Taylor Walker Set For The Axe

Adelaide coach Neil Craig has hinted popular $211k young forward Taylor Walker could be dropped for this weekend's clash with Richmond after recent poor form.

Walker, who is owned by over 55,000 DT coaches, posted a score of just 24 last weekend against Sydney after managing only one kick and one handball all game.

And Craig admits Walker could be set for the chop with his inconsistent form.

Craig told SA's Nine News, "He’s an exciting player, he’s a talented player but that doesn’t guarantee you a walk up start in our football club.

"You've actually got to perform and there's been times when Taylor's performed very well and there's been other times when he's been very poor."

Should Walker get dropped, it would cause further problems for many DT coaches' forward lines after recent injuries to Simon Goodwin, Matt Pavlich, Jack Ziebell and Daniel Giansiracusa.

In other news from Adelaide, star veteran defender Andrew McLeod ($262k) worryingly picked up a knock at training today and was seen limping before completing the session behind closed doors.

And Craig also acknowledged following Brad Moran's season-ending injury, that young $86k defender Shaun McKernan would probably replace him to make his debut ahead of $86k forward James Sellar this weekend.

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Fevola Declares Himself Fit

DT coaches who own Brendan Fevola can breathe a big sigh of relief after the $357k forward declared himself fit for this weekend's clash with Fremantle at Subiaco.

After Carlton's loss to Essendon last Friday, Fevola had undergone surgery on his little finger which potentially put his availability for Round 14 at risk.

But the big Blues forward told the media today, he'd be ready to face the Dockers.

“The operation was pre-organised on the Thursday. I went in because we had an eight-day break and had the quick clean-up and now I’m ready to go," Fevola said.

“There were just a few broken bones and a few torn ligaments so every time the ball hit my hand it ached.

“We had to get in there and get it done for the next nine games. It’s all fixed now so I’m looking forward to the weekend.”

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Around The Grounds

• A worry for the 24,500 DT coaches who own Port Adelaide's $396k gun midfielder Kane Cornes, after he trained away from the main group today. Cornes was restricted to running laps although the Power insist he will be available for this weekend's clash with Brisbane at AAMI Stadium.

• Richmond's popular $294k DT midfielder Mark Coughlan has been cleared of a misconduct charge. Coughlan was reported whilst playing for the Coburg Tigers in the VFL on the weekend for headbutting Sandringham's Colm Begley. But Coughlan has been cleared of any wrongdoing and will be available for selection for Richmond in the AFL this weekend.

• Bargain Essendon young forward Scott Gumbleton claims he retains hope of returning to play AFL this season despite a bad back injury. $86k Gumbleton, who went at pick number 2 in the 2006 AFL Draft, is owned by almost 15,000 patient DT coaches. Gumbleton said, "I obviously want to come back and play but ultimately I don't want to risk anything."

• Fremantle's $285k mid/forward Dean Solomon will miss this Sunday's match against Carlton after the club internally suspended him for an act of non-professionalism. Mark Harvey said, “Dean accepts that his actions detracted from his preparation for this weekend’s game.” Solomon will be out for just the one game.

• North Melbourne's $309k midfielder Daniel Wells' poor 2009 has got worse with news he'll have to battle an ongoing groin problem. Kangas chief of football Donald McDonald said, "It's one of those injuries with abdominal muscles where there's something there and we've got to keep working to get him right." Wells probably won't play this weekend against Sydney, while $221k forward Matt Campbell has been ruled out with a hamstring.

• Geelong have listed $217k defender David Johnson as unavailable for 3-4 weeks with a calf injury. Johnson sustained the injury on the weekend whilst playing against Port.
  

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Goodwin To Miss Another

Adelaide will be without $336 mid/forward Simon Goodwin for a third consecutive week with the skipper struggling with a medial ligament strain.

Goodwin will miss the Crows clash with Richmond on the Gold Coast this weekend as he struggles to overcome the knee problem.

The news is a blow for the 18,500-odd DT coaches who own the Adelaide skipper.

Adelaide had initially hoped Goodwin would overcome the injury within a fortnight, but the problem has now dragged on for a fourth week.

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