@Herbie66
Important playmaker Wayne Milera faces six to nine months on the sidelines after suffering a ruptured patella tendon in Saturday's practice match against Port Adelaide. The 23-year-old underwent successful surgery and is recovering before starting a long rehabilitation process. Midfielder Matt Crouch (groin soreness) is pushing to play at either AFL or SANFL level this week after a pre-season affected by his off-season hip surgery. Defender Tom Doedee (groin) is also hopeful of playing minutes this weekend ahead of round one. Key defender Daniel Talia (knee) is aiming to be available in the early rounds after off-season knee surgery. Rookie forward Ben Davis suffered a left syndesmosis injury in the SANFL practice match at the weekend and will undergo further scans this week. Veteran David Mackay remains sidelined with concussion symptoms from an internal trial on February 20. – Nathan Schmook
The Crows will be keen to get Tom Doedee healthy after a luckless couple of seasons. Picture: AFL Photos
The Lions are in good health with Darcy Gardiner the main concern as the season approaches. Gardiner had a clean-up on his knee in February and coach Chris Fagan has confirmed the reliable defender will miss round one, but is expected to return shortly after. Geelong recruit Nakia Cockatoo recently suffered a hamstring strain and has been reduced to light running. He hasn't competed in any match simulation for a couple of weeks and is unlikely to start the season. Youngster Connor McFadyen is recovering from an ACL and still a few months away. – Michael Whiting
Nakia Cockatoo's Lions debut may have to wait a while longer. Picture: AFL Photos
The Blues will be sweating on a number of attacking options ahead of Thursday night's AAMI Community Series clash with the Saints. Mitch McGovern is touch-and-go to play due to a low-grade hamstring strain, but remains in the mix for round one, while Levi Casboult is in a similar situation as he recovers from a jarred knee sustained in an intraclub match. Eddie Betts is also in the frame to return following a minor calf setback. Tom De Koning is progressing better than expected from a back problem and should return in the early stages of the year, but Caleb Marchbank will miss round one with a calf issue, as will former first-round pick Sam Philp, who is dealing with a hip flexor injury. Charlie Curnow (knee), Brodie Kemp (foot) and Nic Newman (knee) are all long-term prospects. – Riley Beveridge
SHARE
00:42MINS
Betts dips into bag of tricks for lovely lefty
Eddie Betts snares Carlton's opener in some style after a beautiful deft touch on his left
Published on Aug 30, 2020, 3:55pm
Jordan De Goey will play his first pre-season match of the year against Richmond on Friday night after recovering from a rolled ankle that kept him out of last week's trip to face Geelong. Chris Mayne will be forced to sit out for a second consecutive game after sustaining concussion at training on February 23, given the AFL's new concussion rule mandates a 12-day break after a head knock. Reigning best and fairest Taylor Adams is working back from a hamstring injury, and while he might not face the Tigers, is pushing to tackle the Western Bulldogs in round one. Brody Mihocek was taken out of the practice match with the Cats early after a leg knock and, despite being on light duties at training this week, isn't in doubt to meet the Dogs. - Mitch Cleary
Big things are expected from Jordan De Goey in 2021. Picture: AFL Photos
The Bombers had a few players missing in last week's practice match with Carlton. Andrew McGrath missed under concussion protocols but is expected to be available for Saturday night's AAMI Community Series game with Geelong, but others are facing longer waits on the sidelines. Michael Hurley's severe hip infection means the Bombers have no idea when he will be ready to play again after losing significant weight while in hospital, while David Zaharakis (knee) and Patrick Ambrose (foot) are also recovering from their injuries from last year. Jake Stringer has battled an Achilles issue that has put him behind the eight ball for the Bombers' season-opener, while young forward Harrison Jones hurt his knee at training this week, but no significant damage was sustained and he remains on track for a round one debut. – Callum Twomey
The Bombers are unsure on Michael Hurley's expected return. Picture: AFL Photos
