Round 5 is upn us and we're here to cover all the selection news and rumours ahead of the weekend.
Here's the latest on the AFL selection front...
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Port ruckman to debut as veteran requires surgery
Port Adelaide have confirmed ruckman Scott Lycett will undergo surgery on a hampered right shoulder.
The former Eagle's absence for Sunday's clash with Carlton will see uncapped tall Sam Hayes make his AFL debut for the Power.
Lycett suffered a dislocated shoulder in last week's loss to Melbourne, with the veteran ruckman failing a fitness test in the lead up to Round 5.
“We gave Scott every chance to get up and he really tested his shoulder at training today, but unfortunately he was unable to get through,” Port Adelaide's head of medical Tim O’Leary said.
“We have decided the best course of action will be to have the shoulder repaired, which will unfortunately see him miss around three months of football.”
Hayes will join Aliir Aliir and Jeremy Finlayson as confirmed inclusions for Sunday's match, with Sam Skinner and Robbie Gray potentially coming into the side through the extended bench.
The Power will confirm their 22-man team at 5:00pm AEDT Friday.
Giants backman placed in health and safety protocols
Giants defender Isaac Cumming has been ruled out of his side's clash with Melbourne after being required to undergo the AFL's health and safety protocols.
The club confirmed on Friday that the dashing defender will be replaced by Xavier O'Halloran in Leon Cameron's 22-man side, with Jake Riccardi to be listed as an emergency.
Cumming's absence adds to the selection headaches for the Giants, however their defence has been buoyed by the return of Nick Haynes for this week's clash.
The Giants will face the Demons at the MCG on Saturday night as they chase their second win of the season.
Thursday, April 14...
Top 3 pick to debut for Giants
Greater Western Sydney's top draftee Finn Callaghan will make his debut in Round 5 against Melbourne on Saturday night.
Likened to Bulldogs skipper Marcus Bontempelli, the Sandringham Dragons product joined the Giants as the third overall selection in the 2021 National Draft, venturing to the New South Wales club as one of the most exciting midfielders in his draft class.
“I’m full of excitement at the moment,” Callaghan said, via the club's website.
“It’s an absolute dream come true, especially to play on the MCG for my first game – I can’t wait for it; it’s going to be so much fun.
“I knew this week or next week I might be getting close, but no one had said anything, so I had no inklings and it caught me off guard a little bit which was even better.”
McGovern to miss as latest Eagle to enter iso
In-form stopper Jeremy McGovern has become the latest Eagle to have entered health and safety protocols, per a tweet from Ryan Daniels of 7 News.
Jeremy McGovern will miss tomorrow night’s clash with @sydneyswans.
The @WestCoastEagles defender has entered COVID protocols. @7NewsPerth
— Ryan Daniels (@FootyRhino) April 14, 2022
The 29-year-old will now be forced out of Adam Simpson's side to face Sydney at Optus Stadium on Friday evening.
Given West Coast's Round 7 clash against Port Adelaide won't take place until Saturday, April 23, the four-time All-Australian should enter the selection frame, subject to fitness.
Bruce return date raised, trio tipped for Good Friday return
Despite initially predicted to return from injury in August of this year, sidelined Dog Josh Bruce could well lace the boots just after the bye.
While Bruce is still currently rehabilitating from an ACL injury sustained during his side's Round 21, 2021 defeat to the Dons, AFL Media has claimed that the former Saint may feature as early as Round 15.
Although Bruce's eventual return will act as a boost for Luke Beveridge's misfiring forward line, the 29-year-old will likely to be asked to build form with the club's VFL affiliate, Footscray.
Already without the services of Laitham Vandermeer for the Dogs' annual date with the Roos, Beveridge may also be forced to make plans which exclude Mitch Hannan who is currently battling a non-COVID related illness.
Still, the impending returns of Stefan Martin, Zaine Cordy, Josh Schache and Riley Garcia will be a boon.
Tigers wingman, Dockers forward among latest to join H&S protocols
Richmond's Kamdyn McIntosh and Fremantle's Lachie Schultz have both been required to enter AFL health and safety protocols and will miss their side's respective clashes with Adelaide and Essendon for Round 5.
