All the latest injury news at your club ahead of Round 1
KATE SALEMME, Herald Sun
March 12, 2018 4:57pm
Subscriber only
ESSENDON has been dealt a blow on the eve of the season with defender Marty Gleeson to miss more than three months after breaking a bone in his ankle.
Scans confirmed the bad news for Gleeson, who will undergo surgery on Monday morning to repair the injury.
He is expected to miss 12-14 weeks.
Gleeson suffered the injury in the final term of the Bombers’ four-point JLT Series win over Geelong in Colac on Sunday after landing awkwardly in a marking contest.
“Marty suffered a major fracture to the front of the talus and a minor dislocation to the subtalar joint in his foot,” Essendon football boss Dan Richardson said.
“While this is an uncommon injury, we are fortunate he is in the safe hands of our medical team and Mr Andrew Oppy who will conduct the surgery this morning.
“We expect Marty to be sidelined for 12-14 weeks, but through a successful rehabilitation program we believe he could be in a position to return after the bye.”
The injury is a significant blow for Essendon who are already without midfielder Travis Colyer for at least the first six weeks of the season after foot surgery.
John Worsfold isn’t concerned about an injury to Michael Hurley. Picture: Michael Klein
The good news is coach John Worsfold allayed any fears around the availability of David Zaharakis for the Round 1 clash against Adelaide on March 23.
“Zaharakis was just a kick on the side of his leg, so that’s fine,” Worsfold said.
He also cleared full back Michael Hurley of any injury, declaring he sat out the rest of the match as a precaution after copping “a kick” late.
“He was right to keep going but we just said ‘that’ll do’,” Worsfold said.
ADELAIDE
INJURY LIST
Taylor Walker (foot)
Brodie Smith (knee)
Jordan Gallucci (foot)
Captain Taylor Walker is hopeful he will be fit for Round 1 despite missing both JLT matches with a foot injury. The forward said last week he is a “good chance” to face the Bombers on March 23 but will need to pull up well from training as he increases his load.
Jordan Gallucci is still recovering from a foot strain that stalled his pre-season campaign after being pencilled in as the replacement for traded small forward Charlie Cameron.
The good news is Daniel Talia got through the game unscathed after an ankle complaint and Hugh Greenwood also made a successful comeback after foot surgery.
Brodie Smith will miss the 2018 season with a serious knee injury.
BRISBANE LIONS
INJURY LIST
Sam Skinner (knee)
Marco Paparone (back)
Cian Hanley (retired)
It was a tough hitout for Brisbane against Gold Coast on Sunday with their final pre-season match in wet conditions but they did get through unscathed.
The Lions have just two players on the injury list — Marco Paparone (back) and Sam Skinner (knee).
Paparone will miss the start of the season after undergoing surgery to relieve pressure on his sciatic nerve, while Skinner tore his ACL last year.
CARLTON
INJURY LIST
Sam Docherty (knee)
Matthew Kreuzer (ankle)
Sam Rowe (knee)
Jarrod Garlett (shoulder)
Darcy Lang (ankle)
Tom Williamson (back)
The Blues completed the perfect pre-season with a win over Hawthorn in Tasmania on Saturday night but unfortunately didn’t get through the match unscathed. Matthew Kreuzer suffered an ankle injury early and didn’t return to the field and despite the Blues being confident he will be OK for Round 1, they will be cautious given his injury history.
Exciting recruit Jarrd Garlett didn’t play against the Hawks because of a shoulder injury but should be fit for Round 1, as will Darcy Lang who has battled an ankle injury over the pre-season.
Sam Rowe should be available for selection for Round 1 but given he is returning from a knee reconstruction he will likely need several matches in the VFL before he is considered for selection.
COLLINGWOOD
INJURY LIST
Tyson Goldsack (knee)
Daniel Wells (achilles)
Jamie Elliott (ankle)
Levi Greenwood (knee)
Jordan De Goey (hamstring)
Adam Oxley (shoulder)
More bad news on the injury front for Collingwood with news Tyson Goldsack requires a knee reconstruction after secondary scans confirmed he ruptured his ACL against the Bulldogs in Moe on Saturday. The Pies were shocked to see damage to Goldsack’s ACL after he had an MRI for knee soreness he was experiencing after the win.
