In today’s AFL briefing, your daily wrap of footy news:
- The timeline for Steele Sidebottom’s return has been revealed, while Pies coach Craig McRae is under the weather.
- Justin Leppitsch on the Richmond coaching vacancy.
- The order for Wednesday night’s mid-season draft has been released.
Sidebottom to miss up to eight weeks
Roy Ward
Collingwood midfielder Steele Sidebottom is expected to miss six to eight weeks after injuring his right knee in his 300th game on Sunday.
The 32-year-old strained the medical collateral ligament during the Magpies’ win over North Melbourne. Collingwood have won seven straight games and sit on top of the ladder after 11 rounds.
Sidebottom wasn’t the only Magpie sidelined on Wednesday with coach Craig McRae unwell and remaining at home, while senior assistant coach Justin Leppitsch took charge of training.
“We are all disappointed for Steele, especially given the occasion it was, who at this stage will miss around six to eight weeks of football,” Collingwood football general manager Graham Wright said.
Collingwood midfielder Steele Sidebottom watches on after injuring his knee.Credit: Getty Images
“In true Steele style, he got around his teammates and continued to enjoy the moment albeit being on the sideline.
“We expect and look forward to seeing Steele return to the senior side in the back half of the season.”
Leppitsch expects McRae will be fit and healthy in the coming days.
“He’s just a little unwell,” Leppitsch said.
“It’s not bad. You just figure stay away, obviously things can get contagious, potentially, so nothing that’s going to stop him from being there this weekend.
“He’ll be fine by the time we get on the plane.”
Forward Jamie Elliott will also miss the clash with West Coast at Optus Stadium on Saturday with a shoulder injury.
“It’s not too bad at all [Elliott’s shoulder], he’s been managing it for about a month, but given the six-day break and the travel and hadn’t pulled up as well as it previously had, we decided that this is the week probably best not to play,” Leppitsch said.
With AAP
‘Pie in the sky thing’: Leppitsch on the Richmond vacancy
Justin Leppitsch insists he is committed to Collingwood but would not rule out an approach from Richmond to be Damien Hardwick’s successor.
The former Brisbane Lions coach instantly became a favourite to head back to Punt Rd after Hardwick’s shock decision last week to leave the Tigers after almost 14 seasons in charge.
Leppitsch had two successful stints working as an assistant at Richmond under Hardwick, including during the Tigers’ three premierships in 2017, 2019 and 2020.
The 47-year-old has been an integral part of Collingwood’s coaching staff during the Magpies’ extraordinary surge up the ladder under Craig McRae.
“I guess I’m long enough now from my last appointment [at Brisbane] that I’m not burnt by the experience,” Leppitsch said on Wednesday.
Pies coach Craig McRae, and assistant Justin Leppitsch.Credit: Getty Images
“But I think these things, it’s almost like a marriage, you’ve got to commit together for a long period of time.
“It’s such a pie in the sky thing for me at the moment.
“I’m really committed to this club [Collingwood] and where it’s going, and I’ve just started this journey, so for me, it’s not even on the radar.”
Leppitsch said he was “not ready” to answer if he would consider an approach from Richmond.
“The difference is I know everyone at Richmond,” he said.
“[Richmond football performance manager] Tim Livingstone and I speak to all the time because we do Powerball every Thursday night.
“It’s not like I need to go through an interview process. They might decide they want to go in a completely different way.
“I think it’s too early to decide, it’s such a long period of the season to go.
“You never say never because you never know if an opportunity presents, and it suits where you’re at in your time in life, well, why wouldn’t all of us take an opportunity like that if you want to do it.”
Leppitsch said Hardwick’s announcement to immediately leave Richmond surprised him.
“I always knew ‘Dimma’ was never going to overstay his welcome,” Leppitsch said. “I definitely knew that part of it, but I didn’t think anyone would have predicted it would be so soon. At the time I was shocked, but in hindsight I think I can see why he made the decision – he made it for the club to give them the best chance.”
Leppitsch coached the Lions between 2014 and 2016 during a tough transformational period for the club, winning just 14 of his 66 matches in charge. The triple premiership defender has previously given interviews where he acknowledged mistakes he made while coaching the Lions but said the environment wasn’t set up to give Brisbane the best chance to succeed.
AFL mid-season draft order confirmed
Roy Ward
Hawthorn, Richmond, GWS and Sydney will have two selections each in the AFL mid-season rookie draft on Wednesday night.
The AFL confirmed the final draft order this morning ahead of the draft at 7pm (AEST).
West Coast will have the first pick followed by North Melbourne, Hawthorn, Richmond and GWS.
The order is decided by reverse ladder order at the end of round 11 and there will be 15 selections overall.
AFL mid-season rookie draft order 2023
- West Coast
- North Melbourne
- Hawthorn
- Richmond
- GWS
- Sydney
- Geelong
- Fremantle
- Essendon
- Western Bulldogs
- Port Adelaide
- Hawthorn
- Richmond
- GWS
- Sydney
