Stay up to date throughout Round 4 with our rolling injury report from the coaches post-game. With the nine-game round extending from Thursday night until Sunday, these snippets of info will be key.

Adelaide v Melbourne

Crows coach Matthew Nicks talked about Matt Crouch’s lower time on ground at 66%. He said: “Matty is fine. That would’ve been part of our system and what we went to tonight… Matty playing a little less time gave him (Soligo) an opportunity through the midfield where he took it.”

Kysaiah Pickett was offered a one-game ban for a bump on Jake Soligo by the AFL’s MRO.

Brisbane Lions v North Melbourne

Lions coach Chris Fagan offered an update on Lachie Neale who was subbed off amid his recent ankle issue. Fagan said: “it was a great effort by him to get up to play because his ankle was very sore. We took him off the ground in the end to protect because we’ve only got 6 days til we play Melbourne at the MCG.”

On whether he’s in doubt for next week, he said: “No, that was the issue… I think we’ll be fine.”

The Lions coach heaped praise of Kai Lohmann, who got a rare start after a few games as sub. He said: “It was really good to see Kai Lohmann play today. I thought he played a good game. He’s probably been frustrated from being the sub plenty of times.”

Fagan noted Zac Bailey had an ankle tweak but said he seemed fine in the rooms post-game.

North coach Alastair Clarkson praised the impact of Charlie Comben, who they brought back into the side in a defensive role. He said: “Comben playing his first game back for 12 months. We decided to play him back. We’ve trained him as a back all summer. He looked really accomplished in the back end of the ground.”

Clarkson also noted they played Tom Powell in a tagging role to shut down Lachie Neale after quarter-time.

Port Adelaide v Essendon

Port coach Ken Hinkley hailed onballer Connor Rozee for his display. He said: “I’ve seen him playing some pretty good games already, but not that good. Not in the first half particularly, it was outrageous what he was doing. Great young captain.”

Hinkley offered an update on Ollie Wines who missed the game with a minor hamstring issue. He said: “Optimistically we do (hope he’ll play next week), but I’ve said it before, hamstrings you’re never quite sure. But he ran really well yesterday so everything should be ok.”

The Port coach was impressed by Jason Horne-Francis after a few weeks out with injury. He said: “There’s been a lot said over the pre-season. Jase has had a great pre-season. He’s started the year really strongly. Had a little interruption but come straight back in and looked pretty good.”

Hinkley added that Travis Boak, who was subbed out, had a knock in the back.

Dons coach Brad Scott provided an update on Archie Perkins who spent the last quarter on the bench with a hamstring issue. He said: “He felt it. In the modern age, sometimes you don’t need to feel it to be an issue. If you have awareness that’s bad enough. the fact he felt it suggests he won’t play next week.”

Scott also offered an update on Jordan Ridley. He said: “He’s had a recurrence of his quad. What that means in terms of how long it’ll be, clearly when you have a recurrence of the same injury, it’s going to be at least as we suspected the first time around.”  

West Coast v Sydney

Sydney coach John Longmire explained the decision to sub out Taylor Adams and his role on his club debut after injury. He said: “It was good for him to get through the game. He played about 80-odd minutes. mainly half-forward, he had a little bit of a patch in the midfield. He got through the game and pulled up well.”

Longmire also noted Luke Parker wasn’t far off returning which may impact their midfield mix. He said: “Luke Parker has been able to get through the training block that he needs to. Hopefully he’ll be available after the bye.”

West Coast coach Adam Simpson revealed Ryan Maric sustained fractured ribs and a punctured lung, while Luke Edwards was subbed out with a “minor hamstring” injury but he added “I suspect there will be something there”.

Simpson also offered some praise of Harley Reid. He said: “I think we’re starting to see really good glimpses of Harley. He just wants to be part of the team, he wants to win, no extra stuff when he kicks a goal. It’s just good play.”

Fremantle v Carlton

Carlton coach Michael Voss confirmed Zac Williams was fine after a knock and added he’s expecting his output to improve as the season goes on, following last year’s ACL injury.

Voss said: “Yeah (he was OK). I’d be surprised if there was anything. With Zac, you can’t help and say ‘mate, are you OK?’. Some concerns for a bit but he told me to settle down and he’s OK.

“He’s missed a lot of footy over the last little period of time. He’s just going to get better by continuing to play and playing with that back 6-7 that are down there. Getting some familiarity and cohesiveness among them. We’ll start to see him take those moments and break through.”

Voss offered a positive update on Sam Walsh, who hasn’t played this season for a back injury. He said: “He’s tracked really well and found out he’s trained really well over the weekend. If he gets through training he’ll play next weekend.”

