Stay up to date throughout Round 4 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.
Collingwood vs Carlton
Collingwood defender Dan Houston was offered a two-game suspension for a bump on Lachie Fogarty.
The Pies subbed out Jordan De Goey and coach Craig McRae explained that wasn’t related to a fresh injury.
He said: “We had a bit of a plan around Jordie. We thought that was an opportune time. He had good impact, he is a work in progress Jordy, we haven’t got him full wheels in motion yet. We have Ned Long and every week I don’t know how he is the sub. I don’t think he will be the sub next week.”
McRae also offered high praise to ruckman Darcy Cameron. He said: “He’s stepping up every week. He keeps delivering. If he’s not marking the ball, he’s competing in different ways. He’s playing big minutes compared to last year.”
Carlton subbed out Lachlan Cowan with a hamstring injury, with the Blues confirming on Saturday he’ll miss 4-6 weeks. Ruckman Marc Pittonet is a chance to return next week, which may impact Tom De Koning.
Geelong vs Melbourne
Geelong lost Jack Henry to a hamstring injury, meaning he’ll miss time, while Mark Blicavs was a late withdrawal due to gastro and was likely next week.
Cats coach Chris Scott hailed newcomer Connor O’Sullivan. He said: “Connor O’Sullivan – he would have played anyway – but a spot opened up early in the year with (Jake) Kolodjashnij sort of being out, and Connor’s come in and been really good for us and was fantastic tonight.”
Gold Coast vs Adelaide
Adelaide subbed out Rory Laird but coach Matthew Nicks insisted it wasn’t injury related. Nicks said: “He just had a couple of massive efforts. We now go into a shorter break. We look at players who’ve played a lot of footy and has come into that 30-plus mark in their careers. We had a look at that. No issues.”
Izak Rankine had some strapping on his calf in the last quarter. Nicks explained: “I think he had some tightness through the calf which is why he went forward a little more in the last quarter. I think he got a little knock on it so he was a bit wary for that last quarter.”
Richmond vs Brisbane Lions
Richmond coach Adem Yze was asked about Josh Smillie’s chance of an AFL debut next week after returning from injury in the VFL. Yze said: “It’s not around how many weeks he needs, it’s just when he gets in form.
“He got through two-and-a-half quarters over three (quarters). He’ll get through another full game and just start piling on some performances that warrant AFL selection.”
Tom Doedee also made his return from long-term injury in the VFL. Lions coach Chris Fagan said: “I haven’t had a chat to Tommy around how many games he thinks he needs. He probably needs more than one. Today would’ve been huge for him.
“I want him to be feeling really confident in himself before we put him in. I don’t know how long that will take, hopefully not too long, but we’ll give him all the time he needs.”
North Melbourne vs Sydney
Luke Davies-Uniacke had a left hip issue through the game but played on. North coach Alastair Clarkson said: “He was also to finish the game. There’s bumps and bruises all the time in footy. We spoke to him throughout the course of the game, he was OK to continue. He might’ve been a little bit hampered by tit.”
Sydney coach Dean Cox heaped praise on third-gamer Riley Bice for his foot skills. He said: “That’s the way he plays. We speak to players about the options they can take, some people have a little bit more of a license than others, and Riley’s one of those. To be able to execute the way he does, he sees the game really well and for me, it’s about if you see it, hit it. Back yourself in and, so far, he’s doing really well.”
Cox said Chad Warner was subbed out having felt unwell during the week.
GWS Giants vs West Coast
GWS coach Adam Kingsley said Stephen Coniglio was a late out due to a “bit of soreness in his glute”. He added: “I think he’ll be fine next week.”
Eagles coach Andrew McQualter reiterated Harley Reid will be used off half-back. He said: “I thought he’s grown his game again today. I thought he looked dangerous at times in the back half. We’re going to keep trying to explore some things.”
Port Adelaide vs St Kilda
There were no new injury concerns from this game.
Fremantle vs Western Bulldogs
Freo ruckman Luke Jackson appears set to miss a run of games due to a hamstring injury that kept him out of the last term. Dockers coach Justin Longmuir said: “We think it’s low grade, so like all these things we’ll get a scan but it’s not significant.
“You might have seen him trying to test it at three-quarter time, that’s an indicator that it’s not significant.”
Longmuir said he’d like Hayden Young (hamstring) and Sean Darcy (knee/ankle) straight back in after returning in the WAFL on the weekend, but said they’d need to work through that plan.
Nathan O’Driscoll picked up an ankle injury, while Corey Wagner was subbed out with a “tweaked calf”. On O’Driscoll, Longmuir said: “Drizz rolled his ankle. He couldn’t go. We’ll see how he pulls up.”
The Dogs subbed out Laitham Vandermeer with a knee concern.
