TOM Sparrow has returned to the club following a confronting on-field incident, with Simon Goodwin speaking on the care shown as he enters concussion protocols.
“The pleasing thing is he’s back around the footy club and feeling healthy,” Goodwin said.
“It’s initially making sure he’s clear and feeling fine and limiting how many headaches he’s having. So all the good signs, all the indications early are really good and positive.
“We certainly won’t be taking any risk with Tom.”
Goodwin said the moment was difficult for those around him, but highlighted the care shown by the playing group.
“What we loved about our team was the amount of care shown on field,” he said.
“Those are the things you look for, as a footy club, the care and support for one another. He’s a much-loved figure within the playing group. So to see that support, and obviously to make sure he’s healthy and his family is in a good spot, that’s the most important thing.”
On Jake Lever’s injury concerns:
“Obviously he had some real inflammation around the sheath in the ankle,” Goodwin said.
“He’s had ongoing problems with his ankle - probably now for 12 to 18 months. He’s had a couple of surgeries, but this is something that’s fairly minor. He had an injection into that earlier in the week and hopefully that will settle things down.”
“We’re not sure how long it’s going to be, but what it does give us a chance to do is to make sure we get him right. We certainly won’t be bringing him back early. He’ll miss this week and then we’ll assess it from there.”
“He’s in a pretty positive mindset - but it’s a matter of getting on top of the irritation.”
On Aidan Johnson and Harrison Petty’s return:
“Aidan’s worked his way through ankle surgery, and will definitely come back and be available,” Goodwin said.
“Harrison is working his way through the concussion protocol. He’s had two weeks out. We’re really confident he’s going to play.”
“But, you know, he’s missed - now with the bye and obviously the Gold Coast game - only playing a quarter. It’s pretty much four weeks of footy and coming off concussion. So, you know, we’ll look to play him in the VFL this week if he gets through everything. We want to set him up for success and make sure he’s really right to go.”
“So, you know, four weeks out is a fair period of time. He’ll get through training today and we’ll look to play him in the VFL this week.”
On Jake Melksham’s outstanding form:
“It’s amazing. I’ve coached Jake since back in his Essendon days when he first got drafted. To see him evolve as a player has been one of the great joys. He’s probably playing his best footy - and his smartest footy - in the position he’s in.”
“It hasn’t come easy. He’s had a lot of little soft tissue niggles along the way. And I think that’s what you need to work through as a player.
“But when you look at him play - and the joy that he’s having, and the fun he’s having in his current form - there’s no reason why he wouldn’t go on.”
On the Blues:
“Clearly they’re a great stoppage team,” he said.
“They certainly score heavily in that phase of the game and that initial play period. That’s one area of the game that they are strong in.”
“They’ve got really good stoppage players that have big impact in games of footy.”
“If you give Curnow and the likes the opportunity forward of the ball with good supply, the night can become pretty hard. So we’ve got to make sure we get that part of the game to a really high level and give ourselves the best opportunity.”
“We go into every game thinking we’re capable of winning. And that’s what you do - you work your way through the week, and no matter who you’re playing, you think you can win games of footy.”
“That’s what we’ll be going after. We want to try and get some results for our footy club - but as importantly, we want to show that we’re progressing."
