Around The Grounds

• Richmond's popular $338k midfielder Nathan Foley will miss the rest of the season with an ankle injury. Tigers footy operations manager Ross Monaghan said, “Nathan has been restricted with his ankle since the early stages of the season, which has made it difficult for him to train, prepare for games and recover each week.” Foley will have surgery on the ankle in the next fortnight.

• Melbourne trio Liam Jurrah, (ankle), Jack Grimes (back) and Brock McLean (knee) will all face fitness tests to be ready for the Dees clash with Richmond this Sunday. Demons coach Dean Bailey said on Wednesday, "Training tomorrow is going to be important." He added, "We'll see how LJ goes tomorrow but he's rolled both ankles in the last couple of weeks. He's a pretty important player for us at the moment, and he's had a long season with no pre-season." Those comments suggest Jurrah may miss.

• Port Adelaide has a number of players under fitness clouds ahead of the weekend's Hawthorn game. Troy Chaplin (bruised shin), Jacob Surjan (corked calf), Steven Salopek, Paul Stewart and Alipate Carlile are all struggling. Dean Brogan (corked calf), Chad Cornes (knee) and Brett Ebert (leg) aren't 100% either.
  

• St Kilda's $318k midfielder Luke Ball could soon be back in the club's seniors despite being dropped recently. Teammate Lenny Hayes said today, “His attitude has been first-class. He is a really respected guy and he’s gone back and he is working really hard. I’ve got no doubt he’ll play a part in the side going forward.”

• Fremantle have confirmed young $100k fwd Tim Ruffles needs a knee reconstruction and will miss the rest of the season. Also The West claims Byron Schammer (calf) and Luke McPharlin (calf) will miss out this weekend and Brett Peake (ankle) is only a 50-50 chance. Chris Mayne should return.
  

• Bulldogs' $216k forward Scott Welsh will miss this weekend's clash with Freo due to an ankle injury.