Worsfold Confident Cox Will Return

West Coast coach John Worsfold claims he is confident $436k ruckman Dean Cox will prove his fitness and play against Melbourne on the weekend.Cox, owned by over 100,000 DT coaches, missed the Eagles 20-point victory over Hawthorn on the weekend due to a niggling groin strain, but returned to light training on Tuesday morning."We're confident that he'll get up," Worsfold said."It was a very minor strain and one that we would expect would have healed by now, (but) you're always just making sure that there's nothing else other than that as well."There's no caution taken into account. If he's fit he'll play."Nevertheless it is understood Cox was...

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Around The Grounds

Fremantle have confirmed $361k gun forward Matt Pavlich will miss two to three weeks with a torn calf. Pavlich, owned by over 75,000 DT coaches, injured the calf on the weekend against Collingwood.Star Collingwood man Scott Pendlebury could surprisingly return to the Pies side as early as this weekend after a knee injury. Pendlebury, a $455k midfielder, could be back to face Essendon along with Leon Davis who missed the Freo game due to an illness. Pies' forward Paul Medhurst said, “We have Leon and probably Scotty Pendlebury to come back in, so someone has to make way.”Carlton coach Brett Ratten has claimed $322k defender Bret Thornton will definitely return to the Blues side this weekend for their trip to face Fremantle. Thornton has withdrawn late from Carlton's last two matches, but Ratten...

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McPhee Doubtful For Pies

Essendon's popular $288k DT def/forward Adam McPhee is facing a race against time to be fit for Friday's Collingwood game due to a calfed cork.McPhee, owned by almost 20,000 DT coaches, missed Essendon's last match against Carlton due to the calf problem and is still struggling with the injury.Bombers coach Matthew Knights said on Tuesday, "He must train well today. I spoke to him about half an hour ago and I said, 'You would have to train at full throttle and get through the session to be put up for selection.'"That's probably still a question mark at this stage with Adam. I won't be playing him unless he's 100 per cent fit."Meanwhile, fellow...

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DreamTeam Update: Tribunal

Another week off for the AFL tribunal after all players charged opted to take early pleas and cop their sentence.Sydney's troubled $266k forward Barry Hall accepted a two-week-ban for striking Adelaide's Ben Rutten. He'll miss games against North Melbourne and Essendon.Meanwhile, Kangaroo $351k forward Drew Petrie is free to play the Swans after accepting a reprimand for striking Western Bulldog Brad Johnson.Richmond young midfielder Trent Cotchin also accepted a reprimand for striking St Kilda's Jarryn Geary and will be free to face Adelaide on the Gold Coast this Saturd...

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News From The Reserves

- In the VFL this weekend, Sandringham got the better of the Coburg Tigers with a 67-point win. St Kilda $244k midfielder David Armitage pushed his case for an AFL run with a best on ground performance, while $235k defender Sean Dempster and Robert Eddy were both in the best.For Coburg, Richmond's Mark Coughlan was in the news after getting reported for a headbutt. Pressing for an AFL game where $234k Tiger Daniel Connors who booted three goals and was amongst the best, while ruck Adam Pattison was good too.Williamstown edged Casey Scorpions by four points this weekend with Bulldogs $251k defender Tim Callan recovering from a concussion last...

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Around The Grounds

Adelaide's $244k forward/ruck Brad Moran is expected to miss the rest of the AFL season due to a serious knee injury. Moran limped off late against Sydney on the weekend and had an MRI scan on Monday. The scan revealed a ruptured posterior cruciate ligament in his left knee. "No decision has been made on whether he will have surgery, but as a guide it is probably a 12-week injury," a club spokesman said.On an official Hawthorn FC press release, the Hawks have listed $242k forward Mark Williams as out of action for 6-8 weeks with a knee injury. Williams injured the knee on the weekend against the West Coast Eagles.Adelaide's $248k midfielder Brent Reilly has been named as a likely starter for the Crows against Richmond this Saturday on the Gold Coast. Reilly had been out with a hamstring injury....

