St Kilda coach Ross Lyon offered an update on Rowan Marshall after he limped off late and didn’t return in Sunday’s win over North Melbourne fuelling ankle injury worries.
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St Kilda coach Ross Lyon said he expects Rowan Marshall (AF $950k SC $570k RUC) to be fit to play in his side’s Round 9 clash with Adelaide on Sunday, despite an ankle injury late in Sunday’s win over North Melbourne. Lyon said: “Gresham and Ro copped some knocks on the weekend but we think they’ll be fine as the week unfolds.”
Lyon also proactively flagged Anthony Caminiti (AF $356k SC $229k FWD) was available again after suspension, while he discussed Max King’s potential return although he offered no return after a niggle in the VFL. He also said Jack Billings needed to “put together a body of work” before coming into the AFL side after his first full VFL game last weekend having overcome a leg injury.
Essendon provided an update on defender Jordan Ridley (AF $618k SC $426k DEF) after being concussed in the incident with Junior Rioli on Sunday. Dons GM of Performance Daniel McPherson said: “He’s recovered well to this point and he’s already into the concussion protocols. With the mandatory 12-day recovery period, he obviously misses this week, but we expect him to play the following week against Richmond.”
Gold Coast coach Stuart Dew confirmed Ben Ainsworth and Nick Holman will miss Round 9 due to injuries, along with Lachie Weller (AF $784k SC $502k DEF). On Weller, Dew said: “We’re just trying to settle that knee down. Little bit of swelling. That’s one we will make sure is absolutely 100% (after ACL injury last year). He’ll just be monitoring as he starts to ramp up his load how it responds.”
Melbourne confirmed it will appeal the AFL Tribunal’s decision to uphold Jacob van Rooyen’s (AF $344k SC $247k FWD) two-game suspension for striking which was graded as careless conduct, high contact and high impact. The appeal will take place on Thursday night. Dees coach Simon Goodwin confirmed van Rooyen would be picked in Melbourne’s side for their Round 9 game, but obviously his availability will be dependent on the outcome of the appeal.
Goodwin also said Charlie Spargo was “pressing for selection” after a good return in the VFL after concussion, potentially impacting Kade Chandler’s role. He added Harrison Petty would continue to be used forward and that Christian Salem won’t be playing AFL for a few weeks yet as he rebuilds after injury.
Fremantle coach Justin Longmuir said Andy Brayshaw (AF $917k SC $531k MID) isn’t out of the woods with injury yet and was still managing a knee complaint that had impacted his early season form. Longmuir said: “He’s still got to manage it. He hasn’t been horribly out of form either. He’s been building across the season. It was probably his most complete performance over the weekend but he hasn’t been far away. Hopefully he can maintain it.”
Longmuir added that using Nat Fyfe as the sub again was “one of the options”, as he works his way back to fitness after a foot injury.
GWS coach Adam Kingsley said Toby Greene will need to get through training on Friday to be passed fit for Sunday’s game with Collingwood after an ankle injury. Kingsley acknowledged they were weighing up bringing in Jake Riccardi, likely at the expense of Aaron Cadman and that veteran Phil Davis was in contention after playing VFL.
Late on Tuesday evening, Carlton successfully argued to have Nic Newman’s striking charge overturned, meaning he is available in Round 9.
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