Bolton 50-50 For Pies

Sydney Swans defender Craig Bolton is rated a 50-50 chance to face Collingwood on Saturday week due to a knee strain.

Bolton twisted his knee on the weekend against Hawthorn and scans have revealed he has a slight medial ligament strain putting him in doubt for game on June 20.

Around about 7,500 DT coaches have Bolton ($268k) in their team and that injury news is a concern for them, especially considering the Swans play in the second-half of the always-tricky split round.

In other injury news from the SCG, $182k midfielder Jared Crouch seems to be over a knee knock and should be fit to take on the Pies, while veteran Leo Barry reportedly is a little behind schedule with his recovery from a pre-season knee injury with Swans coach Paul Roos admitting he wasn't sure when the $268k defender would be back.

Roos also revealed high-priced young forward Patrick Veszpremi could make his 2009 debut in Round 13 against Adelaide although the Swans coach said it was more likely he'd play the week after against the Kangas.

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Richo Hopeful For Round 19

2008's DreamTeam must-have Matthew Richardson has told the media he's hoping to return to AFL footy for Round 19.

The $375k midfield/forward, started the season off in fine style with four +100 scores before being decked by a hamstring tendon injury in Round 6.

"I reckon I'm ahead of schedule with my rehab. Realistically, if I got a month of football in at the end of the year, that would be a pretty good case," said Richardson.

Despite being out injured for so long, almost 20,000 DT coaches still have big 'Richo' on board, so positive news of his rehab will be welcome for many.

Also, as reported here earlier today, it has been confirmed the Tigers will give a senior AFL debut to youngster Tyrone Vickery this weekend. Vickery, Richmond's first pick in the 2008 AFL Draft, is a ruckman priced at $122k.

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Around The Grounds

• Bulldogs forward Rob Murphy will fly with his team to Darwin for Saturday's match against Port where he should return from a three-game absence from a hamstring injury. "At this stage Murphy and [Scott] Welsh will play and we'll take a 23rd [player], but we're pretty confident they'll be right," said Bulldogs coach Rodney Eade. Welsh returns from suspension.
  

• Port Adelaide forward Daniel Motlop has overcome an ankle injury and will also be making the trip to the Top End after two weeks out. Power teammate Alipate Carlile missed training on Wednesday due to a cold, but is expected to play. There continues to be whispers that the Brisbane Lions' popular DT defender Daniel Merrett could be a chance for an early return from an ankle injury this weekend. Lions teammate Joel Macdonald told afl.com.au, "Merrett could be a chance.” Brisbane play Hawthorn on Sunday.
  

• The Carlton match committee have revealed they'll consider Richard Hadley, Chris Yarran, Greg Bentley and Adam Hartlett for this weekend's match against St Kilda after all had enjoyed good VFL form recently.
  

• Western Bulldogs backman Tom Williams is still battling a foot injury and is a few weeks away from a return. Eade revealed about the $169k defender, "He's improved but he's still a couple of weeks away."

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Brown Should Be OK

Collingwood's doctors expect popular DreamTeam defender Nathan Brown to be fit to play Sydney in the latter-half of the split round despite jarring his knee on Monday.

Brown had scans on his knee after injuring it in Monday's win over Melbourne, and the results were positive revealing no structural damage.

The Magpies defender has played every game this season for the Pies and has many DT admirers with around 18,000 DT coaches enjoying his services at the reasonable price of $155k.

Collingwood revealed they expect Brown to be okay to take on the Swans on June 20, although they weren't 100 percent confident.

"Our docs are fairly confident that with the week off he should be right for selection for the Swans game,” Collingwood football manager Geoff Walsh said.

In more injury news for the Magpies, young midfielder John McCarthy injured his hamstring on the weekend in the VFL and will be out of action for several weeks.

“It’s only a slight strain but it’s certainly bad enough to keep him out for probably a couple of weeks,” Walsh said.

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Around The Grounds

• Essendon are claiming injured defensive pair Dustin Fletcher and Michael Hurley could return for the club's next fixture on June 19 in the second-half of the split round. Bombers assistant Scott Camporeale revealed to The Age, "We'll get a couple of defenders back in 'Fletch' and possibly Michael Hurley after the break." Hurley in particular, is of interest for DT coaches (over 15,000 still have him) after he injured his wrist early this season after a decent Round 1 score of 69.
  

• The Australian reports Kangaroos midfielder Daniel Wells is likely to miss out this weekend due to a hip injury he aggravated against St Kilda on Saturday. It also claims Lachie Hansen will play against Adelaide on Sunday after being out since Round 5 with a hamstring injury.

• The Australian claims Richmond will give a debut to DT ruck/forward Tyrone Vickery this weekend against the Eagles. Vickery was the 8th pick in the last AFL Draft and is valued at $122k, with around 14,500 DT coaches owning him.

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Harvey Set For Early Return?

According to the Herald Sun North Melbourne skipper Brent Harvey could be ready for an early return from his elbow injury which has sidelined him since Round 5.

Harvey, who is a DreamTeam midfielder and forward, told the Herald Sun he believes he could be fit to return straight after the split round.

"I've got to see my surgeon next week and nut a few things out. If the surgeon gives me the all-clear, it would certainly be the Bulldogs game (June 28). And that depends what the coach wants to do, whether I play with Werribee (in the VFL) or come straight back," Harvey said.

"I reckon I've probably gained a week by doing all the little things to help aid the recovery," he added.

Harvey, who underwent surgery on his dislocated elbow, had been expected to return in Round 15.

Just under 10,000 loyal DT coaches still have Harvey on their books and news of an early return will be music to their ears.

Meanwhile, Harvey's Kangas midfield teammate Sam Power told the Herald Sun he was confident of playing this weekend after being concussed on the weekend by St Kilda's Steven King.

Power said, "I've got to get through training and I'll be monitored by doctors, but we don't play until Sunday which gives me extra time. I'm pretty confident I'll play."

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