AFL injury news: Max Gawn nears return as Gold Coast loses Ben Ainsworth for season

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AFL injury news: Max Gawn nears return as Gold Coast loses Ben Ainsworth for season

Max Gawn’s ambitious bid to defy Melbourne’s doctors and return for Sunday’s clash against Fremantle has cleared one hurdle, but the star ruckman will still need to pass a fitness test.

The Melbourne captain is back running after spending most of last week in a moon boot and on crutches due to the chipped fibula he suffered against West Coast in round 17.

The Demons said Gawn would be sidelined until at least round 20, but his determination to be involved in what he called an “eight-point game” against the Dockers has swayed medical staff to let him prove his fitness for the Optus Stadium clash.

Melbourne high performance boss Selwyn Griffith said he had “progressed well” in previous days and would be assessed at training on Thursday.

“(Gawn) got back into running earlier this week, and we’ll look to integrate him into training as long as he recovers well from that run,” Griffith said.

“Then a decision on his availability will be made following that training session later in the week.”

Gold Coast was dealt a huge ***** on Tuesday with half-forward Ben Ainsworth ruled out for the rest of 2024 with a high grade AC ****** injury.

Ainsworth, who had played every game this season and averaged 16 disposals and a goal, suffered a knock to his shoulder in the win over Port Adelaide but played out the final quarter.

“Ben sustained a knock to his shoulder during the match which was assessed further post-match,” Suns medical boss Lindsay Bull said.

“He has unfortunately suffered a high-grade AC ****** injury which means Ben will be unavailable for the remainder of the season.”

Captain Jarrod Witts will be tested as he attempts to return from a fractured vertebrae against GWS and in-form ruckman Kieren Briggs at Engie Stadium on Saturday.

St Kilda young **** Mattaes Phillipou has been sidelined just as he started to establish himself in the Saints’ midfield, with scans revealing a hip injury which could keep him out for up to a month.

St Kilda football boss David Misson said it was a “disappointing setback” for the 19-year-old.

“We’re confident he will ******* this ******* of rehab with that same level of professionalism which will hopefully see him play again this year,” Misson said.

Collingwood has solved Jeremy Howe’s mystery “hamstring awareness” issue which kept him out of the loss to Geelong, but the important utility will need to undergo a fitness test before Saturday’s crucial clash against Hawthorn.

A nerve issue in Howe’s back was found to be the cause of his discomfort at training last week.

He will be assessed for the Hawks clash along with Mason Cox, who is a chance to play his first game since round 11 after suffering a knee injury in the drawn clash against Fremantle.

Key defender Charlie Dean was concussed in the VFL and will miss at least one week after entering the protocols.

Critical Western Bulldogs duo Adam Treloar (calf) and Aaron Naughton (concussion) will also face fitness tests ahead of the trip to face Geelong.

But defender James O’Donnell will be sidelined longer after he experienced hamstring tightness at training last week.

The Bulldogs left-footer will be held back for two to three more weeks after he missed the win over Carlton due to concussion.

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