The Blues coach said Elijah Hollands would require scans for a hip/adductor concern.

Freo coach Justin Longmuir acknowledged Michael Frederick had a “little hamstring” concern, and Sam Switkowski had a “little calf” worry.

Longmuir offered an update on Sean Darcy’s timeline to return from a knee injury. He said: “That’s the plan. We’ve still got to get him through main training which is the biggest hurdle he needs to tick off. If he gets through that, we’ll look at bringing him in.”

The Freo coach also praised Jeremy Sharp. He said: “Playing his role really well. Building his game week on week. He’s had a super pre-season. He’s made a big impact. He’s getting reward for effort because he’s worked his backside off.”

Western Bulldogs v Geelong

Western Bulldogs coach Luke Beveridge explained the decision to use Jack Macrae as the sub. He said: “Just part of the selection process. As I’ve said before, we have to evolve and get experience into the likes of Riley Sanders and Harvey Gallagher. We need balance in our team.

“There’s not an infinite amount of midfield time that we can throw around and we’ve probably done that in the past, where we didn’t have the resources or players who could play those forward roles and wing roles accordingly. It’s meant there’s pressure through the team for spots. That’s what’s transpired. Jack did OK, but this is the week for him to be sub.”

On Sam Darcy’s job security, Beveridge added: “With Sam, we need experience pumped into him as far as playing him at AFL level. We want to win every week and evolve into a team that’s one of the main challenges.”

Similarly, Geelong coach Chris Scott explained the selection around ruckman Toby Conway who was out managed this week. He said: “We’ve got a plan and that plan is always subject to change and adaption. We’re going to play Conway a lot assuming his improvement continues on the same trajectory. He didn’t come out of the team based on his performance last week. We’re going to manage him and part of that management plan is giving him plenty of exposure to AFL footy if he’s going well enough.”

Gold Coast v GWS Giants

Gold Coast coach Damien Hardwick hailed Sam Clohesy for his debut game, along with Will Graham who had 49% CBAs. He said: “We had three debutants come in and they looked really really good at various stages, I thought Sam Clohesy was outstanding on the wing.

“Will Graham looked very composed, poised and tough. Ethan Read, for a key position player, he’s got some great touch.”

Hardwick also played Sam Flanders off the half-back flank and while he said he’s unlikely to pursue that long-term, he did praise the player. He said: “It’s just his ball use. I thought he was probably one of the best players on the ground. You could see that.

“Every time he got the ball, we used the ball really well. He just controlled that half-back line. We’ve known for a while that’s the style of game we want to play.”

GWS coach Adam Kingsley praised the game of Aaron Cadman in a sign of his solid job security. He said: “He’s developing really well. He did a few nice things forward. Rucked for us and joins in really well around the stoppages. We’ve been really pleased with his progress. He’s a 19-year-old key forward playing games 15 or 16, so for him to be performing at that level is really encouraging.”

Richmond v St Kilda

Richmond coach Adem Yze was complimentary towards Kane McAuliffe who made his debut as sub but picked up an ankle injury, meaning he only got 22% TOG.

Yze said: “He came into the game and actually gave us something which was good. He’s just tweaked his ankle. He came back on to the ground later in the game. He should be OK.”

The Tigers coach added it was the same scenario for Thomson Dow who had a mild ankle injury but should get up next week.

St Kilda coach Ross Lyon praised ruckman Rowan Marshall for his display in a battle with Toby Nankervis. But he also revealed he has plans to manage Marshall this season.

Lyon said: “Ro was exhausted. We’ve got Tommy Campbell, probably look to play him at some point and look after Ro.”

The Saints coach also offered praise for rookie Darcy Wilson. He said: “He’s not a unicorn but we’ve been very positive from the moment we saw him train and play. He got hit hard last week but got up. He’s standing up to the rigours of the AFL. We think we’re pretty lucky to have him.”

Lyon also reserved praise for Jack Steele who has started the season well. He said: “Second half in particular he really got to work. He’s really running on top of the ground. He’s leading. He’s really grown in his leadership. He’s starting to shine.”

Collingwood v Hawthorn

Hawthorn coach Sam Mitchell hailed Jai Newcombe after his best game of the season. He said: “For the most part, I think Newc has been going OK, but this was a big step in the right direction. He’s got that great ability to lead the group. When he’s good in key moments it drags the team with him.”

Mitchell also said Mitch Lewis was “some chance” of returning next week from injury.

Pies coach Craig McRae wasn’t sure of the severity of Scott Pendlebury’s rib issue that saw him subbed but said he came into the game sore and got a knock right on it. He wasn’t aware of any injury to Darcy Cameron, who came off late.