Ballentyne In The Mix

Fremantle coach Mark Harvey has admitted Dockers $86k rookie Hayden Ballentyne is ready to play AFL footy, but didn't reveal if it would be this week or next round.

The young forward, who almost 13,000 DT coaches already own and many more are sizing up, was a late withdrawal for Freo's last match against Port and faces a fitness test for this weekend's Geelong game.

Ballentyne, Freo's number 21 selection at the 2008 AFL Draft, has a back problem but is definitely in the mix for a game.

"We think he's up for playing AFL, but we'll be guided by our fitness and strength guys," Harvey said.

"He's had a spasm and it's taken a bit longer [than expected to recover]. It's a fine line all of this. You don't want to be breaking him down at this stage."

Harvey did reveal key defensive duo Antoni Grover ($239k) and Luke McPharlin ($252k) would return this weekend against the Cats after injuries, while Des Headland (a $263k forward) would face a fitness test after a quad problem.

Young tall forward Adam Campbell ($226k), who was concussed early against Port last round, has recovered from concussion also and will be available for the Geelong game.

The Dockers coach also acknowledged $282k defender Michael Johnson (ankle) and $251k forward Chris Mayne (stress fractures) were at least a fortnight away.

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Around The Grounds

• Port Adelaide star forward Daniel Motlop will be out of action for up to 8 weeks with his latest ankle injury. Motlop has had a pin inserted in his fractured left ankle which is bad news for the 22,000 DT coaches who own Motlop, as it's time to trade. More bad news is his value will drop $29k down to $249k after the split-round lockout meaning his trade won't be a huge moneyspinner.

• A big question this weekend is whether or not Collingwood's $324k forward Paul Medhurst will be fit to face Sydney having played in the reserves on the weekend. Well Collingwood's reserves manager Paul Licuria's comments to the Australian might be an indication. Licuria said, "We were told to play Paul for 50 per cent of the match. He put in some great patches of play that showed he is a senior player, a player you would think about bringing in against the Swans this week."
  

• Sydney Swans $268k defender Craig Bolton is rated a 50-50 chance to play Collingwood this week due to a medial ligament strain. Swans coach Paul Roos said, “He ran a little bit yesterday, he’s certainly improving every day. He’ll be touch and go before the game so we’ll obviously leave it as late as we possibly can.”
  

• According to afl.com.au, Port Adelaide pair Alipate Carlile and Hamish Hartlett are expected to be fit for the Power's next match against Geelong. Carlile, a $181k defender, has had a virus recently while Hartlett, a fairly popular DT midfielder at $212k, has had hamstring problems.
  

• Hawks assistant John Barker has claimed $234k defender Stephen Gilham and $335k midfielder Rick Ladson are close to an AFL game after playing in the VFL following knee injuries. Barker also added $182k defender Trent Croad (foot) was getting closer too saying, “We are hopeful he will play a role in the second half of the year at some stage."

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Changes At Windy Hill

Essendon coach Matthew Knights has revealed a couple of senior Bombers are in the mix to return for Friday's AFL match against Melbourne.

Knights claimed $255k veteran defender Dustin Fletcher (leg), $396k midfielder Jason Winderlich (ankle) and $338k club stalwart Andrew Welsh (leg) were close to returning after injuries.

"All will play on Friday night, pending today's (Tuesday's) training session," Knights admitted, including $306k youngster Kyle Reimers who returned in Round 11 after injury.

Knights added, "Fletcher will come in, it's been seven weeks now for Dustin, he's had a good three or four weeks on the training track, so he'll come into the side.

"We're looking to bring Andrew Welsh back in, which has been a marvellous comeback.

"Jason's (Winderlich) first major training session is today – if he gets through he'll come back into the 22."

And in more positive news, the Bombers coach also revealed $214k midfielder Henry Slattery was close to a return but perhaps doubtful for Friday's game after a hamstring problem.

"Slattery would have to really impress me today to come into the team," Knights said.

In other injury news, Essendon also made it known big $222k ruckman Jason Laycock will miss the rest of the season with the foot injury he's been battling.

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DreamTeam Update: Tribunal Pleas

The AFL tribunal will not meet this week after no charges from the weekend where serious enough to warrant it.

Richmond's Jack Riewoldt was up for a striking charge on West Coast's Daniel Kerr, but the $278k Tiger forward opted to accept a reprimand.

Thus Riewoldt is free to play next week and the AFL tribunal is free to enjoy a night off.

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Judd Good To Go

DreamTeam coaches can breathe a big sigh of relief after Carlton confirmed star midfielder Chris Judd would be fine to face Essendon next round.

Judd sustained a broken nose in Friday night's loss against St Kilda and underwent surgery on Saturday.

But the former Eagle returned to training on Monday and is ready to go.

Carlton football manager Steven Icke said, "We were a bit surprised he came out and trained, but such is the quality and professionalism of the player that nothing should surprise. He trained well."

In other injury news at Carlton, Simon Wiggins will be available for the Bombers game after shaking off a hamstring problem, along with Bret Thornton who was a late withdrawal on Friday.

Carlton also revealed ruckman Robbie Warnock was a fortnight away from a VFL return, while Andrew Walker was a month off.

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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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Pies Pair Injured

Collingwood forward duo Sean Rusling and Brent Macaffer were injured in the reserves on the weekend against Werribee and are awaiting results of scans.

Rusling, making his comeback from a fractured cheekbone, injured his thigh, while Macaffer went down with a knee injury.

Collingwood footy manager Geoff Walsh said about $184k forward Rusling, “It’s in his hip, thigh or buttock, somewhere in that region. We’ll get a scan just to verify what the actual cause of the problem is."

Walsh also spoke about $125k forward Macaffer saying, "We don’t think there’s any major structural damage, but his knee’s swollen a little bit, so we’ll see what the scan shows."

Good news out of the match, was forward Paul Medhurst got through the game and is a chance for next weekend's AFL match against Sydney, while veteran Anthony Rocca also played.

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MRP Update: Riewoldt Worry

There's not alot of news from the AFL match review panel, which I guess is good news.

Young Richmond forward Jack Riewoldt is the only concern, with a charge of striking West Coast's Daniel Kerr. Riewoldt can get a reprimand for the charge with an early plea, otherwise he risks a one-match ban.

Elsewhere Richmond teammate Tom Hislop had his charge for contact with Kerr thrown out.

Also Jack Ziebell's report for a hit on Adelaide's Brent Reilly was tossed out too.

Carlton's Kade Simpson was assessed for a rough tackle on St Kilda's Brendon Goddard but no further action will be taken there either.

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