Bomber veteran needs surgery
ESSENDON’S hopes of an elusive AFL finals win have taken a hit, with veteran David Zaharakis to undergo ankle surgery.
The Bombers confirmed Zaharakis needs the operation after suffering syndesmosis damage during Saturday night’s away win over Fremantle. The win confirmed a topeight finish for the Bombers, but they have not won a final since 2004.
Zaharakis has played 20 out of 21 games this season for a career total of 207. There is no way the midfielder will recover in time for their elimination final against either Collingwood or GWS and his season looks over.
But Richmond has had better news, with key defender Dylan Grimes cleared of serious damage to his ankle.
Grimes sent a scare through the Tigers’ camp when he hurt his ankle in a marking contest during Sunday’s thrilling win over West Coast at the MCG.
The 28-year-old — arguably Richmond’s most important player with Alex Rance out for the season — was helped from the ground by trainers but finished the game.
Coach Damien Hardwick said Grimes’ ankle had “blown up” and he would be closely monitored before Sunday’s final game of the regular season against ladder leader Brisbane, which could decide whether the Tigers earn a topfour finish. But the news yesterday was positive, with Grimes walking relatively freely at Punt Road.
“I think at this early stage, we’ve just got to take every precaution and try and get it right early in the week,” he said. “Hopefully I’ll train and, fingers crossed, get up to play.”
The Tigers expect to have skipper Trent Cotchin (hamstring) back to face the Lions at the MCG.
Ruckman Toby Nankervis is continuing to battle groin soreness and appears less likely to return before the finals.
MEANWHILE, the AFL will review its so-called Toby Greene rule after Richmond star Jack Riewoldt gave up two controversial free kicks in the win over West Coast.
The Tigers’ key forward was livid on Sunday when the frees were paid against him, because his boot studs had made contact with an opponent in a marking contest.
The league cracked down on boot studs contact because of Greene, after the GWS star had raised his leg and used the sole of his boot at times to ward off opponents.
“The studs-up rule was brought in to ensure players did not employ their studs in marking contests in a manner likely to cause injury,” AFL football operations manager Steve Hocking said in a statement. “Although the two incidents … were adjudicated according to the current interpretation, the AFL acknowledges there is a need to adjust the interpretation of rough conduct free kicks relating to the use of studs in marking contests and will make this change effective immediately.”
Earlier yesterday, Richmond football manager Neil Balme made his displeasure clear.
“I don’t know why they did it in the first place,” he said of the rule change. “If someone kicks someone in the face with their studs, I reckon that’s pretty obvious. If someone goes for a mark that’s also pretty obvious, but sometimes we over-officiate, don’t we?”