Fremantle revealed Hayden Young is a chance to return in Round 19, which may impact Corey Wagner’s job security, while they were awaiting the scan results of ruckman Sean Darcy’s ankle injury.
Young missed Freo’s Round 18 game with an ankle injury. Dockers High Performance Manager Phil Merriman said about Young and Michael Frederick: “Both are progressing really well. They’ve got a few more boxes to tick along the way and as long as that happens, they’ll be available for selection.”
On Darcy, Merriman said: “Sean had a bit of an innocuous ruck contest injury to that ankle. We’re going through the scanning process at this stage and more information on the time frames will come.”
Sydney coach John Longmire confirmed Angus Sheldrick (AF $516k SC $346k M/F) is set for an extended stint on the sidelined due to syndesmosis. He said: “Unfortunately Angus hurt himself in the first quarter against the Tigers. He had an operation on his ankle. He’s out for a number of weeks now. He’s a tough kid. He’s come out and had a pretty severe syndesmosis injury and had an operation on Friday. He’ll be out for a number of weeks. It’s probably touch and go (if it’s season over). We’ll see what happens.”
Longmire was more positive about a potential return for Chad Warner after a calf injury. He said: “Hopefully. He did some training today. The plan is to train him again on Wednesday. Hopefully be available to play.”
But Longmire confirmed defender Lewis Melican will miss several games with a hamstring injury, flagging Aaron Francis as his likely replacement. He said: “Unfortunately Lewis Melican is going to be out for probably 3-4 weeks with a hamstring. He’s had a terrible run with soft tissue injuries.”
Carlton revealed a surprise injury for midfielder Adam Cerra. The Blues injury report said: “Currently has hamstring tightness. Will be a test to play this week.”
Bailey Smith looks set to return from illness for the Western Bulldogs. Dogs Head of Sports Medicine Chris Bell said: “Bailey Smith started to come down with some flu symptoms immediately following our round 17 game against the Pies. He had a really quiet week last week whilst he recovered, but in some good news he has improved and is re-energised. He will be monitored through main training this week, but I am expecting him to return to availability.”
The Dogs also confirmed concussions for James O’Donnell and Lachie McNeil will see them both miss this week, while Sam Darcy is out for 3-5 weeks with a quad injury.
It has been reported that Port Adelaide’s Zak Butters was due to undergo scans on Sunday/Monday on the groin issue that saw him sit out the last quarter against Carlton on Saturday. Port are yet to publish their weekly injury report.
Find out all the Round 18 role changes with our analysis. Read here
Read about the players who impressed in the VFL, WAFL and SANFL over the weekend, including Brodie Grundy’s push for a recall. Read here.
