Stay up to date throughout Round 16 with our rolling injury report from the coaches post-game. With the nine-game round extending from Friday night until Sunday, these snippets of info will be key.
Brisbane Lions v Melbourne
Melbourne coach Simon Goodwin was delighted for Clayton Oliver, who produced an improved display. He said: “He’s worked incredibly hard. There’s been a lot of criticism out there about Clayton I think he showed tonight why teams go to him. He’s a very important player that’s got a high level of skill. We’re rapt to see him back to his best tonight.”
On debutant Andy Moniz-Wakefield, Goodwin said it was a “really good introduction to AFL footy” for him.
Brisbane Lions coach Chris Fagan praised Will Ashcroft for his comeback game after a long-term ACL injury. He said: “With his comeback game, he’s another player who’s got that capacity as well. It probably didn’t work as well for him tonight as it will do down the track, as it’s his first game back, but he has that capacity as well.”
“I was happy with him. I didn’t expect much more than that. Looking at his game, there were moments where you just went ‘yeah this guy’s a really, really good player’. I thought he did a good job after not playing for 11-12 months to come in and play a high pressure game like that and have a solid contribution.”
Fagan also discussed Brisbane’s rookies Logan Morris and Bruce Reville in a sign of their job security. He said: “Logan probably had a bit of a quieter night tonight but he looked a little bit tired. But that happens with the younger players. Bruce really stepped up in the last quarter.”
North Melbourne v Western Bulldogs
Zac Fisher was subbed out and North coach Alastair Clarkson said he had a minor knock. He said: “He just got a knock to his lower leg which we think is minor. He was just hobbling around a little bit and we had the sub. It’s always a question in the coaches’ box… with Fish just hobbling around a bit we thought we’d make the sub and get Dyl Stephens into the game.”
Clarkson was also asked about George Wardlaw who missed the game after suffering a concussion in training. He said: “I think he’s OK. It’s just so unfortunate. To get better in footy, it’s a combative game that we play, and every time the players run out for a training session they’re at some sort of risk, given that they need to prepare well for the game.
“We initially thought he’d just hurt his shoulder but he just complained about a bit of dizziness from the contact and as soon as he goes into protocols it’s an instant 12 days. It’s really unfortunate that he’ll miss (two games) but we’ve just got to roll with the punches with that.”
Clarkson also praised ruckman Tristan Xerri who went up against Tim English. He said: “He continues to be a real warrior for us in the middle of the ground. He’s going to a lot of contests. He’s getting forward at different stages and kicking goals. That’s handy that he continues to build that part of his game and make him dangerous. He’s making some progress.”
Taylor Duryea was subbed out for the Dogs with a corked calf and a sore mid-foot according to Dogs coach Luke Beveridge. Laitham Vandermeer had an ankle knock late too.
Beveridge also discussed Marcus Bontempelli, who played despite a back concern leading into the game. He said: “It’s just another week and another performance where he’s gone in with a bit of uncertainty. His belief in himself and his willingness to drive for the team is always there. He was obviously a convincing winner in his position.”
Sydney v Fremantle
Sydney ruckman Brodie Grundy spent time off the field with a left arm/shoulder concern but played on. Isaac Heeney landed heavily on his shoulder late but also played on.
Harry Cunningham was subbed out with “hamstring tightness” and coach John Longmire said he needed a scan. He was asked about Will Hayward who had a right knee complaint but said: “He’s had a bit of soreness there but I think he’s OK.”
Freo coach Justin Longmuir said the Dockers got through the game unscathed but noted Brandon Walker stubbed his toe and had a minor AC joint concern but played on. Longmuir also said they’d likely play Brennan Cox next week after two games in the WAFL following injury, which may impact Hugh Davies’ job security.
Gold Coast v Collingwood
Suns coach Damien Hardwick was asked about Sam Flanders playing midfield. He said: “We moved him forward last week. You need three of him, one forward, one midfield, one back. He’s just a special player. I think his progression and the back-end of last year has been really important for this side. He compliments what we already have in that midfield brigade. What we probably did lose down back with him moving into the middle part of the ground, I thought Joel Jeffrey stood up.”
Hardiwck also heaped praise on Bodhi Uwland, stating “he’s hard, he’s tough, he’s uncompromising”.
The Suns coach also praised Jarrod Witts who copped a heavy blow late which forced him into the rooms but returned. He said: “He said it was a bit of carry-on towards the end. He got a knee in the back and he looked in trouble. We didn’t think he was going to come back on. It sums up Wittsy.”
