UPDATE
Richmond has listed Dustin Martin as a test for Saturday afternoon’s game against Gold Coast and will monitor the Brownlow Medallist across the coming days.
As first reported by SEN’s Sam Edmund, Martin went for scans earlier on Tuesday on a corked calf suffered at training.
While scans came back clear, Martin is no certainty to play against the Suns and his former coach, Damien Hardwick.
It could be a dual blow for Richmond, with captain Toby Nankervis ruled out of featuring on Saturday.
He was last week revealed to be battling a foot injury. The Tigers hold hope he will be fit to play Carlton in Round 1.
Over at Arden Street, North Melbourne has moved early to rule Jy Simpkin out of Round 1.
The Roos don’t kick off their 2024 season for another 11 days, with their opening game coming against GWS on March 16.
Simpkin was subject to a sickening bump from Jimmy Webster on Sunday in a Community Series match and was concussed as a result.
He suffered two concussions last year and North Melbourne will now take a careful approach with the 26-year-old.
“Jy's health and well-being is our number one priority,” footy boss Todd Viney said in a club statement.
“Given Jy's concussion history, our medical team will take a conservative approach to his management and recovery as per the AFL's Concussion Protocols.
“Jy came into the club today, he's doing well and is in good spirits but his official return-to-play timeline is unclear at this point as it depends on his progress.”
However, Adelaide’s Mark Keane, who was concussed the week prior, is listed as a Test for Round 1 against the Suns.
The Crows on Tuesday evening said the 23-year-old defender is expected to be available.
Their cross-town rivals, Port Adelaide, expect to pick Zak Butters for Round 1 despite an ankle injury last week.
EARLIER
Collingwood will be taking on Greater Western Sydney without Jeremy Howe after the premiership defender was ruled out of Opening Round.
Howe has a calf injury, sustained prior to last week’s practice match, that will see him unavailable to play in four days' time.
However, the Magpies do expect Howe to be available for Round 1, when Collingwood will unfurl the flag against Sydney at the MCG on Round 1.
Howe, 33, missed half of last year after suffering a broken arm early in a nasty incident.
The Pies are also expected to take no risks with Scott Pendlebury early in the season, with the former skipper dealing with a sore knee/hamstring.
The club says Pendlebury will be assessed and are yet to make a call either way.
Meanwhile, scans on Nathan Kreuger’s hamstring have revealed a six-week injury after a setback in a VFL practice match last week.
