DEFENDERS Lachie Jones and Aliir Aliir will each miss Saturday night’s game against Geelong after entering the AFL’s concussion protocols.
Jones was substituted out of the weekend’s game against the Crows with a migraine after a collision between the pair, while Aliir returned to the field after having a cut under his chin stitched up.
Jones passed SCAT5 testing immediately after the second quarter incident, while Aliir was tested after the match with a similar result. However, both have since presented with symptoms consistent with concussion.
“Lachie was tested during the game and after it, then again on Sunday. We have continued to monitor him and after further testing this morning he has entered the concussion protocols out of an abundance of caution,” explained Club Doctor Mark Fisher.
“Like Lachie, Aliir’s condition was the subject of testing both on Saturday night after the game and since.
“However, upon reviewing the vision of the incident again, Aliir should have undergone SCAT testing at the time immediately following the collision.
“Both Lachie and Aliir will have a gradual return to play as per the AFL’s concussion management guidelines.”
A hamstring injury will see second-year defender Josh Sinn spend a period on the sidelines. Sinn suffered the injury in the last quarter of the SANFL Showdown.
Ruck Sam Hayes will also be sidelined after he suffered an AC joint injury in his left shoulder in training. A timeframe for his return will be confirmed in coming days as the injury settles.
Fellow ruck Scott Lycett and forward Orazio Fantasia are expected to rejoin training this week in a bid to be available for selection, having sat out the weekend’s games through respective knee and quad injuries.
Port Adelaide will name its selected side for Saturday’s match against the Cats on Thursday evening at 5:50pm ACST.
Injury list
Nathan Barkla – quad (test)
Orazio Fantasia – quad (test)
Scott Lycett – knee (test)
Aliir Aliir – concussion (1-2 weeks)
Lachie Jones – concussion (1-2 weeks)
Tom McCallum – appendix (2 weeks)
Josh Sinn – hamstring (6-8 weeks)
Sam Hayes – shoulder (TBC)
Tom Clurey – back (season)
Mitch Georgiades – knee (season)
