Dream Team Couch – 2008 AFL Dream Team Blog

The injuries news is out this week for the upcoming split round, whilst a split round means only one week of dream team over a two week period, it also has a great positive in that it allows players time for their bodies and possible injuries to settle down and recover, and it seems as though the split round has come at the perfect time with many players suffering niggling injuries affecting their performance (cough cough chad).

Lets check out some of the big DT players and how they are going with their injuries…

Andrew Mcleod- Been one of the big stories to come this week, Mcleod needing knee surgery, it sent grown men crying due to their now completely hopeless and depleted backline. He was at first expected to miss 2-3 weeks, but now the feeling is that he may spend 3 maybe 4 weeks on the sidelines. Whilst this is very bad news, the positive in this may be that it could have been the reason for his poor form, and when he returns we may see the Mcleod of old for a very cheap price.

Travis Johnstone- A test will occur this week on his hammy, has missed a few now and even though he is a quality midfielder, i believe the lions might rest him one more week considering they are playing the easiest team in the comp, Melbourne at the MCG, it would mean Bradshaw would have another week off next week due to the split round. Jared Brennan stepped up into Johnstones midfield role and showed he could play, look at Brennan for a good buy in the backline,  if he continues playing midfield he will star i guarantee.

Daniel Bradshaw- In the same boat with Johnstone, both having hammy’s to be tested this week. Bradshaw has seemed to have a delayed comback as it was believed he was a good chance of playing the week after he did his hammy, he has now missed a few weeks. It is believed Bradshaw is right to play even though he is listed as a test, but I wouldnt be surprised if they rested him aswell, his body would certainly be grateful having two more weeks off.

Andrew Walker- Been a long time since he has played (last year). His shoulder surgery has apparently been succesful and should play soon. Even though he is listed as a test, I believe many teams would be keen on giving their players the extra week off in a row to make sure they are 100% fit and ready.

Dennis Armfield- A popular rookie who many jumped on his boat after his first two rounds of footy were sensational for a player of 83k. It was believed he would hold his spot, baring injury of course which in the end sadly occured. He had a finger operation earlier in the week and will be on the sidelines for a few weeks. Will maybe only miss two games.

Bachar Houli- The groin strain looks to leave him on teh sidelines for yet another 1-2 weeks, meaning he may only miss one game. Most people have traded off houli anyway, he was a popular money maker early on in the year.

Daniel Gilmore- Suffered concussion and looks to be tested this week. As i mentioned earlier the split round gives teams the chance to rest players from one more game which will actually get them two weeks off.

Matthew Scarlett- Will be available for the upcoming clash against the crows in a fortnight. The cats will welcome his return but will it cost harry taylor his position for a few weeks?

Matthew Stokes- A late ommision from last weeks game against the eagles, turned out they probably didnt need him anyway. Will definately be available for their match in a fornight.

Chance Bateman- His corky has been giving him troubles, it sat him on the sidelines last week and he will be tested this week for the hawks clash against west coast friday night. Its a game the hawks should win and it is a friday nighter, so the hawks may be keen on resting a few guys.

Shane Crawford- Knee tendonitis has listed him as a test yet again, not sure on when he will return he has been all over the place on his return date.

Brad Sewell- Just a few weeks away from playing now, may only miss the next game after his shoulder surgery.

Hamish Macintosh- Still 7-9 away with his knee injury, roos hope he will return round 22 to give him one game before finals as after the roos win on the weekend, they look likely to make it.

Peter Burgoyne- Officially listed as 2 weeks, which means he may only miss one game, but may miss two , not too sure right now other than port will be keen to get him back only when he is 100% fit for it.

Chad Cornes- Not listed as being injured which is good news, even better news is that they may hold off on Chads surgery until the end of the year. This of course is only good news if chad plays well, there is no use in him scoring like he did on the weekend for the next 7 rounds.

Steven Salopek- Hes been a winner for the port midfield this year so far, sadly an achillies injury will set him back 3-4 weeks, if you have him, might be time to trade.

Kane Johnson- Listed as test but the tigers believe he will alright to return.

Jake King- Same boat as kane, listed as a test but the tigers believe he will return, the tigers want to make finals so i cant see them worrying about resting players unless completely neccesary.

Lenny Hayes- After his stella first quarter last week, he did his hammy. Only listed as a test which is good news, but suspected he will have the week off.

Justin Koreallyshitski- Another injured player on the sainst mammoth injury list, is listed as a test for his knee injury, will be interesting to see what the saints do as they have a few top 22 players all listed as tests this week.

Matt Rosa- 4-6 on his ankle, if you still have him for some reason, get him out.

Scott West- Another 5 weeks on the cards for scott west, this recent blow has been the one which has really led most people to believe its his last year, hopefully he can return before seasons end and finish his career playing footy, not on the sidelines.

Shaun Higgins- Just one more week of for higgo is the go with his ankle injury, may not star this year but watch out, next year will tear it up.

