Medical and conditioning staff had already ruled Lynch out of the opening round, in part due to the short break between games after such a long lay-off, and had pencilled his return in for either the Carlton match or round two against Port Adelaide.
The 31-year-old full-forward is now running well at training and on track for selection to play the Blues, but is yet to be given the green light.
A best-and-fairest winner and twice the Tigers’ leading goal-kicker, Lynch’s injury-forced absence last year had a profound impact on the form of a team that was already in transition from its premiership peaks. The Tigers slid to finish the season 13th.
Toby Nankervis and Dustin Martin in a game last year.Credit: AFL Photos
Having Lynch fit at full-forward and emerging defender Josh Gibcus returning to play full-back after missing all of last season are critical additions for Yze.
Under Yze in the pre-season, the Tigers have looked to be tweaking their game style; pushing more numbers back in defence, akin to Melbourne where he was assistant coach last year, and creating rebound from there.
Lynch recently said he was training well and hoped to be ready for the MCG blockbuster.
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“[Opening round] is going to be a bit tough, especially with the five-day break leading into round one. I’ll put my focus on round one, or even that Port Adelaide game in round two,” he said.
“All things are tracking well, I’ve clearly missed a lot of football, I need to get some good training under my belt and some conditioning. We don’t want to rush back, we want to get as many games this year as we can.
“So if I miss opening round, so be it.
“My foot bone is completely healed, it’s just the [risk] of soft-tissue – clearly, I hadn’t run for nine months, so I need to get some miles back into my legs. If we wanted to really push, I could get up … but I want to play for the whole year.”
Concussed Simpkin certain to miss first match
Andrew Wu
North Melbourne remain uncertain when skipper Jy Simpkin will return to the field after his latest concussion.
As St Kilda’s Jimmy Webster awaits his fate for the crude hit in Sunday’s practice game, Simpkin was on Tuesday ruled out of North’s round one game against Greater Western Sydney on Saturday week.
The early call on Simpkin, who could have faced the Giants if fit as the game fell outside the AFL’s concussion protocols mandating a minimum 12-day rest period, is a measure of North’s concern over the midfielder’s history of head knocks.
Jy Simpkin at half-time during Sunday’s practice match against the Saints.Credit: AFL Photos / Getty Images
Sunday’s hit against St Kilda was the third time in under 12 months that Simpkin has been concussed.
“Jy’s health and well-being is our number one priority,” general manager of football Todd Viney said.
“Given Jy’s concussion history, our medical team will take a conservative approach to his management and recovery as per the AFL’s concussion protocols.
“Jy came into the club today, he’s doing well and is in good spirits but his official return-to-play timeline is unclear at this point as it depends on his progress.”
Howard out for a month
Jon Pierik
St Kilda have been dealt a major injury blow, with key defender Dougal Howard to miss at least a month because of a serious hamstring strain.
Howard was hurt late in Sunday’s community series clash against North Melbourne.
Saints head of football Dave Misson said on Tuesday scans had revealed a “significant” hamstring issue.
The Saints will have to open their season without Dougal Howard.Credit: Getty Images
“Dougal has been dealt an unlucky blow, especially so close to the start of the season,” Misson said.
“Despite the setback, we’re confident Dougal will approach his rehab diligently and will make himself available at the earliest opportunity.”
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Young forward Mattaes Phillipou has hip soreness. He sat out the second half of Sunday’s game, but is expected to be available to face Geelong in less than a fortnight.
Misson said star half-back Jack Sinclair (calf) and Marcus Windhager (hand) would need to pass fitness tests next week.
“Jack received a positive result from a follow-up scan last week and will look to reintegrate to the main program this week,” Misson said.
“Marcus’ injury is healing well and we are hopeful he will be in the mix for selection in round one.”
Source Agencies
