Collingwood rocked as two big-name stars ruled out for remainder of AFL season

August 7, 2024 Kerry Will AFL 0

Collingwood has suffered a significant setback with the loss of both Jordan De Goey and Tom Mitchell for the remainder of the AFL season. Scans revealed on Sunday night that De Goey has sustained a high-grade hamstring strain during Collingwood’s thrilling three-point win over Carlton on Saturday.

This victory allowed the Magpies to keep their slim hopes of defending their AFL premiership alive, but it came at a steep price as De Goey had to be substituted in the third quarter, marking the end of his season. He had been dealing with groin soreness for several weeks and was visibly struggling with injuries during the match before leaving the field.

The club announced on Sunday that scans confirmed the midfield star has suffered a hamstring injury that includes tendon damage, which will require approximately three months for recovery. “It’s a high-grade hamstring injury,” said Magpies coach Craig McRae after Saturday’s match. “I believe it will be challenging for him to play in the short to medium term. I’ve just been informed that it’s high grade, and clearly, this is not good news for him.”

The injury marred what was otherwise a remarkable evening for Collingwood and veteran Scott Pendlebury, who celebrated his 400th game with an exciting victory. The situation worsened on Monday when it was announced that Tom Mitchell would also be sidelined for the remainder of the season.

Mitchell recently underwent surgery to remove his appendix, having been hospitalized for appendicitis back in May. He hasn’t played since Anzac Day, when he was taken off the field due to a foot injury, and the club has now ruled him out for the rest of 2024 as he continues to face ongoing challenges.

The Magpies held a 32-point lead early in the final quarter against Carlton but allowed the Blues to score the last five goals, giving them a chance to secure a dramatic win. Carlton defender Mitch McGovern had an opportunity to clinch the game for his team but missed a shot after the final siren. As a result of this victory, Collingwood remains just outside the top eight, sitting in 10th place with three games left in the season, starting with a match against struggling ladder-leaders Sydney at the SCG on Friday night.

Coach at Richmond is still unsure about Dustin Martin’s future.

Richmond coach Adam Yze acknowledges that uncertainty still surrounds the future of three-time Norm Smith Medallist Dustin Martin, who returned to play for the first time in five weeks during the 23-point loss to North Melbourne on Saturday. The 33-year-old has been dealing with a back issue and has struggled to make a significant impact this season as the Tigers face the possibility of finishing at the bottom of the ladder.

Speculation regarding Martin’s future has persisted for weeks, with various reports suggesting he might retire or join former coach Damien Hardwick at the Gold Coast Suns in 2025. Martin’s lucrative nine-year contract concludes at the end of this season, and Yze admits he is unsure about what lies ahead for the veteran player beyond the final three games of the season.

“We’re continuously discussing how his body is feeling and how he plans to finish the season,” Yze stated. “He’s dedicated to completing the season, and whatever happens afterward will unfold as it may.” The Richmond coach mentioned that while he doesn’t have a clear understanding of what Martin’s future looks like, it remains a frequent topic of conversation at Punt Road.

Richmond coach Adem Yze acknowledged that discussions about Dustin Martin’s future are ongoing, but the main focus is on him finishing the season strong. Yze expressed his delight in having Martin back for the match against North Melbourne, as it allowed the younger players to learn from him.

Despite showing glimpses of his trademark moves, Martin was frustrated that he couldn’t complete some of his work due to being a bit tired after an interrupted couple of months. However, Yze believes Martin will benefit from the run and looks forward to him playing his best in the upcoming game against St Kilda after an eight-day break.

To avoid the wooden spoon, Richmond will need Martin and some of their premiership-winning teammates to be at their peak in the remaining games. The Tigers have a favorable draw to end the season, with matches against St Kilda, Hawthorn, and the Gold Coast still to come.

 

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