Geelong have refused to rule out Tom Stewart from their Round 3 clash with the Brisbane Lions despite being subbed out with a knee injury on Saturday night.
Geelong football manager Andrew Mackie said in a statement: “In positive news, scans on Monday morning have ruled out any serious injury to Tom’s right knee.
“With two training sessions remaining before we head to Brisbane, Tom will be closely monitored throughout the week and will be a test to play against the Lions on Saturday night.”
Geelong have provided an update on Bailey Smith’s fitness having missed last round with a calf injury.
Mackie said: “Bailey was a late withdrawal ahead of the Saints game after experiencing calf soreness. We took a conservative approach and will continue to monitor Bailey throughout the week before we make a call on his availability.”
Adelaide have allayed any injury concerns around Izak Rankine after being subbed out last game. Crows high performance manager Darren Burgess said: “Izak’s work-rate throughout the game was pretty extraordinary and at a level that we’d seen a couple of times in the past where he’d had some issues, particularly at the MCG.
“So in consultation with Izak, we thought it was the right thing to do to take him off. He played the earlier game with the Indigenous All-Stars and has not missed a session in pre-season, and fortunately we were in the rare position to be able to do that.”
Meanwhile, Essendon will be without young mid Elijah Tsatas this round after breaking his finger in the warm-up prior to the game against Adelaide on Saturday.
The Dons injury update said: “Scans confirmed Tsatas broke his metacarpal during the pre-game warm-up of the Dons’ defeat to Adelaide on Saturday. Tsatas will have surgery for his finger on Monday afternoon.
“With the Bombers’ bye scheduled for round four, the pair (Tsatas and Archie Perkins) are only expected to miss one game and will look to the Gather Round clash with Melbourne in round five for an expected return to play.”
Essendon coach Brad Scott also revealed Darcy Parish will likely return from a back injury via the VFL this weekend.
“The temptation is there with Darcy to rush him back but the game on the weekend just showed that if you’re a bit off you get exposed,” Scott said. “I’m not willing to put him in that position, or the team.”
West Coast provided an update on Jack Graham, who missed last game with a hip concern, remaining hopeful of his availability for their next game.
Eagles High Performance Manager Mat Inness said: “Jack presented with some hip joint soreness on Friday last week and we gave him every chance to play on Sunday but he didn’t quite get up. The plan is for him to train this Thursday and if he gets through he will be available this weekend.”
GWS declared Kieren Briggs is “expected to return” having exited concussion protocols last week.
Gold Coast confirmed Sam Flanders (back) will face a fitness test this week in order to be available for selection.
Fremantle revealed ruckman Sean Darcy (ankle) is set to return to full training on Thursday, with a view to “playing footy next week”.
Freo midfielder Hayden Young (hamstring) is closing in on a return too. Freo high performance manager Phil Merriman said: “He will be available to play footy next week. He will just be re-loading and it will be a full footy week next week.”
Melbourne confirmed Dees rookie-priced Matt Jefferson has fractured one of the bones in his hand and will be sidelined.
The Bulldogs have revealed Adam Treloar has suffered an injury setback in his return from a calf issue and is listed as 4-6 weeks, which may help Ryley Sanders’ job security and role.
Dogs Head of Sports Medicine Chris Bell said: “Unfortunately, Adam has suffered some calf symptoms following Friday’s training session. This will delay his return-to-play plan, with the Club to confirm his new timeline in coming days.”
