No Debut For Cunnington

Exciting $141k North Melbourne midfielder Ben Cunnington won't be playing anytime soon according to Roos coach Brad Scott.

Highly-rated Cunnington, North's top draft pick in the last draft, is owned by over 6,000 DT coaches.

But Scott said: "He won't play this week.

"He's not ready to play but we're all pretty excited by him - we've seen what he's capable of, but he needs a bit more match fitness before we play him."

Scott said $293k def Nathan Grima (who was very popular with DT coaches in 2009) was a good chance to come in.

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Boomer Boost For Roos

North Melbourne's popular $371k mid/forward Brent Harvey should make his return to AFL football this weekend after ten weeks out with an elbow injury.

Harvey, who despite missing so much action is still owned by just under 10,000 DT coaches, should be given the nod to take on the Western Bulldogs this Sunday at the MCG.

Kangas footy manager Donald McDonald said on Monday, “He got the all-clear from the specialist … so he’s just got to get through tomorrow’s training session.”

North Melbourne's caretaker coach Darren Crocker also revealed good news for many DT coaches admitting popular $86k midfielder Liam Anthony was in the mix for his AFL debut this weekend.

Despite not having made his debut, Anthony is owned by over 13,000 patient DT coaches.

North also revealed exciting $197k defender Jesse Smith could play in the VFL with North Ballarat this weekend after a long layoff with injury.

In other injury news from Arden Street, $309k midfielder Daniel Wells is doubtful for this weekend having missed out last round against Adelaide with a hip injury. Wells is struggling with a virus now and has only been able to train lightly.

Also $276k forward Lindsay Thomas should be fit to face to Bulldogs after scans revealed no hamstring damage after a scare last round, while $221k forward Matt Campbell will miss out with a hamstring strain.

And more good news for the Kangas, is that in the club's injury list released today, $216 forward Ben Warren, $136k forward Sam Wright and $203k midfielder Ed Lower all were named to face a test this week suggesting they are close to a return from injury.

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Anthony Set For Round 13 Debut

According to afl.com.au the long-awaited AFL debut of popular North Melbourne rookie Liam Anthony isn't far away after officially recovering from foot stress fractures.

Anthony, an $86k midfielder owned by just over 13,000 DT coaches, had been expected to be a hit this season but has had his progress curtailed by injury.

Now though, with North Melbourne's injury list growing almost everyweek, it seems Anthony could get set for his AFL debut in Round 13.

In other big injury news for the Kangaroos, captain Brent Harvey has been cleared of injury and will be available to play after the break in Round 13.

Harvey, a $371k forward/midfielder, hasn't played since Round 4 following a dislocated elbow.

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Ziebell Out For Two Months... Sell!

Super North Melbourne rookie forward/midfielder Jack Ziebell will be out of action for between 6-10 weeks after breaking his leg in Sunday's game against Adelaide.

The Kangaroos confirmed in a statement on Monday night, Ziebell had a fractured fibula meaning he'll be out for about 2 months.

Almost 90,000 DT coaches own Ziebell but that diagnosis means it is time to sell the young star.

Ziebell scored 23 against the Crows, meaning his value will drop $26k and thus his sale price will be $246k which is still quite handy.

In other North Melbourne injury news, the Kangaroos rated forward Lindsay Thomas will face 2-3 weeks on the sidelines after straining his hamstring late against Adelaide.

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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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Kangas Injury Update

North Melbourne have revealed the extent of their injury problems after a dramatic weekend fixture against St Kilda saw the Kangas down to 17 fit men late in the contest.

There were problems for Adam Simpson (calf), Daniel Pratt (knee), Daniel Wells (hip), Lindsay Thomas (groin), Ben Warren (cheekbone), Sam Power (concussion) and Sam Wright (knee), along with Jack Ziebell being a late withdrawal with gastro.

But North Melbourne football operations manager Donald McDonald revealed to the media the extent of the problems today.

McDonald admitted the big names (Simpson, Pratt and Wells) should be okay for next weekend's match at AAMI against the Crows.

"Simmo pulled up alright today and he'll just take it easier during the week but he'll be right to train. We'll have our main training session later in the week because we play Sunday, and the longer week will suit Simmo. Pratty should be all right too," McDonald said.

"Wellsy has had this for a few weeks and it got a bit sore. He's pulled up all right. He's still a bit sore this morning but nothing out of the unusual. He'll be right to train later in the week and should be right to play," McDonald added.

McDonald though, revealed less positive news about youngster Warren who will miss 3-4 matches after fracturing his cheekbone.

"He's had the surgery and that went all right, but the doctors were hopeful the injury wasn't as bad as that and they had to do a little more work than they thought they would.

"Sometimes on the severe end it can be four to six, so this is about what we hoped it would be."

Another Kangas youngster, Sam Wright, will be unavailable for next week at least, with a slight kneecap problem.

"He'll be one to two weeks. It's not as bad as what we first thought. He'll definitely miss this week and then he'll have the bye before he's a chance to play the week after that," McDonald said.

McDonald didn't reveal more on Thomas and Power, but it seems likely the pair will be okay for next weekend, while teenager Ziebell has recovered from gastro and should be available for the trip to South Australia.

There was more injury news for the Kangas, with McDonald revealed injury-troubled youngster Robbie Tarrant would miss the rest of the season with a shoulder reconstruction needed.

McDonald said, "He just fell on the shoulder out at Casey Fields (in the VFL reserves), but until then he had been playing really well."

On the plus side, McDonald did add that promising 21-year-old early-season DT favourite Liam Anthony is close to his debut after recovering from injury.

"Liam Anthony is another. He would have played round one but had a stress fracture on the eve of the season, but he had his second game back (in the reserves) and his form was really good.

"He'll come under consideration and if he doesn't get a game this week, he'll be under consideration for the week after the bye.

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