Luke Davies-Uniacke will face a fitness test following hamstring tightness during last round’s game against Geelong.
North Melbourne head of performance Kevin White said: “Pleasingly, Luke’s presented well post-game and across the last 48 hours. He was managed on Tuesday with extra recovery, but will look to train on Thursday and tick off high-end function to be available to play.”
Gold Coast gun Matt Rowell is also a test to return to action in Round 9 against St Kilda following an ankle concern.
Suns Head Physiotherapist Andrew Weller said: “Matt will train in our main session ahead of the trip to Darwin tomorrow and we will make a decision on his availability closer to Saturday.”
Geelong’s Gryan Miers could play this weekend against Collingwood, listed as a test with his knee issue.
Geelong’s update said: “With the medical team to assess across training this week before making a decision on his availability.”
Connor Budarick is in line to return from a hamstring injury this weekend, pending a test, while Marcus Bontempelli wasn’t mentioned in the update.
Bulldogs Head of Sports Medicine Chris Bell said: “Both Connor and Riley have progressed well following their recent stints in rehab. Both players have now integrated into a full training model, and if both get through this week like I expect, will return to availability.”
Richmond offered an update on Tim Taranto who has missed 2 games with concussion.
Tigers High Performance Manager Ben Serpell said: “We thought Tim would get up last week, but unfortunately, he didn’t get through that last training session of the week without developing some symptoms. We’ll repeat that process this week, and all going well, we’d expect him to return to play this weekend.”
The Tigers also offered an update on Sam Lalor’s Achilles injury. Serpell said: “It was an unfortunate incident for Sam Lalor last week, coming off the track with a little tear to his Achilles.
“Thankfully, he avoided surgery with the injury. It was only quite minor. We’ll be governed by his symptoms over the next little while. He should be out of a boot in the next day or two, and then we’ll progress towards running.
“At this stage, we’re thinking around about eight to 12 weeks, but we’ll give you more accurate time frames when he returns to run.”
Jye Caldwell hasn’t been ruled out of Essendon’s Round 9 game with GWS, with the Dons saying he’ll face a test after sustaining an ankle injury last weekend.
Darcy Cameron has been cleared of any structural damage for a low-grade ankle injury but is not yet cleared to play. The Pies update said: “His availability for Round 9 will be determined following Thursday’s main training.”
Fremantle ruckman Sean Darcy (calf) remains out for 2-4 weeks, which is good for Luke Jackson news.
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