Stay up to date throughout Round 12 with our rolling injury report from the coaches post-game. With the seven-game round extending from Thursday night through until Sunday, these snippets of info will be key.
Brisbane Lions vs Essendon
Neither side picked up any injuries with Levi Ashcroft subbed out for tactical reasons. Kai Lohmann rolled his ankle but played on and coach Chris Fagan said: “It was nothing sinister, he won’t miss any time.”
Collingwood vs Hawthorn
Pat Lipinski was subbed out due to concussion in an incident which will likely lead to MRO scrutiny on Lloyd Meek. On Saturday, the AFL confirmed in its MRO statement that Meek had been cleared.
Lachie Schultz limped out late with a hamstring concern with Pies coach Craig McRae hinting he’ll miss a few games. With that in mind on changes, McRae said: “Dan McStay might be touch and go, he’s close. Young Will Hayes is playing in the VFL tomorrow, he played last week. Oleg Markov, these guys will come into contention. There’s a little bit of depth there with guys who’ve had a little taste, and I’m sure they’re hungry for another opportunity.”
Hawthorn had a few issues with Jack Scrimshaw (soreness) and Blake Hardwick (quad) but coach Sam Mitchell was bullish both would be fine for next week.
Gold Coast vs Fremantle
Fremantle coach Justin Longmuir praised Shai Bolton for his contribution, playing different roles. He said: “He’s been good all year. We’ve asked him to play different roles. We’ve been a bit light on in midfield through injury so he’s been put in there for a different look with his ability to hunt the ground ball and pressure.
“Whatever the team needs, he’s happy to play whatever role we ask. He played a bit more forward today and had an influence in the front half. He’s been super.”
Freo subbed out Karl Worner. Longmuir said: “He’s got some hamstring tightness. We’re not sure what that means. He had some awareness and we decided to take him off.”
GWS Giants vs Richmond
Veteran Callan Ward was subbed out with a worrying knee injury, with fears it’ll end his season and possible his career.
GWS coach Adam Kingsley said: “It doesn’t look great. Obviously incredibly disappointing for our footy club… I don’t know what it’ll look like for the rest of the season but he’ll be around supporting us.”
Kingsley also flagged Kieren Briggs was still battling soreness, having laboured through this year. He said: “Briggsy is just a bit sore still. We’ll just see how that progresses.”
Richmond coach Adem Yze hailed Dion Prestia for his return game. He said: “Dion being back this week obviously helped our younger players… it looked like it was just riding a bike for him. You can just get back into AFL footy, get 30 possessions and be calm with the ball. He committed to playing VFL footy last week so he was ready.”
Sydney vs Adelaide
Sydney opted to sub out Riley Bice at half-time after 2 touches, which coach Dean Cox explained: “We just had to do something at half-time to get Caiden in. When you have a scoreboard and you’re 60 points down, there’s no point waiting.”
Adelaide subbed out Riley Thilthorpe late for a rest.
Melbourne vs St Kilda
St Kilda were forced to sub out Mattaes Phillipou early due to a calf injury. Saints coach Ross Lyon said: “It’s lower calf, on the minor end. We think he will play post-bye.
“He tweaked it a bit at training, pretty low end stuff; they ultra sounded it. They felt they couldn’t get him back on (today), but he should be fine (to face the Western Bulldogs).”
Nasiah Wanganeen-Milera passed a head injury assessment after a clash with Melbourne’s Aidan Johnson who’ll attract MRO scrutiny.
Melbourne coach Simon Goodwin was “hopeful” on Jack Viney’s availability for their King’s Birthday game after missing again with concussion.
“We are hopeful. Obviously, there is that little bit of concern when concussion takes that little bit longer,” Goodwin said.
West Coast vs Geelong
Neither side picked up any new injuries. Cats coach Chris Scott indicated Patrick Dangerfield will return next week from injury.