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Giansiracusa Out For 6 Weeks

The Western Bulldogs' star $377k forward Daniel Giansiracusa is facing six weeks on the sidelines in a huge blow for many DT coaches' forward lines.Giansiracusa struggled with a knee injury in the Bulldogs win over North Melbourne on Sunday but got through the game before arthroscopic surgery on Monday revealed the severity of the problem.According to the Herald Sun, Giansiracusa has suffered cartilage damage in the knee.Giansiracusa worryingly admitted after the game, "The knee sort of locked and wouldn't go back to normal. It's happened a couple of times during the year."The forward has a history of knee problems and the latest blow means it...

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MRP Update: Hall Banned Again

Sydney's $266k forward Barry Hall has been offered a two-week-ban by the AFL match review panel for striking Ben Rutten on the weekend.Hall can accept the two-week-suspension with an early plea, otherwise risking a third game out.North Melbourne's $351k ruck/forward Drew Petrie can accept a reprimand and not miss a game after being charged for striking Bulldog Brad Johnson.Richmond $283k youngster Trent Cotchin will cop a reprimand with an early plea after being charged for striking St Kilda's Jarryn Geary.Other enquiries were made about reports for Sydney pair Heath Grundy and Jesse White, Hawk Jordan Lewis and Port's Peter Burgoyne, but no...

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Fevola In Doubt For Trip West

Carlton's $357k forward Brendan Fevola may be unavailable this weekend after undergoing surgery on his little finger over the weekend.Fevola, owned by almost 90,000 DT coaches, may not make the trip west with Carlton as they prepare to face Fremantle at Subiaco Oval on Sunday."Brendan had minor surgery on Saturday to repair ligament damage in his little finger," Carlton's general manager football operations Steven Icke told carltonfc.com.au."We are hopeful that Brendan will train later in the week and be available for selectio...

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Cox May Miss Another

West Coast's popular $436k DT ruckman Dean Cox could miss another week of footy due to a nagging groin strain.The big Eagle, owned by over 100,000 DT coaches, missed West Coast's win over Hawthorn on the weekend and is no guarantee for the club's next game against Melbourne according to the Perth Sunday Times.West Coast footy manager Neale Daniher said, "He will have to show that he's pain free for us to consider him when we increase his training through the week."We won't know that until more into the middle of the week. We have had him in cotton wool all last week with very little training at all really."If it takes another week to have him...

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DT Round 13 Movers & Shakers

Plenty of price fluctuations and changes this week, and with DT finals now just 5 weeks away it is getting towards business time. So I'll try to point out a few bargains, cash cows, dreamers etc etc. Anyway as per usual we'll go through it chronologically starting with the winners from Friday night.For Essendon, the Hayden Skipworth bandwagon is still alive after the midfielder scored an 84 to take him up $24k to $296k.Veteran forward Scotty Lucas (82) posted another healthy increase of $23k up to $332k while midfielder Andrew Welsh (110) played his second game for the season and at $338k with a breakeven of 65 next week he might be a handy pickup.For...

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Around The Grounds

Collingwood's popular DreamTeam midfielder Scott Pendlebury is making a fast recovery from the knee injury he picked last week against the Swans in Sydney according to the Herald Sun. Pendlebury, a $455k midfielder owned by over 18,000 DT coaches, is expected to miss the Magpies' upcoming Friday night clash with Essendon but is a good chance to face the Western Bulldogs the week after at Docklands.Richmond's $294k midfielder Mark Coughlan has been reported whilst playing for Coburg in the VFL putting his Tigers' future further in doubt. Coughlan, owned by almost 20,000 DT coaches, was reported for headbutting Sandringham's Colm Begley. The midfielder has been out of favour at Punt Road since Jade Rawlings took over as coach.St Kilda's $178k defender Max Hudghton is in doubt for next week's...

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DT Round 13 Injury & Suspension News

There's a full weekend of fixtures this round so should be a fairly exciting edition here. Anyway I'll keep you posted on all the latest injury & suspension newsafter straight after every game right here.St Kilda v Richmond: Andrew Collins is a late withdrawal for Richmond. Saints defender Max Hudghton struggled with an ankle problem which could be bad.North Melbourne v Western Bulldogs: Kanga Ben Warren is gone for the season after a leg injury. He was taken to hospital. Popular Dogs defender Lindsay Gilbee played but with limited time on ground due to his ankle problem.Geelong v Port Adelaide: Cat David Johnson's game was over barely before...

