Stay up to date throughout Round 16 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.
Port Adelaide vs Carlton
Port coach Ken Hinkley explained the decision to sub out Jason Horne-Francis. He said: “His shoulder’s obviously clearly been a bit sore, so we took the opportunity to take him out of the game.
“We’ve got nine, 10 days between now and our next game. He’ll be hopefully back to cherry ripe and he will play a bit more midfield from there. But the size of the task that’s coming is pretty big, against a ferocious midfield and an outstanding footy club, coached really well, reigning premiers, not many bigger challenges probably.”
Adam Saad was subbed out after a head knock from Port ruckman Dante Visentini which will likely attract MRO scrutiny. Visentini has strangely since escaped suspension.
Sydney vs Western Bulldogs
Dogs coach Luke Beveridge heaped praise on young gun Joel Freijah for his role. He said: “Joel’s still got a lot of physical development to go. In recent times, Joel’s still learning the midfield craft, at this level in particular, but we’ve been able to blend some high-back, and midfield time with him and ‘Libba’ (Tom Liberatore).”
Sydney lost Tom McCartin as a late out due to illness while fellow key defender Dane Rampe was iced up and subbed out due to a calf knock. Swans coach Dean Cox was bullish about McCartin’s availability next round, along with Joel Amartey who missed the game.
Gold Coast vs Melbourne
Bailey Humphrey was subbed out, having laboured with a shoulder issue at times. Suns coach Damien Hardwick explained: “Yeah he’s just had a couple of knocks on it the last couple of weeks. It was just precautionary to take him off. He was a bit flat we took him off.”
Melbourne lost both Harrison Petty and Blake Howes to concussions.
Hawthorn vs North Melbourne
North were forced to sub out George Wardlaw due to concussion. North coach Alastair Clarkson said: “He’s OK. He can remember the game. He’s combative in the way that he plays. That is going to happen from time to time.”
Harry Sheezel landed awkwardly on his shoulder in the final 90 seconds of the game and Channel 7’s Mitch Cleary has reported he was set for scans on that on Sunday.
Hawks coach Sam Mitchell said he expected James Worpel and James Sicily to be close to being available next weekend. Hawthorn subbed out Dylan Moore when ahead by a large margin but Mitchell wasn’t asked if there was any injury concern.
Collingwood vs West Coast
Pies debutant Charlie West kicked a goal but struggled for impact before being subbed out. Collingwood coach Craig McRae explained their forward set-up wasn’t connected, leading to that call, which doesn’t bode well for his job security. He said: “We had four talls. We were trying that for the first time.
“Charlie West deserved an opportunity, but then we didn’t want to leave Checkers out in his 150th, and Tim (Membrey) is playing well, and then Dan (McStay) is playing second ruck. So, we went into the game, saying it is what it is, and we got to adapt and evolve for that. I just didn’t think we connected as well.”
Eagles debutant Jobe Shanahan had some good moments, including a goal on debut. West Coast coach Andrew McQualter said: “He competes really hard. He can clunk it. He had a good look at a few in the first quarter as well, which he didn’t quite stick on to. His ability to finish that set shot, he’s a classy player. The more he plays, the better he’ll get. I thought it was a great start for him.
Richmond vs Adelaie
Richmond lost Mykelti Lefau to a minor calf injury which will likely sideline him, while Tom Lynch is set for a multiple week suspension for a wild hit on Jordon Butts. Richmond coach Adem Yze indicated that’s likely to open the door for the omitted Tom Sims to earn a recall.
Adelaide opted to use the sub on Josh Rachele to manage his body due to soreness. Crows coach Matthew Nicks said: “Joshy is experiencing a bit of soreness at the moment.
“When you come to the decision you’re going to sub and the game’s in the position it’s in, we’re in a position where we have the luxury to make a decision that’s medium to longer-term as well. We would love to have kept Josh out there, but with a bit of soreness, we didn’t take any risks.”
Fremantle vs St Kilda
Freo coach Justin Longmuir said sub Nat Fyfe wasn’t used after experienced “calf awareness” during his warm-up at half-time.
St Kilda coach Ross Lyon hailed second-gamer Alix Tauru. He said: “We saw him as a 10-year player hopefully. A generational player hopefully. There’s still a lot of work to go but his athleticism and competitiveness is elite. There’s some really good signs. He didn’t do any pre-season, so I think he’s played 3-4 VFL games, so he’s coming off a short runway.”
