Gold Coast have confirmed Touk Miller will miss 4 weeks with a fractured wrist, while Max Gawn will be sidelined for 2-3 weeks for Melbourne.
The Suns put out their injury report on Tuesday afternoon, with head physiotherapist Lindsay Bull confirming the news.
He said: “Touk was sent for scans on Monday which have shown he has sustained a small fracture to his wrist. We expect Touk to be unavailable in the short term as he allows time for his wrist to heal.”
Sam Day has also been ruled out for 4-6 weeks with a plantar fascia foot issue. Ruckman Jarrod Witts is a “test” to play this week after missing last round with a fractured vertebrae.
North Melbourne have listed Zac Fisher as a “test” for this upcoming round’s game due to an ongoing foot injury. North head of performance Kevin White said: “Zac has made great progress in recovering from that midfoot sprain suffered against the Dogs, after failing to clear availability last Thursday.
“He had a positive running session on-ground on Saturday morning and progressed into group training this morning.”
White also indicated George Wardlaw would return following concussion protocols assuming he ticks off his final few boxes. He said: “He is feeling energised after he rejoined group skills training today (Tuesday) and only needs to tick off during Thursday’s main contact session to be available.”
The Kangas also declared Wil Dawson was available for selection again after an AC joint injury.
James Sicily is “progressing well” but faces a fitness test later in the week on his shoulder injury. Hawthorn high performance manager Peter Burge said: “Yeah progressing really well. His strength measures have improved each session, each time we’ve tested them.
“We had him out there today doing all of our drills, so the plan of attack for Thursday is to fully train this Thursday and then we’ll make an assessment off the back of main training for his availability on the weekend.”
Sydney coach John Longmire has confirmed captain Callum Mills will return for the first time this season following long-term injury.
He said on Tuesday: “Regardless of what happens at the tribunal, ‘Millsy’ will come back in. He’s done a power of work. We’ve gone through all the numbers ’til the cows come home. He’s had a really good (training) block, so he will come back in the senior team this week.”
Longmire’s tribunal reference comes in light of news Sydney will challenge Isaac Heeney’s one-game suspension for striking Jimmy Webster.
Adelaide’s Izak Rankine also copped a suspension from the AFL MRO, handed a four-game ban for rough conduct on Brisbane’s Brandon Starcevich. Rankine will also head to the Tribunal on Tuesday night.
On Monday, Melbourne confirmed ruckman Max Gawn will be out for 2-3 weeks due to an ankle injury.
Dees General Manager of AFL Performance Alan Richardson said: “Scans have today shown that Max has sustained a chip to the base of his right fibula. While this is disappointing news for Max, fortunately he won’t require surgery.”
Fremantle offered an update on Sean Darcy, who exited Saturday night’s game due to concussion. Dockers High Performance Manager Phil Merriman said: “Sean has appeared today and is in good spirits, he will go into the (concussion) protocols as they all do, and we will update the Freo fans as it comes.”
Josh Draper also picked up a groin issue in that game but Merriman said “everything has checked out well” and they expect him to be available this week.
Adelaide have ruled out Mitch Hinge this round due to an adductor issue. Crows high performance manager Darren Burgess said: “He was managing a little bit of adductor soreness going into the game, and to be honest he was happy to keep going, but we really wanted to insert Zac Taylor into the game so he was the obvious one to take out.
“It’s more than likely we will manage him through this week and he will miss the game against St Kilda, but it will only be one week and he will be back for the Essendon game.”
St Kilda tagger Marcus Windhager will miss 4 weeks with a hamstring injury, while Geelong confirmed Toby Conway will be out again with a foot complaint but Rhys Stanley is available for selection after a minor back/hip concern which may impact Sam De Koning’s role.
