Stay up to date throughout Round 1 with our rolling injury report from the coaches post-game. With the eight-game round extending from Thursday night through until Sunday, these snippets of info will be key.
Richmond v Carlton
Tigers coach Adem Yze was full of praise for debutant Sam Lalor who impressed. He said: “That’s why he’s the number one pick. He’s a talented kid and he’ll just get better, but that’s what he does. When the ball’s in his area, he knows how to play and he knows how to win and he knows how to fight.”
Yze also was glowing for fellow debutant Luke Trainor. He said: “Luke is a star. He had some big moments late in the game. He’s a great kid and great decision maker.”
Carlton coach Michael Voss said they picked up no new injuries and expects Charlie Curnow (knee) to be available next round.
He was also asked about Jack Silvagni’s return game. He said: “We probably could’ve thrown him forward a bit quicker in the last quarter. Got 15 minutes of him forward, which we anticipate probably a bit more of. Early signs was he competed pretty strong.”
Hawthorn v Essendon
Essendon coach Brad Scott confirmed Jordan Ridley had entered concussion protocols and Kyle Langford had picked up a hamstring injury and will miss a few weeks.
Scott heaped praise on Jye Caldwell for his display. He said: “I thought Caldwell was outstanding. I wish I had two of him. He’s really elevated his game.”
The Dons coach also spoke about debutant Isaac Kako. He said: “It was great to see Isaac out there. He did some really good things. I like the way he pressured. He gives us energy that we haven’t had in the forward half the last few years. That’s only the beginning for Isaac .He’ll only get better.”
Hawthorn coach Sam Mitchell confirmed Jack Scrimshaw had suffered a concussion, with further assessment still needed.
Geelong v Fremantle
Mark O’Connor was subbed out with a corked quad. Freo subbed out Sam Switkowski with a groin injury.
Geelong coach Chris Scott revelled in Bailey Smith’s club debut. He said: “It was what we had in mind when we brought him in. I think I’ve tried to temper expectations a little bit, even with him… He’s going to have his moments after missing a year of footy.”
Scott also praised Mitch Knevitt for his midfield effort. He said: “He’s had a great pre-season. It was a good example of a player who trained his way into the team. It was good to see play well off the back of all that work. We really liked the last quarter with Knevitt and Clark in there together.”
Freo debutant Murphy Reid starred with 4 goals, earning praise from coach Justin Longmuir who said: “He had a great third quarter, a great patch, Murphy, and he’s going to grow with all aspects of his game. So he probably played well I guess.
“I don’t want to take any gloss off his third quarter because not many young kids can come and do that, so yeah, hats off to him, but we need a more consistent performance across the four quarters from everyone on the team.”
Sydney v Brisbane Lions
Kai Lohmann was subbed out early with an ankle injury, while Brandon Starcevich entered concussion protocols after a fourth-quarter head knock. Charlie Cameron was a late withdrawal due to calf tightness.
Levi Ashcroft was a late inclusion into the 22, having been intended to be sub, replacing Cameron. Lions coach Chris Fagan said: “He contributed really well, he’ll learn a lot from that opportunity. It’s not a surprise that he went well but it’s good that he did. He helped us win the game.”
Sydney coach Dean Cox praised debutant Riley Bice who started as sub. He said: “He provided some real bounce for us. He was strong in the contest and defended when he had to. He stood up really well. I was really proud of what he was able to do.”
Western Bulldogs v North Melbourne
Luke Cleary was concussed in a nasty incident, which has led to Jackson Archer receiving a three-game ban from the MRO.
James O’Donnell was subbed out with a suspected fractured jaw. North defender Griffin Logue seemed to strain his hamstring.
Roos coach Alastair Clarkson spoke about debutants Finn O’Sullivan and Jacob Konstanty. He said: “(Finn) did some good things. We were really pleased with Konstanty as well, his tackle pressure. They’ll be better or it. Hopefully next game there won’t be the same nervous energy. They acquitted themselves well.”
Collingwood v Port Adelaide
Pies coach Craig McRae praised new recruit Dan Houston. He said: “Not only does he win the ball in the air, he wins it on the ground and then uses it ridiculously well. He is a rare talent, we are very happy to have him.”
Adelaide v St Kilda
Adelaide coach Matthew Nicks praised debutant Sid Draper, who had 8 touches as the sub. He said: “We brought in a young kid today, Sid Draper from the draft, who showed that he has a lot of potential to be a really strong player in this League.”
St Kilda coach Ross Lyon praised debutant Max Hall. He said: “I think we unearthed hall. He’s got a bit of work to do, but he looked likely.”
Rowan Marshall’s knee was iced up late on, having played predominantly forward most of the game, not ruck. Lyon said: “Ro will be better for the run.
“I think we’ll all clear but you always say that with a bit of trepidation… No one said anything. I think he was a bit tired and sore at the end. It’s a tough business. We needed a high forward. If Ro didn’t play, it’d just be Caminiti.”
Lyon hailed Jack Macrae for his club debut. He said: “I thought Jack does what he does, 12 clearances, 15 ground balls, had some opportunities. I think we’ll take that.”
Melbourne v GWS Giants
Melbourne coach Simon Goodwin revealed Steven May was a late out due to a fractured larynx after a knock to his throat in midweek at training. Goodwin said: “He’s touch and go for next week, probably unlikely, but it wouldn’t be much longer than that hopefully.”
Goodwin was delighted with Christian Petracca’s return after an internal injury cut short his 2024 season. He said: “It was just great to see him back out there. I don’t know if the camera was on him much, but I kept watching him and he had a fair smile on his face for the majority of the day. So it was great to see him right back to his best, and his buy-in to the team.”
Brent Daniels was subbed out with a hip injury. GWS coach Adam Kingsley said: “Just a bruised hip. I don’t think it’s too serious. We’ve got the bye next week, so that will help. He’ll be fine.”
Kingsley was asked about Stephen Coniglio’s mid-forward role and whether it could become permanent. He said: “It could be… he’s had shoulder surgery over the summer, so we’re trying to ease him back in. I see him still playing inside mid once the season gets moving… He’s played wing a bit. If he kicks 3 goals every week, we’re not shifting him away from there.”
West Coast v Gold Coast
West Coast had a few injury concerns, including young gun Jack Hutchinson. Eagles coach Andrew McQualter said: “He just had some awareness late. I’m not sure. We’ll have to go away and look at it.”
Liam Duggan had an ankle injury and left the field late. McQualter said: “Not sure. He troubled it a bit late in the game. We’ll go away and let the medical team decide where it lands.”
Jake Waterman was subbed out after coming into the gam with a calf niggle. McQualter said: “He’s OK. It was more precautionary than anything else. The game was where it was at that stage.”
Suns defender Charlie Ballard hurt his knee with fears of an ACL injury. Suns coach Damien Hardwick said: “He’ll go for a scan first thing tomorrow I would say … it might be a possibility.”
Hardwick also praised youngster Ethan Read. He said: “Ethan read I thought was big. That big mark he took against Jeremy McGovern was really exciting for us. We’ve still got a way to go with that young emerging forward line.”