He will likely miss the 2018 season.
Jamie Elliott (ankle) and Daniel Wells (achilles) have both been ruled out of Round 1 against Hawthorn but are a chance to feature in a VFL practice match as they work towards a return in either Round 2 or 3.
Jordan De Goey had firmed to play in Round 1 despite being indefinitely banned for drink driving but suffered a hamstring injury while training with the VFL squad last week and will now miss the opening game.
Levi Greenwood is also still working his way back from knee surgery and will miss the start of the season, as will Adam Oxley after suffering a shoulder injury against GWS in the first JLT game.
The good news is Jeremy Howe, Darcy Moore and Adam Treloar all made successful returns from injury against the Bulldogs and Alex Fasolo (shoulder) played in a VFL practice match and will be available for Round 1.
ESSENDON
INJURY LIST
Marty Gleeson (ankle)
Orazio Fantasia (knee)
Travis Colyer (foot)
Jayden Laverde (hamstring)
Kobe Mutch (knee)
Aaron Francis (personal leave)
Disappointing news from the Bombers out of their win over the Cats on Sunday with news Marty Gleeson has suffered a serious ankle injury and will miss more than three months.
Glees has broken a bone in his ankle and will undergo surgery to repair the injury, which will see him miss 12-14 weeks.
There was some concern over David Zaharakis and Michael Hurley after both copped knocks but coach John Worsfold said both are fine and will be available for Round 1.
Orazio Fantasia will miss the start of the season, however, after undergoing knee surgery last week. He will miss the nest 3-4 weeks.
Travis Colyer won’t be back until Round 6 or 7 as he works his way back from foot surgery, while a time frame for Jayden Laverde’s return from a hamstring injury is unknown.
Aaron Francis remains on personal leave away from the club.
FREMANTLE
INJURY LIST
Stephen Hill (leg)
Bradley Hill (quad)
Griffin Logue (foot)
Harley Bennell (calf)
Michael Apeness (adductor)
Fremantle stars and brother Bradley and Stephen Hill are racing the clock to be fit for Round 1 with quad and calf injuries respectively.
Neither played in the Dockers’ final pre-season hitout against the Eagles on Sunday, with scans revealing a Bradley had strained his quad at training.
Stephen didn’t feature in the JLT series and has been battling a calf issue during pre-season, while he has also had a problem with his quad.
If he is passed fit for the opening round, Stephen will be entering the season proper without a practice match under his belt unless he plays in the WAFL.
Young defender Griffin Logue is nearing a return from a foot injury and should be available for Round 1, while Michael Apeness is two weeks away.
Harley Bennell won’t rejoin full training until he is given the all-clear by club medical staff given his persistent calf issues.
Bradley Hill hurt his quad at training and is racing the clock to be fit for Round 1.
GEELONG
INJURY LIST
Gary Ablett (hamstring)
Patrick Dangerfield (hamstring)
Rhys Stanley (calf)
Stewart Crameri (knee)
Sam Menegola (calf)
Scott Selwood (ankle)
Lachie Henderson (knee)
Patrick Dangerfield will have scans on his injured hamstring today to determine the extent of his injury after pulling up short while kicking against Essendon in Colac on Sunday. The star immediately left the field and sent a major scare through the Geelong camp. The Cats won’t take any risks with the star and will likely make sure he is fit for the majority of the season rather than rushing him back for the season opener.
The Cats could be without two of their star midfield trio with Gary Ablett racing the clock to be fit for the clash with Melbourne with his own hamstring issue. The Cats said initially Ablett’s hamstring was only minor but he didn’t feature at all in the JLT Series and given he has a recent history of hamstring problems, it is a concern.
Rhys Stanley is also in significant doubt for Round 1 after hurting his calf, while Nakia Cockatoo (calf), Stewart Crameri (knee) and Sam Menegola (calf) are also racing the clock to be fit.
Scott Selwood and Lachie Henderson have all but been ruled out of Round 1 with ankle and knee injuries respectively.
