AFL News: Mixed injury news for Magpies, Stringer back for Bombers' finals tilt, Giant blow at tribunal, Cats defender scratched

Collingwood veteran Steele Sidebottom will join superstar Nick Daicos on the sidelines but defender Nathan Murphy is pushing to make an unlikely appearance in the Magpies’ blockbuster clash with Geelong.

Sidebottom, a dual Copeland Trophy winner who has played 304 AFL games, will sit out Friday night’s MCG bout with the Cats due to foot soreness.

It is another loss to Collingwood’s midfield, who were smashed in that area during the shock upset defeat to Hawthorn last Saturday when Daicos suffered a hairline fracture in his right knee.

But Murphy, who was initially feared to miss up to three weeks with an ankle injury, trained on Wednesday and is expected to take on Geelong.

“The doctor said two to three weeks but it ended up being two to three days,” Pies coach Craig McRae said of Murphy’s injury on Wednesday.

Nick Daicos speaks with Jeremy Howe. (Photo by Daniel Pockett/Getty Images)

“He’s got through training and whether he pulls up well, we’ll see how that goes. But it will be hard to pick him if he does.

“It presented as really sore straight after the game and then two days later it settles really well and he’s able to train.”

Although Sidebottom will miss against Geelong, he should be available to face the third-placed Brisbane Lions in round 23.

“If we had an extra couple of days maybe he’d (Sidebottom) be available but he’s not gonna make it this week,” McRae said.

“He’s got a foot injury that plays up a little bit. He’s been carrying it for a couple of years and every now and again it gets a bit grumbly.”

Daicos, the raging Brownlow Medal favourite before being hurt, won’t return until around the preliminary final weekend, if the ladder-leading Magpies make it that far.

“I rang him (Daicos) up and said ‘you’re going to be so fit for the finals’, that was my first line to him when I spoke to him,” McRae said.

“Clearly there’s a disappointment base of being out for whatever that looks like.

“But he’s a great kid and he’ll be doing everything in his power; I can’t imagine he’ll be standing still to try and fast track a healing bone in his leg.”

(Photo by Michael Willson/AFL Photos)

Despite losing their last two games, Collingwood remain on track to secure the minor premiership and are still eight points and percentage clear on top of the ladder.

McRae refuted speculation the Magpies had become complacent and were already focusing on how they could be at their best in finals.

He had a cheeky dig at Port Adelaide coach Ken Hinkley, who before the team’s clashed three weeks ago hinted Collingwood might be peaking too early.

“Have we got an eye on on September? No,” McRae said.

“We’ve got an eye on August.

“Using a line from from Ken Hinkley, we don’t want to be top in July, let’s get busy in August, hey.”

Stringer in frame for Bombers

Finals still remain a possibility for an injury-ridden Essendon, who have been boosted by the imminent return of fan-favourite forward Jake Stringer.

The 29-year-old has been missing in action since mid-July thanks to a foot injury. He has been joined by All-Australian Dylan Shiel and young gun Sam Draper on the Bombers’ nine-name-long injury list.

While Shiel and Draper look likely to miss the remainder of the season, Essendon coach Brad Scott said Stringer could return for Saturday’s clash against North Melbourne.

“He’s really keen to play and really keen to prove his fitness,” Scott said on Wednesday.

“The risk for us is that with these injuries … it (takes) a bit of courage and bravery to get out there and play.

“He’s got to be able to produce that strength and power and speed. If you can do that, then come into our side.”

Jake Stringer of the Bombers chases the ball. (Photo by Darrian Traynor/AFL Photos/via Getty Images)

The foot problem isn’t Stringer’s first run-in with injury this year, having been ruled out of the campaign opener due to a hamstring problem sustained during pre-season simulation matches.

Essendon’s three-time leading goal-kicker was also plagued by injury in 2022, playing just 15 games all season after a dominant 2021.

Stringer’s impact on the game is palpable – he kicked 25 goals in his 15 appearances last season.

With Essendon still clinging to their finals hopes, Scott hopes Stringer’s potential return will bolster the side. Despite sitting comfortably inside the top-eight four weeks ago, the Bombers have slumped to 12th with three consecutive defeats followed by a one-point win against bottom-of-the-ladder West Coast Eagles.

