Stay up to date throughout Round 11 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.
Geelong vs Western Bulldogs
Cats star Bailey Smith claimed after the game he was battling a shin injury in the lead-up to the game, restricting his training, which hinted as a possible rest for next week’s rip to West Coast. He told Fox Footy: “I’m glad I got through the game. I probably wasn’t going to play if it wasn’t the Bulldogs game.
“So I had to jab my shin up I reckon four times, at half-time and then before the game, so got up there somehow. Hopefully I can pull up and try and get out there next week. I don’t know.”
Geelong coach Chris Scott, however, knew little about the concern which suggests it’s not as bad as feared. He said: “Bailey said that? Did you know about that, Mack (Geelong football boss Andrew Mackie)?
“The fact that the coach and the GM of footy didn’t know about it probably suggests it wasn’t that serious. No, there was no issue in my mind, but again, maybe I don’t always get all the information. We don’t play players when there’s a risk there. This was one where he was just going to be a bit sore but always confident that he was going to get through.”
Essendon vs Richmond
Zach Reid went off with reported hamstring tightness, but Essendon coach Brad Scott explained the situation. He said: “Zach Reid, we’re not even sure it’s an injury. But when the medical staff says ‘Reidy can almost sense something with his hamstring, he feels something’, we just have no choice at this stage of his career with his injury history, we just took him off and ruled him out.
“Fingers crossed with that one, but we won’t be able to update or give you a conclusive answer until we’ve had scans.”
The Dons have since provided an update: “Key defender Reid has sustained a hamstring strain, with a clear return-to-play timeline to be confirmed in the coming days as he begins his rehabilitation program.”
Kyle Langford was subbed out with a quad injury. Essendon provided an update on Saturday: “Langford has been diagnosed with a quad strain. His injury will also require a yet to be determined period on the sidelines. The Club will provide further updates on the expected returns of both players as their recovery progresses.”
Richmond subbed out Thomson Dow (knee) and had Sam Lalor limp out with a hamstring injury. They also managed ruckman Toby Nankervis for the game.
Tigers coach Adem Yze said: “Sammy Lalor, unfortunately we think it’s a slight hammy. I’m not sure how bad it is, he’s obviously most likely going to miss next week.
“Thomson Dow’s kneecap slipped out. He said he’s had it before, so depending on what sort of damage that does – he’s most likely going to miss as well.
“(Nankervis) has been dealing with a knee issue for the last few weeks, so we had to break the cycle. A five-day break, it just made sense. The risk was if we just kept pushing him through, he’d miss more than just one game. We’re hoping this would do that, and he’ll just miss one, get back in for the next couple of weeks and look to the bye.”
Carlton vs GWS Giants
Neither side picked up any new injuries.
Hawthorn vs Brisbane Lions
Brisbane coach Chris Fagan hailed Dayne Zorko for his display. He said: “Yeah, he (Zorko) had a terrific game. I think he was a problem for them.
“Nine-hundred and ninety six metres – he’ll be filthy he didn’t get a kilometre. He just, as you say, takes so many metres off opposition teams really quickly. And it gives our forwards good looks.”
Fagan also provided an update on ruckman Oscar McInerney who has missed two games in a row. He said: “He (McInerney) could have played today. We named him as an emergency, mainly cause if Forty (Darcy Fort) did something in the warm-up. The week off has helped him. The day off today will help him. We’ll see what we do on Thursday night.”
North Melbourne vs Collingwood
Scott Pendlebury missed the game due to gastro, while Bobby Hill was a late withdrawal for personal reasons.
Brayden Maynard was subbed out due to injury. Pies coach Craig McRae said: “He’s got some plantar fascia stuff that’s gone beyond what it was. We don’t know the extent of it. It’ll be scanned and then we’ll reveal what’s needed from that. He’s been having symptoms for a while, hence he didn’t go to Perth. This is an actual accident that’s caused some trouble.”
McRae heaped praise on Ned Long for his display. He said: “I was really pleased with Ned Long’s game tonight too. He had 15 score involvements which is ridiculous. It’s 14 tackles as well. It’s pleasing some of our lesser lights are starting to get recognised.”
Fremantle vs Port Adelaide
Freo lost youngster Cooper Simpson early in the game with a shoulder injury after a tough contest. Dockers coach Justin Longmuir said: “Unfortunately it’s going to cost him a bit of time. He’s got an AC joint and it looks like a pretty nasty one.”
Darcy Byrne-Jones was subbed out with concussion after a bump in a marking contest from Alex Pearce which will likely attract MRO scrutiny.
Adelaide vs West Coast
West Coast lost forward Jake Waterman to an apparent shoulder dislocation, which saw him taken to hospital post-game. Eagles coach Andrew McQualter didn’t know the extent but conceded he’ll miss next week.
McQualter added: “It did come out. And then there was some trouble I think getting it back in or it might’ve popped out again. He’s gone off to hospital now to get some scans and we’ll find out the full extent of that later on.”
Melbourne vs Sydney
Charlie Spargo was subbed out after a head knock from a collision with Callum Mills who may come under MRO scrutiny. Dees coach Simon Goodwin said Spargo had passed his concussion test.
Goodwin hailed Kozzy Pickett for his performance. He said: “He’s outstanding. Obviously (his) ability to be in the midfield for a large part of the game, but also to influence the scoreboard, he’s a pretty special talent.
“He’s just someone that we value so highly, and since he’s come back into the team, you can see the type of effect that he has, and he’s only going to keep getting better … he works incredibly hard. His ability to cover ground’s exceptional.”
Goodwin also praised Clayton Oliver for his display. He said: “He’s been through a really tough time, and he’s done a hell of a job to fight back and the way he’s living his life away from the club is pretty special to see, and I think the last phase we spoke about was not only working on the person, but working on him as a footballer and getting him back.
“But to see the love that our supporters are giving him, his teammates giving him, and what he’s giving our footy club, it’s a pretty special bond that you’re starting to see that’s generated.”
St Kilda vs Gold Coast
Mac Andrew appeared to suffer a lower leg injury, potentially an Achilles issue. But Suns coach Damien Hardwick was less concerned and said he’d be “touch and go” for next week.
