Stay up to date throughout Round 21 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.
Western Bulldogs vs GWS Giants
Tim English had a standout game with 20 disposals, 2 goals and 22 hit-outs, earning praise from coach Luke Beveridge, who said: “Tim was definitely a threat.
“He got forward and got on the end of a few; he left a few out there, so it could have been a prolific game from him. I think as the game wore on and he got behind and intercepted as well, he has had one of his more influential performances for the year, even though he has been really sturdy for us.”
Jesse Hogan was kept goalless and struggled with his ongoing foot issue. GWS coach Adam Kingsley said: “He is a bit sore with his foot. He couldn’t really move around throughout the game. We thought he’d be a bit better than that, but he got a bit of a knock early in the game and it flared up a little bit. He did his best to manage but it was a tough night for him from a pain perspective. There would have to be some doubt (for next week).”
GWS subbed out Toby McMullin with an ankle injury, which Kingsley suggested was syndesmosis.
Giants ruck Kieren Briggs played only 65% time on ground, having battled an ankle concern earlier in the year. Kingsley said: “We’re just trying to keep him as fresh as we can. We’ve done that in the past. Slightly bigger game-time last week against Grundy. Prior to that, he was spinning the rotations a little bit more than perhaps what rucks do. We feel that’s when he’s at his best. Didn’t work tonight.”
Adelaide vs Hawthorn
Will Day limped off although it appeared to be cramp. Hawks coach Sam Mitchell said: “I figured I’d get asked about it, so I deliberately didn’t talk to the medical guys because I don’t have an answer yet. He was cramping, he has ice on most parts of his lower body, as plenty of the players do, so unsure just yet.”
The Hawks, however, have since confirmed Day has suffered a bone stress injury in his foot and his season is over.
Melbourne vs West Coast
Archer Reid limped off late with sore ribs. Neither side picked up any major injuries.
Gold Coast vs Richmond
Toby Nankervis was involved in a collision with the umpire at a centre bounce, but Tigers coach Adem Yze was optimistic he wouldn’t be suspended. He said: “He’ll obviously be worried about it, but when we looked at the vision he wasn’t standing behind that protected space.
“The ball’s just landed in that spot. It’s unusual for the ball to land back on the umpy’s head. The poor umpy got hit by both rucks … I don’t think that’s against the rules. It’s just unfortunate. That’s just a footy act, an accident.”
Richmond subbed out Jonty Faull early with a knee injury that will likely end his season. Yze said: “It’s nothing too sinister, but it looks like he’s escaped an ACL.”
Yze added he expects Tim Taranto to return next week. He said: “Tim Taranto had a good session. We took a real safe approach with Tim. He got through and he’ll be available next week.”
Gold Coast subbed out Touk Miller out of precaution with a healthy lead after a few weeks out injured. Suns coach Damien Hardwick: “It was an ideal situation where we thought the game was in hand.”
Hardwick praised Jy Farrar’s impact as a third tall forward and spoke about job security. He said: “It’s been incredible. People look at the score boards but we look at the bone crunching tackles he laid. That was really evident today. His pressure points were through the roof. He’s got speed. And capable of winning the ball in both sir and ground. It’s something we wanted to have a look at and we’re pleased with how it’s worked so far.
“Jed (Walter) was pretty good in the VFL, as was Caleb Lewis. Those blokes won’t be forgotten but we’ve just got to get the best mix is each week.”
Sydney vs Essendon
Sydney coach Dean Cox hailed ruckman Brodie Grundy after another dominant display. He said: “He put in a really good pre-season and a block to work on his endurance, and not only with his ability to cover the ground.
“His intensity around the ball has been probably a big highlight for a long period of time, certainly this year anyway, and he’s got back to that. He’s fully confident in his ability. He’s had a very, very impressive season and continues to play his role extremely well for this footy team.”
Collingwood vs Brisbane Lions
The Magpies subbed out Jordan De Goey on his return from injury to manage his minutes. Pies coach Craig McRae said JDG “pulled up well”.
Brisbane lost Ryan Lester early due to concussion.
St Kilda vs North Melbourne
St Kilda subbed out Mitch Owens in the third term with a hamstring injury. Skipper Jack Steele replaced him, having started as sub.
Saints coach Ross Lyon said about Steele: “He was the sub to take some load off him and refresh him… We would’ve ideally liked to have managed our mids more throughout the year. It’s such a combative area in there.”
Lyon added: “He’s had a really bad neck and it’s affected his performance. We’re chasing performance and you’re trying to balance the human side with the underlining anticedent cause. In this case, we felt we’ve got some young mids coming through, you’re banged up, you’ve got your 200th coming up, that’s all booked and sorted. I said ‘mate, you’ll be starting in there next week, no problem’. Hopefully it’s a win-win. I thought he came on, had 2 quick clearances, helped turned the game.”
Paul Curtis might attract MRO scrutiny for striking Angus Hastie. Nick Larkey seemed to re-injure his knee but returned to play the game out. North coach Alastair Clarkson said: “Good sign that he was able to get back out there, but not such a good sign that he wasn’t protected in the first instance.” Zac Banch was subbed out after a knock to the ribs.
Geelong vs Port Adelaide
Connor Rozee was a late out for Port Adelaide due to illness, rather than his ongoing hand issue. Port coach Ken Hinkley was asked when he knew Rozee was out and said: “Yesterday when he couldn’t make the plane. He was crook. Really crook. We’ve had a lot of that.”
Hinkley also said Jase Burgoyne copped an ankle injury before half-time and had another incident forcing him out. Joe Richards copped a “whack in his shoulder” but “manfully battled on”.
Tom Stewart may draw MRO scrutiny after an incident with Ollie Wines. Port coach Ken Hinkley clarified Wines was fine.
Fremantle vs Carlton
Fremantle lost midfielder Hayden Young in his third game back from injury with a new groin issue. Freo coach Justin Longmuir said: “Touch wood it’s not too bad. It doesn’t look very serious. He just couldn’t get going.”
Carlton was forced to sub out young defender Harry O’Farrell with a worrying knee injury, which coach Michael Voss said they were concerned might be an ACL injury.
