Gilbee Doubtful For Dogs

Western Bulldogs' popular $319k defender Lindsay Gilbee is a big doubt for this Sunday's match against North Melbourne after re-injuring his troublesome ankle at training.

Gilbee, who is owned by over 57,000 DT coaches, left the training track early at the Bulldogs' Wednesday session after hurting his ankle in a tackle.

Bulldogs coach Rodney Eade said, "He got caught in a bit of a tackle. He hurt it again in Darwin, so it has been going on for a few weeks.

"There was some doubt on him anyway. It was the first day that he's trained; he didn't train at all last week, so I suppose there is some doubt now.

"I'll get a further update from the doctor later on, but the doctor did come out and say he's still hopeful he'll be able to play but it's obviously put him in some doubt.

"I'll wait to get an update but we're still hopeful he'll play. We'll certainly give him every chance and certainly name him, but we don't know at this stage."

Those comments suggest Gilbee is unlikely to face the Kangaroos and Eade floated Dylan Addison, Tim Callan or Sam Reid as possible replacements for the defender.

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Goodwin Won't Face Swans

Bad news today for the 20,000 DT coaches who own Adelaide's $336k mid/forward Simon Goodwin, after the Crows skipper was ruled out of Saturday's game against Sydney.

Goodwin, 32, strained a medial ligament in his knee against Essendon in Round 11 and has been struggling with the injury ever since.

Earlier in the week Goodwin was rated a 50-50 chance to face the Swans but it's been confirmed he'll miss out again.

"Goody has been trying to get himself up and he’s very diligent with what he does in trying to get right to play," Crows midfielder Nathan van Berlo revealed.

"Unfortunately, Simon’s not able to play this week, but as we showed last week there are a number of guys that can certainly come in, fill positions and play their role."

Adelaide did confirm $304k defender Graham Johncock and $286k forward Richard Douglas would be available for the Sydney game after both had illness last round.

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Hartlett To Miss Again

Highly rated Port Adelaide youngster Hamish Hartlett faces more time on the sidelines after re-injuring his hamstring at training this week.

The $212k midfielder, who's aggregate value has increased by $74k in his rookie AFL season, was sent for scans on Wednesday but is unlikely to be available for the Power's match against Geelong on Sunday.

The injury is another blow for the 16,000 patient DT coaches who own Hartlett, who hasn't played since Round 10.

Meanwhile, Port's $298k forward Warren Tredrea has a minor injury concern but should be okay for Sunday's game.

Tredrea has an infected finger which prevented him from training with the main group on Wednesday, but he seems confident he'll play.

Tredrea, who is owned by over 6,000 DT coaches, has averaged 77 DT points a game this season.

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Around The Grounds

• Brisbane's $327k defender Josh Drummond faces a rigorous test at Lions training on Thursday to prove his fitness after a calf injury. Should Drummond get through the session he'll play, as Lions assistant Adrian Fletcher said, "We pick our best side week in, week out and if Drummo is fit and we believe he can play his percentage of game time, we've got to pick the best side."

• Geelong captain Tom Harley, a $228k defender, will return to the Cats' side to face Port Adelaide this Sunday after a hamstring tear. Cats coach Mark Thompson said, "He's going to play this week - he's ticked all the boxes." It creates a dilemma for Geelong, as to who will drop out of the 22 which beat Freo last week.

• Hawthorn's $335k mid/defender Rick Ladson looks ready to finally play his first game of 2009 after a long-term knee injury. "To stake a claim for selection, they needed to train well today," Hawks footy manager Mark Evans said on Wednesday.

• St Kilda pair Leigh Fisher and David Armitage will both miss 2 weeks after picking up injuries in the VFL on the weekend. Fisher, a $162k defender, has a hamstring problem, while Armitage, a $244k midfielder, injured his shoulder. Neither has played an AFL match this season.
  

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Big Cox Doubtful

West Coast have admitted star $436k ruckman Dean Cox is a doubt for the Eagles' clash with Hawthorn at Subiaco Oval this Saturday night.

Cox, owned by just short of 105,000 DT coaches, is rated a 50/50 chance to play by West Coast coach John Worsfold due to the groin complaint.

"[It's] certainly something that we’re monitoring, how he's feeling and how much we can push him up and test him out for this week," Worsfold told the media on Tuesday.

"We're still hopeful that he'll come up. We think he may, but we can't be sure on that."

Should Cox not pull up, young $146k ruck Nick Naitanui could fill his shoes at West Coast and provide emergency cover for many DT teams as well, as he's owned by almost 30,000 DT coaches.

And Worsfold inadvertedly acknowledged Naitanui would play again, saying, "He has done a fair bit of ruck work with Swans, so he could certainly cope with a fair workload."

Worsfold also admitted $219k ruckman Mark Seaby would be in the mix should Cox not play.

The Eagles also revealed $343k midfielder Andrew Embley will face a test on his injured ankle later in the week, while $238k defender Adam Hunter is still in doubt with a shoulder problem.

Also $245k forward Brent Staker will miss another three weeks after breaking a knuckle playing in the WAFL for East Fremantle on the weekend.

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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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McPhee To Face Test

Essendon's popular $288k def/forward Adam McPhee will face a test later in the week to prove his fitness for the Bombers' Friday clash with Carlton.

McPhee, owned by almost 20,000 DT coaches, hurt his calf in Essendon's win over Melbourne last Friday but played on and should probably be okay for this weekend.

Essendon's $368k midfielder Brent Prismall will also face a test after copping a nasty ribs injury against the Demons

But like McPhee, Prismall played on against Melbourne so it's likely he would be okay to play his third game for the Bombers. Prismall's lofty price has scared off many DT coaches, but with a breakeven of 108 this weekend his value could drop to an affordable level with his third game coming up.

Other news from Windy Hill is popular $134k defender Michael Hurley's (owned by over 15,000 DT coaches) return from injury is likely to be through the VFL.

Bombers coach Matthew Knights said, "When I see Michael's name up on the magnet board, it's very enticing to put him in for a big game against Carlton.

"He's a young player we think a lot of. The reality is, he hasn't played a game of football yet in five or six weeks. He'll play in the VFL this week, between 80 to 90 minutes, as will Tom Bellchambers."

Bellchambers, a $139k ruck, is owned by over 5,000 DT coaches and hasn't played since Round 10 due to a knee injury.

Essendon also revealed $308k def/midfielder Bachar Houli would probably miss out again due to a virus, while Henry Slattery and Nathan Lovett-Murray were both close to a recall after injury and suspension respectively.

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DreamTeam Update: Tribunal

Again, the tribunal hasn't had to convene this week, because everyone up for a charge has accepted their punishment.

That means Essendon's $318k midfielder Mark McVeigh will miss Friday's match with Carlton after a striking offence on Melbourne's Jared Rivers.

Geelong's Cameron Ling is free to take on Port Adelaide down at Skilled Stadium this Sunday after copping a reprimand for a hit on Freo's Nic Suban.

While Fremantle's Antoni Grover took the reprimand for striking Geelong's Steve Johnson, meaning the Dockers' defender will be available for his side's journey to the MCG to play Collingwood on Saturday.

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