Tribunal Update: Dawson Cops 2

St Kilda have paid for the price for challenging the Zac Dawson's rough conduct charge with the $220k defender suspended for two weeks at the tribunal tonight.

The Saints defender, who is owned by almost 35,000 DT coaches, would have missed just the one match with an early plea but instead will now miss the upcoming games against the Western Bulldogs and Sydney.

The other charge this week was for another Sainter, $271k forward/ruck Justin Koschitzke but he accepted a one-week ban for striking Adelaide's Richie Douglas.

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Johnson Doubtful Again, Bartel Back

Geelong coach Mark Thompson has admitted popular $405k forward Stevie Johnson could miss another match whilst acknowledging Jimmy Bartel should return this week.

Johnson has missed the last couple of weeks with a hip complaint and could be unavailable again for the Grand Final re-match with Hawthorn this weekend.

The Geelong coach also elaborated on injuries to $198k defender Tom Harley and $364k midfielder James Kelly along with Bartel.

Thompson said, “(Jimmy) Bartel is a good chance to come back, (James) Kelly is a really good chance to come back and Stevie Johnson’s got to tick a few boxes and Tom Harley the same.

“Johnson’s about 70-30, maybe 80-20. Harley’s a touch behind Steve but I think he’s pretty keen to play.

“The two most likely are Bartel and Kelly.”

$217k def David Johnson has also been listed as facing a test after a calf injury, while $109k midfielder Nathan Djerrkura will definitely miss another week with a corked thigh.

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Around The Grounds

• Essendon's $305k forward Angus Monfries is in line for a return from injury this weekend. Bombers coach Matty Knights said, "Angus at this stage would seem right to go. All the medical information coming through is that he'll be fine. I think our medical staff are very diligent, so if they're saying to me pretty early in the week they consider him a very strong chance I would have thought he's nearly over the line.

• A worry for almost 60,000 DT coaches who own Melbourne's $347k defender Jack Grimes after the young back was listed as facing a test this week by the Dees. Grimes has a back complaint and may not be fit to face Sydney this weekend.

• Western Bulldogs coach Rodney Eade acknowledged today that popular $377k forward Daniel Giansiracusa is on track to return to AFL footy in Round 21. Giansiracusa is currently out with cartilage damage in his knee.
  

• Adelaide's $202k midfielder Patrick Dangerfield has declared himself a certain starter for this weekend's Showdown with Port Adelaide. Dangerfield was concussed against St Kilda on Sunday but has recovered well.
  

• Amidst all the ruck carnage at the moment, some good news for DT coaches is popular Melbourne $75k ruck Jake Spencer is officially off the club's injury list and available for selection.

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Fremantle Guns Set To Return

Fremantle's gun duo $361k forward Matt Pavlich and $415k ruck Aaron Sandilands look likely to return this weekend to face the Eagles after injuries.

Pavlich spoke to the media today having missed the last three matches with a calf injury.

"I trained really well over the weekend and then again yesterday morning. I'm running at 100 per cent," Pavlich said.

"If it's too much of a risk and I'm going to be a liability then I won't play, but I'm certainly positive that's not going to be the case and once I get through tomorrow afternoon's session we'll definitely know that."

The forward, who is owned by over 53,000 DT coaches, also spoke about Sandilands who has missed the last 2 matches with a minor hamstring strain.

"[Sandilands] trained really well again yesterday. I would say he's certain to play," Pavlich added.

Pavlich also commented that $199k fwd Chris Tarrant should be okay for the Derby despite sustained a leg injury against the Lions on Saturday night.

"[Tarrant] came back with a pretty good scan result and he's been moving pretty well, so we're hoping he'll play," Pavlich said.

It was also revealed Byron Schammer (calf) and Des Headland (hamstring) were unlikely to be fit to face the Eagles.

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