Parish joins Bombers’ casualty list for Lions AFL clash

Shayne Hope and Anna Harrington | May 11, 2023

Essendon star Darcy Parish won’t face Brisbane after injuring his calf at training, compounding the depleted Bombers’ injury woes.

Brad Scott’s Bombers, on a three-game AFL losing run, were already down on numbers with key defenders Jordan Ridley (concussion), Jayden Laverde (AC joint) and Zach Reid (hamstring) plus small Jake Kelly all sidelined.

The Bombers said Parish felt tightness after Thursday’s training and was sent for scans, with an update on the severity of his injury to come.

Recalled young tall Kaine Baldwin, swingman Kyle Langford and Brandon Zerk-Thatcher will have to deal with the likes of Charlie Cameron, Eric Hipwood and Joe Daniher at the Gabba on Saturday.

Wingman Sam Durham returns from suspension against the in-form Lions, who regain veteran Dayne Zorko earlier than expected from a hamstring injury.

Ex-cricketer James O’Donnell will debut for the Western Bulldogs against Carlton on Saturday, just 35 days after signing on as a category B rookie.

The son of former Australia cricketer Simon O’Donnell, O’Donnell has impressed in the VFL.

As well as being an ODI hero for Australia in the 1980s, Simon O’Donnell made 24 senior appearances for St Kilda in 1982 and 1983 as a cross-code athlete, while his father Kevin played 49 games for the Saints in the 1940s.

Veteran Ed Curnow is among three Blues dropped.

North Melbourne have dropped veteran midfielder Ben Cunnington for their clash with Port Adelaide after he was substituted against St Kilda, with Hugh Greenwood recalled.

Promising Geelong midfielder Jhye Clark, the Cats’ No.8 draft pick, will make his highly-anticipated AFL debut as substitute in the blockbuster clash with Richmond at the MCG on Friday night.

Geelong will be without captain Patrick Dangerfield after the star midfielder sustained a hamstring injury against Adelaide, with Brandan Parfitt recalled as cover.

Fellow Brownlow Medal winner Trent Cotchin will return for Richmond after he was managed last week.

Key defender Tom McCartin will miss Sydney’s clash with Fremantle after reporting concussion symptoms, despite not suffering a head knock, during the Swans’ loss to Collingwood.

McCartin missed two games earlier in the season through concussion and the Swans are taking a cautious approach.

His older brother Paddy is sidelined indefinitely after suffering the 10th concussion of his career in round four.

Ruckman Peter Ladhams will also miss with an arm injury but will be replaced by fellow big man Tom Hickey.

Nat Fyfe looms as Fremantle’s substitute after being named outside their 22.

Versatile Collingwood tall Billy Frampton is sidelined with a groin injury against GWS, with young ruck Aiden Begg among the inclusions in the Magpies’ extended squad.

The Giants have named skipper Toby Greene to return from an ankle injury.

St Kilda have ruled out a return for tall forward Max King against Adelaide as he recovers from a pre-season shoulder reconstruction, but Anthony Caminiti will return from suspension.

Jade Gresham (knee) and Rowan Marshall (ankle) have both been cleared to play.