‘No idea’: Strange response as star backflip looms; Crow’s 729-day wait could end — Team Whispers

This was supposed to be the week St Kilda welcomes back Max King. But the coach hasn’t locked it in yet.

Plus Adelaide could unleash an SSP recruit while several veterans are in the mix to return.

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ST KILDA coach Ross Lyon concedes he has “no idea” whether Max King would return from injury to face Adelaide on Sunday as he revealed the spearhead had encountered minor niggles over the weekend.

Lyon declared the club wouldn’t risk the 202cm key forward unless he was “100 per cent” fit, with King being sidelined since December with a serious shoulder injury followed by a subsequent hamstring blow in March.

King will need to get through training on Wednesday and Friday to prove his fitness as Lyon suggested he could play in the VFL for Sandringham with other key forwards options presenting.

Young tall Anthony Caminiti is available following his three-match suspension and Zaine Cordy, who was dropped for the Saints’ win over North Melbourne, did not play at either level last week.

King has reported niggles in multiple areas over the past few days after what Lyon described as a corkie.

“I’ve got no idea to be truthful, he will need to train today and then train on Friday and then we’ll have match committee and we’ll make a decision,” Lyon said.

“He’s been pretty good, he just had a little niggle on the weekend. Is that anxiety? Is it maybe just a couple of things over the last few weeks where we thought, ‘Ah maybe not?’ It’s a big decision because he hasn’t played but he is really tall and we could do with a bit of height.

“A little niggle of sorts – sore arm, sore butt, sore groin. They’re just niggles. I think someone corked him.

“If there is any doubt on him, if he doesn’t go, ‘Look I’m 100 per cent’, I don’t think we even consider him. And once he declares that, we will decide where he is going to play.

“Caminiti becomes available and we’ve got Zaine Cordy as well who will be freshened up after a bit of a rest. He was really important to us in those first seven weeks. It’s a nice problem to have, I’ve got to check in with Max.”

Lyon said he expected ruckman Rowan Marshall (ankle) and forward Jade Gresham (shin) to face the Crows after minor injuries in the second half against the Roos in a match he labelled as “embarrassing”.

Injury-riddled Saint Jack Billings will be considered after tallying 22 disposals and 11 marks in his first full VFL game back, but Lyon said a body of work would be required from him after his long lay-off.

Entering the seventh month of his second coaching stint at the Saints, Lyon said he was still learning about the list but lauded Callum Wilkie and Jack Sinclair in particular for standing up with their leadership and on-field exploits this season.

“It’s a year of exploration, I’m still understanding the list. Some lads playing in the seconds are coming on and some senior players like (Billings). You’re only as good as your next moment – you’ve never arrived,” Lyon said.

“In fairness (Billings) played his first full game on the weekend, it’s been months and months without a full game, full training. He had an unfortunate injury so he’s still building. He’s got to put a body of work together now.”

ADELAIDE could unleash Irish recruit Mark Keane for his first AFL game in two years when it faces St Kilda

The Crows are in need of some defensive help are the concussion suffered by key defender Nick Murray, which ruled him out of Sunday’s game.

Keane, who played five games for Collingwood, last played in the AFL in May 2021. He stayed in Ireland in 2021 because of the pandemic and played both Gaelic football and hurling.

But the Crows have been impressed since he joined the club as an SSP recruit earlier this year.

Crows assistant coach Scott Burns said this week: “I guess as a match committee we will sit down and go through that a little bit more.

“That discussion will be pretty intense over the next day or two.”

If not Keane, the Crows could opt for Andrew McPherson, Will Hamill or Josh Worrell, who all had strong SANFL outings last weekend.

HAWTHORN will regain an important duo against Melbourne.

Veteran forward Luke Breust and rebounding defender Changkuoth Jiath both missed the Hawks’ trip to WA after struggling to train over the previous month, coach Sam Mitchell revealed on Tuesday.

He said the rest against the Dockers had freshened them up to be fit for Saturday evening’s clash with the Demons at the MCG.

“Both of those guys certainly looked better today,” Mitchell said.

“Normally I (speak to reporters) on a Thursday and you have a much better idea later in the week.

“They haven’t been able to train up until Thursday or Friday for the last three or four weeks, those guys – they were both bouncing around today.”

Mitchell said morale at Hawthorn remained high, with No. 7 draft pick Cam Mackenzie banging the door down for a senior re-call with a second impressive 30-disposal VFL performance since his omission ahead of round 7.

“When you have a guy like Cam Mackenzie – who we think is going to be a long-term player for us, he has had a fantastic start to his career already – there are two ways to handle that as an early draft pick who gets dropped; one is to go into your shell and feel embarrassed and not be able to handle that situation; the other is to go back two weeks in a row now and play AFL standard football in the VFL,” Mitchell said.