The Dockers are hopeful ruckman Sean Darcy will be available for round one as he prepares to return to football training following a knee injury. Matt Taberner (quad), meanwhile, will play minutes in Sunday's AAMI Community Series clash against West Coast as preparation for the season opener. Club champion Luke Ryan escaped serious injury in the Dockers' scratch match and should be available on Sunday, while Adam Cerra (calf tightness) was managed in Freo’s hitout. Luke Valente kicked himself in the calf when pushed while kicking and is now building fitness ahead of round one. Key defenders Alex Pearce and Joel Hamling each played minutes in the scratch match and should be right to go in round one with some final match conditioning against the Eagles on Sunday. – Nathan Schmook
SHARE
00:26MINS
Taberner proves too strong for McKay
Matt Taberner and Ben McKay battle for the ball, with the Docker coming out on top
Published on Sep 12, 2020, 3:58pm
Midfielder Mitch Duncan is in a race against time for round one after back-to-back calf setbacks. He and Luke Dahlhaus (groin) are expected to miss the AAMI Community Series date with Essendon on Saturday night when the Cats get Isaac Smith (rolled ankle) and Esava Ratugolea (leg knock) back. Jeremy Cameron (hamstring) and Patrick Dangerfield (groin) will increase their minutes against the Bombers after interrupted summers. Zach Tuohy is also likely to feature after a back spasm ruled him out of last week's Collingwood hitout, while there's a watch on Rhys Stanley after he was forced to watch the second half against the Pies following a heavy knock. Second-year midfielder Cooper Stephens has been slowed by a knee complaint, Darcy Fort (knee) is sidelined and Sam Simpson is still working back from off-season shoulder surgery. - Mitch Cleary
Jeremy Cameron is shaping up well for his Cats debut. Picture: AFL Photos
Club champion Sam Collins (foot) missed the weekend's practise match against Brisbane but is expected to return for the AAMI Community Series match against the same opponent or certainly by round one. Adelaide recruit Rory Atkins has resumed with the main group after a foot problem, but after missing an intraclub and practice match will unlikely be available for the start of the season. Back-up ruckman Zac Smith copped a bump to his knee in the VFL practice match on Saturday that is still being scanned, while top-10 draft pick Elijah Hollands and reliable fullback Rory Thompson are both still recovering from ACL injuries. – Michael Whiting
If the Suns are to improve they'll need Sam Collins in top shape. Picture: AFL Photos
Important playmaker Wayne Milera faces six to nine months on the sidelines after suffering a ruptured patella tendon in Saturday's practice match against Port Adelaide. The 23-year-old underwent successful surgery and is recovering before starting a long rehabilitation process. Midfielder Matt Crouch (groin soreness) is pushing to play at either AFL or SANFL level this week after a pre-season affected by his off-season hip surgery. Defender Tom Doedee (groin) is also hopeful of playing minutes this weekend ahead of round one. Key defender Daniel Talia (knee) is aiming to be available in the early rounds after off-season knee surgery. Rookie forward Ben Davis suffered a left syndesmosis injury in the SANFL practice match at the weekend and will undergo further scans this week. Veteran David Mackay remains sidelined with concussion symptoms from an internal trial on February 20. – Nathan Schmook
The Crows will be keen to get Tom Doedee healthy after a luckless couple of seasons. Picture: AFL Photos
The Lions are in good health with Darcy Gardiner the main concern as the season approaches. Gardiner had a clean-up on his knee in February and coach Chris Fagan has confirmed the reliable defender will miss round one, but is expected to return shortly after. Geelong recruit Nakia Cockatoo recently suffered a hamstring strain and has been reduced to light running. He hasn't competed in any match simulation for a couple of weeks and is unlikely to start the season. Youngster Connor McFadyen is recovering from an ACL and still a few months away. – Michael Whiting
Nakia Cockatoo's Lions debut may have to wait a while longer. Picture: AFL Photos
The Blues will be sweating on a number of attacking options ahead of Thursday night's AAMI Community Series clash with the Saints. Mitch McGovern is touch-and-go to play due to a low-grade hamstring strain, but remains in the mix for round one, while Levi Casboult is in a similar situation as he recovers from a jarred knee sustained in an intraclub match. Eddie Betts is also in the frame to return following a minor calf setback. Tom De Koning is progressing better than expected from a back problem and should return in the early stages of the year, but Caleb Marchbank will miss round one with a calf issue, as will former first-round pick Sam Philp, who is dealing with a hip flexor injury. Charlie Curnow (knee), Brodie Kemp (foot) and Nic Newman (knee) are all long-term prospects. – Riley Beveridge