McIntosh adds to the list of absences at Punt Road, with defender Nick Vlastuin a test for the weekend while Kane Lambert will continue his pathway for a return with another three quarters in the VFL.
Defensive stalwart Dylan Grimes remains sidelined with a hamstring injury, with the veteran backman joined by rookie Josh Gibcus away from the main group at training on Thursday.
For Schultz, his absence will be a major blow to the Dockers' hopes of continuing their winnings ways, with 7 News' Ryan Daniels confirming the goalsneak will be absent for Round 5.
Lachie Schultz will miss Sunday’s clash with @essendonfc.
The in-form @freodockers forward has entered COVID protocols. @7NewsPerth
— Ryan Daniels (@FootyRhino) April 14, 2022
The Dockers are expected to welcome back star midfielder Caleb Serong after the 2020 Rising Star winner was sidelined with knee soreness.
Wednesday, April 13...
Webster in health and safety protocols
St Kilda defender Jimmy Webster will miss his side's Round 5 clash with the Suns after being required to follow the AFL's health and safety protocols.
The 28-year-old will join veteran tall Paddy Ryder as outs for the Saints, who will be led by assistant Brendon Lade after senior coach Brett Ratten was also required to isolate after testing positive for COVID.
In-form midfielder Brad Hill will need to prove his fitness after sustaining an ankle complaint at training midweek.
The Saints will confirm their squad at 6:20pm on Thursday night.
Lion cub set to debut
Brisbane is set to unleash debutant Kai Lohmann during their Easter Thursday clash against Collingwood at home.
The Victorian was brought to Chris Fagan's den with the 20th pick of the 2021 National Draft and has proven electric across the club's trio of VFL outings so far this season.
Having slotted nine goals from his three starts in maroon, blue and gold, Lohmann is likely to provide his already potent side with yet another avenue to goal.
And according to Michael Whiting of AFL Media, the Greater Western Victoria Rebels product will not be forced to bide much time on the bench as Fagan is unlikely to hand him to subs vest.
Bit more around this. He'll definitely be in the 22 - not a sub. No injuries in the 22 that played last week, but my suspicion is Nakia Cockatoo is the man that might miss out. https://t.co/ej95C1ZsBh
— Michael Whiting (@MichaelWhiting) April 13, 2022
Stringer's string straps him to sideline
Essendon will, once again, be without Jake Stringer for a second successive week, with the ex-Bulldog still hampered with a hamstring strain.
The hybrid threat's health was brought up in head coach Ben Rutten's press conference at Tullamarine on Wednesday morning.
"He’s got a bit of a hamstring. He won’t be available this week. We’ll keep building him up to be right for the rest of the season," Rutten delineated.
With the high-flying Dockers awaiting the Dons on Sunday afternoon at Marvel Stadium, Rutten will be seeking to find a replacement for Stringer's averages of 14.5 disposals and 1.5 majors in Rounds 2 and 3.
Yet, with the prospect of Nikolas Cox (ankle) and Tom Cutler (health and safety protocols) set to return, the Bombers will be boosted on dual fronts.
Blues refuse to rule out skipper long-term
Despite being subbed out of Carlton's loss to the Gold Coast Suns on Sunday, Blues' skipper Patrick Cripps is yet to be ruled out for the club's clash with Port Adelaide.
According to Carlton's Head of Footy Brad Lloyd, Cripps' hamstring is only "overstretched" rather than anything more major.
“His hamstring is not too bad at all. It’s pretty minor. He sort of just overstretched,” Lloyd told SEN SA Breakfast.
“He was on the ground crouching down and sort of got a bit of contact, so he’s really just overstretched there.
“He’s had a scan and it was pretty positive. There’s not much damage there at all."
However, Lloyd was willing to concede that the Western Australian would likely be laying low over the Easter weekend.
“He’s likely to miss a week, hasn’t been ruled out at this stage for this week, but he’s likely to miss a week and be back the following week which is a good result," he added.
“You go into those scans and you’re nervous and you think it’s minor, but it doesn’t always go that way. It was a good result in the end.”
