Barometer: Every club’s injury list ahead of final pre-season matches
Ben Broad, Herald Sun
March 6, 2018 4:44pm
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HAWTHORN superstar Cyril Rioli remains a chance to play in Round 1 as the explosive forward ramps up his preparation for the 2018 season.
Rioli missed most of last year with a knee injury and didn’t train with his teammates before Christmas after being granted leave to care for his ill father.
But the four-time premiership player is ramping up his training and the Hawks have him slated for a return very soon.
While it remains unclear whether Rioli will need at least one practice match before he is considered for senior selection, given the Hawks’ season opener against Collingwood is still more than two weeks away, there is time.
“I literally just came off the track now and he did his best session he’s done since he’s been back,” Hawks fitness boss Andrew Russell told the club’s website.
“He looked explosive, dynamic — he looked his old self again, which is really exciting.
“He’s in a preparation block. We need to work out how much time he needs given he’s coming back from his knee last year and we know his highly publicised (hamstring) issues in the past.
“He needs to be conditioned well and we’re doing that now and he’ll be ready when he’s ready. That will be somewhere around Round 1.”
The news is also good for defender James Frawley who is expected to return from a toe and hamstring issues to play in the Hawks’ final JLT Series hitout against Carlton on Saturday night.
See your club’s injury list below:
ADELAIDE
INJURY LIST
Taylor Walker (foot)
Daniel Talia (ankle)
Brodie Smith (knee)
Jordan Gallucci (foot)
Good news for the Crows with midfielder Hugh Greenwood successfully getting through his first competitive hitout in over five months. The Crows enjoyed an intra-club clash on Saturday (before facing Port on Saturday) and Greenwood, who had minor foot surgery in November was thrilled to get through.
Key defender Daniel Talia (ankle) will likely play this weekend after being a late withdrawal from his side’s first JLT clash against Fremantle. Taylor Walker won’t feature in any of the Crows’ pre-season matches after straining the plantar fascia in his foot. Brodie Smith will miss the 2018 season with a serious knee injury.
In more positive news, Lachlan Murphy — the first player drafted from Adelaide’s SANFL development squad — has become a shock candidate to replace departed speedster Charlie Cameron in the Crows’ best 22.
BRISBANE LIONS
INJURY LIST
Cian Hanley (retired)
Sam Skinner (knee)
Marco Paparone (back)
The Lions were pummelled by the Sydney Swans on Saturday, but the good news was the loss didn’t come at a cost. The Lions escaped with a clean bill of health.
Marco Paparone continues to recover from surgery to relieve pressure on his sciatic nerve.
Stars Dayne Zorko, Dayne Beams and Luke Hodge all missed Saturday’s match in Moreton Bay, so Chris Fagan’s side is set for an injection of talent when it faces Gold Coast next weekend.
CARLTON
INJURY LIST
Sam Docherty (knee)
Sam Rowe (knee)
Jarrod Garlett (shoulder)
Jarrod Garlett was the only casualty for the Blues in their JLT win over St Kilda. He looked to ‘pop’ a shoulder and was in a sling after the match.
Paddy Dow fever is gripping Ikon Park after the draftee’s eye-catching display against the Saints. He copped a whack in the mouth but he looks as tough as they come.
The Blues know they’ll be missing star rebounder Sam Docherty for the season, with the likes of mature-age recruits Aaron Mullett and Cam O’Shea in the frame to try to fill that void. Bolton has also praised the summers of Irishman Ciaran Byrne and second-year speedster Tom Williamson as the coach looks to replace his All-Australian star.
COLLINGWOOD
INJURY LIST
Jeremy Howe (calf)
Darcy Moore (achilles)
Daniel Wells (achilles)
Jamie Elliott (ankle)
Levi Greenwood (knee)
Alex Fasolo (shoulder)
Jordan De Goey (club suspension)
Adam Oxley (shoulder)
Things are slowly getting better at the Pies, despite an injury to Adam Oxley in the disappointing loss to GWS.
Darcy Moore (achilles), Jeremy Howe (calf) and Alex Fasolo (shoulder) all got through a VFL intra-club match at the Holden Centre on Friday.