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Minor Calf Strain For Pavlich

Freo coach Mark Harvey has allayed fears of a long stint on the sidelines for Matt Pavlich but did reveal the $387k forward has a minor calf strain and could miss 3 weeks.Pavlich's calf injury, which he suffered early in Saturday's match against Collingwood, would've worried the 73-odd-thousand DT coaches who own the Dockers skipper.And Harvey commented after the game, "He's got a minor calf strain and that's all I know at the moment."It's what they call a grade one so at this stage … how long [he's out] I don't know."Typically, a doctor would prescribe three weeks rest for a grade one strain, otherwise risking further damage.A three week absence...

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Watson To Miss 2 Weeks

Scans on Essendon's $379k midfielder Jobe Watson's injured ankle have revealed damage which will see him out for two weeks of action.The Bombers star midfielder, owned by over 8,500 DT coaches, suffered the ankle injury late in the first-half meaning he only scored 53 on Friday.But after having scans done on Watson's ankle on Saturday morning, it was revealed he had sustained strained ligaments and muscle damage.Essendon footy operations manager Paul Hamilton said, "The scans have provided some good news in that Jobe hasn't suffered a major injury."Jobe was feeling pretty sore after the game but our medical staff have all the advice they need...

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Around The Grounds

Adelaide's $374k forward Brett Burton has put off his return to SANFL footy due to hamstring soreness. The Crow has been out for a year since a knee reconstruction. Adelaide coach Neil Craig said, “What happens though is that, as he gets closer to resuming, he ups the ante in terms of intensity so all of a sudden he’s going to get football soreness because he’s now ready to go."Hawthorn's $182k defender Trent Croad could be back in the AFL within a fortnight after a long-term foot injury. Hawks coach Alistair Clarkson said, "It could be 2 weeks, it could be 6 weeks - that will be determined by how well he pulls up from his training sessions in the next couple of weeks. But I've got no idea."Popular young Port Power midfielder Hamish Hartlett is expected to miss 4 weeks after tweaking a tendon...

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DT Round 13 Sunday Teams

Geelong v Port Adelaide, Sunday, Skilled StadiumGeelongIns: Tom HarleyOuts: Ryan GamblePretty simple change for the Cats with skipper Harley coming in for Gamble, meaning $369k forward Mathew Stokes is left out again. B: Darren Milburn, Matthew Scarlett, Andrew MackieHB: Corey Enright, Tom Harley, James KellyC: Gary Ablett, Steve Johnson, Travis VarcoeHF: Jimmy Bartel, Cameron Mooney, Joel CoreyF: Paul Chapman, Tom Hawkins, Shannon ByrnesFoll: Mark Blake, Joel Selwood, Cameron LingI/C: David Johnson, Shane Mumford, Max Rooke, Harry TaylorEmg: Ryan Gamble, Mathew Stokes, Simon HoganPort AdelaideIns: Alipate Carlile, Jason Davenport, Nathan Krakouer, Nick LowerOuts: Daniel Motlop (ankle), Marlon Motlop, Steven Salopek, Matthew WesthoffThe return of Krakouer is a boost for many DT coaches, but...

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Who Is Zac Clarke?

With Dean Cox out injured this weekend, many DT coaches are looking around for a cheap backup ruckman to avoid a donut. And one name many DT coaches are looking at is Fremantle's $86k ruck Zac Clarke who is set to make his AFL debut this Saturday against Collingwood at the MCG.But before we all hastily sign up the young fella, I thought I'd try and address the question of 'who is Zac Clarke?'Well for starters, Clarke is a 19-year-old who was selected at pick 37 overall in 2008's AFL Draft by the Dockers from Victorian club Oakleigh Chargers. And at 203 centimetres tall, it may be no surprise to some that the youngster gave up a promising career...

