There were some nasty injuries coming out of round two AFL action, but every player that goes out opens a door for another to come in, and there’s a couple of big names that look like returning this week.
Adelaide’s win against Richmond has the Crows back on track and they’ll only be better with the inclusion of Tom Lynch this week. Lynch has missed the opening two rounds with a virus and a strained side and some would want him to have a run at a lower level, but expect him straight back into the seniors.
Matt Crouch’s hamstring will keep him out for a month, but the leg injury to Rory Sloane has come up well and the vice captain will also be right to take the field against St Kilda on Saturday night.
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Richmond is set to bring back important defender Nick Vlastuin while 19-year-old Jack Higgins will be named for his first game.
Midfielder Dion Prestia played over half a game in the VFL side last week and looked good. Normally he might be given another run at the lower level but I’m expecting the ‘human meatball’ to be back to help cover for the suspended Josh Caddy.
Friday night’s ‘blockbuster’ between Carlton and Collingwood may not look big on ladder positions, but whichever team loses can pretty much write off their season, so neither side will be holding back.
The Blues will name Matthew Kreuzer and Matthew Kennedy after both missed last week with injuries. Former Cat Darcy Lang is close but unlikely to come in and help Brendon Bolton as he searches for his first win of 2018.
Nathan Buckley’s in the same predicament and will bring in talls Mason Cox and Ben Reid. Important players Jordan De Goey and Jamie Elliott are available but don’t expect them to get straight back into the seniors.
After a nasty hiccup against Fremantle last week I’m expecting Essendon to pull out all stops against the Western Bulldogs, naming gun small forward Orazio Fantasia for his first run of the year.
The Bulldogs are even more desperate for a win and lose big recruit Jackson Trengove to a shoulder injury. Jack Redpath will come in there’s a strong chance Tom Boyd will also be named, especially if Jordan Roughead fails to pass a concussion test.
GWS will temper the bad news of Tom Scully’s season-ending broken ankle with the inclusion of Toby Greene and Jacob Hopper. The Giants are a much better team when Greene’s in and they’ll want all hands on board against arch-enemy Sydney.
Carnage at the 'G as Tom Scully becomes the second player in a quarter to be stretchered off with a serious leg injury. https://t.co/28A0yJRktm pic.twitter.com/7yZ859cSWk
— FOX FOOTY LIVE (@FOXFootyLive) March 31, 2018
Other important moves will see Port Adelaide star Chad Wingard miss after he pulled up with hamstring soreness last weekend, with the Power unlikely to risk him against Brisbane. Geelong will bolster its already powerful midfield with the return of Mitch Duncan while the Cats’ opponent West Coast is no closer to getting back star full forward Josh Kennedy. Key Gold Coast tall Peter Wright is also another week away. After copping a knee in the Easter eggs on Good Friday, St Kilda ruckman Billy Longer should be good to go, if still a little tender.
