https://www.foxsports.com.au/afl/af...s/news-story/24989a260e0444a03e70710f94a63891
(Apologies if this has already been posted)
Rayner went down in the second quarter of Monday night’s AAMI Community Series win over the Gold Coast Suns and had to be helped from the field.
Lions head of football Danny Daly confirmed the news via the club website.
“It is terrible news for Cam and really disappointing for the team,” Daly said.
“He will see a surgeon in the coming weeks and we will then lay out the next steps from there.
“Our thoughts are with Cam and we will wrap our arms around him and continue to support him as he gets on with his recovery.”
DOCKERS CONFIRM INJURY TOLL
Fremantle tall Rory Lobb has avoided the need for surgery on his right knee, but faces at least six weeks on the sidelines after scans confirmed “significant damage to his posterolateral corner”.
Lobb injured the knee during Sunday’s AAMI Community Series loss to West Coast and had to be taken from the ground.
Fremantle footy boss Peter Bell said Lobb will be in a brace for approximately six weeks before the club reassesses the timeline for a return to footy.
Star forward Michael Walters will also miss at least the opening round of the season after scans confirmed he had suffered a hamstring injury during the match.
The club expects to have a return to play date in three to four weeks.
Both Bailey Banfield (syndesmosis) and Mitch Crowden (calf) have also been ruled out of the season-opener, with Banfield in a moonboot for a couple of weeks and Crowden set for a five-to-six week spell.
DOGS MAKE CROZIER CALL AHEAD OF ROUND 1
Western Bulldogs defender Hayden Crozier has been ruled out of the Round 1 clash with Collingwood after suffering a shoulder injury during Monday’s AAMI Community Series win over Melbourne.
Crozier went down in the third quarter and the club has since confirmed the 27-year-old sustained an AC joint injury, which will require surgery.
The Dogs say a return to play timeframe for the former Pick 20 will be determined post-surgery.
DONS UTILITY OUT FOR TWO MONTHS
Essendon utility James Stewart will miss the next eight to 10 weeks of football after scans confirmed a hamstring strain.
Stewart came from the ground in the third quarter against Geelong in the AAMI Community Series before the extent of the injury to the 27-year-old was confirmed.
In better news for Essendon, half-back recruit Nick Hind has been cleared of any major shoulder damage and will be available for Round 1.
TRELOAR MOVES CLOSER TO DEBUT
Western Bulldogs prized recruit Adam Treloar is moving closer to facing Collingwood in Round 1 after playing in a VFL practice match on Monday.
Treloar played two-and-a-half quarters as he returns from a calf injury and racked up 19 disposals and six clearances.
“I’d say health-wise based on today (in the VFL) he probably will be right,” Bulldogs coach Luke Beveridge on Monday night, following their AAMI Community Series win against Melbourne.
“Then we’ve just got to make the call on whether we pick him on limited game time.
“He’s done a lot of cross-training, he’s very fit. Because of his experience and his history, he’ll definitely be a consideration if we can get him through training and he’s feeling strong.”
Treloar has battled a calf injury over the summer and didn’t feature in the two senior practice games.
“It was great to get a hit-out before round one… physically I feel great,” Treloar told the club’s website.
“I felt like I could have played another quarter but I was managed with minutes and ended up playing two and a half. I played a bit of mid, back and forward – so I’m not sure where Bevo’s going to play me, but it’s exciting.
“Physically you want to be right and you want to go into games – especially at the start of the year – in good nick.
“Today was a massive indicator to see where we were at physically. There will be a plan put in place for the rest of this week and fingers crossed I get the call up to play.”
SIDEBOTTOM PUSHING FOR ROUND 1
Steele Sidebottom is racing the clock to feature in Round 1 after a calf injury in the club’s loss to Richmond on Friday.
Sidebottom failed to play out the match after leaving the ground with a tight calf during the first term.
Scans revealed a small nick in his calf, leaving him just a 50/50 chance to feature.
ADELAIDE CROWS
Wayne Milera looked set for a move to the midfield in 2021 before injury struck once again. He ruptured his patella last week and is out indefinitely.
Tom Doedee played a SANFL game match rather than a hitout in the AAMI Community Series and will hopefully take to the field in Round 1.
Daniel Talia won’t get up in time for the season-opener as he continues his recovery from a knee injury.
