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Lachie Neale
Needs surgery on ankle
Neale suffered an ankle injury during Saturday's Round 6 win over Carlton and will need to undergo surgery, his club confirmed after the match.
ANALYSIS
Neale's return date should be clarified over the coming week, and he'll want to put this game behind him as soon as possible after also picking up a fine in a different incident. Now that Neale could be out for a month, Dayne Zorko and Jarryd Lyons will have to carry more of the load in the midfield.
Neale's return date should be clarified over the coming week, and he'll want to put this game behind him as soon as possible after also picking up a fine in a different incident. Now that Neale could be out for a month, Dayne Zorko and Jarryd Lyons will have to carry more of the load in the midfield.
Dustin Martin
Picks up concussion in loss
Martin picked up a concussion during Saturday's 82-48 loss to Melbourne, according to Callum Twomey of AFL.com.
ANALYSIS
Martin is all but guaranteed to miss Round 7 against the Western Bulldogs while he enters the league's 12-day concussion protocol. It's all the better that he'll come back more motivated, as he was barely involved in Saturday's loss and will get a week to recover and get back to his dominating performances.
Martin is all but guaranteed to miss Round 7 against the Western Bulldogs while he enters the league's 12-day concussion protocol. It's all the better that he'll come back more motivated, as he was barely involved in Saturday's loss and will get a week to recover and get back to his dominating performances.
Patrick Dangerfield
Sidelined up to two months
Dangerfield will undergo surgery on his ankle that could sideline him for up to two months, Mitch Cleary of the AFL's official site reports.
ANALYSIS
Dangerfield has been a key cog for the Cats this season, so his absence is certainly a cause for concern in the Cats' midfield. More information on his status should surface once he's cleared to rejoin the action.
Dangerfield has been a key cog for the Cats this season, so his absence is certainly a cause for concern in the Cats' midfield. More information on his status should surface once he's cleared to rejoin the action.
Lance Franklin
Out 3-4 weeks
Franklin (leg) will miss 3-4 weeks, AFL Ratings reports.
ANALYSIS
Franklin suffered a bone bruise in his leg during a collision with Connor Idun during the third quarter of the Swans' loss to GWS on Sunday. This is no doubt a big blow to the team for the next few weeks at least, as there's no replacing his goal-scoring acumen as one of the premiere players in the league.
Franklin suffered a bone bruise in his leg during a collision with Connor Idun during the third quarter of the Swans' loss to GWS on Sunday. This is no doubt a big blow to the team for the next few weeks at least, as there's no replacing his goal-scoring acumen as one of the premiere players in the league.
Steele Sidebottom
Leaving team for four games
Sidebottom will miss the next four games as he joins his partner for the birth of their child, Riley Beveridge of AFL Media reports.
ANALYSIS
Sidebottom's regular season appears to be over, but he may be set to rejoin the Magpies for the finals, if they make it. Collingwood currently sits in a position to participate, checking in seventh in the ladder, but they are far from a lock to continue on with numerous teams nipping at their heels. Things will be tougher without Sidebottom, who has averaged just under 24 disposals to go along with 4.2 tackles and 3.7 marks per contest, helping in the midfield.
Sidebottom's regular season appears to be over, but he may be set to rejoin the Magpies for the finals, if they make it. Collingwood currently sits in a position to participate, checking in seventh in the ladder, but they are far from a lock to continue on with numerous teams nipping at their heels. Things will be tougher without Sidebottom, who has averaged just under 24 disposals to go along with 4.2 tackles and 3.7 marks per contest, helping in the midfield.
Josh P. Kennedy
Will face Dockers
Kennedy (knee) will rejoin the action Saturday against Fremantle.
ANALYSIS
Kennedy has been sidelined since mid-July with a strained MCL, but is ready to rejoin the Swans' ranks. He will take the place of Dane Rampe (hand) in the 22 on Saturday and is listed at centre.
Kennedy has been sidelined since mid-July with a strained MCL, but is ready to rejoin the Swans' ranks. He will take the place of Dane Rampe (hand) in the 22 on Saturday and is listed at centre.
Michael Walters
Making return Saturday
Walters (hamstring) will rejoin the lineup for Saturday's clash with Carlton.
ANALYSIS
Walters's return is major news for a Fremantle club looking to continue its string of two straight victories Saturday. He posted one of his best games of the season versus Geelong before exiting late with the hamstring issue, racking up 22 disposals, seven marks and four tackles.
