Stay up to date throughout Opening Round with our rolling injury report from the coaches post-game. With the four-game round extending from Thursday night through until Saturday, these snippets of info will be key.
Sydney v Melbourne
Sydney coach John Longmire praised Brodie Grundy for his club debut against Max Gawn. He said: “His second half was huge. He just kept going, just kept ploughing through. His second and third efforts, his work around the footy was enormous. I just feel really pleased for him. He’s got that one out of the way and now he can settle into his season now, and he’s got another big one next week against the Pies.”
On James Jordon, Longmire added: “I thought the longer the game went, the better he went.”
On Matt Roberts, Longmire said: “He was good. He’s only a third-year player. He’s had a wonderful pre-season, played him down back this summer. He’s going to be a reasonable player, I reckon.”
Dees coach Simon Goodwin spoke about Clayton Oliver’s game. He said: “It was a typical Clayton game, he was pretty tough around the clinches and the contest. He’s still got some work to do, he probably fumbled the ball a little bit at times. But he’ll just evolve and get better the next few weeks, but it’s just great to see him happy, healthy and back in the program and we’ll get him back to his best pretty quick.”
Goodwin spoke about Jack Billings who started as sub. He said: “We brought Jack into the game early after half-time. He’s still learning a bit about our system and he’s going to evolve as the season goes on. We’ve got high hopes for Jack. Jack is going to be a good player for us.”
Jake Bowey hurt his collarbone and had to be subbed out.
Brisbane Lions v Carlton
Keidean Coleman went down before half-time with a worrying knee injury. Lions coach Chris Fagan said: “He’ll get a scan tomorrow but at this stage it’s not looking great. It’s looking like an ACL… it’s not confirmed but more than likely what we think.”
Brisbane have since confirmed Coleman has done his ACL ending his 2024 campaign.
Likewise, Carlton subbed out Sam Docherty in the first half with a knee issue which has since been diagnosed as a season-ending ACL injury. Carlton coach Michael Voss said after the game: “He obviously was a bit banged up in one of the contests. It was a jarred knee. We’ll explore it during the week. It’s hard to tell without a scan.”
Since the scan, Carlton confirmed: “Docherty has suffered a ruptured anterior cruciate ligament and tear to the meniscus in his right knee.”
Zac Williams spoke to the media on Saturday at Melbourne Airport and said: “I’ve pulled up pretty sore after my first game back so head home and recover.”
Gold Coast v Richmond
Sam Naismith made his club debut but Richmond coach Adem Yze cited his side’s ruck issues in the first half. But Samson Ryan was subbed out, hinting he saw him as the issue. On Naismith’s performance, Yze said: “Sam Naismith in his first game for the club, he toiled away and fought hard.”
Yze also hinted Tom Lynch (foot/match fitness) was a chance to play next week, while he indicated Dustin Martin (corked calf) would play. On Martin, he said: “Having him back next week will be handy as well.”
The Tigers coach offered praise to debutant Seth Campbell along with the returning Josh Gibcus. He said: “Seth Campbell could’ve kicked 3-4 today and didn’t look out of place. Josh Gibcus first game back for a long time, he’ll be better for the experience.”
Gold Coast had no injuries. Suns coach Damien Hardwick praised Matt Rowell for his display. He said: “We challenged the midfield group after last week. I thought Rowelly led from the front. He got his head down bum up and just burrows through. He’s such a competitor.”
Hardwick also noted Bohdi Uwland’s desperation with 30 seconds to go which is good for his job security.
GWS Giants v Collingwood
GWS lost Callan Ward to a shoulder injury which coach Adam Kingsley said would require a long stint on the sidelines. He said: “He’s got an AC joint shoulder. He’ll be scanned tomorrow and assessed but he’ll be out of the game for a while. It’ll be a couple of months I’d think. We’ll wait and see, whether it’s surgery or not.”
Collingwood coach Craig McRae was asked about his side’s under-sized defence and Charlie Dean’s debut. He said: “Charlie showed some signs. I think it was promising. We’ll look at the tape and opportunities for him to grow but collectively our backs we didn’t connect the way we would’ve liked.”
