Pre-season is firmly underway with match sims and camps, but there’s been big injury news over the past week relating to Tristan Xerri, Tim English, Jed Walter, Callum Mills and Tom Lynch.
INJURIES
Injury-prone North Melbourne ruckman Tristan Xerri (AF $580k SC $407k RUC) picked up another knock in pre-season, requiring facial surgery.
In an AFL.com.au update shared by North, the update said: “Copped a blow to the face during training at La Trobe University last Friday and will go under the knife to have a plate inserted. Xerri won’t miss much running despite the setback, but his return to full contact training is dependent on how quickly his face heals.”
There was better news for Western Bulldogs ruckman Tim English (AF $1.07m SC $715k RUC) who had missed a period of training due to migraine-related symptoms. The Dogs explained: “As he has suffered concussion in the past, the Club wanted to be thorough and diligent in Tim’s management and engaged medical specialists.
“Specialists confirmed that Tim’s symptoms were not related to concussion and more consistent with a migraine. Tim’s migraine symptoms have now fully resolved and he will progress back into full training over the next week.”
View Honeyball’s full 2024 AFL pre-season injury list
Pick 3 in the 2023 AFL Draft, Jed Walter (AF $294k SC $198k FWD), looks set to miss early games for Gold Coast after breaking his collarbone at training. The Suns said: “The 18-year-old will undergo surgery this week with a recovery timeline to be determined post-surgery.”
Richmond key forward Tom Lynch (AF $563k SC $287k FWD) is on the comeback trail after missing most of 2023, although his timeframe to return has been unclear. Tigers CEO Brendon Gale told SEN: “Lynchy is making good progress now. He’s coming on and making really good progress. We’ve got high hopes that tommy will be available.”
North recruit Zac Fisher (AF $623k SC $378k FWD) had no significant damage following last week’s hamstring worry. The Kangas said in an update: “Fisher is currently confined to a modified program after suffering hamstring awareness last week at training.”
Sydney co-captain Callum Mills appears to be ahead of schedule in his bid to return from a shoulder injury, having undergone surgery on his rotator cuff in September. Mills was participating in non-contact drills on Monday, having previously been earmarked for a midyear return.
Swans teammate Isaac Heeney said: “He’s dominating his rehab … he’s doing everything he can and more so it’d be interesting to see if he can bring it forward. I’m not sure how much of a timeframe he can bring it forward but he’s definitely pushing.”
Will Ashcroft will miss plenty of 2024 due to an ACL injury but Lions Football GM Danny Daly told SEN he could return before the mid-season bye. Daly said: “Will is going well. He’s ticked every box. He’s back running, kicking now, he’s progressing really well. We’re still expecting him to be right around Round 11-12.”
Collingwood’s Josh Daicos is working his way back after experiencing lower leg muscle/nerve pain whilst running during the three-week break. Collingwood’s Head of High-Performance Jarrod Wade said: “Following a period of down-load, Daicos has commenced a running program and should progress quickly into skills over the next three weeks while monitoring his response to training loads.”
Read our top value picks in 2024 AFL Fantasy across each line
UPDATES
Ryley Sanders (AF $285k SC $184k MID), who went pick 6 in the 2023 AFL Draft, has been earmarked for an early AFL debut according to Western Bulldogs teammate Jason Johannisen. He told SEN: “There’s been a lot of hype around Ryley but it’s merited with the way he’s been training – he’s been unbelievable. If he stays healthy, I assume he’ll play a lot of games this year.”
Hawthorn’s 2023 AFL Draft pick 5 Nick Watson was backed for an early debut in 2024 by teammate James Worpel. He said: “He’s got really good foot skills, he reads the game really well, he’s a natural footballer. He went pick 5 for a reason… its tough for spots in the small forward department. I think so, I think he hasn’t put a foot wrong and is training well.”
Worpel also flagged Cooper Stephens as a Round 1 smokie. He said: “He’s a really good clearance player. I wouldn’t be surprised if he sneaks his way into the Round 1 team. We know what he brings, he can play up forward, kick a few goals. He had a few strong VFL performances last year.”
AFL Draft pick 8 Dan Curtin is another in contention for a Round 1 debut with Adelaide captain Jordan Dawson praising him, among others. He said: “Jake Soligo has gone to another level again, Rachele and Rankine are always livewires out there, even the new boys – Dan Curtin was really looking good, and Charlie Edwards, Oscar Ryan – they’re all showing a lot, it’s exciting as a group as well.”
Zac Williams (AF $442k SC $216k DEF) seems to be on track to be available in Round 1. Carlton teammate Sam Docherty said: “You forget when guys miss for 12 months how good they are. It does take some time to get some confidence so stick him in a position that he knows and see how goes from there.”
West Coast co-captain Oscar Allen heaped praise on injury-prone Elliot Yeo. Allen said: “Looked fit, strong and his aggression is unbelievable, it’s something he brings that not many others bring.”
Read our list of stepping stones: The value midpricers and rookies to consider
MATCH SIM
Recent AFL Draft pick 2 Colby McKercher (AF $297k SC $202k MID) continues to impress in pre-season for North. The club’s match sim report: “McKercher dazzled off half-back and left fans applauding the moment of the match when he took a couple of bounces and charged through the guts to set up Jaidyn Stephenson with yet another precision left-foot pass.”
Andy Brayshaw missed Fremantle’s match sim on Friday due to an eye injury although it appears only minor, while Sean Darcy got his first minutes after an ankle injury.
Caleb Serong (AF $976k SC $621k MID) was among the most impressive. Freo’s match sim report said: “Serong’s work from the centre bounce and around stoppage was second to none as the 22-year-old laced out multiple teammates from clearance.”
According to spies on the track, recruit Jordon Sweet was number one ruck at Port Adelaide’s match sim, while Ollie Wines was permanently in the midfield after having only 50% CBAs in 2023.
Read our 2024 fixture analysis on how to handle the early byes
