AFL R20 injury update:
Simpkin given green light to return, stalwart sidelined
Jy Simpkin given green light to return to action, while Liam Shiels will miss some matches due to injury have calf pain.
North Melbourne co-captain Jy Simpkin will be available for selection this week, after undergoing concussion protocols.
The star midfielder suffered his second concussion of the season against Geelong on matchday 17 and had to undergo off-site tests and a neurophysiological assessment before being given the green light to return .
“Jy has now passed those marks and has had a few sessions of non-contact football on the field… he will be in full training on Friday,” performance director Kevin White told NMFC Media.
Suffering a calf strain in the third quarter against the Saints, veteran midfielder Liam Shiels will be out for the next two to three weeks.
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Shiels has missed just two matches since joining Arden Street during the season, with a concussion keeping him out on Day 11 and a sore muscle his leg forced him off the field during the 17th quarter against Geelong.
“Liam will look to increase his strength and function throughout this week, then move into running once he clears his bases,” White mentioned.
Youngsters Tom Powell (knee/ITB), Flynn Perez (knee) and Charlie Lazzaro (back) will all face tests over the weekend and hope to return to the senior squad for the West clash with Coast West.
“Tom has made great strides in his progression from ITB/knee overload that was causing him discomfort and inhibition when running,” White said.
“He had a solid workout at Arden Street on Sunday and will mix in some group exercises on Wednesday. From there we predict Tom will train strongly on Friday to be selected this week.
” Flynn suffered a muscle strain during the match. the game at Geelong two weeks ago left his knee swollen and irritated.
“He spent the first week working out hard to reduce the swelling and increase his range of motion, then last week he started hitting the ground running.
“He’s going through a workout football on Wednesday to evaluate his ability to get on the field. main training session on Friday.”
Initially named in the starting line-up for the Round 19 match against St Kilda, Lazzaro was taken off the field late due to back spasms and despite receiving treatment and travel, he still has functional problems and limited running.
A “mild ankle sprain” left Nick Larkey in some discomfort early in the second half, but the spearhead has recovered well over the past 48 hours and is expected to feature this weekend.
Charlie Comben (ankle) is still a month away, while Callum Coleman-Jones’s return from his second concussion this year is yet to be confirmed.
“Charlie has been stalled in his rehabilitation due to pain associated with higher levels of force/load on this ankle,” White said.
“The situation has now improved to the point where we should see him start running on the field this weekend, which is a positive step forward in his bid for a comeback.
“Due to having to Having suffered multiple concussions this season, “CJ” will perform external testing and neurophysiological evaluation.
“The timing of his return will be determined by the recommendations of these external reviews.”
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