BRISBANE LIONS
Even with a new start at the Lions, the injury curse continues for
Nakia Cockatoo, with a hamstring concern holding him back from a potential debut under Chris Fagan. Speaking on 3AW Sportsday last week, Fagan said Cockatoo had “started running at some really good speed and his body shape and everything has really changed. We’ll just take our time with him and give him the best chance to succeed as the season goes on.”
Darcy Gardiner’s knee injury is going to keep him out for at least a month, while
Dan McStay will also miss around that length of time.
Connor McFayden is still a long way off as he continues to recover from an ACL.
CARLTON
There’s a fair few on the injury list as things stand.
Levi Casboult is working to recover from a jarred knee,
Mitch McGovern is battling a minor hamstring strain and
Eddie Betts should return from a calf niggle, providing he’s selected.
Jacob Weitering,
Jack Newnes and
Harry McKay all copped knocks in the practice game against St Kilda.
Caleb Marchbank’s calf issue will keep him out of Round 1, so too for
Tom De Koning (back) even though he may return earlier than expected.
Charlie Curnow (knee),
Brodie Kemp (foot) and
Nic Newman (knee) are all indefinite.
COLLINGWOOD
It looked to be a costly night for the Pies in their AAMI Community Series loss to Richmond, with concern around star midfielder
Steele Sidebottom. Scans revealed a small nick in his calf and with 10 days until the first game, there is huge doubt over his fitness.
Taylor Adams is pushing for Round 1 despite injuring his hamstring at training, with
Chris Mayne likely to return from concussion. Young forward
Will Kelly won’t be available for at least a month after breaking his collarbone in the match. The Pies had two other minor injury scares with
Jordan De Goey and
Brayden Maynard leaving the ground, but the pair will be fit for the game against the Western Bulldogs.
ESSENDON
The Bombers won’t be rushing gun forward-midfielder
Jake Stringer as he recovers from an Achilles injury suffered over the pre-season. Round 1 seems a stretch given he didn’t feature in either practice match over the last fortnight.
Michael Hurley was spotted at the club’s clash with Carlton on crutches and has no time frame on his return, which may not come in 2021.
David Zaharakis and
Patrick Ambrose both won’t play in the short term.
FREMANTLE
The final pre-season game for the Dockers didn’t go to plan with two crucial best 22 players now ruled out of Round 1.
Michael Walters has a hamstring strain while
Rory Lobb limped off with a knee injury and is out for an extended period despite not damaging his ACL.
Bailey Banfield was spotted on crutches after an ankle injury following contact with
Brad Sheppard. The Dockers aren’t confident ruck
Sean Darcy will be fit to play in the season-opener, paving the way for Lloyd Meek to ruck. Young stars
Adam Cerra and
Caleb Serong didn’t play in the practice match after being rested, with the duo certain for the season-opener.
Stephen Hill,
Griffin Logue and
Sam Sturt are also on the injury list.
GEELONG CATS
Luke Dahlhaus made his return from a groin issue in a VFL hit-out on Saturday morning, but is far from a certain starter for the season-opener given the amount of action he has missed. However, assistant coach Matthew Knights said post-game the club could have played him against Essendon. The Cats will also wait another week to decide whether
Mitch Duncan (calf) plays in Round 1 as he increases his training loads.
Rhys Stanley didn’t play against Essendon due to concussion, but can play against Adelaide if he passes tests. Fellow tall
Esava Ratugolea received a kick in the leg with the Cats cautious over when he is selected.
Darcy Fort (knee) and
Sam Simpson (shoulder) won’t feature in the early stages of 2021.
GOLD COAST SUNS
The Suns have a relatively healthy list heading into the season. Recruit
Rory Atkins is working back from a foot issue so won’t feature in the senior team to start the year.
Rory Thompson and
Elijah Hollands are both working back from ACL injuries, with the club taking it slow on the latter after his injury during his draft year.
GWS GIANTS
The Giants will be without off-season recruits
Jesse Hogan (quad) and
Braydon Preuss (shoulder) following injuries during pre-season training. It will force a major change in the club’s ruck department, as well as opening the door for a number youngsters close to goal.
Lachie Whitfield is uncertain on his return date, which could well drag out until the middle of the year over a liver issue.
Phil Davis didn’t play in the AAMI Community Series but has trained strongly and should play in Round 1.
