Every club’s injury list in Casualty Ward
Catherine Healey with Max Laughton from Fox Sports
March 21st, 2022 9:26 pm
ADELAIDE
The Crows were forced to activate their medical sub early in the loss to Fremantle after Andrew McPherson (hamstring) left the field. The club says he is off for scans this week.
“Andrew came from the ground in the second quarter with left hamstring tightness, we don’t think it is too bad but we didn’t want to take any risk by putting him back out there,” the club’s high performance manager Darren Burgess said.
“He will have scans to determine the extent of any damage and will be assessed after that.”
Rory Laird remains at least a month away with a broken hand.
BRISBANE
Not only did the Lions take home the four points over Port Adelaide, but they escaped the encounter with just one injury concern. Dayne Zorko (calf) hobbled from the field late in the contest, after feeling something “pop” in his calf.
The Lions confirmed on Monday evening the pain he felt came from a slight tear to some scar tissue, rather than his Achilles, meaning Zorko will be available for Round 2 if he can train fully on Thursday.
CARLTON
The Blues have one of the healthiest lists in the competition, with only young Sam Walsh (ankle) a major concern. Carlton didn’t have any injury concerns against the Tigers on Thursday night. Of the six players currently in the Blues casualty ward, none are a chance of playing Round 2, according to club medical staff.
COLLINGWOOD
Despite copping a big bump, Mason Cox (ribs) is expected to get all the clear to play in Round 2. Cox was the only injury concern to stem from the win over St Kilda.
Will Hoskin-Elliott (Covid protocols) should return for Round 2, while Nathan Krueger (concussion/suspension) is also free to play.
ESSENDON
It was a tough start to the season for the Bombers, losing Kyle Langford (hamstring) in the opening minutes before Jayden Laverde (soreness) was assisted from the field a short time later.
Laverde did manage to return after his brutal collision with Cat Jeremy Cameron.
“I don’t think there’s anything major structural there to be concerned about just yet. Just a bit sore and banged up,” coach Ben Rutten said post-match.
Langford is set for at least three weeks on the sidelines. In good news for the club, Jake Stringer (groin) trained with the club and told Fox Sports News he expects to return in Round 2.
“Right to go. I thought I was probably going to play (Round 1) but just didn’t fall my way,” he said on Monday morning.
Aaron Francis (knee) is another facing a fitness test this week.
FREMANTLE
The Dockers pulled off a miracle in Adelaide and headed home with a healthy team as medical sub Travis Colyer was not required. Skipper Nat Fyfe (knee) is expected to push for selection in Round 2, after club medicals staff said he was “very close” to playing against Adelaide.
Ruckman Sean Darcy (calf) is another who could come into consideration, while the club is expected to take a safe approach with forward Matt Taberner (hamstring) and have him return in Round 3.
GEELONG
The biggest injury concern of Round 1 was for Cat Jeremy Cameron who left the MCG in the back of an ambulance. There were fears the forward suffered internal bleeding after his heavy collision with Bomber Jayden Laverde. Thankfully Cameron was cleared of serious injury, but he remains in doubt for the Round 2 contest with Sydney.
Sam De Koning (concussion) will not play, after entering into the AFL’s 12-day concussion protocol.
The Cats could Mitch Duncan (calf), Gryan Miers (foot) and Mark O’Connor (knee) for Round 2.
GOLD COAST
The Suns came away from the hardest road trip in footy with four points and no injury concerns. Tough midfielder Matt Rowell was collected heavily in a bump by Willie Rioli in the win over West Coast, but was able to bounce back up, saying “that’s just footy” after the match.
GWS
No major injury concerns for the Giants out of the loss to Sydney.
Coach Leon Cameron confirmed both Jesse Hogan (soreness) and Nick Haynes (stomach) could feature in Round 2.
“(Hogan’s) a big chance for next week,” Cameron said. “Just got to weigh up whether he’s got enough load in him.”
