Melbourne were hit by COVID with Luke Jackson ruled out while Brodie Grundy’s timeframe for injury was confirmed by Collingwood and there were updates on Malcolm Rosas and Dustin Martin.
UPDATES
There were numerous reports of key Melbourne players being out for Round 7 due to health and safety protocols but the Demons confirmed in the afternoon that Luke Jackson (AF $603k SC $455k R/F) was among three players, along with Kysaiah Pickett and Tom Sparrow.
The Demons said: “At this stage, all three players will have completed their isolation period prior to the club’s Round 8 clash with St Kilda.” Jackson being out may positively impact Max Gawn’s (AF $905k SC $658k RUCK) role, likely offering up more CBAs.
Collingwood belatedly put a timeframe that matched the reports on Brodie Grundy (AF $802k SC $544k RUCK) after his PCL injury which will rule him out for approximately three months.
Magpies High Performance Manager Jarrod Wade said: “We don’t think it’ll need surgery. Typically these injuries are around the three-month mark, it could be a couple of weeks earlier or delayed from that.”
Malcolm Rosas (AF $276k SC $130k FWD) is in the mix to return after being a late withdrawal in Round 6 due to a calf injury. Gold Coast Head Physiotherapist Lindsay Bull said: “He’s improved really well over the last few days… we will be aiming for him to train this week and assess his availability from there.”
Sydney coach John Longmire offered a positive update on Patrick McCartin (AF $349k SC $268k D/F) after his concussion. Longmire said: “The reality was that he felt fine… Firstly he was just disappointed he couldn’t get back out onto the ground but secondly he knew that it would rule him out for this weekend’s game.”
Longmire flagged Will Gould (AF $190k SC $123k DEF) when talking about possible replacements. He said: “Sam Reid didn’t play on the weekend, Lewis Melican, Will Gould’s name was mentioned so we have some options there.
“It’s only been a couple of years, Heath Grundy was on the list for five years before making his debut… Everyone comes along at a different pace, and they’ll play when they’re ready to play.”
Tom Hickey (AF $660k SC $535k RUCK) looks set to return sooner than later from a knee injury which may be bad news for the role of Peter Ladhams (AF $650k SC $461k R/F).
Longmire said: “Tom is coming along really well. He’s remarkable, he trained today and looked good. I’m not sure what the rest of the week looks like for him. We won’t play him unless he’s ready to play, we’re not going to put him out there if he’s not ready to go, but he looks like he’s coming along really well. He’s really positive the way he takes his rehab and his injuries, which is half the battle.”
Richmond provided an update on Dustin Martin (AF $676k SC $503k M/F) who will not play this week. Tigers GM Football Performance Tim Livingstone said: “It has been a five-week break so that is not the best preparation coming into this round. We will have a look again next week and see how he is progressing.”
Dons young forward Tex Wanganeen (AF $201k SC $102k FWD) will be unavailable due to an ankle issue. Essendon Head of HP Sean Murphy said: “Young Tex has a little bit of ankle impingement… He’s back up running, but he’ll probably miss this week and then be available the following week.”
North coach David Noble suggested that Callum Coleman-Jones (AF $433k SC $361k R/F) was firmly in contention to play which may impact Tristan Xerri’s (AF $523k SC $346k F/R) role or selection. Noble said: “He’s certainly putting some pressure on our rucks. He’s in consideration again this week… We’d like to get him into the team.”
Fremantle revealed Matt Taberner will miss games with a hamstring injury but youngster Jye Amiss (AF $276k SC $175k FWD), who kicked five goals in the WAFL on the weekend, won’t come in.
Dockers coach Justin Longmuir said: “(Amiss) is still building his fitness, I think in terms of how fit he is, it’s around 80 per cent. He needs to build. The last thing I want to do is throw him (Amiss) out there before he is ready or able to compete. I want to see him put a good body of work together before he’s available for selection.”
Brisbane confirmed two-gamer Kai Lohmann (AF $255k SC $121k FWD) will be sidelined for six weeks due to a high ankle sprain.