The returning trio was joined by Jarryd Blair, Rupert Wills, Sam Murray, Tyler Brown, Sam McLarty and Brayden Sier as senior-listed Magpies to feature in the scratch match.
Daniel Wells (achilles) and Jamie Elliott (ankle) didn’t play, with coach Nathan Buckley revealing the key pair are “probably another week away”.
Adam Treloar and James Aish both missed the JLT clash with the Giants but should be available to face the Bulldogs on Saturday.
ESSENDON
INJURY LIST
Michael Hurley (wrist)
Jake Stringer (cut head)
Travis Colyer (foot)
Kobe Mutch (knee)
Jayden Laverde (hamstring)
Aaron Francis (on leave)
Zach Merrett (concussion)
After a disappointing first JLT outing against Richmond, expect a stronger and more physical Essendon line-up when it meets the Cats in Colac. Zach Merrett (concussion) should be fine to face Geelong while Michael Hurley will almost certainly be back from the knock to the wrist he sustained in an intra-club game. Cale Hooker, David Myers and Orazio Fantasia are all in line to face the Cats after sitting out JLT1.
“Hurls, Cale Hooker, David Myers, Orazio — those players who weren’t playing in JLT 1 — were back here in Melbourne,” Bombers fitness boss Justin Crow said.
“They did 12.5km of good, solid football work — more than they would have got in the JLT match — and they will all be available for the JLT 2 game coming up in Colac.”
FREMANTLE
INJURY LIST
Harley Bennell (calf)
Stephen Hill (leg)
Fremantle played West Coast in a scratch match in Perth on Sunday, and several returning stars got through the hitout. Joel Hamling missed the Dockers’ JLT clash with Adelaide due to a wedding but played against the Eagles, while Sean Darcy also impressed in the ruck upon his return from a calf issue.
Fremantle boasted a near full-strength side, minus Nat Fyfe and Stephen Hill. Ruckman Aaron Sandilands and Michael Walters starred in the first half before being subbed out, while David Mundy and Lachie Neale were big contributors.
Hayden Ballantyne struggled but assistant Michael Prior backed the veteran to return to his best. “He hasn’t had the results in the last two weeks on the field ... He just fumbled a bit, so he’s still building.”
The big news for Freo is the club is set to welcome back Harley Bennell from his enforced exile. A calf injury suffered while training with Peel may delay his return to the senior group.
GEELONG
INJURY LIST
Gary Ablett (hamstring)
Scott Selwood (ankle)
Patrick Dangerfield (sore back)
Lachie Henderson (knee)
Lincoln McCarthy (groin/hip)
Tim Kelly (leg)
Youngster Tim Kelly firmed for a Round 1 debut after an impressive display against the Suns, although he will be sore this week after copping a knock to the knee. Cats assistant Matthew Knights wasn’t worried about the injury, declaring after the game Kelly could have played out the match.
The Cats fielded an inexperienced team that was without Patrick Dangerfield, Joel Selwood, Gary Ablett and Harry Taylor. Of that quartet, only Ablett is doubtful for Geelong’s second JLT match against Essendon this Sunday. Lachie Henderson and Scott Selwood are still recovering from their respective injuries. However, mature-aged rookie Stewart Crameri is a chance to play his former club, and Brandan Parfitt is also in the mix.
GOLD COAST
INJURY LIST
Callum Ah Chee (hand, hamstring)
Harrison Wigg (ankle)
Sean Lemmens (hamstring)
A hamstring injury to Suns forward Sean Lemmens was the only negative to come out of the Suns’ big win over a weakened Geelong side. The result was to be expected with only Michael Barlow, Steven May, David Swallow, Peter Wright missing from their best 22. Nonetheless, it was a promising start under Stuart Dew with the Suns’ forward pressure, particularly from the likes of Lemmens, Jack Martin, Darcy Macpherson and Ben Ainsworth, not going unnoticed. Alex Sexton (two goals) and Aaron Young (one goal) gave Gold Coast more avenues to goal, while key forwards Tom Lynch and Sam Day were also on the scoresheet.