“We’ve got such a young group, there is such a vibrancy and enthusiasm about them. The vast majority of them get carried along with the youthful exuberance.”

MELBOURNE defender Christian Salem has been cleared to return to play this weekend.

this to heal and improve with conservative management and time.”

Demons defender Salem could play Hawthorn at the MCG on Saturday after he was passed fit to return from a knee injury.

The classy left-footer has not played for the Demons this season after tearing his meniscus at training in March, just after he had overcome a thyroid issue that had interrupted his preparation over summer.

Melbourne high performance manager Selwyn Griffith said the 27-year-old had put together a “fantastic block of reconditioning” to build his case for selection.

“He’s been back training with the main group for two weeks now, completing full sessions,” Griffith said.

“(He completed) match-load running on the weekend, and he’ll train fully this week to be available for selection.”

Whether Jacob van Rooyen plays will depend on Thursday night’s Appeals Board hearing.

GEELONG will have to find a replacement for captain Patrick Dangerfield, who’s set for a stint on the sidelines after suffering a hamstring injury during Saturday’s victory against Adelaide, and the suspended Brad Close.

Scans on Monday revealed, Dangerfield had suffered a low grade strain to his left hamstring which saw him subbed out early in the third quarter against the Crows.

In its injury update released on Monday afternoon, the Cats said the 2016 Brownlow medallist would be out for the “short term”.

“Pat has been in fantastic form, so we are disappointed to lose him for the next few weeks,” Geelong general manager of football Simon Lloyd said.

“It’s positive news that it’s on the lower end of a hamstring injury, Pat has already commenced his rehabilitation program and will continue his strong leadership across our football program.”

If Gary Rohan is eligible to return from injury, he could come straight back in for Close, while Brandan Parfitt could replace Dangerfield. Alternatively, Oliver Dempsey could come into the starting 22 after he started as the sub last week.

RICHMOND veteran Trent Cotchin should come back into the side to face Geelong after being managed, while Ivan Soldo will also be in the mix after being a late out with a foot issue.

Noah Cumberland, who was originally dropped but got a late reprieve after Soldo missed, likely makes way after a quiet showing that saw him get subbed out.

BRISBANE veteran Dayne Zorko is “preparing to play” against Essendon on Saturday night after making a quicker-than-expected recovery from a hamstring injury.

Zorko missed Brisbane’s 26-point win over Carlton last Friday night after injuring his hamstring the previous week against Fremantle.

He had been expected to be sidelined for at least two matches, but the 34-year-old former Lions captain reckons he will be fit enough to take on the Bombers at the Gabba this weekend.

“I’m going really, really well,” Zorko told SEN Breakfast with Pat and Heals.

“Fingers crossed the strength and conditioning staff are listening to this conversation because I’ll be putting my hand up for selection this week.

“I had a really good week on the track. I started a bit slow, but since then we knew it was going to be an injury that recovers really quickly and I’ve done everything right over the weekend and got through a mountain of work on Saturday morning.

“We’ll go all systems ahead as if I’m playing this weekend. Clearly, any setbacks or niggles will stamp that out, but for me, I’ll be preparing to play.”

The only injury concern out of Brisbane’s big win over Carlton was a leg problem to Keidean Coleman, but Lions coach Chris Fagan confirmed post-match it was only cramp.

Darcy Gardiner is nearing his return from an adductor issue, but should come back through the VFL.

ESSENDON will be without star defender Jordan Ridley due to concussion.

It leaves Essendon with a defence already missing Jayden Laverde even more depleted.

Massimo D’Ambrosio (24 touches, 9 marks in the VFL) likely earns a reprieve after being omitted for the loss to Port.

Sam Durham is also eligible for selection after serving a suspension.

WESTERN BULLDOGS will be without midfielder Adam Treloar, while young forward Jamarra Ugle-Hagan faces a fitness test ahead of Saturday night’s clash against Carlton.

Treloar injured his hamstring in the Bulldogs’ 15-point win over the Giants, with scans since confirming a strain.

The Bulldogs on Monday that the injury would sideline Treloar for at least the next two matches.

Last week’s sub Lachlan McNeil, Hayden Crozier (26 touches with 13 marks in the VFL), Mitch Hannan (17 disposals and two goals), Toby McLean (25 possessions), appear most likely to come into the 22.

Meanwhile, Ugle-Hagan faces a test this week to determine his fitness after he suffered an adductor issue in the win over the Giants.

CARLTON could bring sub Matt Kennedy into the 22 after he impressed, but Zac Fisher would also be in the mix after responding to his axing with a 29-disposal haul in the VFL.