Despite the impending loss of the talismanic skipper, Carlton is reportedly set to welcome back Marc Pittonet and Corey Durdin from respective back and health and safety protocols.
Tuesday, April 12...
Head Saint in isolation, towering assistant takes reins
St Kilda head coach Brett Ratten will be forced to watch his side's crucial clash against Gold Coast on Saturday afternoon after returning a positive Rapid Antigen Test on Monday afternoon.
While the 50-year-old is reportedly in good health, his hot seat will be filled by senior assistant Brendon Lade for the Easter weekend battle at Marvel Stadium.
St Kilda's Head of Football, David Rath, confirmed as much within an official statement released on Tuesday afternoon.
“Brett undertook a rapid antigen test yesterday afternoon after developing minor symptoms at home that morning and it returned a positive result,” Rath told saints.con.au.
“Pleasingly, he is feeling well and early signs are pointing to him returning to our program once his isolation ends.
“Brett will still be a big part of our preparation for the game and we’re looking at ways we can involve him on Saturday, but Brendon is more than capable to lead the charge.”
The former Power ruckman will be joined by fellow assistants Corey Enright and McGlynn in the box against the Suns, as well as football operations assistant Jarryd Roughead on the sidelines.
Lade joined St Kilda ahead of the 2019 season following stints with both Richmond and Port Adelaide.
Pies quartet set for return, pair to miss
Collingwood appears set to welcome back a quartet of key names for their Thursday night blockbuster against Brisbane, with Taylor Adams, Nathan Kreuger, Jordan Roughead and Jordan De Goey all set to make the flight north.
Adams' comeback comes after serving his mandatory period on the sidelines after exiting the Pies' narrow Round 3 defeat to Geelong due to concussion.
Former Cat Kreuger miss out on selection against the Eagles on Saturday, however, with the club opting for an overly cautious approach towards the 22-year-old's shoulder complaint.
Roughead's return will see him don black and white bars for the first time since August 22 of last year after undergoing arthroscopic surgery on his shoulder during the pre-season.
The injection of hybrid threat De Goey will be made after the controversial goalkicker served his single-week suspension for a dangerous tackle on Patrick Dangerfield.
Although these reinforcements are sure to have buoyed the collective mood at the AIA Centre ahead of Round 5, head coach Craig McRae stated on Tuesday morning that Brody Mihocek (health and safety protocols) and Jack Ginnivan (soreness) would be excluded from planning for their date with the Lions.
Freo trio face tests
Already flying high, the Dockers look likely to inject key talent across their middle and back thirds for their date with the Dons on Sunday evening.
At 3-1, Justin Longmuir's side has been taking care of business for the vast majority of the young season, but with Alex Pearce, Darcy Tucker and Caleb Serong on the verge of senior selection, their chances of a second win on the road this season have been bolstered.
While the trio will be forced to undergo fitness tests throughout the week, Pearce's ankle, Serong's knee and Tucker's headspace are all predicted to be ticked off in time for the opening bounce at Marvel Stadium.
Monday, April 11...
Brownlow winner back on track but out for Blues
Despite exiting Port Adelaide's devastating defeat to the Demons early on Thursday night, Brownlow medallist Ollie Wines has been given the tick of approval to return to the training track.
However, the Victorian will not enter Ken Hinkley's selection frame to face the Blues this weekend.
After being subbed out at the Adelaide Oval due to what was first diagnosed as nausea, Wines has since saught medical advice, with practitioners claiming the 27-year-old had been struck by atrial fibrillation - an irregular heart rhythm in layman's terms.
Although the club has claimed that the irregularity has corrected itself, it remains uncertain when Wines will next see AFL minutes.
Pair of Pups under hamstring cloud
Luke Beveridge is sure to be reaching for the Panadol on Barkly Street after his side's hefty defeat to the Tigers was compounded by a hamstring setback to young Pup Laitham Vandermeer.
The club has announced ahead of their Good Friday bout with the Roos that the 23-year-old had sustained tightness in the muscle and would be removed from the lineup.