Entire teams list of injuries

BRISBANE LIONS
Scott Harding (knee) TBA
Travis Johnstone (hamstring) test
Justin Sherman (back) test
Daniel Bradshaw (hamstring) test
Nigel Lappin (achilles) test
Matthew Tyler (back/hamstring) test
Pearce Hanley (hamstring) test
Colm Begley (quad) 1 week
Jason Roe (hamstring) 1 week
Pat Garner (hamstring) 3-5 weeks

CARLTON
Jordan Bannister (hamstring) test
Andrew Walker (shoulder) test
Clinton Benjamin (quad) 3 weeks
Ryan Houlihan (hip) 3-4 weeks
Paul Bower (shoulder) 5 weeks
Richard Hadley (groin) indefinite

COLLINGWOOD
Ryan Lonie (shoulder) available
Shannon Cox (concussion) test
Brodie Holland (achilles) 1-2 weeks
Anthony Rocca (ankle) 6-8 weeks
Ben Reid (foot) 6-8 weeks
Sean Rusling (shoulder) season
Brad Dick (knee) season

ESSENDON
Tom Hislop (shoulder) available
Heath Hocking (groin) available
Henry Slattery (broken cheekbone) 1 week
Darcy Daniher (back) 1-2 weeks
Bachar Houli (groin) 1-2 weeks
Courtenay Dempsey (leg) 3 weeks
Andrew Lee (shoulder) 3-4 weeks
Jason Johnson (calf) 4 weeks
Scott Gumbleton (collarbone) indefinite
Alwyn Davey (knee) season

FREMANTLE
Daniel Gilmore (concussion) test
Michael Johnson (ankle) test
Shaun McManus (knee) test
Luke McPharlin (ribs) test
Luke Pratt (calf) test
Luke Webster (knee) 1 week
Des Headland (knee) 4 weeks
Andrew Foster (back) season
Paul Hasleby (knee) season

GEELONG
Matthew Scarlett (hamstring) available
Mathew Stokes (knee soreness) available
David Johnson (hamstring) available
Shannon Byrnes (foot) test
Matthew Egan (foot) season

HAWTHORN
Trent Croad (bruised hip) available
Chance Bateman (corked quad) test
Tim Clarke (corked quad) test
Shane Crawford (knee tendonitis) test
Simon Taylor (cut knee) test
Cameron Stokes (hamstring) 1 week
Brad Sewell (shoulder) 1-2 weeks
Max Bailey (knee) season
Beau Muston (knee) season

MELBOURNE
Jack Grimes (back) available
Daniel Bell (hamstring) test
Jared Rivers (abdominals) 4-6 weeks
Brent Moloney (shoulder) season
Russell Robertson (achilles) season

NORTH MELBOURNE
Jesse Smith (hamstring) 1 week
Jess Sinclair (ankle) 1-2 weeks
Aaron Edwards (broken leg) 3 weeks
Robbie Tarrant (shoulder) 3 weeks
Hamish McIntosh (knee) 7-9 weeks
Leigh Adams (knee) season
Nathan Grima (knee) season

PORT ADELAIDE
Paul Stewart (neck) available
Matthew Westhoff (foot) available
Matt Lobbe (finger) test
Peter Burgoyne (hamstring) 2 weeks
Toby Thurstans (knee) 2-3 weeks
Steven Salopek (achilles) 3-4 weeks

RICHMOND
Kane Johnson (knee) test
Jake King (hamstring) test
Will Thursfield (hamstring) test
Luke McGuane (hamstring) 2 weeks
Mark Coughlan (hamstring) indefinite

ST KILDA
Matthew Ferguson (groin) test
Lenny Hayes (back/hamstring) test
Justin Koschitzke (knee) test
Adam Schneider (hamstring) test
Jayden Attard (knee) 1 week
Xavier Clarke (hamstring) 1 week
Glenn Chivers (foot) 1 week
Michael Gardiner (hamstring) 1 week
Steven Baker (knee) 1-2 weeks
Eljay Connors (shoulder) season
Matt Maguire (broken foot) season
Luke van Rheenen (foot) season

SYDNEY
Peter Everitt (hamstring) 1 week
Ed Barlow (hamstring) 1 week
Nic Fosdike (hamstring) 1 week
Matthew Laidlaw (hamstring) indefinite
Daniel O’Keefe (groin) season
Kristin Thornton (knee) season

WEST COAST
Chad Jones (ankle) test
Josh Kennedy (knee) test
Adam Selwood (throat) test
Matthew Spangher (shoulder) test
Shannon Hurn (fractured fibula) 1-2 weeks
Matt Rosa (ankle) 4-6 weeks
Mitchell Brown (knee) season

WESTERN BULLDOGS
Shaun Higgins (ankle) 1 week
Scott West (knee) 1 week
Tom Williams (shoulder) 1 week
Tim Callan (hamstring) 2 weeks
Wayde Skipper (knee) 4 weeks
Brennan Stack (ankle) TBC