Key Bulldogs poised to return

With their season on the line, the Western Bulldogs are poised to be buoyed by the return of Norm Smith medallist Jason Johannisen and premiership hero Dale Morris for Saturday's match against Port Adelaide in Ballarat, providing the pair get through training later in the week.

Riewoldt out of Saints clash with Melbourne

St Kilda have ruled out Nick Riewoldt of Sunday's do-or-die clash with Melbourne at the MCG.

No knife through Wood, Boyd to announce retirement

The Western Bulldogs are confident premiership captain Easton Wood will be fit to play in the finals if the club makes it that far after deeming that the defender does not need hamstring surgery.

Laws committee set to tackle the tackle

AFL panel to look at big 'grey area' in controversial rule as issue reaches another flashpoint after Roo Ben Brown was concussed by flying Pie Brodie Grundy.

Coaches at odds over 'perfect' Grundy tackle

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Brad Scott and Nathan Buckley at odds over a tackle from Pies ruckman Brodie Grundy that left Ben Brown in hospital.

Riewoldt confident of taking on Hawthorn

Richmond spearhead Jack Riewoldt is very confident he will be able to line up against Hawthorn on Sunday at the MCG after suffering a nasty eye injury last week at training.

Cats keep Motlop, Menzel sidelined for up to a month

Steven Motlop and Daniel Menzel could miss three or four AFL matches as Geelong aim to ensure they are ready for the finals.

Demons hopeful Hogan will have an impact this season after successful surgery

Melbourne are not putting a timeframe on Jesse Hogan's return to the field but they are hopeful the gun young forward will still have an impact this season after having collarbone surgery.

Hopes remain of Hogan returning this year

Jesse Hogan faces surgery for a broken collarbone on Sunday, but Melbourne coach Simon Goodwin says his young star was still upbeat, with hopes remaining that the forward can return this season.

Eye of the Tiger: Training mishap sidelines Riewoldt

A freak eye injury will keep Richmond spearhead Jack Riewoldt sidelined for at least one match as the Tigers look to consolidate their top four spot.

Dion Prestia sidelined for Tigers

Richmond will rest Dion Prestia for Saturday's AFL clash with Gold Coast after his troublesome knee flared up again.

Montagna: 'I possibly could have played my last game'

St Kilda veteran Leigh Montagna concedes he may have played his last AFL game.

Cats utility Blicavs may be out until AFL finals

A spate of ankle injuries have left versatile Geelong midfielder Mark Blicavs and dynamic Port forward Chad Wingard likely to be sidelined until the finals and two key Demons in doubt this weekend.

GWS, Hawks not alarmed by 'luckless' injury run

GWS have conducted an assessment of their dire injury list and found that neither poor training methods nor inadequate player management are to blame for their stream of sidelined stars, while Hawthorn say most of their injuries are down to "uncontrollable" factors.

Saints likely to lose Riewoldt and Montagna as Gawn faces fitness battle

St Kilda coach Alan Richardson is hopeful a hamstring injury won't stop Leigh Montagna playing again but warns his side won't make the finals unless it shows more aggression against the top teams.

No guarantees from here for Trengove

Melbourne coach Simon Goodwin's gaze remains stationed on the short-term despite the Demons edging closer to their first finals berth in 11 years with a win over top-four side Port Adelaide at the MCG on Saturday.

Pendlebury in doubt for rest of season, Stringer out for 2-3

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Scott Pendlebury concedes the rest of his season is in doubt after scans confirmed the Collingwood captain fractured his finger in Saturday's win over Gold Coast.

Lamb moves on from Houli incident

Jed Lamb says he has moved on from the behind-play incident that cost Richmond's Bachar Houli a four-match suspension, with the Carlton forward focused on "fighting for my career".

Cloke in frame to replace Stringer

Veteran forward could return for Saturday's clash against Gold Coast in Cairns, says Bulldogs coach Luke Beveridge.

Dangerfield's ankle injury a mystery after stunning game

Extent of damage to Geelong star remains uncertain, but post-match signs are positive.

Scott says Dangerfield is near legend territory

Geelong coach Chris Scott says Patrick Dangerfield is heading towards legend status.

Blues confirm broken leg for Cripps

Carlton have confirmed the devastating news that star midfielder Patrick Cripps broke his fibula in Sunday's loss to Melbourne at the MCG.

Veteran Murphy out again with hamstring injury

Western Bulldogs captain Bob Murphy has suffered another hamstring injury, ruled out of Dogs' side to face Adelaide at Adelaide Oval on Friday night.

Pies not cooked yet, says Buckley

Coach Nathan Buckley insists Collingwood aren't 'putting the cue in the rack' despite the 24-point loss to Hawthorn all but ending the club's finals hopes.