Stay up to date throughout Round 14 with our rolling injury report from the coaches post-game. With the six-game round extending from Thursday night until Monday, these snippets of info will be key.
Brisbane Lions v St Kilda
Lachie Neale was kept to 20 disposals due to a Marcus Windhager tag, while Jack Steele’s influence was blunted by Jarrod Berry.
Lions coach Chris Fagan said: “I thought he did a good job. I thought he won that battle. Windhager was probably on top a bit early but after quarter-time Lachie did a good job and was quite influential. I thought berry did a good job on Jack Steele.”
Liam Henry had a late ankle issue but Saints coach Ross Lyon was optimistic he’d be fine to play their next game in Round 16.
Lyon was positive about Arie Schoenmaker’s debut with 18 disposals and 6 marks. He said: “I thought Schoenmaker on debut demonstrated everything we know he’s got. He’s an AFL player in the making. We’re pretty thrilled with what’s coming underneath.”
Western Bulldogs v Fremantle
Bulldogs coach Luke Beveridge heaped praise on Marcus Bontempelli who scored 142/162 (AF/SC) having been unwell during the week. He said: “He did some really special things… It was an influential game from him after he was pretty crook. He’s got a stye in his eye, he’s rundown, he didn’t train with the group. But he comes this afternoon, like the rest of the midfield brigade, he set a strong example.”
Beveridge also hailed Tom Liberatore for his run-with role on Caleb Serong. He said: “I don’t know how many examples there are of players who come back from concussion and just play the house down. He probably wasn’t at his best last week, and sometimes being task-oriented for a change and not being so creative can right the ship a bit.”
Michael Walters was subbed out with a hamstring injury and Freo coach Justin Longmuir said he’d need scans to ascertain the severity. Longmuir said late withdrawal Heath Chapman missed due to a tight hamstring.
The Dockers coach clarified Hayden Young was fine after a knee hyperextension in the fourth quarter. Longmuir said: “He came back on, finished the game off.”
Richmond v Hawthorn
Hawthorn had no injuries while Richmond left Shai Bolton (corked leg) and Jack Graham’s (hamstring) on the bench late in the game for precautionary reasons according to coach Adem Yze.
Adelaide v Sydney
Adelaide coach Matthew Nicks discussed ruckman Kieran Strachan’s job security, with Reilly O’Brien knocking on the door with good SANFL form. He said: “We’ll continue to look at what our best lineup is. Reilly is working on a few things back there. Kieran is currently playing in the side, it could be an opportunity to look at playing two rucks. They’re a lot of different things that are affected if you do go that way. If ROB puts his hand up and says he’s ready to go, we’ll look at that decision.”
North Melbourne v Collingwood
Collingwood coach Craig McRae revealed Nick Daicos almost missed the game due to illness. He said: “He is a marvel, isn’t he? He was sick yesterday. He was a chance not to play. When you come into training and Nick has gone home sick, you (think) ‘Oh God’.
“I didn’t sleep that well and didn’t really want to check the phone this morning to see if he was going to be OK. We had to have that conversation with Ed Allan yesterday to be ready mate. We’re not sure what’s going to happen.”
McRae said he expected Brody Mihocek, Oleg Markov and Jordan De Goey to both be big chances to return immediately after their bye.
On debutant Tew Jiath, McRae said: “He showed some signs. I was thinking we’d see little moments for the young lad. He looks like an AFL player. He’s got huge AFL traits. He’ll be better for the experience. I think he’s going to be a really nice player for us.”
North Melbourne coach Alastair Clarkson explained Jy Simpkin’s late withdrawal with a “low grade hamstring” injury. He said: “Probably last night (we made the decision). He trained fully on Friday and just pulled up tight. Just a dull awareness. We got that scanned yesterday and it showed the slightest of a bleed in his leg. We just can’t afford to take a punt like that… We’re hoping it’s just minor and he might even be a chance to play next week.”
When asked about club debutant Brynn Teakle, Clarkson was impressed and said: “Both in the ruck and took a couple of important marks forward.”
GWS Giants v Port Adelaide
Lachie Whitfield copped a heavy knock to his ribs from Ivan Soldo but manfully soldiered on. Giants coach Adam Kingsley said: “I’m not exactly sure. I think it was a knock in his back. He was fine, he came back on and had no issues.”
Port defender Aliir Aliir appeared to hurt his left leg in the third term.
