Stay up to date throughout Round 22 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.
Hawthorn vs Collingwood
Jeremy Howe was subbed out early in the game after a collision with Jai Newcombe, which left the Pies defender concussed. He was cleared of any facial injuries. Newcombe was also cleared by the MRO.
Pies EGM of Football Charlie Gardiner said: “Jeremy unfortunately sustained a concussion early in last night’s game. In positive news, subsequent scans over night have cleared him of any further injury. Jeremy has since returned home and is recovering well. He will work through the concussion protocols with the support of our medical team.”
Geelong vs Essendon
Essendon’s Dylan Shiel has been sent directly to the AFL Tribunal for an incident where he pushed Mark O’Connor into a marking contest, leading to a game-ending injury to Luamon Lual.
Essendon have since cleared Lual of any injury. Dons coach Brad Scott said: “[Lual] was very sore, but he was able to function, and he competed hard. But we just felt that, while he was able to function, he was sore, so we needed to make the sub anyway. He was the obvious candidate, to us.”
Archer May rolled his ankle late on. Dons coach Brad Scott said: “He’s got an ankle sprain at a minimum. We’re keeping some of these radiologists in business at the minute, so he’ll go and get it scanned tomorrow, and we’ll see how bad he is. But he’s pretty sore at the moment.”
Geelong subbed out Jack Henry with hamstring tightness while Cats coach Chris Scott explained Jack Martin’s late withdrawal. Scott said: “He was a little bit tight in the last 24 hours or so, and in the end, there was just enough reasons there to say, ‘let’s take the more conservative route and get it right for next week’.
“But I think it’s reasonable to say, it was an ultra-conservative call on a guy with a pretty lengthy injury history… But there’s no injury. Supremely confident that he’ll hit the ground running on Monday.”
Richmond vs St Kilda
Neither side picked up any injuries. Nasiah Wanganeen-Milera played out the game despite copping a corked left calf.
Brisbane Lions vs Sydney
Brodie Grundy underwent a head injury assessment after the game following a late incident. Sydney coach Dean Cox said on Saturday: “He’s OK. He was walking around the changerooms he’s going through a HIA process now. We’ll find that out when we get back. Yeah but he was up and about walking around, so that’s the first bit.”
According to Channel 7’s Mitch Cleary, Grundy was cleared after the HIA of a concussion, but would continue to be monitored over the following 24 hours for delayed symptoms.
Speaking on SEN on Monday morning, Cox confirmed Grundy will miss their next game against Geelong due to concussion protocols. He said: “He obviously passed his HIA and then wasn’t well yesterday. He’ll be in the concussion protocols which will mean he won’t be available this weekend…he might get back for that (West Coast game). We’ve just got to assess day by day.”
Cox said Justin McInerney appeared to have suffered a posterior cruciate ligament injury which would likely end his season.
Brandon Starcevich (hamstring) was a late out for Brisbane but Lions coach Chris Fagan said he was a chance to play Freo next week.
Carlton vs Gold Coast
Neither side picked up any new injuries.
Port Adelaide vs Fremantle
Jack Lukosius pinged his calf on the three-quarter time siren and limped off. Connor Rozee cramped up late, but still managed to kick a goal from a set shot. Brandon Zerk-Thatcher had a minor ankle tweak.
GWS Giants vs North Melbourne
North were forced to sub out Riley Hardeman in the first quarter due to concussion.
GWS coach Adam Kingsley spoke about Jesse Hogan’s (foot) chances of playing next week. He said: “He’ll need to get through a couple of training sessions before that happens. He’s got a bit of work, a few boxes to tick before then.”
Melbourne vs Western Bulldogs
Laitham Vandermeer suffered a concussion. Melbourne lost Caleb Windsor to a hamstring concern.
West Coast vs Adelaide
Adelaide coach Matthew Nicks heaped praised on Jordan Dawson and Izak Rankine for their performances. He said: “I like Jordan a lot. Izak Rankine as well. I thought Izak, you know, to his credit, wasn’t the best first half, but we didn’t really give him many opportunities, we didn’t give our forwards a lot of opportunity. But I felt like, you know, those two especially stepped up.”
Crows forward Riley Thilthorpe went off in the hands of the medical staff after a bump from Liam Duggan, which may attract MRO scrutiny. Thilthorpe returned and played a key role in the win.
Nicks said: “I think he jarred his neck, which might have then shot some nerve pain down his arm. It looked like he was coming off. We were worried that he’d done something to his shoulder, but after a minute or so of recovering, he was fine.”
Eagles coach Andrew McQualter revealed his side carried a few issues during the game, namely Matthew Flynn. He said: “We had a few guys that were a bit wounded. Archer (Reid) came off at stages with a sore foot. ‘Flynny’ (Matt Flynn) copped an ankle knock and Ryan Maric had a bit of a corky. Clay Hall got a hit late.”