HAWTHORN
The Hawks may have celebrated a win in Sam Mitchell’s first game as coach, but it’s come at a cost with Max Lynch sidelined.
Lynch suffered concussion and will enter the AFL’s mandatory 12-day rest period.
There’s also concerns for Josh Ward (ankle) heading in to Round 2.
Jarman Impey (foot) isn’t expected to return until at least Round 3.
MELBOURNE
The reigning premiers got their season off to the best possible start, and they could regain a premiership duo for the clash with Gold Coast.
Jake Lever (foot) was a late out for the match against the Bulldogs, and is likely to return in Round 2. Fellow defender Trent Rivers (knee) is also set to push his claims for a return.
But the Demons will lose Christian Salem after he opted for surgery on his injured knee.
“Thankfully, Christian did not sustain a ligament injury on Wednesday night and has instead chipped cartilage in his knee,” footy boss Alan Richardson said.
NORTH MELBOURNE
North Melbourne lost Jared Polec (ankle) as a late withdrawal for the match against Hawthorn.
Kangaroos coach David Noble was confident of a Round 2 return.
“Polly was close. He trained main training but didn’t quite pull up,” he said.
“We expect him to be OK for next week.”
Ben McKay (concussion) will be sidelined by the AFL’s 12-day policy, while Jed Anderson (fitness) remains an unknown after his late Covid vaccination decision.
PORT ADELAIDE
The club hit hardest by injury from a bruising Round 1 encounter with the Lions. The Power lost a host of players in the loss, including Aliir Aliir (foot), Connor Rozee (ankle), Xavier Duursma (shoulder), Trent McKenzie (knee) and Robbie Gray (knee).
The club confirmed Aliir would be sidelined for eight weeks after opting for surgery on a syndesmosis injury. But in some good news, Rozee, McKenzie, Gray and Duursma are still in contention for Round 2.
Big man Charlie Dixon could also come into the mix, after pre-season foot surgery saw him miss Round 1.
RICHMOND
The Tigers have lost Dion Prestia (hamstring) for Sunday’s match against GWS, while Jack Riewoldt (thumb) is racing the clock.
Riewoldt underwent surgery on his fractured thumb on Friday night, and remains unlikely to play - despite the 10-day break. Prestia will miss at least three weeks with his hamstring strain.
“It‘s just disappointing; he’s had as good a pre-season as he’s had. He is so important to the way we play. I feel like he’s barely played for two and a half years,” coach Damien Hardwick said.
ST KILDA
After the loss to Collingwood, Saints coach Brett Ratten faces a big selection dilemma.
Ruckman Paddy Ryder (calf) is expected to return in Round 2, but the performance of debutant Jack Hayes (18 disposals and three goals) could keep him out of the side.
Dan Hannebery (hamstring), Zak Jones (personal) and Jack Billings (hamstring) remain sidelined for another week.
SYDNEY
Just Justin McInerney remains a concern for the Swans after their win over cross-town rival GWS.
McInerney limped from the ground late, but coach John Longmire doesn’t believe the injury is serious.
Tom Papley (hamstring) will not feature in the early rounds, after injuring his hamstring in a pre-season match.
WEST COAST
There was a rare positive for the Eagles after a shocking pre-season run with injury and availability. Skipper Luke Shuey (hamstring), forward Jack Darling (ankle), Tim Kelly and Liam Ryan (COVID protocols) are all likely to return for Round 2, while Alex Witherden has served out his one-game ban.
Darling would be the biggest inclusion, given he only returned to the club this month after failing to meet the AFL’s strict COVID vaccine policy.
WESTERN BULLDOGS
Skipper Marcus Bontempelli remains the big issue for the Dogs on the injury front. Bontempelli was clearly restricted by his ankle injury in the loss to Melbourne. He will face a fitness test ahead of Thursday night’s clash with Carlton.
Tim O’Brien could return to face the Blues, but Jason Johanissen will miss two to three weeks after injuring his calf during the warm-up before the match with the Demons.