Vandermeer will now join defender Alex Keath in the grandstand for the next two weeks, with the ex-Crow ruled out for a month due to his own hamstring issue.
While a month outside of the senior side was seen as the optimum length for Keath to rehabilitate, Bulldogs Head of Sports Medicine Chris Bell claimed the stopper could miss as many as six weeks if his program runs aground.
Buddy to miss with finger setback
Sydney will be forced to make changes after picking up a few injuries during their well-fought 11-point win over North Melbourne. Star forward Lance Franklin is set to undergo a minor operation on a fractured finger, which will rule him out for the next 2-3 weeks.
‘Buddy’ was substituted late in the third quarter after clutching at his hand when coming out of a contest.
Tom Papley will also remain sidelined and will not make the trip to face West Coast. The energetic small forward is still recovering from a hamstring injury and will likely face a few more weeks on the sidelines before making his return.
On a positive note, Paddy McCartin is in the clear after receiving another small blow to the head during the game. The 25-year-old clashed heads with North Melbourne forward Cameron Zurhaar while both players attacked a loose ball.
McCartin’s history with concussions led to some concern over the blow, but the defender has been given the all-clear and will travel with the team to face the Eagles.
Narkle to miss Easter Monday, star Cats pair to return
Geelong midfielder Quinton Narkle is understood to have avoided any serious damage to a hampered ankle sustained in Friday's win over the Lions.
Narke was subbed out of the 10-point victory in the third quarter after rolling his ankle, with the 24-year-old having reportedly suffered a lateral ligament injury, according to The Age's Peter Ryan.
Lateral ligament injury for Geelong's Quinton Narkle. The good news is there is no fracture. He will miss Easter Monday against the Hawks but his recovery time remains uncertain. @agerealfooty
— peter ryan (@petryan) April 11, 2022
The ailment will rule Narkle out of Monday's clash with Hawthorn at the MCG. In lighter news for the Cats, skipper Joel Selwood (managed) and defender Tom Stewart (illness) are expected to return as Geelong look to add to their 3-1 start to the year.
Nic Nat set for lengthy stint on sidelines
West Coast's luckless 2022 campaign has continued as ruckman Nic Naitanui is set to spend an extended period on the sides with medial ligament damage.
The veteran Eagle will be required to wear a knee brace for several weeks as he begins his recuperation, with the club expecting Naitanui to return in the second half of the season.
“Nic was sore post game and scans have revealed what our medical staff suspected after the game,” Eagles football boss Gavin Bell said.
“He is obviously a very important player to us, but we will take a conservative approach in managing his return which will be in the second half of the season.
“There is no definitive time line at this stage as we will monitor and adjust his recovery as required.”
Wines ruled out of Blues clash
After suffering heart palpitations in his side's Round 4 loss to Melbourne, Brownlow Medal winner Ollie Wines has been ruled out of his side's upcoming match against Carlton.
The Power confirmed on Monday that while Wines is feeling fine, the health scare will require further testing after the midfielder spent a night in hospital last week.
“I’m 100 per-cent back to normal thanks to the staff at Calvary (Hospital) – the doctors and nurses really looked after me and I’m 100 per-cent fine,” Wines said, via the club's website.
“There were a few little issues but they’ve been rectified now.
“I’ll miss this week at this stage but there are some more tests to look into this week just to get a bit of an idea of a time frame but hopefully not too much footy."
Tigers defender nearing return
Richmond Defender Nick Vlastuin hoping to return to action this week as he recovers from a hamstring injury. Vlastuin is still yet to play a game this season due to the nature and extent of the injury, but the Tigers have had the Round 5 matchup against Adelaide in mind for the 27-year-old’s return for some time.
Richmond coach Damian Hardwick stated that the defender is a likely inclusion.
“He has missed some footy so we'll go through that. He's probable at this stage, he's obviously got to get through training, but he'll be important for us," Hardwick said after his side's Round 4 win over the Bulldogs.
Richmond came out unscathed against the Dogs, although questions marks still remain over Dustin Martin’s return date. Dylan Grimes remains sidelined with a hamstring injury while Kane Lambert eases his way back into the VFL after recovering from a hip injury.