Walters's return is major news for a Fremantle club looking to continue its string of two straight victories Saturday. He posted one of his best games of the season versus Geelong before exiting late with the hamstring issue, racking up 22 disposals, seven marks and four tackles.
Jade Gresham
Could miss remainder of 2020
Gresham may miss the remainder of the 2020 season after scans revealed a stress fracture in his lower back, Mitch Cleary of the AFL's official site reports.
ANALYSIS
Gresham is expected to be reassessed after six weeks and may opt to leave the team to finish out his recovery elsewhere. In any event, Gresham is facing a lengthy recovery that is set to cost him significant time. His absence is a major blow for a St. Kilda squad that had been performing well up until last week's blowout loss to Geelong.
Gresham is expected to be reassessed after six weeks and may opt to leave the team to finish out his recovery elsewhere. In any event, Gresham is facing a lengthy recovery that is set to cost him significant time. His absence is a major blow for a St. Kilda squad that had been performing well up until last week's blowout loss to Geelong.
Joel Selwood
Back in action
Selwood (hamstring) will rejoin the lineup for Wednesday's clash with North Melbourne, Tom Collings of the Cats' official site reports.
ANALYSIS
Selwood sat out a pair of games for the Cats while working his way back from a hamstring issue and he will rejoin the lineup for a clash with the 3-6 Kangaroos. Geelong was unable to handle West Coast without him last week, but Selwood's return should provide a boost in the midfield. He has collected 20 or more disposals in four of his six full matches and recorded eight tackles in each of his last two prior to the injury.
Selwood sat out a pair of games for the Cats while working his way back from a hamstring issue and he will rejoin the lineup for a clash with the 3-6 Kangaroos. Geelong was unable to handle West Coast without him last week, but Selwood's return should provide a boost in the midfield. He has collected 20 or more disposals in four of his six full matches and recorded eight tackles in each of his last two prior to the injury.
Darcy Tucker
Done for season
Tucker will undergo surgery on his injured hamstring later this week and will miss the remainder of 2020 season.
ANALYSIS
Tucker's absence is a major blow for a Dockers squad that has already struggled to compete weekly thus far. He finishes the season averaging 14.0 disposals, 2.6 marks and 3.3 tackles per contest, though it's slightly skewed down by a zero showing in his last effort of the season.
Tucker's absence is a major blow for a Dockers squad that has already struggled to compete weekly thus far. He finishes the season averaging 14.0 disposals, 2.6 marks and 3.3 tackles per contest, though it's slightly skewed down by a zero showing in his last effort of the season.
Scott Pendlebury
Will miss two games
Pendlebury is set to miss the next two games due to a quad strain, The Age reports.
ANALYSIS
Pendlebury missed Sunday's loss to West Coast due to the injury, and he's now set to miss at least two more weeks. His targeted return date is Aug. 11 versus Adelaide.
Pendlebury missed Sunday's loss to West Coast due to the injury, and he's now set to miss at least two more weeks. His targeted return date is Aug. 11 versus Adelaide.
Jordan de Goey
Out for 10 weeks
De Goey (finger) underwent successful surgery but now is expected to be sidelined for 10 weeks, Fox Footy reports.
ANALYSIS
De Goey's initial timetable had him slated to be sidelined for up to two months, but the procedure has revealed that he will be out even longer. This likely puts an end to his regular season and could put his availability for the finals in danger.
De Goey's initial timetable had him slated to be sidelined for up to two months, but the procedure has revealed that he will be out even longer. This likely puts an end to his regular season and could put his availability for the finals in danger.
Jordan de Goey
Headed for finger surgery
De Goey will undergo surgery to repair the flexor tendon in his right middle finger this weekend and could be sidelined up to two months, Callum Twomey of the AFL's official site reports.
ANALYSIS
De Goey played out Thursday's game versus Geelong and impressed with five goals, 17 disposals and five marks. Unfortunately, the effort came at a heavy cost, as the Magpies will now need to prepare for life without the star forward for an even longer period of time. A more definitive timeline for his return is expected to surface following the weekend's procedure.
De Goey played out Thursday's game versus Geelong and impressed with five goals, 17 disposals and five marks. Unfortunately, the effort came at a heavy cost, as the Magpies will now need to prepare for life without the star forward for an even longer period of time. A more definitive timeline for his return is expected to surface following the weekend's procedure.
Thomas Lynch
Unlikely to play Round 6
Lynch underwent minor surgery Monday to address a fractured finger and is considered doubtful to play in Sunday's Round 6 match with Sydney, Daniel Cherny of The Melbourne Age reports.
