Essendon has ruled out star midfielder Darcy Parish for Saturday’s season opener against Hawthorn due to a hamstring injury sustained during training last week.
Parish is also doubtful for the round 2 match against Sydney at the SCG, but the Bombers will be able to replace the All-Australian midfielder with Ben Hobbs after deeming the third-year player fit to play.
“(Parish) tweaked his hamstring during training last week and despite initial hopes that he would be right to play against the Hawks this Saturday, further medical consultation (on Tuesday) confirmed that he won’t get up for the round one fixture,” a spokesman for the Bombers said.
Dylan Shiel has been classed as a “test” as he heals from a recurring foot ailment, but the 31-year-old is unlikely to return at the senior level after missing both of the Bombers’ preseason games.
Versatile defender Jake Kelly is fit to play the Hawks after recovering from a hamstring strain, and he could reinforce a back six that is missing Jordan Ridley, whom Essendon expects to be selected before round 4.
Collingwood veteran Jeremy Howe will have a fitness test on Wednesday as he attempts to return in time for Friday night’s game against Sydney, while the Magpies confirmed Nathan Murphy was resuming contact training as he prepares to play again after suffering his 10th concussion in the 2023 grand final.
“Defender Nathan Murphy has begun a return-to-contact program aimed at increasing confidence in match play scenarios,” a club statement said on Tuesday.
“The 24-year-old is progressing well through this, and his return is still to be confirmed.”
The Magpies also provided a general return timeline for draftee Harry DeMattia (broken finger), stating that the rebounding defender would be back between rounds 8 and 11.
Star trio bolsters Richmond Tigers will make at least four changes from their first round setback to Gold Coast, with star forward Tom Lynch set to return after 11 months on the sidelines.
Lynch will play his first game since suffering a catastrophic foot injury in round four of last season, as Dustin Martin, captain Toby Nankervis, and small forward Rhyan Mansell have all been cleared to play against Carlton on Thursday.
Nankervis (foot) has been given the nod after missing the Tigers’ pre-season matches, with coach Adem Yze stating last week that it was not worth endangering his players in both of their first two games with only a five-day break between.
Vice-captain Jayden Short said it would be “awesome” to have Lynch back in the team after the forward passed a final fitness test at Punt Road on Tuesday without injury.
“Lynch has been out of the game for a long time. Short claimed he had been dealing with a foot issue for about a year.
“To see how he has shown up at the club every day in rehab has been incredible. His attitude toward his rehabilitation has been outstanding. What he’s done for the group, just his positivism at the club, is incredible.
We had (those) boys train on Tuesday. They have a good appearance… Rhyan Mansell had an excellent pre-season. “I’m always excited when you get guys back from rehab.”
It comes as Sydney provided an update on Taylor Adams’ recovery timeline following a lateral ligament strain sustained during a pre-season encounter against Brisbane.
The Swans stated that Adams was “moving well” and no longer required a leg brace, with his comeback expected in two to three weeks.
Angus Sheldrick has been out for a month after fracturing his little finger in a VFL practice match last weekend, significantly reducing Sydney’s midfield depth.
Sheldrick was deemed surplus to needs in the season opener against Melbourne, but his good pre-season form and the injuries to Adams, Callum Mills, and Luke Parker appeared to position him for an eventual midfield opportunity.
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