Jack Steele appears set for a crucial fitness test later in the week as he battles a medial strain, while Darcy Parish was ruled out for Round 10 and updates provided on Jordan Ridley, Toby Greene and Nat Fyfe.
UPDATES
St Kilda coach Ross Lyon offered an update on Jack Steele (AF $883k SC $527k MID), with still no confirmation on his availability to play in Round 10. Lyon said: “He’s got a little bit of a medial and he’s going to try and train today. If he feels good and can complete T2 (second full training session of the week) – my philosophy is if you don’t do T2, you don’t play unless you’re Rowan Marshall last week – we’ll see how it goes. We certainly wouldn’t risk the team with anyone who isn’t 100% fit.”
Lyon added that Max King will be “selected” to return from injury for the first time this season, with Tim Membrey out with concussion, while Jade Gresham was in the mix to play after a knee knock.
Darcy Parish (AF $914k SC $567k MID) will miss Essendon’s Round 10 game although coach Brad Scott wasn’t asked directly for an update on his calf injury. Scott said: “We really missed him last week, and we’ll miss him again this week.” Essendon later provided an injury update with Parish listed as five weeks.
In that update, the Bombers revealed Will Setterfield (AF $733k SC $397k MID) will be out “for a number of weeks” with a foot fracture. Dons GM of Performance Daniel McPherson said: “Will reported some foot soreness coming out of the weekend’s match. Upon further investigation, it’s been revealed he has a small fracture in his foot after being trodden on in game. At this stage, we’re unsure on the timeline, but it’ll be a short to medium term injury.”
Scott confirmed Jordan Ridley (AF $618k SC $426k DEF) will return from concussion, while Jake Kelly will miss again due to ongoing concussion symptoms. He also flagged 2022 Draft pick five Elijah Tsatas (AF $292k SC $189k MID) was on the comeback trail. Scott said: “Tsatas had a really good surgical review so he’ll join in full training today.”
Adelaide coach Matthew Nicks revealed tall forward Riley Thilthorpe will miss this weekend’s game due to knee soreness, with Elliott Himmelberg all but certain to replace him. Tom Doedee will miss with concussion with Nick Murray likely to return after his own concussion.
GWS coach Adam Kingsley flagged Toby Greene (AF $741k SC $486k FWD) was “more likely” to return from an ankle injury this week. He said: “The signs right now look good, but he still needs to get through training.”
Kingsley also spoke briefly about Cameron Fleeton’s (AF $205k SC $123k DEF) job security when discussing Isaac Cumming’s absence having been ruled out util the bye. He said: “His absence gives other opportunities. Callum Brown gets an opportunity, Cam Fleeton got one on the weekend, both those boys have had their moments where they’re really strong.”
Walyalup/Fremantle coach Justin Longmuir refused to confirm whether Nat Fyfe (AF $541k SC $267k M/F) would start after playing two games in a row as sub. Longmuir said: “We need to make sure his foot has pulled up well and he’s confident enough. It’s a bit of a step-up. He only played 40 minutes the first week and 30 minutes on the weekend, it’s a bit of a step-up to play 80-90 minutes.”
Longmuir heaped praise on Sean Darcy (AF $850k SC $608k RUC) for his display against Sydney last round. He said: “I think he’s had an extraordinary year. He’s playing some really good footy. He’s pushing to be one of the top ruckmen in the comp. He has an ability to get his hands on it at stoppage. His marking ability around the ball and I think his follow up has gone to another level. He gave our mids first look and it’s the best we’ve been able to capitalise on his ruck work throughout the year.”
Gold Coast coach Stuart Dew said Ben Ainsworth was “all clear” to return from injury, while Nick Holman would face a fitness test at their Wednesday evening training session, which may impact Tom Berry’s (AF $309k SC $123k FWD) selection.
On Berry, Dew said: “We love the way Tom goes about it. He came in for Nick and he’s played his role. It’s going to be a tough decision. Do I see them playing in the same team? Yeah they could. That’ll be something we weigh up after training if Nicks gets through. A Nick Holman and a Tom Berry in the team would be ok by us. Whoever misses, if they miss, would be stiff.”
Yartapuulti/Port Adelaide coach Ken Hinkley said Charlie Dixon was “tracking pretty well” to return from injury, while Todd Marshall will miss with concussion, which may help Ollie Lord hold his spot if Dixon returns.
Hinkley said Darcy Byrne-Jones was fine after a gastro virus and added Scott Lycett was “ready to go if we want to pick him” having played three quarters in the SANFL last weekend.
Sydney coach John Longmire confirmed Marc Sheather will miss with a foot stress injury, while he added Angus Sheldrick was “in the mix” to come into the side after good VFL form. Tom McCartin will miss again with concussion while Peter Ladhams will return from a shoulder/arm injury if he gets through training.
Geelong coach Chris Scott said Tyson Stengle has “got the all-clear to play” after an arm injury, while they are “seriously thinking about playing” Jack Henry who is close to being available after a foot issue. He added Ollie Henry would “miss a couple of weeks” with a testicle issue.
Scott spoke about Jhye Clark (AF $287k SC $175k MID) who debuted last round as a sub. He said: “It’s a little bit early on the week for us to be absolutely decided on it (coming into the 22). We’ve got a few balls in the air but Jhye didn’t do his chances of coming into the 22 any (harm). It’s not so much about output. All of us were looking for snippets of what he could be. There’s no reason to think he couldn’t come into our 22 and play well.”
1 thought on “Lyon offers Steele update, Setterfield foot fracture, Fleeton, Berry & Jhye job security updates”