Cheap Birdman Set To Return?

Adelaide Crows could bring in some big guns this weekend with cheap $229k fwd Brett Burton and $332k fwd Jason Porplyzia both a chance to return from injury.

The Crows have lost Rory Sloane (ankle) and Scott Stevens (concussion) from their Round One, so coach Neil Craig admits there will be changes.

“In the perfect world for us they (Burton, Maric, Sellar and Porplyzia) would all play SANFL this weekend because of the nature of the game, but just with the structure of our team at the moment, I’m going to have to make a decision to play certain people and that will depend on the position they play,” Craig said.

“Some of those guys will come into our side and hopefully they’re able to play some top-level footy. We’re compromised only because of the situation we’ve got (with injuries).

"That’s the way the cards have fallen and there’s no way out of it, so we’re going to have to bite the bullet and play these guys at some stage.”

$372k fwd Chris Knights trained this week but will make his way back through the SANFL after a foot injury.

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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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Some Dodgy Self Promotion!

Just a quick one this morning folks, about footy on Good Fridays. What do people think about it? I've written a story up on The Roar about the topic at:

http://www.theroar.com.au/2010/04/01/its-time-for-afl-to-get-on-good-friday/

Please have a read and comment with your thoughts.

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Around The Grounds

• $330k WCE fwd Mark LeCras is likely to miss Round Two due to general soreness. WCE coach John Worsfold said:"[He's] probably unlikely to play this week, considering how it's feeling at the moment."
• $371k BL def Jed Adcock should play on Thursday despite an ankle scare this week. Lions coach Michael Voss said: “He did a fitness test this morning, other than pulling up, he's actually fine to go.”
• Freo's $340k fwd/def Adam McPhee could be okay to go this weekend despite an ankle problem. Freo coach Mark Harvey said today: "He's progressing well. I expect him to train tomorrow and be available for selection."
• $355k Geelong def Darren Milburn could be out for a fortnight. Assistant coach Steve Hocking said: "Darren Milburn sustained a grade one hamstring injury on Friday night and will be missing for one to two weeks at this stage."
• PA pair Daniel Motlop and Robbie Gray are facing spells out. Port coach Mark Williams said: "Motts and Robbie won't play against West Coast. They've got a week or two to go and they're not playing. "
• $ 309k WB mid Callan Ward isn't far off a return after a groin strain. "It would be fair to say if you erred on the side of caution, he's probably closer to two weeks than one," WB general manager of footy Jason Fantasia said.

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McVeigh Confirmed To Return

Essendon coach Matthew Knights has confirmed cheap $268k midfielder Mark McVeigh will return after suspension this weekend.

Knights said: "He'll come straight into the line-up this weekend.

"It'll be great to have Mark back in the team. He played with Bendigo last weekend and performed really well.

"It's quite frustrating for him after having a great summer that he had to sit out and watch that Geelong game last Friday night.

$202k forward Jay Neagle had an ankle injury scare on the weekend but Knights added: "Injury-wise we're fine.

"Jay Neagle's fine, his ankle pulled up really well and he'll do a little bit of light training today and we'll assume he'll be right to train on Thursday."

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Sylvia Close, Watts Not: Bailey

Melbourne's $418k fwd/mid Colin Sylvia could be a chance to return for the Dees on the weekend after a broken jaw.

Demons coach Dean Bailey said today: "We'll see how he gets through training tomorrow.

"He's probably got to do more than he did last week, but he's very keen to play. He was very keen to play Round One but medically he wasn't prepared.

"This week we'll see how he trains tomorrow, if he gets through training on Friday then I'm sure Colin will be a good player for to play on the weekend."

Bailey also commented about popular $145k fwd Jack Watts' immediate future.

"We won't play Jack until he plays a few more games at Casey to get his fitness back up," he said.

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Sloane Out For 6- Crows Injury Update

Injured Adelaide youngster Rory Sloane is expected to miss six weeks due to ankle ligament damage sustained on Sunday's loss to Freo.

Meanwhile, Scott Stevens ($274k def) is in doubt for Round Two after being concussed against the Dockers.

And Round One late withdrawal Graham Johncock ($358k def) will miss at least another fortnight with a fractured thumb.

There is some good news from Adelaide, with Chris Knights, Ivan Maric, Jason Porplyzia and Brett Burton closer to returns.

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Match Review Panel for Round 1

The Match Review Panel decided to give Essendon's David Hille a reprieve for his late hit on Geelong's Jimmy Bartel. I found it pretty staggering and here's a story on it (please have a look and comment on it).
http://www.theroar.com.au/2010/03/30/can-the-match-review-panel-find-some-consistency/

Elsewhere, Justin Koschitzke will accept a three-week ban for his heavy bump over Nick Malceski. Saints coach Ross Lyon declared so on On The Couch on Monday night.

While Zac Dawson escaped punishment for his hit on Tadgh Kennelly.

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