“Obviously Sam’s been through a bit to get to the point where he’s been playing enough minutes to convince us he might be ready for a game,” Bulldogs coach Luke Beveridge said on Thursday.
“So, you’re making your debut this week, big fella.”
Sam Darcy in action in the VFL last month.Credit:AFL Photos
Darcy said he was “unbelievably excited” and it was all “a bit overwhelming”.
“I can’t wait to run out with the boys on Saturday night,” said Darcy.
“When the announcement was made, the energy was unbelievable and it is something I will never forget.”
Ben Brown to come back, Melbourne at ‘full strength’
Marnie Vinall
Melbourne key forward Ben Brown will make his return for the Friday night blockbuster against Collingwood after a stint on the sidelines due to ongoing knee issues.
Simon Goodwin confirmed on Thursday the premiership player is right to go and that “he’s feeling 100 per cent” after the club took a considered approach to his recovery.
“It was a great opportunity to give him some rest, give him some treatment on that knee and then reload it a bit in the right way, in a safe way,” said Goodwin.
The Melbourne coach noted Brown would be a valuable player for the side and help them get into some good form heading into the final rounds of the season.
Ben Brown celebrating a goal in round 17.Credit:Getty Images
“If you look at what he’s been able to do throughout his career, he’s an important player for us, and you saw what he was able to do at the back end of last year.
“I thought his form was really trending before he went out of the team with his knee. So, he gives us a real focal point, he’s a really smart player, he’s a goalkicker and he maximises his opportunities.”
Goodwin also confirmed Christian Salem and Luke Jackson would play after receiving some knocks last week and James Harmes got through all his concussion protocols.
“We’re pretty much full strength in terms of the way that we want to play and get our cohesion together, so, yeah everyone’s right to go.
“... It’s very hard to keep James Harmes down for too long.”
Melbourne last played Collingwood in round 13, when the Pies claimed a 26-point victory amid a patch of footy where the Demons lost three in a row.
Goodwin says the club had learnt a lot since that game and was looking forward to the opportunity to put those findings and new form on display.
“This is a great challenge for us, they’re in enormous form, won 10 in a row and we’re looking forward to that challenge.”
Tigers hold out hope for Grimes return in 2022
Damien Hardwick concedes Richmond co-captain Dylan Grimes is unlikely to play again this season unless the Tigers make a deep run into the finals.
Grimes will miss the remaining three home-and-away rounds, starting with Saturday night’s crunch game against Port Adelaide, because of his latest hamstring setback.
The triple-premiership defender had surgery on Thursday to repair tendon damage in the hope he can return during September.
“He won’t play in the regular season, that part’s done and dusted,” Hardwick told reporters on Thursday.
“[It depends on] how far we go in the finals and it gives him a chance if we make it.
“This [surgery] gives him his best chance to get back this year, we feel.”
In the meantime Josh Gibcus and Rhyan Mansell are in the frame to plug the hole in defence.
“We’ve got some players who can fill the void although we are replacing a pretty valuable player,” Hardwick said.
Richmond sit two points behind eighth-placed St Kilda after last week’s thrilling win over Brisbane and take on a dangerous Port Adelaide at Adelaide Oval before matches against Hawthorn and Essendon in the run home.
The finals race lingers as a possible distraction, but Hardwick doesn’t expect any issues keeping his side focused on the immediate task at hand.
“It’s pretty easy, that’s what we do,” he said.
“We stick firmly to what we can control and that’s this week’s game versus Port Adelaide.
“Our prep is firmly on them and the way they play the game.”
AAP
Timeline on Grundy’s return unclear
Collingwood are unsure whether Brodie Grundy will be fit to make his AFL comeback before the finals following the star ruckman’s latest injury setback.
Grundy returned from three months on the sidelines with a knee injury through the VFL last week and was hopeful of breaking into the Magpies’ side for Friday night’s blockbuster against Melbourne.
But an ankle injury suffered at training has thrown up another hurdle for the dual All-Australian ruckman.
Grundy did not train with teammates on Thursday and is unlikely to play at any level this week.
Whether he is fit to play in the Magpies’ last two qualifying matches before the finals – against fellow top-eight sides Sydney and Carlton – remains to be seen.
Brodie Grundy has had another injury setback.Credit:Getty Images
“I was happy with the amount of minutes he played in the VFL but he just pulled up sore,” Collingwood coach Craig McRae told reporters on Thursday.
“Obviously we don’t want that. We want him to be fresh and vibrant and jumping around and bringing his best energy.
“We’ll just have to assess what it’s like over the weekend.
“Hopefully he pulls up well from that and then we can progress from there.”
Grundy suffered a knee injury in Collingwood’s win over Essendon in round six and has not been seen at the top level since.
The ankle concern continues what McRae conceded had been a frustrating run for the Magpies and their first-choice ruckman.
“We were hoping to get some momentum and he’s missed a lot of footy this year,” McRae said.
“But he’s got a real positive outlook on life and he’s looking at what he can do in this short-term.
“He might not play this week and then progress from there.”
Collingwood this week ruled out Taylor Adams (groin) for the rest of the home-and-away season and McRae declared the tough midfielder would be touch and go for week one of the finals.
“There’s a bit to play out, but our aim is he’s going to be available for the first week of finals,” McRae said.
“I think he’s going to need all that time to be right.”
AAP
Parfitt a Cat for two more years
Marnie Vinall
Geelong midfielder Brandan Parfitt has resigned with the club, adding two more years to his contract and making him a Cat until at least the end of 2024, the club confirmed on Thursday.
The 24-year-old young gun has played 108 games since debuting in 2017 and said he was thrilled to put pen to paper to continue his stay at the Cattery.
“I’m very happy at Geelong. I enjoy being part of this playing group and love everything about the club.”
Cats general manager of football Simon Lloyd echoed that the club was excited to see Parfitt remain at GMHBA Stadium.
Brandon Parfitt celebrates with Gryan Miers.Credit:Glenn Hunt
“Brandan is an important part of Geelong and our plans moving forward. He has shown to be an integral part of our midfield with his football smarts and physicality.
“It has been pleasing to see Brandan’s development through our system, he has worked very hard and we have no doubt he will continue to improve and take his game to the next level.”
Parfitt made his return to the senior team in last week’s win against the Western Bulldogs on Saturday night after being sidelined since round 12 with a broken hand and COVID-19.
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