UPDATE: GEELONG has confirmed forward Daniel Menzel will need his fourth knee reconstruction, putting his career in jeopardy at just 21. Menzel will sit out the rest of the season, although LARS surgery was again an option that will be weighed up. And for what it’s worth, Menzel was handed a one week suspension by

HAWTHORN skipper Luke Hodge is in a race against time to be fit for the season opener against Geelong just 12 months on from missing the majority of the first half of the season last year for the grand finalists. In a major disappointment for Hawk fans, Hodge – an important weapon of the clubs’

HAWTHORN may opt to rest star forward Lance Franklin for next week’s clash against Greater Western Sydney even if he pulls up well from last night’s clash against Carlton. Franklin, who kicked four goals, suffered hamstring tightness in the final term. Coach Alastair Clarkson believes the injury wasn’t a major concern as the Hawks approach

CARLTON coach Brett Ratten believes the team can still make the finals despite last night’s horrendous 50-point loss to Hawthorn at the MCG. The Blues are increasingly under the microscope, even though they have some injury concerns now made even worse because of a shoulder injury to defender Michael Jamison last night. “Until you get

The undefeated Cats are about to get stronger, with captain Tom Harley set to return against Port Adelaide on Sunday and star ruckman Brad Ottens expected to play within three weeks

Hawthorn received a morale boost yesterday with Trent Croad making his first appearance on the training track for several months

Injuries have doubtless hamstrung Hawthorn this year, proving that it is not necessarily the length of the injury list as the names on it that is crucial

St Kilda’s good run looks set to continue with another senior player coming off the injury list and putting his hand up for selection. Running defender Sean Dempster has been out of the game with a ruptured ACL sustained in the Round 22 match against Essendon last year. (more…)

Football followers are wondering why gun St Kilda half back flanker Jason Gram was dropped to the reserves last weekend. Gram spent the week leading up to Sunday’s clash with the Brisbane Lions nursing a corked thigh, and was not included in the Saints team on Friday, seemingly because of the injury. (more…)

Is West Coast swingman Adam Hunter on the verge of retiring? The 2006 premiership player is on the verge of his 150-game milestone but rumours have reached fever pitch that he is about to give the game away

Melbourne’s preperation for the 2009 premiership season has suffered a setback, with highly rated utility Jack Grimes going down with a back injury

Graham Polak is set to make a miraculous return to AFL football after recovering from being hit by a tram last year

Gun Essendon midfielder Mark McVeigh could be fit to play in round one of the premiership season after scans revealed he has averted serious ankle damage

The reigning premier may start the 2009 premiership season with a disjointed back line, after at least two injuries to key defenders in its NAB Cup quarterfinal loss to Carlton