R16 Injury Recap: Gawn set to return, Houston knock, Hall subbed out, Touk worry, English ‘probably available’
Stay up to date throughout the round with our rolling injury report from the coaches post-game. With the nine-game round extending from Thursday night through until Sunday, these snippets of info will be key.
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Fremantle v Port Adelaide
Matt Taberner (AF $465k SC $300k FWD) was subbed off with a soft tissue injury, while Port lost Lachlan Jones (AF $338k SC $237k DEF) to a hamstring injury and Dan Houston (AF $727k SC $517k D/M) battled a calf problem. Port coach Ken Hinkley said Xavier Duursma (AF $418k SC $251k MID) was a late out with a tight quad.
On Houston, Hinkley said: “He basically got a knock. We assess that and see how we go but I’d be optimistic around Dan.” Hinkley also revealed Sam Hayes (AF $408k SC $308k RUC) was unavailable due to COVID.
GWS Giants v Hawthorn
GWS didn’t use their sub, while Hawthorn lost James Worpel (AF $446k SC $286k MID) to a dislocated shoulder.
Richmond v West Coast
Richmond lost superstar Dustin Martin (AF $592k SC $430k M/F) to hamstring tightness, forcing him to be subbed out. Tigers coach Damien Hardwick said: “I think he’s just got tightness at this stage. We’re pretty forthright with that sort of information, so once we know, you guys will know.”
Hardwick also indicated he was confident Dion Prestia (AF $676k SC $475k MID) would get up for next week after concussion.
West Coast lost Elliot Yeo (AF $552k SC $417k MID) to a hamstring injury, while coach Adam Simpson praised debutant Zane Trew (AF $205k SC $123k MID). Simpson said: “He was part of the resurgence. He’s a contested player. He’s very clean. He’ll only get better. Great to see him kick his first goal for the footy club.”
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Gold Coast Suns v Collingwood
Touk Miller (AF $891k SC $601k MID) had a first-half head knock but played on. Connor Budarick (AF $502k SC $300k DEF) had a worrying late leg injury.
Darcy Moore (AF $441k SC $423k DEF) also was stretchered off late, after hyperextending his left leg with concerns of an ACL injury.
Geelong v North Melbourne
Aaron Hall (AF $761k SC $508k DEF) was subbed out for North with a quad injury. Kayne Turner (AF $379k SC $224k D/F) went off after a knock to the nose and didn’t return.
On Hall, North coach David Noble said: “Hally was pretty frustrated. I’m not sure to the extent of what Hally’s injury is. I thought it was a hamstring but it was quad.”
Jake Kolodjashnij (AF $375k SC $257k DEF) was subbed off due to concussion, while Sam De Koning (AF $435k SC $359k D/F) was a late out with a cork. Geelong coach Chris Scott said De Koning will return next week.
Adelaide v Melbourne
Melbourne coach Simon Goodwin confirmed Max Gawn (AF $845k SC $587k RUCK) will return from syndesmosis next week. He said: “Yep (he’ll play next round). He trained today at Adelaide Uni. He did a match load and moved really well. He’ll be right for Thursday night.”
Goodwin also praised Christian Petracca (AF $782k SC $478k MID), when he said: “The last two weeks the way he’s played around contest areas is pretty dynamic. He obviously hit the scoreboard tonight. He is progressing his game forward after having a little flat spot three weeks earlier.”
Crows coach Matthew Nicks hailed Jordan Dawson (AF $854k SC $593k DEF), when he said: “He’s a great footballer, he’s a very smart footballer, great awareness, he understands the game and sees it really well. He’s been fantastic for our group.”
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Essendon v Sydney
Essendon coach Ben Rutten praised Massimo D’Ambrosio (AF $232k SC $102k DEF). He said: “I think he’s a great little player. The way he backs his kick in and hits targets, creates stuff and still defends hard. He knows how to use his body. He’s been really good.”
Isaac Heeney (AF $648k SC $459k M/F) battled through with an injury. Swans coach John Longmire said: “He had a bit of a sore knee early on the game so he just had to stay deeper forward… I’m not sure (if he’ll miss time).”
Carlton v St Kilda
Carlton had no new injuries but coach Michael Voss indicated Sam Durdin (AF $201k SC $123k DEF) may be in the mix to return next week. He said: “(Weitering) will play next week… We think Durdin also might get for next week as well. We’re hoping Mitch McGovern plays Round 18.”
Jack Sinclair (AF $843k SC $577k D/M) won praise from St Kilda coach Brett Ratten. He said: “I thought Hill and Sinclair together were a pretty powerful combination. They gave us great rebound tonight. Jacks been in great form. He learned a bit from last week too.”
Rowan Marshall (AF $657k SC $428k RUC) spent time off the field with concerns over concussion but returned and Ratten clarified: “He’s fine. He did wind himself. I think the doc just checked the neck and everything was there. It got taken out with the way he landed.”
Hunter Clark (AF $560k SC $401k D/M) suffered a broken nose and Dougal Howard (AF $436k SC $371k DEF) had a knee complaint.
Brisbane Lions v Western Bulldogs
The Lions subbed out Dayne Zorko (AF $715k SC $430k D/M) early with a hamstring issue while Daniel Rich (AF $767k SC $543k DEF) also had hamstring tightness force him out of the game.
Brisbane coach Chris Fagan said: “I really don’t know. I asked Zorks himself and he said he felt he had a bit of awareness. We’ll wait and see. We’ve got 10 days but you’d think it’s unlikely they’d play.”
Zorko had told FoxFooty: “(The initial thought is it’s) certainly nowhere near as bad as it was last time. (I’m) hoping to get back out there next Sunday.”
James Tunstill (AF $213k SC $117k MID) was solid in his second game. Fagan said: “Jimmy Tunstill showed a little bit tonight. A little glimpse of what I think might be a bright career.”
The Bulldogs were without Tim English (AF $884k SC $605k F/R) for the second week with concussion. Dogs coach Luke Beveridge said: “We think Tim will probably be right to go next week. I can’t say that with 100% certainty. But that’s the plan. We’ve been conservative, giving him another week, make sure he’s OK. My conversation with him the other day was he’s feeling good, he’s training, he missed a bit of work. He’ll probably be available for selection.”
Caleb Daniel (AF $717k SC $490k DEF) missed the game with a knee issue. Beveridge explained: “Caleb will be out for 2-3 weeks. He had an arthroscope. They’ve had to do a little bit in hter.e he wont be available this week.”
Dom Bedendo (AF $190k SC $123k FWD) impressed on debut. Beveridge said: “I thought Dom Bedendo had a really encouraging first half in particular. When the Lions got a hold of us a little bit it was difficult for a few of them. That was encouraging.”
There was also talk of a late Adam Treloar (AF $808k SC $488k M/F) hamstring worry although Beveridge wasn’t asked about that.
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