)
Tim English (hip)
Roarke Smith (knee)
This time last year a host of Dogs were recovering from post-premiership surgery. The list looks a lot healthier this season, with knee victim Lin Jong the only top-line Dog ruled out of Round 1 — plus Jack Redpath, who still has one match of a three-week ban to serve for punching Giant Phil Davis. Tim English is recovering well after hip surgery, Roarke Smith is making his way back from a second knee reconstruction and Marcus Adams is targeting the JLT Series for his comeback from successive foot injuries.
- Joined
- 5 Jul 2012
- Messages
- 3,525
- Likes
- 5,553
- AFL Club
- Fremantle
Mitch Cleary
@cleary_mitch
17m17 minutes ago
St Kilda star Jack Billings battling a hamstring injury. Club confirming to @SportsdayRadio he will be on a modified program at least next fortnight. Will miss AFLX. In doubt for JLT
Has gained a bit of popularity around these parts, will this turn anyone off?
@cleary_mitch
17m17 minutes ago
St Kilda star Jack Billings battling a hamstring injury. Club confirming to @SportsdayRadio he will be on a modified program at least next fortnight. Will miss AFLX. In doubt for JLT
Has gained a bit of popularity around these parts, will this turn anyone off?
- Joined
- 8 Jan 2014
- Messages
- 6,968
- Likes
- 11,084
- AFL Club
- Melbourne