SHARE
00:42MINS
Betts dips into bag of tricks for lovely lefty
Eddie Betts snares Carlton's opener in some style after a beautiful deft touch on his left
Published on Aug 30, 2020, 3:55pm
Jordan De Goey will play his first pre-season match of the year against Richmond on Friday night after recovering from a rolled ankle that kept him out of last week's trip to face Geelong. Chris Mayne will be forced to sit out for a second consecutive game after sustaining concussion at training on February 23, given the AFL's new concussion rule mandates a 12-day break after a head knock. Reigning best and fairest Taylor Adams is working back from a hamstring injury, and while he might not face the Tigers, is pushing to tackle the Western Bulldogs in round one. Brody Mihocek was taken out of the practice match with the Cats early after a leg knock and, despite being on light duties at training this week, isn't in doubt to meet the Dogs. - Mitch Cleary
Big things are expected from Jordan De Goey in 2021. Picture: AFL Photos
The Bombers had a few players missing in last week's practice match with Carlton. Andrew McGrath missed under concussion protocols but is expected to be available for Saturday night's AAMI Community Series game with Geelong, but others are facing longer waits on the sidelines. Michael Hurley's severe hip infection means the Bombers have no idea when he will be ready to play again after losing significant weight while in hospital, while David Zaharakis (knee) and Patrick Ambrose (foot) are also recovering from their injuries from last year. Jake Stringer has battled an Achilles issue that has put him behind the eight ball for the Bombers' season-opener, while young forward Harrison Jones hurt his knee at training this week, but no significant damage was sustained and he remains on track for a round one debut. – Callum Twomey
The Bombers are unsure on Michael Hurley's expected return. Picture: AFL Photos
The Dockers are hopeful ruckman Sean Darcy will be available for round one as he prepares to return to football training following a knee injury. Matt Taberner (quad), meanwhile, will play minutes in Sunday's AAMI Community Series clash against West Coast as preparation for the season opener. Club champion Luke Ryan escaped serious injury in the Dockers' scratch match and should be available on Sunday, while Adam Cerra (calf tightness) was managed in Freo’s hitout. Luke Valente kicked himself in the calf when pushed while kicking and is now building fitness ahead of round one. Key defenders Alex Pearce and Joel Hamling each played minutes in the scratch match and should be right to go in round one with some final match conditioning against the Eagles on Sunday. – Nathan Schmook
SHARE
00:26MINS
Taberner proves too strong for McKay
Matt Taberner and Ben McKay battle for the ball, with the Docker coming out on top
Published on Sep 12, 2020, 3:58pm
Midfielder Mitch Duncan is in a race against time for round one after back-to-back calf setbacks. He and Luke Dahlhaus (groin) are expected to miss the AAMI Community Series date with Essendon on Saturday night when the Cats get Isaac Smith (rolled ankle) and Esava Ratugolea (leg knock) back. Jeremy Cameron (hamstring) and Patrick Dangerfield (groin) will increase their minutes against the Bombers after interrupted summers. Zach Tuohy is also likely to feature after a back spasm ruled him out of last week's Collingwood hitout, while there's a watch on Rhys Stanley after he was forced to watch the second half against the Pies following a heavy knock. Second-year midfielder Cooper Stephens has been slowed by a knee complaint, Darcy Fort (knee) is sidelined and Sam Simpson is still working back from off-season shoulder surgery. - Mitch Cleary
Jeremy Cameron is shaping up well for his Cats debut. Picture: AFL Photos
Club champion Sam Collins (foot) missed the weekend's practise match against Brisbane but is expected to return for the AAMI Community Series match against the same opponent or certainly by round one. Adelaide recruit Rory Atkins has resumed with the main group after a foot problem, but after missing an intraclub and practice match will unlikely be available for the start of the season. Back-up ruckman Zac Smith copped a bump to his knee in the VFL practice match on Saturday that is still being scanned, while top-10 draft pick Elijah Hollands and reliable fullback Rory Thompson are both still recovering from ACL injuries. – Michael Whiting
If the Suns are to improve they'll need Sam Collins in top shape. Picture: AFL Photos
