How Grainger-Barras's Shoulder Injury Affects Carlton SSP List Bid

Carlton SSP hopeful Grainger-Barras injured his shoulder in a practice match, potentially hurting his chances for a list spot. This comes as other players like Jagga Smith are showing strong form.
By Newsroom | AFL, Carlton |

A Carlton hopeful, seeking a spot on the AFL list through the Supplemental Selection Period (SSP), has sustained an injury during a practice match. Grainger-Barras was forced off the field after a marking contest, leaving him holding his shoulder. This incident occurs as other Carlton prospects, including high draft pick Jagga Smith, are showing strong form, making the competition for limited list spots intense.

Pre-Season Progress and Concerns

The period leading up to the AFL season sees clubs assess players training on with the hope of securing a contract. For the Carlton Blues, this process is underway, with several players aiming to impress.

Top Blues pick’s ‘exciting’ acts as SSP hopeful ‘almost a certainty’ - 1

  • Jagga Smith, a notable draft selection, is reported to be transitioning smoothly into AFL training. His ability to consistently gain possession has led to him being considered "almost a certainty" for Round 1 selection.

  • Matt Duffy, who has been recovering from an ACL injury sustained the previous year, is focused on increasing his training workload.

  • McMahon, recognized for his performance in the VFL where he kicked 45 goals and won the club's best and fairest award, had his participation in recent match simulations limited.

Grainger-Barras's Injury During Match Simulation

During a training session on Friday, Grainger-Barras was involved in a marking contest. The outcome of this contest resulted in him leaving the field with an injured shoulder, which he was seen holding. The specifics of the injury and its potential impact on his SSP bid remain unclear at this stage.

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Broader SSP Landscape

Across the AFL, a total of 13 players are training with various clubs in pursuit of securing one of the six vacant list spots. This Supplemental Selection Period (SSP) represents a final opportunity for these players to earn an AFL contract. Clubs with available spots include Carlton, Port Adelaide, Essendon, Fremantle, and the Western Bulldogs, each with one vacancy, and West Coast with two.

Top Blues pick’s ‘exciting’ acts as SSP hopeful ‘almost a certainty’ - 2

Evidence

  • Article 2 (Published Dec 13, 2024) states: "Continuing his train-on stint with the Blues on Friday, Grainger-Barras was sidelined and left holding his shoulder after a marking contest during match simulation." This article also notes: "Pick 3 draft selection Jagga Smith looks a near certainty for Round 1 selection with his immediate and effortless transition to AFL training, finding no issue in getting his hands on the ball…" and "McMahon - who claimed Carlton's VFL best and fairest this year after a 45-goal campaign - was also limited in his duties on Friday and watched the match simulation block from the boundary between running laps."

  • Article 6 (Published Feb 9, 2025) indicates: "A total of 13 AFL hopefuls are training across seven clubs this summer in the hopes of securing a list spot via the Supplemental Selection Period." It also details the vacant spots: "…Carlton, Port Adelaide, Essendon, Fremantle and the Western Bulldogs each having one vacancy, while West Coast have two."

Potential Impact on List Candidacy

Grainger-Barras's shoulder injury introduces an element of uncertainty into his prospects of securing an SSP list spot. While his status as a "train-on" player means he is not yet officially contracted, injuries during this critical assessment period can significantly influence a club's decision-making. The presence of other players demonstrating strong form, like Jagga Smith, further intensifies the competition for the limited positions available.

Outlook for Other Carlton Prospects

While Grainger-Barras faces a setback, other Carlton hopefuls are presenting a compelling case for list inclusion. Jagga Smith's immediate impact and ease of integration into training suggest he is a strong contender for a senior playing role. The performances and training efforts of other players during this pre-season period will be crucial in shaping the final list decisions for the club.

Read More: Nick Daicos stays at Collingwood after rejecting $5 million Tasmania offer in July 2025

Conclusion

The injury sustained by Carlton SSP hopeful Grainger-Barras during a practice match raises questions about his immediate future with the club. As he recovers, other players vying for limited list spots continue to train and impress. The Supplemental Selection Period is a high-stakes environment, and injuries at this juncture can alter the trajectory of a player's aspirations for an AFL career. Further updates on Grainger-Barras's condition and the decisions made by Carlton regarding their SSP candidates are anticipated.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Why did Carlton SSP hopeful Grainger-Barras leave the practice match on Friday?
Grainger-Barras left the practice match on Friday after a marking contest because he injured his shoulder and was seen holding it.
Q: How might Grainger-Barras's shoulder injury affect his chance to join the Carlton AFL list?
The injury during the practice match could hurt his chances for a Supplemental Selection Period (SSP) list spot because clubs are watching closely and other players are performing well.
Q: Who else is trying to get a spot on the Carlton AFL list through the SSP?
Besides Grainger-Barras, other players like Jagga Smith, who is doing very well in training, and Matt Duffy, who is increasing his training load after an injury, are also aiming for list spots.
Q: How many players are trying for SSP spots across the AFL and how many spots are available?
Across the AFL, 13 players are training with clubs hoping to get one of the 6 available list spots through the SSP.
Q: Which AFL clubs have SSP spots open?
Carlton, Port Adelaide, Essendon, Fremantle, and the Western Bulldogs each have one spot open, while West Coast has two spots available.