Collingwood tall sidelined for months, gun Cat available, latest on Carlton star- AFL injury news

Read up on the latest injury news across the competition.

Tuesday afternoons mean injury news, with a majority of AFL clubs set to confirm the latest from their casualty wards by Tuesday evening.

The latest across the competition has confirmed a Collingwood ruckman has required surgery on a toe injury that will place him on the sidelines for a lengthy period, while there’s mixed news at Moorabbin and a Cats veteran prepares to return.

Here’s the latest AFL injury news ahead of Round 7.

Essendon small forward pushing for ANZAC Day selection

The Bombers’ forward line could welcome back Peter Wright from suspension, as well as Matt Guelfi from injury, with the latter a ‘test’ for Thursday’s ANZAC Day, clash with Collingwood.

Guelfi injured his calf in Round 1 against Hawthorn and has been on the mend up until now, with the club revealing he’s a chance to feature in a couple of days.

Midfielder Archie Perkins will be held back, with an eye on returning in Round 8 after recovering well from his hamstring strain in Gather Round.

Port Adelaide defender, veteran midfielder expected to play

Port Adelaide pair Lachie Jones and Travis Boak are on the mend are are likely to put their hand up for selection in Round 7.

Boak – who has been nursing a sore back from over a fortnight ago – is tracking positively toward a return.

Teammate Jones felt hamstring awareness during Saturday’s loss to Collingwood, with scans clearing the defender of any issues.

Quinton Narkle and Trent McKenzie are expected to be sidelined for an extended period, with the latter hurting his quad.

Narkle was sent for scans which revealed a stress in his navicular and will begin off-legs conditioning this week.

Geelong midfielder cleared for return 

Premiership Cat Cameron Guthrie has been cleared to make his return from a quad injury that kept the veteran midfielder sidelined for the opening six matches of the season.

Guthrie strained his quad in the opening moments of Geelong’s pre-season hitout with Carlton in February and has since undergone a thorough recovery process to near a return.

The Cats confirmed on Tuesday afternoon that the 31-year-old is available for selection heading into Round 7, with the club likely to weigh up playing Guthrie at VFL level prior to a return in Chris Scott’s side.

Geelong are also expected to have forward Gary Rohan in the senior selection mix following a period in the state league, while Rhys Stanley and Zach Tuohy could also come into the side to face Carlton on Saturday after being managed for Round 6.

Defender Tom Stewart and fringe tall Phoenix Foster have both entered concussion protocols at Kardinia Park, with the former to be replaced in Scott’s squad for their upcoming game against the Blues at the MCG.

Surgery sidelines Magpie for three months

Fringe Collingwood ruckman Oscar Steene faces at least three months on the sidelines after requiring surgery for a toe injury.

Steene hurt his foot in the VFL over a week ago and has since undergone a procedure to fix the ailment, with the 2022 recruit anticipated to spend an extended period out of action.

Meanwhile, the Magpies have welcomed Harry DeMattia (finger), Nathan Kreuger (calf) and Jakob Ryan (hand) back to full training over the past week, while pre-season recruit Joshua Eyre is building his workloads after hurting his hamstring in the pre-season.

Forward Dan McStay has returned to training following some time away from the club. The former Lion has been in a recovery block since the pre-season.