The weekly injury reports are starting to trickle out with key updates across the board to help guide your Round 17 trade targets and trade-outs.
North Melbourne are bullish on Harry Sheezel’s availability for Thursday’s game with the Western Bulldogs despite undergoing scans on his shoulder.
North’s injury report said: “Despite copping a knock to his shoulder towards the end of Saturday’s game, Harry Sheezel has pulled up well, Egglestone said. Sheezel will train as normal this week and is expected to run out to play against the Bulldogs.”
North Melbourne head physiotherapist Brenton Egglestone also provided an update on Luke Parker who is listed as a test.
Egglestone said: “Luke Parker was sore in his abdomen following a couple of big collisions against Hawthorn. He’s recovering well but his availability for Thursday will be assessed through the week.”
GWS have already ruled out Lachie Whitfield from Friday’s game due to concussion protocols. The Giants update said: “Star defender Lachie Whitfield will miss this Friday’s clash with the Eagles, after failing to progress in the return to play protocols following the concussion he sustained in the round 15 win over the Suns.
“Whitfield participated in a light training session on Monday but was deemed not fit to participate and won’t travel with the team to Perth on Thursday.”
Kieren Briggs is listed as a test following an ankle injury, with his return potentially impacting Nick Madden’s job security.
GWS coach Adam Kingsley said about Briggs along with Josh Kelly: “They’re good to go. Briggsy did the main session yesterday. He doesn’t work 2 days in a row.”
When asked if Madden could hold his spot ahead of Briggs, Kingsley added: “There’s a chance. We’ll assess it. We’ve been really happy with Maddo. Briggsy, we know what he gives us when we’re up & going. It’ll be an interesting discussion.”
Collingwood have confirmed young gun Charlie West will miss 5-6 weeks after sustaining a foot injury in his debut. The Pies injury update said: “Charlie West experienced foot soreness after his AFL debut on Saturday night.
“Scans have confirmed West sustained a minor third metatarsal bone stress reaction. He will be in a moon boot for two weeks and then reassessed for his return-to-play timelines. West is expected to be sidelined for five to six weeks.
Tyrell Dewar will miss again for West Coast due to a minor hamstring strain. Eagles High Performance Manager Mat Inness said: “Tyrell sustained a minor hamstring strain last Wednesday which meant he missed the Collingwood game. With limited recovery time before this week’s game, he won’t be available again this week.”
Richmond have declared rookie Sam Lalor available to return from a hamstring injury, while Jayden Short is listed as a test following a calf injury that has lingered.
On Short, Tigers High Performance Manager Ben Serpell said: “Similar to Gibo, he has to get through tomorrow’s session, probably a smaller session than he has had to go through the last couple of weeks, and hopefully we see him out there this week as well,” Serpell said.
Campbell Gray (knee) is now only 1-2 weeks away from a return. Serpell said: “Campbell is doing really well and is training really well, and we are happy to bring his return to play forward. He will only miss one more game, and he will go through a test next week and hopefully play in that Essendon round.”
Essendon might welcome Zach Reid, Jordan Ridley and Saad El-Hawli following injuries, aided by last round’s bye.
However, Mason Redman (hamstring) will miss this weekend along with Darcy Parish (calf). Essendon’s update said: “Mason Redman went for precautionary scans after noting some hamstring awareness out of Saturday’s main training session. While the defender was cleared of any strain, he won’t be available for selection this week and is aiming to return against Richmond in round 18. “
On Parish, the update said: “After noting some discomfort following the session, follow-up scans have confirmed that Parish has sustained a minor strain to his calf and will also miss this weekend’s game. Similarly, a return to play timeline is yet to be determined.”
Carlton revealed Jack Silvagni will be out until Round 19 due to groin soreness, given a fortnight to recover, while Port said Ollie Wines (knee) is a test for this weekend.
Adelaide’s Luke Pedlar will also need to pass a fitness test following a corked quad. Adelaide High Performance Manager Burgess said: “Luke didn’t quite make it last week, he just had a little bit of awareness so we decided to hold him back a week. We’re hopeful he’ll get through training and be available this week.”
Hawthorn listed James Worpel, Jack Scrimshaw and James Sicily as tests. Sicily has been missing with hip/abdominal issues.
Hawks High Performance Manager Peter Burge said about Sicily: “Similar to Scrimshaw, he fully trained on the weekend. We got some great volume out in training off the back of modified training last week. We did all of our session today and we expect him to fully train again on Thursday and then we’ll make a decision on Thursday around his availability this weekend.”
