Essendon star Jake Stringer is about for a stint on the sidelines after being grounded by a foot damage, whereas Melbourne ahead Ben Brown has paid the value for his goalless show towards Adelaide.
Stringer tallied simply eight disposals in final week’s loss to the Western Bulldogs, and it was clear to see he was struggling bodily at instances.
Earlier this week, Essendon coach Brad Scott stated Stringer was “medically available” to play towards the Swans on Saturday, however would want to show at coaching that he was bodily on top of things.
The Bombers revealed on Thursday that Stringer is battling a plantar fascia damage – the identical grievance Fremantle star Nat Fyfe battled earlier this 12 months.
No timeline has been set on Stringer’s return.
“Jake was restricted with discomfort in his plantar fascia this week during some speed running at training,” Essendon’s efficiency supervisor Daniel McPherson instructed the membership’s web site.
“He won’t play this weekend, but we’re hopeful the injury will recover quickly.
“We’ll know extra after he is had a couple of days off the foot, however the plan will probably be to deload him, full some cross-training within the meantime, after which begin to reload the foot and progress him again into coaching fairly shortly.”
Defender Jordan Ridley was also ruled out after suffering a quad injury that will sideline him for the rest of the home-and-away season.
Just two weeks after making a selection bombshell by dropping ruckman Brodie Grundy, Melbourne coach Simon Goodwin swung the axe on Brown ahead of Sunday’s clash with Richmond at the MCG.
Brown was scoreless from just five possessions in last week’s four-point win over Adelaide, meaning he has booted just two goals from four appearances since his round-16 recall.
Grundy has been named on the extended bench for a second straight week, with the former Pie a chance to replace Brown in the 22.
Tom Sparrow was ruled out with a minor calf injury, but Harrison Petty could return from rib soreness.
Port Adelaide have decided to “handle” ruckman Scott Lycett for Saturday night’s Showdown against the Crows, while Willie Rioli goes out through suspension.
Travis Boak has been dropped from the 22, but Port confirmed he will be named the tactical sub.
Adelaide have lost Izak Rankine (hamstring) and Nick Murray (knee) to injury, but club champion Rory Laird and rising star nominee Max Michalanney return.
Irish defender Mark Keane, who notched five games for Collingwood before returning to Ireland at the start of 2022, will make his Crows debut.
Carlton welcome back captain Patrick Cripps and Adam Cerra among six changes for Friday night’s blockbuster against the Magpies at the MCG.
Jack Martin (calf), Marc Pittonet (knee) and Matt Owies (calf) also return, along with Caleb Marchbank, who will notch his first AFL game of the year after impressive VFL form.
Gun midfielder Sam Walsh (hamstring) and utility Jack Silvagni (knee) are among the outs.
For Collingwood, Will Hoskin-Elliot replaces Bobby Hill (illness).
West Coast have been bolstered by the return of Elliot Yeo (hip) for Sunday’s home clash with North Melbourne, but Jeremy McGovern (concussion) and Tom Barrass (shoulder) will spend another week on the sidelines.
The Western Bulldogs welcome again Jason Johannisen from a hamstring damage for Saturday’s top-eight match towards GWS, whereas ahead Rory Lobb has been handed a recall.
Source: www.perthnow.com.au
