Dream Team Couch – 2008 AFL Dream Team Blog

Another week in Football means another week of the major dilemna for coaches, injuries. Updates on major DT players are as follows.

Brad Symes: His ankle sprain which was at first only gonna cost him a couple of games on the sidelines turned ugly and has ended up putting him out for 6 weeks now and he is still not expected to return until next week, round 13.

Daniel Bradshaw- Pulled his hammy to the dismay of many as he has been a very popular choice this year. Managed a measly 6 points before the hammy struck, wouldnt you be shattered if you had him as captain? The extent of his injur…y is still unknown, common for many hamstring injuries over the first few days. Stayed tuned this week for more news on Bradshaw, so far Bradshaw is To Be Assesed.

Josh Drummond- Has had his injury issues this year missing the first few games, then recently did his hammy. Was a DT gun last year and could solve some backline woes if he gets a decent string of games under his belt. Will be tested this week on his hammy, stay tuned.

Jason Roe- One of six players on the lions list with hammys, might need to work on touching your toes fella’s, will also be tested this week on his hamstring.

Andrew Walker- The carlton defender/midfield hasnt played a game this year due to shoulder surgery in the pre-season. Should be available for return in 2-3 weeks, good news for carlton and dream teamers because this guy is a gun. Classed as a backman, he averaged 20 touches a game last year and is just 22 years old. Classed as a backman and will be a very handy inclusion into DT sides either this year or next.

 Simon Prestigiacomo- The Legend of DT (not) will be back in 2-3 weeks from his foot injury, this is not news which should impact your team because you should not let it cross your mind ever to put this man into your side, good player, bad dream teamer.

Ricky Dyson- After having his appendix taken out a couple of weeks ago will be available this week, looked promising at the start of this year to many coaches but hasnt quite lived up to expectations.

Jobe Watson- One of the main midfielders in essendons depleted centreline, will have a test this week on his knee. Since he has been out of the side Stanton has had some good form, wonder if this is coincidence or a genuine impact on his performance.

Mattew Scarlett- Hammy on the weekend for the rarely injured full back, looks to miss 2 weeks, initial it was thought to be 2-3 weeks so i wouldnt be sure on putting a set date on his return, you really never can with soft tissue injuries.

Stuart Dew- Available this week after his second hammy of the year, thats what a year off football and constantly on the piss does to your body. Popular player who may put on a smile on many coaches faces with his inclusion.

Shane Crawford- Crawf is getting on, and his body is showing it. Injured his knee and it is not known how long he will be out for. Will be assesed this week but things dont look to good for him.

Chance Bateman- Corked thigh will have him tested this week, a suprise packet gun this year similar to many of the Hawks back’s and midfielders.

Brent Guerra- The man who pulled 161 this year also pulled his hammy a while ago. Has been out for 4 weeks and should still miss one more and be ready round 13.

Brad Sewell- His shoulder has put him on the sidelines and under the knife, 4-5 weeks out is expected with 6-7 the initial thought last week.

Brent Moloney- Word is he has hurt his shoulder, but i saw the game on the weekend and watched him come off with a wrist injury? Either way is still to be assesed.

Corey Jones- The forward who is not having his greatest season was a withdrawl last week due to an ankle injury, will have a test this week.

Nathan Thompson- A knee injury put the big full forward out last week against the cats, will also be tested this week.

Brett Ebert- His ankle injury which occured in a game where he kicked 6 goals is not as bad as first thought and will be tested this week.

Kane Johnson- A knee injury is still sidelining him for 2-3 weeks, been a quality dream teamer showing some great form before his injury a couple of weeks ago.

Mark Coughlan- Had special hammy treatment in Germany with the same bloke who fixed up max rooke before last years grand final. His return is still indefinite.

Ben McKinley- Young full forward has shown some form for the eagles this year. Injured his shoulder and will be tested.

Matt Rosa- Ankle injury sidelining him for a further 5-7 weeks, not a bad performer in DT.

Brian Lake- Big Brian should be right for return this week after bruising his knee (oh poor baby).

Shaun Higgins- Still 6 weeks away with his ankle injury, a real gun player who i see as being a very good player next year upon full recovery.

Chad Cornes- Interestingly enough not listed as being injured, understatement on the injury there or is Mark Williams bullshitting about his knee issues, if you havent already hear Chad apparently has some serious issues with cartilege in his knee about could require surgery which would put him out for 5 weeks. Also has his finger problems (just cut it off you wuss). But, when surgery is performed on knee cartliege it normally puts one out for about three months, 12 weeks, a bit off Mark William’s prediction of 5 weeks. This mysterious knee issue is certainly interesting so stayed tuned later this week when i get to the bottom of whats going on with chads knee.

