Bombers star Jake Stringer cut down by foot injury

Jake Stringer has been struck down by another injury and is out of the Bombers-Swans clash. (Matt Turner/AAP PHOTOS)

Essendon star Jake Stringer is set for a stint on the sidelines after being grounded by a foot injury, while Melbourne forward Ben Brown has paid the price for his goalless display against Adelaide. 

Stringer tallied just eight disposals in last week's loss to the Western Bulldogs, and it was clear to see he was struggling physically at times.

Earlier this week, Essendon coach Brad Scott said Stringer was "medically available" to play against the Swans on Saturday, but would need to prove at training that he was physically up to the mark.

The Bombers revealed on Thursday that Stringer is struggling with a plantar fascia injury - the same complaint Fremantle star Nat Fyfe battled earlier this year.

No timeline has been set on Stringer's return.

"Jake was restricted with discomfort in his plantar fascia this week during some speed running at training," Essendon's performance manager Daniel McPherson told the club's website.

"He won’t play this weekend, but we’re hopeful the injury will recover quickly.

"We’ll know more after he’s had a few days off the foot, but the plan will be to deload him, complete some cross-training in the meantime, and then start to reload the foot and progress him back into training reasonably quickly.”

Defender Jordan Ridley was also ruled out after suffering a quad injury that will sideline him for the rest of the home-and-away season.

Just two weeks after making a selection bombshell by dropping ruckman Brodie Grundy, Melbourne coach Simon Goodwin swung the axe on Brown ahead of Sunday's clash with Richmond at the MCG.

Brown was scoreless from just five possessions in last week's four-point win over Adelaide, meaning he has booted just two goals from four appearances since his round-16 recall.

Grundy has been named on the extended bench for a second straight week, with the former Pie a chance to replace Brown in the 22.

Tom Sparrow was ruled out with a minor calf injury, but Harrison Petty could return from rib soreness.

Port Adelaide have decided to "manage" ruckman Scott Lycett for Saturday night's Showdown against the Crows, while Willie Rioli goes out through suspension.

Travis Boak has been dropped from the 22, but Port confirmed he will be named the tactical sub.

Adelaide have lost Izak Rankine (hamstring) and Nick Murray (knee) to injury, but club champion Rory Laird and rising star nominee Max Michalanney return.

Irish defender Mark Keane, who notched five games for Collingwood before returning to Ireland at the start of 2022, will make his Crows debut.

Carlton welcome back captain Patrick Cripps and Adam Cerra among six changes for Friday night's blockbuster against the Magpies at the MCG.

Jack Martin (calf), Marc Pittonet (knee) and Matt Owies (calf) also return, along with Caleb Marchbank, who will notch his first AFL game of the year after impressive VFL form.

Gun midfielder Sam Walsh (hamstring) and utility Jack Silvagni (knee) are among the outs.

For Collingwood, Will Hoskin-Elliot replaces Bobby Hill (illness).

West Coast have been bolstered by the return of Elliot Yeo (hip) for Sunday's home clash with North Melbourne, but Jeremy McGovern (concussion) and Tom Barrass (shoulder) will spend another week on the sidelines.

The Western Bulldogs welcome back Jason Johannisen from a hamstring injury for Saturday's top-eight match against GWS, while forward Rory Lobb has been handed a recall.

License this article

What is AAPNews?

For the first time, Australian Associated Press is delivering news straight to the consumer.

No ads. No spin. News straight-up.

Not only do you get to enjoy high-quality news delivered straight to your desktop or device, you do so in the knowledge you are supporting media diversity in Australia.

AAP Is Australia’s only independent newswire service, free from political and commercial influence, producing fact-based public interest journalism across a range of topics including politics, courts, sport, finance and entertainment.

What is AAPNews?
The Morning Wire

Wake up to AAPNews’ morning news bulletin delivered straight to your inbox or mobile device, bringing you up to speed with all that has happened overnight at home and abroad, as well as setting you up what the day has in store.

AAPNews Morning Wire
AAPNews Breaking News
Breaking News

Be the first to know when major breaking news happens.


Notifications will be sent to your device whenever a big story breaks, ensuring you are never in the dark when the talking points happen.

Focused Content

Enjoy the best of AAP’s specialised Topics in Focus. AAP has reporters dedicated to bringing you hard news and feature content across a range of specialised topics including Environment, Agriculture, Future Economies, Arts and Refugee Issues.

AAPNews Focussed Content
Subscription Plans

Choose the plan that best fits your needs. AAPNews offers two basic subscriptions, all billed monthly.

Once you sign up, you will have seven days to test out the service before being billed.

AAPNews Full Access Plan
Full Access
AU$10
  • Enjoy all that AAPNews has to offer
  • Access to breaking news notifications and bulletins
  • Includes access to all AAPNews’ specialised topics
Join Now
AAPNews Student Access Plan
Student Access
AU$5
  • Gain access via a verified student email account
  • Enjoy all the benefits of the ‘Full Access’ plan at a reduced rate
  • Subscription renews each month
Join Now
AAPNews Annual Access Plan
Annual Access
AU$99
  • All the benefits of the 'Full Access' subscription at a discounted rate
  • Subscription automatically renews after 12 months
Join Now

AAPNews also offers enterprise deals for businesses so you can provide an AAPNews account for your team, organisation or customers. Click here to contact AAP to sign-up your business today.

SEVEN DAYS FREE
Download the app
Download AAPNews on the App StoreDownload AAPNews on the Google Play Store