Stay up to date throughout Round 5 with our rolling injury report from the coaches post-game. With the nine-game round extending from Thursday night through until Sunday, these snippets of info will be key.
Adelaide vs Geelong
Izak Rankine played after a fitness test on his calf. Crows coach Matthew Nicks siad: “He improved day by day. If you spoke to us on Monday, I would’ve said he was no chance. But 24 hours later, we catch up and he feels so much better. Another 24 hours, he feels incredible. He improved really quickly.
“For us, it was more about the risk of having some bleeding around the calf. That can be a risky one. But, in the end, he improved so well over the days that we played him and he got through. Hopefully, he pulls up well.”
James Peatling was handed a one-game ban for a dangerous tackle on Oisin Mullin. Mullin was subbed out with a minor knee concern late, while Tyson Stengle cramped up at the end.
Tom Stewart was a late out for Geelong due to gastro. Cats coach Chris Scott said: “He would’ve been horrible (if he played) and it would have compromised him as well. That was the same with Mark Blicavs (last week) as well. If you pressed him, he would say he didn’t think he could play. But we were proactive with that call, it’s fair to say.”
Collingwood vs Sydney
Pies coach Craig McRae praised Ned Long for a breakout game in the midfield. He said: “I don’t think he’ll be sub for a while. His game was remarkable right from the start. His contest work is so strong, he’s such a beast at the contest and if he’s not winning it himself he’s getting it back.”
Sydney subbed out Joel Amartey with a hamstring injury in the second term meaning he’ll likely miss a few weeks. Swans coach Dean Cox said they could turn to Logan McDonald who is close to a return from injury.
North Melbourne vs Gold Coast
Suns coach Damien Hardwick heaped praise on Matt Rowell for another strong display, explaining why he’s gone up to a new level of output. He said: “I think this is his best season he’s had so far. His ability to win the contested ball inside has always been known, but I think his ability to transition through the turnover game has become apparent and what has, in my opinion, taken his game to the next level.”
Carlton vs West Coast
Carlton subbed out Harry McKay on his return early due to a concussion, following a collision with Tom Gross who may attract MRO scrutiny. Carlton’s Brodie Kemp exited the game with a suspected Achilles tendon injury.
Blues coach Michael Voss weighed up the replacements, mentioning Marc Pittonet whose return could impact Tom De Koning. He said: “We’ve got a couple of players to return.
“Not that Pitto is a forward but he comes back as a ruckman. He’ll be fit this week, he could’ve played if there was a game. Elijah (Hollands) has had another week of great training under his belt. (Blake) Acres will be OK, he just had illness and couldn’t quite get up.”
Eagles coach Andrew McQualter spoke about the chances of Elijah Hewett (calf) and Jeremy McGovern (adductor) returning next week. He said: “I think they’re going to be a chance. Six-day break but both trained strongly yesterday. We’ll see how the week goes but they’ll be some guys who’ll come and help s straight away.”
McQualter was non-committal on Tim Kelly returning immediately after 20 touches and 1 goal in the WAFL. He noted Bo Allan missed that WAFL game due to illness.
Lucca Grego impressed in the WAFL with McQualter hinting at an AFL debut. He said: “He’s probably had a couple of good games now. We’ve moved him into the midfield in the WAFL team. He had a good game last night. He’s learning.”
Western Bulldogs vs Brisbane Lions
James Harmes was subbed out early with a foot injury. Sam Darcy felt his hamstring in the third quarter but soldiered on and played the game out. Lachie Neale jarred his ankle in the second quarter but played on.
Dogs coach Luke Beveridge indicated Marcus Bontempelli remains on track to play next week after a calf injury. He said: “The boys had a training session today back home. By all reports the session went well. He’s been an incredible player Marcus. We’re on track for Easter Sunday against St Kilda. He got through the session.”
Melbourne vs Essendon
Bombers ruckman Nick Bryan was subbed out early with fears of an ACL injury. Essendon coach Brad Scott said: “We’ve got our fingers crossed, but we suspect that’s an ACL so it’s devastating for Nick if that’s the case. We’ll obviously get a scan to confirm that.”
Melbourne defender Steven May seemed to injure his foot but played on.
Richmond vs Fremantle
Fremantle coach Justin Longmuir clarified why Luke Ryan was subbed out. He said: “No, he’s had a little shoulder injury, so we thought it was a good opportunity to get Duds into the game. He was the number one candidate.”
Veteran Nat Fyfe injured his hamstring in the WAFL on Saturday. Longmuir said: “We see it as a little speedhump. We’ll get it scanned and let you know, but our first thought is that it’s not overly serious.”
Richmond subbed out key forward Tom Lynch due to a corkie. Richmond coach Adem Yze said: “Lynchy was a little bit sore at three-quarter time, could have played on, but it was an opportunity to get (sub forward) Jacob Bauer into the game and look after Lynchy.”
Yze clarified Nick Vlastuin passed his concussion tests after a Patrick Voss forearm to his nose, which may lead to MRO scrutiny for the Docker. He said: “His nose is a bit crooked. But that’s the game. He’s a tough player, he puts his head in places he probably shouldn’t. He passed that (concussion test).”
St Kilda vs GWS Giants
St Kilda coach Ross Lyon heaped praise on Nasiah Wanganeen-Milera, hinting at more midfield time. He said: “I thought Nas really lit us up. We’ll keep moving him more and more into the midfield as he gets bigger and stronger and at the right time of the game. We think that’s where Nas will go.”
Lyon also downplayed any injury concerns for ruckman Rowan Marshall who spent some time off in the third term. He said: “I think he just copped a knock. He came back on. If they come back on, it’s a pretty good sign. I haven’t had medical but he played out the game. They’re pretty tough. They don’t to put them back on if they’re at risk.”
Port Adelaide vs Hawthorn
Port coach Ken Hinkley revealed it’s an option to persist with Connor Rozee’s new role off half-back. He said: “It’s an option. We know he can play there. We know he can be damaging there. We lost a pretty handy player in that position.
“He can certainly step up there. He’ll be a real challenge for most teams in that spot. Ultimately we’ll use our players week-to-week in the positions that we need to challenge the opposition if we can.”
Hinkley downplayed any concerns around Miles Bergman’s knee injury, but noted he’d needs a can but was bullish he’d play next week.
Hawthorn coach Sam Mitchell said Conor Nash hurt his wrist and was subbed out but could’ve played on.
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