Today was a bumper day of media activity with five AFL coaches – John Longmire, Rhyce Shaw, Chris Scott, Nathan Buckley and Leon Cameron – speaking to the press and offering up some key team news.

DEBUTANT ALERT
Plenty of coaches were rejoicing when Collingwood confirmed ruck/forward Darcy Cameron (AF $170k, SC $123k) was named to make his debut in Round Two on Thursday night.

The former Swan is owned by 45% of AFL Fantasy coaches and 35% of Supercoaches. But a word of warning, he’s only being selected due to injury to Mason Cox which appears temporary, so spending a trade to get him in may not be wise.

Pies coach Nathan Buckley said about Cox: “His prep hasn’t been great. He came back as fit as anyone. He’s not far away but we need a body of work into him.”

RUCK WOES
Swans coach John Longmire sent shudders down the spines of plenty of coaches when he revealed Sam Naismith (AF $314k, SC $251k – RUCK) has a tight hamstring and may miss Round Two.

“Naismith is a bit tight in his hamstring so we will see how we go Thursday,” Longmire said.

He also revealed fellow tall Michael Knoll injured his PCL in training, thus highlighting his side’s challenges with ruck depth may have been Longmire’s main point, as opposed to declaring Naismith out.

Swans CEO Tom Harley later added: “(Naismith) is certainly not ruled out by any stretch.”

STAB IN THE DARK
Jack Steven (AF $653k, SC $361k – MID/FWD) is putting his hand up to play for Geelong on Friday night against Hawthorn despite recently sustaining a stab wound.

Cats coach Chris Scott hinted they err on the side of caution when he said: “I’m very confident he’ll get through the session well and put his hand up.

“It’s a matter of whether we push a button on it. If we don’t play him, we’re being conservative.”

Scott confirmed Josh Jenkins and Jake Kolodjashnij will both miss, while Brandon Parfitt was a strong chance to return after being an emergency in Round One.

OTHERS
Callan Ward (AF $539k, SC $511k – MID) looks likely to play, with Giants coach Leon Cameron stating: “Callan has put his hand up to play after the intra-club on Saturday. He’s in a unique position & we’ll look closely at that this afternoon at match committee.”

Bachar Houli’s (AF $766k, SC $571k – DEF) calf issue didn’t appear to have Richmond captain Trent Cotchin too concerned, although he reiterated that the coaches and medical staff will make the final call.

North Melbourne ruled out tall forward Nick Larkey with a hot spot in his foot, following Majak Daw, meaning the Roos are short a second ruck to Todd Goldstein. Could this open the door to popular pick Tristan Xerri (AF $170k, SC $123k – RUCK/FWD)?

Adelaide skipper Rory Sloane indiscriminately named some rookies pushing to play to get coaches excited, including Lachy Sholl, Will Hamill, Ben Keays, Chayce Jones and Shane McAdam. Takes this with a grain of salt.

TOMORROW
Damien Hardwick will address the media and likely confirm Houli’s availability, one way or the other. John Worsfold, Scott Pendlebury, Angus Brayshaw and Stuart Dew will also hold press conferences.