ANALYSIS
Lynch was able to play through the injury over the weekend in the Round 5 victory over Melbourne, but after surgery was deemed necessary when he was evaluated following the match, the forward looks like he'll need at least one week off to recover. He's still expected to travel with the Tigers to the Gold Coast this week, though Lynch will likely need to demonstrate considerable progress in training in order to get the green light to play Sunday.
Lynch was able to play through the injury over the weekend in the Round 5 victory over Melbourne, but after surgery was deemed necessary when he was evaluated following the match, the forward looks like he'll need at least one week off to recover. He's still expected to travel with the Tigers to the Gold Coast this week, though Lynch will likely need to demonstrate considerable progress in training in order to get the green light to play Sunday.
Steele Sidebottom
Suspended for four games
Sidebottom has been suspended for four matches for breaching the AFL's COVID-19 protocols, Marc McGowan of the AFL's official site reports.
ANALYSIS
The length of Sidebottom's suspension doesn't seem all that surprising given the context of his breach. He was transported home by police in what was described as heavily intoxicated state. Sidebottom will not appeal the suspension, so he's set to return at the end of July or beginning of August depending on when the game falls that weekend.
The length of Sidebottom's suspension doesn't seem all that surprising given the context of his breach. He was transported home by police in what was described as heavily intoxicated state. Sidebottom will not appeal the suspension, so he's set to return at the end of July or beginning of August depending on when the game falls that weekend.
Dayne Zorko
Likely multi-game absence on deck
Zorko (calf) will sit out Saturday's game against Port Adelaide and will likely miss between two and three weeks.
ANALYSIS
Zorko had returned Saturday from a previous Achilles injury that held him out of Round 3, so there's possibly a connection between the two injuries. He can safely be ruled out for round 5 and will likely miss round 6 as well, though the team should provide another update on his status next week.
Zorko had returned Saturday from a previous Achilles injury that held him out of Round 3, so there's possibly a connection between the two injuries. He can safely be ruled out for round 5 and will likely miss round 6 as well, though the team should provide another update on his status next week.
Jeremy Howe
Ruptured PCL confirmed
Collingwood confirmed Saturday that Howe suffered a ruptured PCL and damaged his MCL during Friday's match versus the Giants.
ANALYSIS
Unfortunately, it appears Howe is headed for an extended stay on the sidelines and will look into options, including surgery, when he sees a specialist Monday. Howe had gotten off to a great start in 2020, recording 20 or more disposals in three of the four games while averaging 6.5 marks. However, there's a chance he has played his last game of the season.
Unfortunately, it appears Howe is headed for an extended stay on the sidelines and will look into options, including surgery, when he sees a specialist Monday. Howe had gotten off to a great start in 2020, recording 20 or more disposals in three of the four games while averaging 6.5 marks. However, there's a chance he has played his last game of the season.
Jeremy Howe
Likely facing long-term absence
Head coach Nathan Buckley indicated after Friday's match versus GWS that the initial reports suggest Howe has suffered MCL and PCL damage and may be sidelined for a while, Jon Ralph of the Herald Sun reports.
ANALYSIS
If scans confirm the initial diagnosis, there's a chance Howe's 2020 season has prematurely come to an end. It would be an unfortunate turn for Howe and the Magpies, whose defensive lines have been among the best in the league thus far. Howe has been a major contributor in that effort, averaging 21.5 disposals and 6.5 marks through the first four rounds.
If scans confirm the initial diagnosis, there's a chance Howe's 2020 season has prematurely come to an end. It would be an unfortunate turn for Howe and the Magpies, whose defensive lines have been among the best in the league thus far. Howe has been a major contributor in that effort, averaging 21.5 disposals and 6.5 marks through the first four rounds.
Sam Naismith
Ruptured ACL feared
Naismith is believed to have suffered his ACL for a second time during Thursday's match versus Western, Mitch Cleary of the team's official site reports.
ANALYSIS
The Swans are expected to offer more information after he has scans done on the knee Friday, but the initial outlook for the ruckman initially appears bleak. It's a tough blow for both the Swans and Naismith, who played just his second game this season and missed all of the last two campaigns after following the first one.
The Swans are expected to offer more information after he has scans done on the knee Friday, but the initial outlook for the ruckman initially appears bleak. It's a tough blow for both the Swans and Naismith, who played just his second game this season and missed all of the last two campaigns after following the first one.
Josh Dunkley
Out six weeks after ankle surgery
Western announced that Dunkley underwent surgery Monday to address a syndesmosis injury in his left ankle, which he sustained in Friday's win over Greater Western Sydney, Daniel Cherny of The Melbourne Age reports. The midfielder is expected to miss at least six weeks while recovering from the procedure.
