Richmond’s Beth Lynch has not been charged for a tackle on Geelong’s Rachel Kearns, which resulted a serious shoulder injury that left the Cats player writhing in pain.
Kearns suffered a high-grade left AC joint injury from the tackle, the club confirmed on Monday, which could end her season.
Rachel Kearns was in agony after a tackle from Beth LynchCredit:Getty Images
In the opening term of the Sunday clash, the Irish international recruit was screaming in agony and was given the pain-killing green whistle after being the subject of Lynch’s driving tackle.
AFLW head physiotherapist Erin Nelson said Kearns will get orthopaedic opinion Tuesday morning, at which point the club will get clarity on the plan for the rest of the season.
If Kearns needs an operation, she could be out for six to eight weeks and if not three to four weeks.
The forward being sidelined is a blow for the Cats, however the club has plenty of depth to replace her having close to a full list available.
Carlton’s Darcy Vescio has not been charged for their bump on Collingwood’s Ruby Schleicher.
No.1 draft pick sidelined for almost half the season
No.1 draft pick Sydney’s Montana Ham has suffered a knee joint strain during Saturday’s clash against St Kilda, the club confirmed on Monday, which will sideline her for three to four weeks, almost half the season.
Montana Ham had to be helped off the ground against the Saints.Credit:AFL Photos
AFLW fans collectively breathed a sigh of relief on Sunday when Sydney confirmed the 18-year-old midfielder hadn’t done an ACL injury after being helped from the field in the dying stages of the final term with a knee injury.
After an awkward smothering collision from an opposition player, Ham went to ground clutching her knee and clearly in pain and was then assisted off by trainers as, unable to put weight on her leg.
Although better news than an ACL, which can take around nine months of rehabilitation, the injury is a major blow to Ham and Swans, as it takes her out for a significant part of the side’s inaugural season.
In her AFLW debut over the weekend, Ham was a crucial onballer and finished with 11 disposals, two marks and eight tackles.
Two inaugural team debutants take out joint rising star nominee
In great news for two of the inaugural teams, Essendon’s Paige Scott and Port Adelaide’s Abbey Dowrick have been named as round one’s joint rising star nominees.
Essendon’s Paige Scott joint round one rising star nominee with Port Adelaide’s Abbey Dowrick.Credit:Getty Images
In her debut game, 19-year-old Dowrick had a game-high 21 disposals, six clearances, seven marks, three inside 50s and three score involvements in the Power’s 12-point loss to the Eagles.
The midfielder was overlooked in the 2021 national draft but was picked up by Port Adelaide as an open-age signing in 2022.
“(Head of AFLW) Jules (Haslam) gave me a call around lunchtime today and I got a bit scared at first, I thought I’d done something wrong,” said Dowrick in a release.
“I’m over the moon, I’m speechless…probably won’t sink in for a bit. It was pretty surreal…it’s left me a bit speechless this whole week.”
Explosive forward Paige Scott also had an impressive game, finishing with 16 disposals at 75 per cent disposal efficiency, one goal, three tackles and three score involvements in the Bomber’s 26-point victory over Hawthorn at Marvel Stadium.
Essendon senior coach Natalie Wood said the nomination was recognition for Scott’s dedication to her football and talent.
“I’ve been really impressed by Paige’s commitment since the moment she first stepped inside the club,” Wood said in a statement.
“Every week, straight off the training track, Paige comes to me for feedback and her consistency in wanting to get better is very impressive … Paige is an incredibly exciting player and we can’t wait to see her continue to grow at this level.”
In the AFL Coaches Association votes from the round, Dowrick was recognised with seven coaches’ votes and Scott with four.
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