GWS GIANTS
INJURY LIST
Zac Williams (achilles)
Will Setterfield (knee)
Toby Greene (toe)
Adam Kennedy (knee)
Matt Buntine (knee)
Brent Davis (knee)
Toby Greene is getting closer to a return for the Giants.
Last week co-captain Callan Ward said the star forward had rejoined training, and footy boss Wayne Campbell confirmed the goalkicker was making good progres from what had been a difficult injury to overcome.
“We kept him off his legs for a fair period of time, so it hasn’t been significantly slower than what we thought. He’s joined in training. We think he’s a chance to play JLT2 (against Sydney on Friday), barring any mishaps, as is always said.”
It’s uncertain as yet whether Brett Deledio (achilles) and Ryan Griffen (syndesmosis) face the Swans, but both are on track for the season-opener.
HAWTHORN
INJURY LIST
Grant Birchall (knee)
Kaiden Brand (thumb)
Jon Ceglar (back)
James Frawley (groin)
The Hawks might have been rolled late by the Bulldogs but there was much to like for Alastair Clarkson in his team’s weekend JLT clash — including recruit Jarman Impey.
“He’s going to be pretty electric for us,” Clarkson said after the match. “He’ll provide a pretty potent forward line when Cyril returns with (Paul Puopolo) and Lukey Breust.”
Grant Birchall has been ruled out of Round 1 but Cyril Rioli could play as the dynamic forward ramps up his training. James Frawley is likely to play in the final pre-season game after recovering from toe and hamstring injuries.
MELBOURNE
INJURY LIST
Jack Viney (foot)
Jordan Lewis (calf)
Dean Kent (shoulder)
Aaron vandenBerg (foot)
Joel Smith
Jordan Lewis will miss Thursday’s night clash with St Kilda at Casey Fields as he battles a calf issue. The former Hawk suffered a minor strain in his team’s first JLT clash over North Melbourne.
“Scans have shown a minor strain and at this stage we won’t take any risks during this period and he won’t play JLT two,” Demons footy boss Josh Mahoney said.
“But we’re confident he’ll be available for round one, as he’s done a full pre-season, has got a lot of confidence in his legs and he’s an experienced player.”
The Dees are hopeful Jack Viney will be fit to face the Cats in Round 1, while Dom Tyson and Jeff Garlett will both play their first pre-season matches against St Kilda on Thursday night.
NORTH MELBOURNE
INJURY LIST
Jed Anderson (thumb)
Declan Mountford (AC joint)
Forward Mason Wood will return for North Melbourne’s second JLT clash — against Richmond on Wednesday night. Wood fractured his left thumb in an intra-club game last month but has made good progress and looks likely to face the Tigers.
Jy Simpkin (ankle) and promising youngster Taylor Garner, who has been managed throughout the pre-season as he battles ongoing hip and hamstring issues, have been named to play against Richmond on Wednesday night.
PORT ADELAIDE
INJURY LIST
Chad Wingard (hamstring)
Jared Polec (hamstring)
Matthew Broadbent (ankle)
Steven Motlop (shin)
Tom Rockliff (knee)
Port Adelaide closes its pre-season with a summer Showdown against Adelaide at Alberton Oval on Saturday, and Power star Chad Wingard could make his pre-season debut.
Star recruit Tom Rockliff is unlikely but declared himself set to go for Round 1.
“I won’t rush back for the Crows (JLT Community Series) match if the knee’s not completely right but I’m not concerned that it will keep me out for any length of time,’’ he said.
Jared Polec (hamstring) and Matthew Broadbent (ankle) also are unlikely to be available for round 1 after significant pre-season injuries.
Former Cat Steve Motlop will be monitored after suffering a kick to the shin in Port’s first-up loss to West Coast.
RICHMOND
INJURY LIST
Bachar Houli (calf)
Daniel Rioli (foot)
Shaun Hampson (back)
Nathan Drummond (knee)
The Tigers don’t have much to worry about on the injury front although Bachar Houli has been ruled out of their final pre-season game with a calf problem. The good news is though, that ruckman Toby Nankervis has been cleared to play after suffering concussion against Essendon two weeks ago.
