Magpies lose Ball, Johnson to injury

Injuries have cost Collingwood's prize recruit Luke Ball and defender Ben Johnson a
place in Monday's Queen's Birthday AFL clash with Melbourne at the MCG.
Hard-nosed midfielder Ball, who has shone for the Magpies this season, playing the
first 11 games, after being traded from St Kilda, is out with a groin injury, while
Johnson has an ankle complaint.
While 26-year-old Ball was troubled by long-term groin problems at times during his
Saints career, Magpies football chief Geoff Walsh said both he and Johnson should
miss just one game.
The Magpies have their mid-season break next weekend, with the pair expected to be
available for the ANZ Stadium meeting with Sydney on June 26.
"Ball wasn't able to get up with a groin complaint but he should be right for
selection for the (Sydney) match," Walsh told the club's website.
"With the club facing a weekend off after the game against Melbourne, we are hopeful
both players will be ready to go."
The Demons also have problems, losing skipper James McDonald to a hamstring strain.
Fellow midfielder Nathan Jones could still be forced out with a similar complaint,
despite being named in their squad on Thursday night.
Colin Sylvia was also included, despite spending the week in hospital for treatment
on a blood clot in his foot, but needs to prove his fitness at training over the
weekend.
Veterans Shane O'Bree and Tarkyn Lockyer were both recalled to an expanded
interchange bench for the Magpies, while Melbourne named key defender James Frawley,
who is expected to return from a back injury.
Geelong lost key forward Cameron Mooney (ankle) for Saturday night's Etihad Stadium
meeting with Essendon.
It compounds the continued absence of fellow tall target Tom Hawkins (foot), who
also missed last weekend's win over West Coast.
But the injury-hit Cats retained James Podsiadly, despite the key forward straining
his groin in the warm-up last round, and regained captain Cameron Ling from a
shoulder injury.
The Bombers made five changes, including the loss of David Hille and Angus Monfries
to hamstring injuries, but Dustin Fletcher and Brent Stanton will return from
suspension and injury respectively.
Sydney will be boosted by the return of running defender Tadhg Kennelly and small
forward Ben McGlynn from injury for Saturday night's clash with Port Adelaide,
McGlynn after missing seven games with a quadriceps injury.
Adelaide lost veterans Tyson Edwards (retirement) and Andrew McLeod (knee), along
with young defender Phil Davis (AC joint), but experienced backman Nathan Bock
returns from injury for Sunday's match against Hawthorn in Launceston.
The Hawks regained star forward Lance Franklin from suspension, but lost Chance
Bateman (suspension), Clinton Young (thigh) and Liam Shiels (quad).
Richmond will welcome back Daniel Connors from an eight-game club-imposed suspension
and Daniel Jackson from AFL suspension for Sunday's meeting with West Coast, who are
still without injured captain Darren Glass.
The Western Bulldogs named forward Robert Murphy to return from a knee injury
against Brisbane on Sunday, but Shaun Higgins is out with an ankle injury.
The Lions were hit with the loss of defenders Matt Maguire (foot) and Ashley McGrath
(hamstring), but fullback Daniel Merrett is set to return after missing six games
with a hamstring injury.
North Melbourne will be without key forward David Hale (back), replaced by Ben
Warren, for Friday night's clash with Carlton, who regained Dennis Armfield.
Fremantle lost Chris Mayne (ankle) and dropped Steven Dodd for Sunday's Subiaco
meeting with St Kilda, who are yet to make any cuts.