Collingwood coach Craig McRae said Beau McCreery had a “strained calf” and was unlikely next week. John Noble went off due to head knock and Brayden Maynard exited with a right knee knock.
Adelaide v GWS Giants
Adelaide coach Matthew Nicks praised Reilly O’Brien who he said “was a hungry dog tonight”, in a sign that he’s likely to be preferred to fellow ruck Kieran Strachan.
Nicks also hailed Jordan Dawson and said there were “none better than Jordan” and added “Izak (Rankine) was huge in that first half”.
Geelong v Essendon
Geelong subbed out veteran Mitch Duncan with an apparent shoulder concern but coach Chris Scott said it was “just cramp”.
Scott moved Tom Stewart from defence into midfield and he explained the switch: “The move makes sense to me. I hold him in such high regard. He’s just got great attributes and great attitude to his footy. I don’t think he’s been shooting the lights out, but he’s been going much better than I sense people think he’s been going.
“The way I think about Tom’s game is we want him to maximise his attributes. But that’s the way I think about the game anyway, I’m not a believer that there’s a right way to play the game and you have to force your players into that mode. We believe we look at what we’ve got, and we try and get the right players into their best spots.”
Scott also praised debutant Lawson Humphries for his decision making, kicking, and contest work, while he was “almost certain” Ollie Henry will play next week.
Essendon subbed out Harrison Jones with a calf injury but coach Brad Scott said he was “fine”, while Jordan Ridley was listed on the AFL app as “injured” but just had a quiet night.
St Kilda v Port Adelaide
St Kilda coach Ross Lyon said Paddy Dow had worked hard to get up from a bad knee a fortnight ago, before being subbed out.
Bradley Hill left the ground late, but Lyon said: “Bradley just got a knock and came off. I was screaming to get him back on.”
Port coach Ken Hinkley said Todd Marshall was subbed out due to a tight hamstring. Hinkley also praised ruckman Jordon Sweet.
He said: “He’s learning lots as a first-choice ruckman in the AFL. He comes up against his old team probably next week… Jordon has been doing a really good job for us. He’s nowhere near the finished product, he’s got lots to learn.”
Richmond v Carlton
Carlton coach Michael Voss explained the decision to withdraw late Tom De Koning with Marc Pittonet added. He said: “The bigger picture is we’re asking him to play big minutes, certainly in the last month. He was just too sore. We got to yesterday and he was still really sore from last week’s game. We took a conservative approach and we had a ruckman who could come in and play at his aggressive best… We’ll get Tom back next week. To be able to get the week off and rest a few bruises is probably good for him.”
Voss added that Adam Cerra was fine and they managed his load by subbing him, while he said Matthew Kennedy went off with a medial issue in his knee but wasn’t clear on the extent yet.
Richmond coach Adem Yze said Dustin Martin was subbed out after suffering back spasms. He said: “He just seized up. He tried to go back out there for one more rotation and he was just battling, so it was just pointless.
“I’m not sure if he’s ever been subbed before but against a quality team like Carlton, you need 18 fit guys out there. So for him to put his hand up and say his back’s a bit too sore is a credit to him.”
On Martin’s chances of playing next week, Yze added: “We’ve got to wait and see. It’s a six-day break, he’s obviously had some spasms in his back today. We’ll see how that pulls up. He’ll have a day off tomorrow, see how he comes in Tuesday.”
Yze said they’re unlikely to risk Tom Lynch for next week while Dion Prestia was a chance to face Fremantle in Round 17.
West Coast v Hawthorn
Hawthorn coach Sam Mitchell offered an update on James Sicily who missed the last quarter due to a shoulder injury. He said: “Not sure. He was telling me he wanted to come back on. We started him on the bench, I didn’t think the game was over at three-quarter time. If they got a quick goal or two, we would’ve put him back out there. He’ll have assessments through the week and see how he goes.”
When asked if the shoulder actually dislocated, Mitchell added: “Not sure, I haven’t had a medical update. He looked a bit uncomfortable. But he didn’t look too bad. He still had his arms above his head. We’ll be hopeful but not sure.”
West Coast coach Adam Simpson said Matthew Flynn will likely miss a few weeks after being subbed out with an ankle concern. Simpson said: “I haven’t heard… but I’m assuming he’ll miss a few weeks, minimum.”
Simpson also wasn’t sure on Jeremy McGovern being doubt next week after ending the game off the field after having his thumb strapped up. He said Jake Waterman had a cut on the back of his knee, forcing him off in the third.