ANALYSIS
The loss of Dunkley is a significant one for the Bulldogs, who are already missing another midfielder in Lachie Hunter (suspension). Over the Bulldogs' first three matches, Dunkley generated two goals, 62 disposals and seven marks.
The loss of Dunkley is a significant one for the Bulldogs, who are already missing another midfielder in Lachie Hunter (suspension). Over the Bulldogs' first three matches, Dunkley generated two goals, 62 disposals and seven marks.
Dyson Heppell
Suffers broken ankle
Heppell fractured his ankle during training Friday and is set to undergo surgery in the coming days.
ANALYSIS
Heppell previously dealt with a foot injury, which prevented him from playing in the season opener before making his debut in Round 2. Unfortunately, there's a chance that will be his only action of the season, depending on the severity. Heppell's timeline should be established once he undergoes the procedure.
Heppell previously dealt with a foot injury, which prevented him from playing in the season opener before making his debut in Round 2. Unfortunately, there's a chance that will be his only action of the season, depending on the severity. Heppell's timeline should be established once he undergoes the procedure.
Jeremy McGovern
Receives one-match ban
The AFL's Match Review Panel handed McGovern a one-match suspension Sunday for his "intentional conduct, low impact and high contact" strike against an opponent in West Coast's 90-46 loss to Gold Coast on Saturday, Nic Savage of News.com.au reports.
ANALYSIS
McGovern will sit out next weekend's Round 3 match with Brisbane after the defender was involved in an altercation with the Suns' Alex Sexton in the third quarter. After Sexton incidentally bumped into McGovern's head while picking up a ball, McGovern retaliated by punching the forward in the jaw. McGovern also received a $1,000 fine for pushing Sexton into a fence in a separate incident between the two players, while Sexton also picked up a $1,000 fine of his own.
McGovern will sit out next weekend's Round 3 match with Brisbane after the defender was involved in an altercation with the Suns' Alex Sexton in the third quarter. After Sexton incidentally bumped into McGovern's head while picking up a ball, McGovern retaliated by punching the forward in the jaw. McGovern also received a $1,000 fine for pushing Sexton into a fence in a separate incident between the two players, while Sexton also picked up a $1,000 fine of his own.
Nic Newman
Done for season with torn patella
Newman will undergo season-ending surgery in the near future after scans Sunday confirmed that he ruptured the patellar tendon in his right knee in Saturday's 54-53 loss to Melbourne, Daniel Cherny of The Melbourne Age reports.
ANALYSIS
The news doesn't come as a major surprise after Newman was diagnosed with the injury shortly after being carted off the field Saturday. Newman, who had previously been sidelined for much of the AFL's hiatus while recovering from the elbow surgery he required following the Blues' Round 1 loss to Richmond in March, will now have to wait until 2021 to resume playing again after he latest procedure. He becomes the second Carlton player to suffer a season-ending kneecap injury, joining forward Charlie Curnow.
The news doesn't come as a major surprise after Newman was diagnosed with the injury shortly after being carted off the field Saturday. Newman, who had previously been sidelined for much of the AFL's hiatus while recovering from the elbow surgery he required following the Blues' Round 1 loss to Richmond in March, will now have to wait until 2021 to resume playing again after he latest procedure. He becomes the second Carlton player to suffer a season-ending kneecap injury, joining forward Charlie Curnow.
Adam Treloar
Slated to miss Round 2
Treloar (calf) isn't expected to be available for Round 2 versus Richmond, Fox Sports reports.
ANALYSIS
Fortunately for the Magpies, Treloar's absence isn't expected to extend beyond the Round 2 return to play, so he should be an option for Round 3 versus St. Kilda on June 20.
Fortunately for the Magpies, Treloar's absence isn't expected to extend beyond the Round 2 return to play, so he should be an option for Round 3 versus St. Kilda on June 20.
Lance Franklin
Out weeks with hamstring injury
Franklin will miss several weeks after suffering a right hamstring injury, Fox Sports Australia reports. Sydney head of football Charlie Gardiner said the injury was "slightly worse" than the left hamstring injury that caused Franklin to miss nine weeks last season.
ANALYSIS
Franklin had missed Sydney's first match before the league was paused due to a knee injury. It sounds like he may not return until the second half of the season.
Franklin had missed Sydney's first match before the league was paused due to a knee injury. It sounds like he may not return until the second half of the season.