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DT Round 13 Teams

Plenty of big changes this weekend, with Dean Cox's absence the major concern as over 100,000 DT coaches own the ruckman. Other major outs include Scott Pendlebury, Jack Ziebell, Adam McPhee, Steven Salopek, Kyle Cheney and Steele Sidebottom while there's still no sign of Josh Drummond and Lindsay Gilbee is a doubt for the Bulldogs. But big ins include popular DT youngsters Dayne Beams, Hayden Ballentyne and Liam Anthony.Essendon v Carlton, Friday night, MCGEssendonIns: Henry Slattery, Nathan Lovett-MurrayOuts: Mark McVeigh (susp), Adam McPhee (calf)$288k def/forward McPhee's calf injury is a blow for almost 20,000 DT coaches. Still no David...

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Ballentyne Set For Debut

Fremantle coach Mark Harvey has strongly hinted the highly-anticipated debut of $86k rookie forward Hayden Ballentyne will be this weekend against Collingwood.Ballentyne's debut has been the subject of plenty of talk and speculation, but recent wrist and back injuries have delayed his first AFL game.But now the youngster is fit and ready to play and Harvey has admitted he's a good chance for a run against the Pies at the MCG on Saturday."We've got a number of guys who we're looking at at the training session. Hayden's one of them."Referring to the risk of rushing Ballantyne back after his recent injuries, Harvey added, "He plays at a really high...

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Gilbee Doubtful For Dogs

Western Bulldogs' popular $319k defender Lindsay Gilbee is a big doubt for this Sunday's match against North Melbourne after re-injuring his troublesome ankle at training.Gilbee, who is owned by over 57,000 DT coaches, left the training track early at the Bulldogs' Wednesday session after hurting his ankle in a tackle.Bulldogs coach Rodney Eade said, "He got caught in a bit of a tackle. He hurt it again in Darwin, so it has been going on for a few weeks."There was some doubt on him anyway. It was the first day that he's trained; he didn't train at all last week, so I suppose there is some doubt now."I'll get a further update from the doctor later...

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Goodwin Won't Face Swans

Bad news today for the 20,000 DT coaches who own Adelaide's $336k mid/forward Simon Goodwin, after the Crows skipper was ruled out of Saturday's game against Sydney.Goodwin, 32, strained a medial ligament in his knee against Essendon in Round 11 and has been struggling with the injury ever since.Earlier in the week Goodwin was rated a 50-50 chance to face the Swans but it's been confirmed he'll miss out again."Goody has been trying to get himself up and he’s very diligent with what he does in trying to get right to play," Crows midfielder Nathan van Berlo revealed."Unfortunately, Simon’s not able to play this week, but as we showed last week...

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Hartlett To Miss Again

Highly rated Port Adelaide youngster Hamish Hartlett faces more time on the sidelines after re-injuring his hamstring at training this week.The $212k midfielder, who's aggregate value has increased by $74k in his rookie AFL season, was sent for scans on Wednesday but is unlikely to be available for the Power's match against Geelong on Sunday.The injury is another blow for the 16,000 patient DT coaches who own Hartlett, who hasn't played since Round 10.Meanwhile, Port's $298k forward Warren Tredrea has a minor injury concern but should be okay for Sunday's game.Tredrea has an infected finger which prevented him from training with the main group...

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Around The Grounds

Brisbane's $327k defender Josh Drummond faces a rigorous test at Lions training on Thursday to prove his fitness after a calf injury. Should Drummond get through the session he'll play, as Lions assistant Adrian Fletcher said, "We pick our best side week in, week out and if Drummo is fit and we believe he can play his percentage of game time, we've got to pick the best side."Geelong captain Tom Harley, a $228k defender, will return to the Cats' side to face Port Adelaide this Sunday after a hamstring tear. Cats coach Mark Thompson said, "He's going to play this week - he's ticked all the boxes." It creates a dilemma for Geelong, as to who will drop out of the 22 which beat Freo last week.Hawthorn's $335k mid/defender Rick Ladson looks ready to finally play his first game of 2009 after a long-term...

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