The biggest concern remains Daniel Rioli, who is back running after surgery on the foot he hurt in the Grand Final win. But he is only an outside chance of playing in Round 1. 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.
ST KILDA
INJURY LIST
Nathan Freeman (hamstring)
Jimmy Webster (hip)
Jack Billings has been cleared to play in the club’s second JLT clash on Thursday night after recovering from a hamstring injury, while Josh Bruce will also play after recovering from knee surgery.
St Kida faces Melbourne at Casey Fields and Alan Richardson’s team will hope to hit back after an ordinary first-up outing against Carlton.
Jarryn Geary sat out much of his side’s loss to the Blues on Wednesday night, but there weren’t any other concerns for the Saints. Just three first-choice St Kilda players weren’t available for the Blues clash. Nathan Freeman’s latest hamstring setback will see him put on ice for some time.
Paddy McCartin and David Armitage made impressive returns to footy at Ikon Park last week, while top draft picks Hunter Clark and Nick Coffield also impressed coach Alan Richardson.
SYDNEY
INJURY LIST
Dan Hannebery (calf)
Heath Grundy (foot)
Alex Johnson (groin/hip)
Zak Jones (knee)
Jarrad McVeigh (calf)
Aliir Aliir (ankle)
Callum Sinclair (ankle)
Ankle injuries to Aliir Aliir and Callum Sinclair were the only sour point of the Swans’ big win over the Brisbane Lions. But there is good news.
Both have been cleared of serious damage. Swans footy boss Tom Harley said Aliir had suffered a grade one syndesmosis injury while Sinclair had a slight ligament injury.
“We’ll take a pretty conservative approach so we’ll assess him later in the week. He’s unlikely to play against the Giants (on Friday night) but we’ve still got some training sessions to go.
“Callum also rolled his ankle against Brisbane ... Like Aliir, we’ll be really conservative with Cal as you don’t need to be taking risks in the pre-season. We have our main training day on Wednesday before we pick the team, so we’ll assess them both then.”
Dan Hannebery, Jarrad McVeigh and Heath Grundy are all racing the clock to be fit for Round 1.
Zak Jones seems set to return to football against the Giants.
WEST COAST
INJURY LIST
Nathan Vardy (groin)
Nic Naitanui (knee)
Josh Kennedy (ankle)
Jeremy McGovern (concussion)
Eric Mackenzie (toe/feet)
Brendon Ah Chee (ankle)
Who will ruck for the Eagles? Adam Simpson’s ruck stocks are the big talking point after Sunday’s scratch match against Fremantle. Nathan Vardy left the field after collapsing to the ground with a groin injury in the final term against the Dockers, with the former Cat expected to miss the opening rounds of the year.
Back-up ruckman Scott Lycett has impressed in his recovery from shoulder issues last year and looks the most likely starting big man for Round 1 against the Swans.
Vardy’s injury comes as the Eagles face anxious waits over stars Nic Naitanui (knee) and Josh Kennedy, who continues to rehab his ankle after a clean-out just before Christmas.
West Coast entered Sunday’s match missing stars including Shannon Hurn, Andrew Gaff, Luke Shuey, Jack Redden, Jack Darling and Mark LeCras.
Eric Mackenzie looks set to miss the start of 2018 with a foot stress fracture.
WESTERN BULLDOGS
INJURY LIST
Dale Morris (knee)
Lin Jong (knee)
Liam Picken (concussion)
Liam Picken fell heavily to the turf in Saturday’s win over Hawthorn. The Bulldogs will take caution with their important midfielder who suffered concussion after flying for a mark.
“He doesn’t know any other way, Picko, he’s just full on and wants to make a contest,” assistant Daniel Giansiracusa said. “We’ll assess him throughout the week, hopefully he’s all OK, at least he was up and about after it.”
Giansiracusa said key forward Tom Boyd would be considered for inclusion in the club’s next pre-season game against Collingwood on Saturday in Moe.
Lin Jong is still on the comeback trail following a knee reconstruction but should return early in the season. Jack Redpath will miss Round 1 due to suspension.