The Cats are sweating on scans on Patrick Dangerfield’s injured hamstring. Picture: Michael Klein
GOLD COAST
INJURY LIST
Pearce Hanley (shoulder)
Peter Wright (calf)
Callum Ah Chee (hamstring)
Harrison Wigg (ankle)
Sean Lemmens (hamstring)
Gold Coast is sweating on a shoulder injury to playmaker Pearce Hanley after the Irishman’s shoulder popped out and then back in against Brisbane on Sunday.
Peter Wright is racing the clock to be fit for Round 1 after suffering a slight calf strain at training but the Suns are confident he will be available.
Sean Lemmens will miss the start of the season with a hamstring injury but should be back around Rounds 3-4.
Callum Ah Chee will miss the start of the season with his hamstring injury, which is more serious than that of Lemmens, while recruit Harrison Wigg will also have a delayed start to the season as he continues his return from a broken ankle.
GWS GIANTS
INJURY LIST
Zac Williams (achilles)
Ryan Griffen (ankle)
Tom Scully (knee)
Jacob Hopper (groin)
Will Setterfield (knee)
Adam Kennedy (knee)
Matt Buntine (knee)
Brent Davis (knee)
Lachie Tiziani (shoulder)
Zac Langdon (shoulder)
The Giants have conceded Ryan Griffen is likely to miss the start of the season after he was left out of their second JLT clash against Sydney last Friday night.
Griffen injured his ankle in a scratch match against the Swans last month.
Midfielders Tom Scully and Jacob Hopper played no part in the JLT Series but the Giants are hopeful of their availablity against the Western Bulldogs.
HAWTHORN
INJURY LIST
Grant Birchall (knee)
Cyril Rioli (fitness)
Jonathon Ceglar (back)
The Hawks didn’t record a win in the JLT Series after being rolled by both Western Bulldogs and Carlton. The club is being coy on the availability of superstar Cyril Rioli for Round 1, unwilling to rule him out or in for the clash against Collingwood. Rioli miss a lot of pre-season while he was back home caring for his ill father but has been tearing up the training track in recent weeks, coach Alastair Clarkson says. Fitness boss Andrew Russell said the Hawks are building up Rioli’s training and we will be available “around Round 1” but will still be cautious with him given his history of hamstring injuries.
Grant Birchall (knee) and Jonathon Ceglar (back) have both been ruled out of the clash against Collingwood on March 24.
MELBOURNE
INJURY LIST
Jack Viney (foot)
Jordan Lewis (calf)
Dean Kent (shoulder)
Aaron vandenBerg (foot)
Oscar McDonald (back tightness)
Joel Smith
The Demons have conceded midfielder Jack Viney won’t be fit for their season-opener against Geelong. Viney, who has battled a persistent foot injury, could still line-up for Casey in a VFL practice match against Box Hill but the Dees have already ruled him out for Round 1.
“We have decided that to give Jack the best preparation for the full year, he will not be available for selection for Round 1,” football manager Josh Mahoney said last week.
The Dees, however, are optimistic Jordan Lewis will recover from calf tightess in time for the Cats clash. The ex-Hawk missed Melbourne’s second JLT match with the issue.
Defender Oscar McDonald was Melbourne’s only injury concern from last Thursday night’s match against the Saints.
NORTH MELBOURNE
INJURY LIST
Robbie Tarrent (kidney)
Jed Anderson (thumb)
Declan Mountford (AC joint)
Defender Robbie Tarrant was taken to hospital after the Kangaroos’ JLT clash against Richmond after suffering a knock to the kidney during the first quarter.
Tarrant played out the match, however, and the Roos are hopeful he will heal before their season-opener.
It is still unclear when Jed Anderson will be back after pre-Christman surgery on his left thumb.
PORT ADELAIDE
INJURY LIST
Jasper Pittard (hamstring)
Matthew Broadbent (ankle)
Steven Motlop (shin)
Tom Rockliff (knee)
Injury concern to come out of the final JLT match against Adelaide on Saturday for the Power with halfback Jasper Pittard suffering a hamstring injury and has been ruled out of Round 1 but should return early soon after.
The good news is Chad Wingard and Jared Polec both made successful returns from hamstring injuries and Tom Rockliff has declared himself a certain starter for Round 1.
Steven Motlop should also be available despite missing Saturday’s final tune-up after copping a knock in the Power’s opening pre-season game.
Matthew Broadbent is out long-term after undergoing ankle surgery in mid-February.