Entire list

ADELAIDE
Myke Cook (hamstring) TBA
Jonathon Griffin (hip) test
Kris Massie (hamstring) 1 week
Brad Symes (ankle) 1 week
Brad Moran (hamstring) 2 weeks
Rhett Biglands (knee) season

BRISBANE
Daniel Bradshaw (hamstring) TBA
Scott Harding (knee) TBA
Matthew Moody (groin) available
Josh Drummond (hamstring) test
Ashley McGrath (hamstring) test
Jason Roe (hamstring) test
Sam Sheldon (groin) 1 week
Wayde Mills (knee) 1-2 weeks
Haydn Kiel (hamstring) 2 weeks
Pearce Hanley (hamstring) 3 weeks
Colm Begley (quad) 2-3 weeks
Nigel Lappin (achilles) 3 weeks

CARLTON
Jordan Bannister (hamstring) test
Eddie Betts (ankle) test
Michael Jamison (shoulder) test
Richard Hadley (groin) 2-3 weeks
Andrew Walker (shoulder) 2-3 weeks
Ryan Houlihan (hip) 6-7 weeks
Paul Bower (shoulder) 7 weeks

COLLINGWOOD
Anthony Rocca (ankle) available
Luke Casey-Leigh (groin) available
Alan Toovey (shoulder) available
Brodie Holland (achilles) test
Simon Prestigiacomo (foot) 2-3 weeks
Sean Rusling (shoulder) season
Brad Dick (knee) season

ESSENDON
Ricky Dyson (appendix) available
Jay Neagle (foot) available
Jobe Watson (knee) test
Tom Hislop (shoulder) test
Jason Winderlich (back) test
Jay Nash (head) test
Darcy Daniher (back) 1 week
Heath Hocking (groin) 1 week
Jason Johnson (calf) 2 weeks
Courtenay Dempsey (leg) 3 weeks
Alwyn Davey (knee) season
Andrew Lee (shoulder) indefinite

FREMANTLE
Luke Pratt (ankle) test
Steven Dodd (calf) 1 week
Roger Hayden (collapsed lung) 2 weeks
Luke Webster (knee) 2 weeks
Des Headland (knee) 6 weeks
Paul Hasleby (knee) season

GEELONG
Dave Johnson (hamstring) 1-2 weeks
Matthew Scarlett (hamstring) 2 weeks
Shannon Byrnes (foot) 3 weeks
Matthew Egan (foot) season

HAWTHORN
Max Bailey (knee) available
Stuart Dew (hamstring) available
Shane Crawford (knee) TBC
Simon Taylor (knee) TBC
Chance Bateman (thigh) test
Travis Tuck (jarred knee) test
Brent Guerra (hamstring) 1 week
Cameron Stokes (hamstring) 1-2 weeks
Brad Sewell (shoulder) 4-5 weeks
Beau Muston (knee) season

MELBOURNE
Jared Rivers (groin) TBA
Brent Moloney (shoulder) TBA
Aaron Davey (hamstring) test
James Frawley (shoulder) test
Michael Newton (hamstring) test
Jack Grimes (back) 3-4 weeks
Russell Robertson (achilles) season

NORTH MELBOURNE
Corey Jones (ankle) test
Jesse Smith (hamstring) test
Nathan Thompson (knee) test
Andrew Swallow (ankle) 2 weeks
Jess Sinclair (ankle) 3-4 weeks
Aaron Edwards (broken leg) 5 weeks
Robbie Tarrant (shoulder) 5 weeks
Leigh Adams (knee) season
Nathan Grima (knee) season

PORT ADELAIDE
Daniel Boyle (hamstring) test
Brett Ebert (ankle) test
Mitch Farmer (groin) test
Paul Stewart (neck) test
Matt Lobbe (broken finger) 1 week
Matthew Westhoff (foot) 1 week
Ryan Williams (hamstring) 1 week
Toby Thurstans (knee) 4-5 weeks

RICHMOND
Kane Johnson (knee) 2-3 weeks
Will Thursfield (hamstring) 2-3 weeks
Mark Coughlan (hamstring) indefinite

ST KILDA
Sam Gilbert (shoulder) test
Stephen King (lower back) test
Justin Koschitzke (jarred knee) test
Xavier Clarke (hamstring) 1-2 weeks
Robert Harvey (calf) 1-2 weeks
Jayden Attard (knee) 1-3 weeks
Glenn Chivers (foot) 1-3 weeks
Eljay Connors (shoulder) season
Matt Maguire (foot) season
Luke van Rheenen (foot) season

SYDNEY
Brett Meredith (shoulder) test
Peter Everitt (hamstring) test
Patrick Veszpremi (groin) 1 week
Matthew Laidlaw (hamstring) 1-2 weeks
Daniel O’Keefe (groin) season
Kristin Thornton (knee) season

WEST COAST
Brad Ebert (ankle) test
Ben McKinley (shoulder) test
Will Schofield (corked thigh) test
Chad Jones (ankle) 1-2 weeks
Josh Kennedy (strained knee) 1-2 weeks
Shannon Hurn (fractured fibula) 2-3 weeks
Matt Rosa (ankle) 5-7 weeks
Mitch Brown (knee) season

WESTERN BULLDOGS
Brian Lake (bruised knee) available
Scott West (knee) 2 weeks
Shaun Higgins (ankle) 6 weeks
Wayde Skipper (knee) 7 weeks