St Kilda star sidelined for six weeks with hamstring strain
Updated ,first published
Your daily football news package in today’s AFL Briefing:
- Christian Petracca continued his outstanding start to his Gold Coast career with 29 disposals.
- Max King will be out of action for around six weeks due to the injured striker’s latest setback.
- Patrick Cripps escaped punishment for chicken wing interference.
Ugle-Hagan shines as Gold Coast stabilizes its ships
High-profile players Jamarra Ugle-Hagan and Christian Petracca powered Gold Coast to a drought-breaking 20-point win over GWS.
The Suns, who have lost 15 of their last 16 matches against the Giants, ended their 12-year losing streak in the ‘Expansion Cup’ held at People First Stadium on the coast.
Gold Coast briefly conceded the lead late in the second quarter but otherwise had no trouble securing the victory 11.17 (83) to 8.15 (63).
Melbourne premiership hero Petracca continued his outstanding start to his Gold Coast career, racking up 29 disposals and scoring two crucial goals.
But former Western Bulldogs forward Ugle-Hagan played an equally important role, kicking two goals in the third quarter and including the game-winner late on for his third of the night.
It was the Suns’ second game for the once-troubled Ugle-Hagan after making his debut for the club in last week’s heavy defeat against Hawthorn.
“To get another opportunity, a second chance,” Ugle-Hagan said Fox Football.
“It looked like, ‘Dimma (coach Damien Hardwick) took care of me and welcomed me here with open arms.
“This club is amazing.”
Dashing defender John Noble will find himself in the voting on Brownlow Medal night after making 35 disposals and bombing a long-range goal.
AAP
Strike six: Another blow to the injured Aziz police officers
St Kilda’s Max King will be sidelined for up to six weeks following the latest setback for the injured star striker.
Scans on Sunday confirmed King suffered a serious strain in his left hamstring.
“The key forward is expected to be sidelined for approximately six weeks, with a conditioning block included in the return-to-play timeline,” Saints said in a statement. The statement was included.
The eight-goal Saints in the third term beat Carlton 16.12 (108) to 9.15 (69) on Saturday night to reach a triple-figure score for the fourth time this season.
Their win-loss record was leveled at 4-4 but coach Ross Lyon’s subsequent mood was dampened by the news that King had been injured hours earlier.
The 25-year-old forward, who has not played at AFL level for almost two years, conceded two early goals in his second VFL match due to a calf problem.
“I was watching him, he looked good,” Lyon said.
“I’ve been talking about it all week; that’s the risk after such a long break.
“We’re trying to manage that soft tissue, so he’ll be disappointed, but he’s dealt with bigger things.”
AAP
Blues relieved as Cripps bypasses ‘chicken wing’ tackle ban
Carlton captain Patrick Cripps escaped punishment for his chicken wing tackle on St Kilda’s Hugo Garcia.
Charged with misconduct, Cripps can plead guilty early and accept a $1,000 fine for his tackle on Garcia in the third quarter of Carlton’s 39-point defeat to the Saints at Marvel Stadium on Saturday.
Sanctions for the chicken wing challenge have varied; Fremantle forward Sam Switkowski received a two-match ban in 2022 for his tackle on then-Collingwood player Jack Ginnivan.
Former Richmond player Jack Riewoldt was fined in 2019, while two-time Brownlow Medal winner Chris Judd was handed a four-week suspension while playing for Carlton in 2012.
Judd’s tackle on Leigh Adams resulted in his North Melbourne rival dislocating his shoulder.
Cripps’ tackle led to a fiery clash with former Carlton teammate Jack Silvagni at Marvel Stadium; Jack Silvagni has joined fellow high-profile player Tom De Koning in a move to Saints.
Young Carlton defender Harry Dean was also charged with misconduct for pushing St Kilda’s Liam Ryan in the third quarter and could accept the same sanction with an early guilty plea.
However, Dean is expected to spend some time on the sidelines having scans to determine the extent of damage after discovering a groin issue.
Garcia was fined $1,000 for careless contact with the referee in the second quarter.
Elsewhere, West Coast youngster Elijah Hewett was fined $3000 for striking Richmond’s Nick Vlastuin in the third quarter at Optus Stadium.
AAP
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