There was significant injury news this week revolving around Jackson Macrae, Tim English, Dan Curtin and Ivan Soldo plus several clubs held match sim sessions with interesting updates.
INJURY NEWS
One of the most attractive forward options Jackson Macrae (AF $829k SC $558k M/F) went down with a hamstring issue during the Western Bulldogs’ match sim on Thursday. There’s no official word on the extent but it has been reported as “minor” by AFL.com.au’s Josh Gabelich.
Ruckman Tim English (AF $1.07m SC $715k RUC) was involved in that match sim after time out following illness given his concussion history. The Dogs said in an update: “Returned to full contact training on the Western Bulldogs’ pre-season camp on the Sunshine Coast.”
Adelaide rookie Dan Curtin (AF $279k SC $175k D/M) has missed training lately but the Crows offered an encouraging update. Adelaide said: “Draftee Dan Curtin, who has spent the past week training in the rehabilitation group after jarring his knee, is expected to be reintegrated into main training this week.”
The Crows this week also revealed injuries to Wayne Milera (hamstring) and Rory Sloane (detached retina) which will likely sideline both for at least 2-3 weeks in an interruption to their pre-seasons.
Ivan Soldo (AF $667k SC $485k RUC) revealed he is back in skills and close to returning to full training after off-season finger surgery, which may impact Jordon Sweet’s (AF $387k SC $158k RUC) role/selection, which hopes he’d be first-choice ruck for Port.
Soldo said: “That (No.1) spot is always going to be up for grabs. It’s important to have the healthy competition … the competition for spots is always an outside noise but internally we just want to play the best team every week. Whether it be Jordon, myself or even Dante, it’s going to be a conversation Ken (Hinkley, coach) is going to have to enter with the coaching staff.”
Clayton Oliver (AF $1.03m SC $674k MID) is back from his period of personal leave although he’s not yet been integrated into full training. Oliver’s return, however, may impact the likes of Christian Petracca.
Melbourne GM of AFL Performance Alan Richardson said: “He’s done a lot of training himself. He’s basically been in the hands of his medical team and that’s gone really well for us and more importantly, it’s gone well for Clayton.
“He’ll still be doing ball work but on the side in the rehab group and we’ll have to make sure we bring him up to speed from an educational point of view with any of the adjustments we’ve made to our game plan.”
The Dees also revealed Angus Brayshaw is only just reintegrating into contact drills after his concussion during last year’s finals, while Christian Salem was back into full training after a recent slight hamstring complaint.
West Coast confirmed young gun Elijah Hewett will undergo consultation with a specialist physio in Melbourne on his troublesome foot injury.
View Honeyball’s full 2024 AFL pre-season injury list
MATCH SIM
Macrae may have got injured in the Dogs’ match sim, but new recruit James Harmes (AF $637k SC $258k M/F) impressed. The club report said: “Harmes produced a standout performance, kicking four goals and finding plenty of the ball, dividing his time between the midfield and half-forward.”
Top 10 draft pick Ryley Sanders (AF $285k SC $184k MID) was also impressive. The AFL.com.au match sim report shared by the Dogs said: “Sanders is the other fresh name that looks almost certain to make his debut in Rnd 1, adding another compelling match simulation session to an impressive maiden pre-season to date.”
St Kilda rookie Lance Collard (AF $219k SC $117k FWD), who went with pick 28 in the 2023 AFL Draft, earned praise from Saints development coach Lenny Hayes after a good display in their match sim.
Hayes said: “I thought Lance was really lively today. Certainly when the ball is in his area he’s dynamite. He chased really well, put some really good pressure on and then once he’s in space he’s pretty hard to stop.”
In Sydney’s match sim in Coffs Harbour, “Brodie Grundy wasted little time with some imposing early touches in the ruck” according to the club report.
Dustin Martin dominated Richmond’s match sim on Wednesday, while Dion Prestia went off with hamstring awareness and will be sidelined for a few weeks.
Fremantle played 80 minutes of match sim on Saturday with Luke Ryan returning from an ankle issue. Sam Switkowski also played after a recent hamstring problem.
West Coast recruit Tyler Brockman played a mix of forward and midfield, booting three goals in the Eagles’ Monday session.
Nick Larkey kicked six goals in North’s match sim, while new addition Dylan Stephens “owned his wing” according to the club report.
Sam Flanders and Bailey Humphrey both impressed in Gold Coast’s match sim according to AFL.com.au, while Alex Sexton played a new half-back role.
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