RICHMOND
INJURY LIST
Bachar Houli (calf)
Daniel Rioli (foot)
Dion Prestia (knee soreness)
Shaun Hampson (back)
Nathan Drummond (knee)
Bachar Houli and Dion Prestia are in doubt for Round 1. The Tigers have already ruled out Daniel Rioli and Nathan Broad for the clash against Carlton.
ST KILDA
INJURY LIST
Jack Steven (rolled ankle)
Nathan Freeman (hamstring)
The Saints breathed a sigh of relief when Jack Steven’s ankle injury wasn’t as bad as first feared. The star midfielder had to be helped off the field after hurting his left ankle in the Saints’ JLT loss to Melbourne last Thuirsday night. But Steven is confident he’ll shake off the injuy before Round 1 against Brisbane.
“Yeah I’ll be right, I think I played it up a bit so I’m a little bit embarrassed. I should be right. It’s just a rolled ankle so I’ll be sweet,” Steven said after the game.
Luckless midfielder Nathan Freeman suffered another hamstring setback and will be sidelined for another two months.
SYDNEY
INJURY LIST
Dan Hannebery (calf)
Heath Grundy (foot)
Alex Johnson (groin/hip)
Jarrad McVeigh (calf)
Aliir Aliir (ankle)
Callum Sinclair (ankle)
Sam Naismith (knee)
Sydney’s ruck stock are depleted following Sam Naismith’s season-ending knee injury.
Callum Sinclair is likely to fill the void but needs to prove his fitness for Round 1 after missing Sydney’s JLT2 game against GWS last Friday night with an ankle injury.
Aliir Aliir will push for selection after also hurting his ankle in the Swans’ first JLT games.
Thankfully for the Swans there were no fresh injuries against the Giants but Dan Hannebery, Jarrad McVeigh and Heath Grundy are still under a cloud for Sydney’s season-opener against West Coast.
WEST COAST
INJURY LIST
Nathan Vardy (groin)
Josh Kennedy (ankle)
Willie Rioli (ankle)
Eric Mackenzie (toe/feet)
Brendon Ah Chee (ankle)
Key forward Josh Kennedy has ruled himself out of Round 1 with an ankle injury.
The Coleman Medallist had surgery in December and isn’t rushing back, declaring he hopes he’ll be back in Round 2 but Round 3 might be more realistic.
“We’re probably looking at around Round 3, I think, which is on target at the moment,” Kennedy told Fox Footy.
“We’ve just got to get through training, it’s been pulling up really well.
“Fitness is getting there. I’ve just got to keep increasing the training loads.”
The good news for the Eagles is Nic Naitanui made a successful return from a serious knee injury in the WAFL and has Round 1 in his sights.
Naitanui played 54 minutes in his return and was impressive, picking up 14 disposals and 33 hit-outs in that time.
“(He) probably didn’t jump as high as we have seen in the past, but there are some encouraging signs. He landed well,” Eagles footy boss Craig Vozzo said.
“I think we got a good outcome.”
Ruckman Nathan Vardy will miss the start of the season, however, with a groin injury and isn’t expected to feature in the opening month.
Willie Rioli hurt his ankle in the opening quarter of the loss to Fremantle on Sunday and didn’t return.
WESTERN BULLDOGS
INJURY LIST
Dale Morris (knee)
Jordan Roughead (groin)
Liam Picken (concussion)
Jack Redpath (suspended)
Jordan Roughead sent a major scare through the Bulldogs camp on Saturday when he appeared to hurt his hip/groin against Collingwood in a marking contest. Roughead left the field for treatment in the opening term and returned to the field only to head back off again. He didn’t play after half time, with the Dogs opting to take no risks given he is such an important player. The club is confident he will be OK for Round 1.
Liam Picken should also be right for the start of the season after suffering concussion against Hawthorn two weeks away despite not playing against the Magpies.
Dale Morris is out for an extended period, however, as he works on his strength and rehabilitation program in a bid to avoid surgery on his damaged ACL.
Morris didn’t suffer a full tear of the ligament, so the Dogs are hopeful this approach will be enough to fix the injury and allow him to return in the second half of the season.
Jack Redpath will miss Round 1 due to suspension.