“We’re just wanting his best,” Scott said. “(The team) certainly is better with him in it at his best.”

Giant blow at tribunal

GWS will be without forward Toby Bedford for Sunday’s away game against Port Adelaide after the AFL tribunal upheld his dangerous tackle ban.

The Giants tried to downgrade the careless conduct grading of the rough conduct charge, but it was upheld.

Bedford’s one-match suspension means he is the latest player this season to be banned under the league crackdown on dangerous tackles.

He was banned for his tackle on Sydney player Oliver Florent during last Saturday night’s loss to the Swans.

The Giants also accepted Brent Daniels’ one-game suspension for his high bump on Jake Lloyd.

“We find Bedford’s conduct to be careless,” the tribunal ruled.

“Bedford’s recollection that he only had a light grip on Florent’s left arm is not consistent with the vision. Vision captures Florent’s arms pinned in the tackle and a rotation-type movement to bring Florent to ground with excessive force.

“Florent’s arms were secured so he had no opportunity to use either arm to protect himself.

“We find Bedford breached the duty of care owed to Florent. Given the features of the tackle, the tackle was such that a reasonable player would not regard it as prudent in all the circumstances.”

The loss to Sydney snapped the Giants’ seven-game winning streak, while Port go into Sunday needing to turn around a run of four-straight losses.

Toby Bedford. (Photo by Brett Hemmings/AFL Photos/via Getty Images)

Also on Tuesday, West Coast player Bailey Williams had his one-game rough conduct ban overturned after a marathon hearing.

Long-time Eagles player advocate David Grace KC successfully argued Williams’ bump on Essendon defender Mason Redman was not careless.

The tribunal deliberated for more than two hours before clearing Williams, which means he can play in Saturday’s Western Derby.

Henry could be out for rest of season

A new foot injury has Geelong premiership defender Jack Henry in doubt for the rest of the AFL season.

But Collingwood are holding out hope defender Nathan Murphy might be available for Saturday night’s blockbuster against the Cats.

Melbourne also confirmed on Tuesday night forward Harrison Petty will not play again this year because of his foot injury.

The Cats said scans had shown Henry has a mid-foot Lisfranc ligament injury after he was stood on during Saturday night’s home win over Port Adelaide.

It is different to the foot fracture he had during the pre-season, which sidelined him until round 10.

The Cats are unclear how long Henry, who has played 11 games this season, will be out of action.

“We were surprised to see the results of the scans as the incident occurred innocuously during the game,” said club football boss Simon Lloyd.

“Our medical team will now work through the options available to provide the optimal outcome for Jack and determine how long he will be sidelined for.

 ”We are all disappointed for Jack, he is a very important player for us, not just with his flexibility to play a number of roles but because of his calm head and stability he provides down back.” 

Gary Rohan (ankle) is expected to play against Collingwood while Tom Hawkins ran laps on Tuesday and is expected to train on Wednesday as he returns from a hamstring injury.

Meanwhile, Magpies coach Craig McRae said Murphy was making a rapid recovery from the ankle injury he suffered in Saturday’s loss to Hawthorn.

Young gun Nick Daicos was sidelined for six weeks with a knee injury and it was initially forecast Murphy would be sidelined for two to three weeks.

“On Murphy, who was ruled out, he’s a chance to play. I don’t know how,” McRae told SEN

“He’s got to get through training tomorrow (Wednesday). He was no chance on Sunday and he’s some chance now on Tuesday.

“Time might be against him being a Friday night game, but he’s not so much 2-3 weeks (away) now.”

Adelaide also announced utility Chayce Jones will have surgery on a Lisfranc fracture and is out for the rest of the season.

Petty has suffered the same fate after he was hurt in Sunday’s win over North Melbourne. “‘Petts’ has significant damage to his Lisfranc which means he won’t play again this year,” Demons football boss Alan Richardson said.

“It’s a fairly significant rehab, but we’re really confident long-term that he’ll be fine. It’s disappointing for the team, disappointing for the club given where we are at with the stage of the season, but look he’ll be a real pro with his rehab like he always is.”

But the Demons are hopeful star onballer Clayton Oliver will return from a hamstring injury on Saturday against Carlton for his first game since round 10.