Sunday’s final teams offered some mixed news with several players under injury clouds named while a few rookies got the chop as well as AFL Fantasy ‘pig’ Tom Rockliff.

SURVIVED THE CUT
Callan Ward, Marlion Pickett, Tom Lynch, Bailey Smith, Laitham Vandermeer, Louis Butler

Dogs pair Bailey Smith (AF $569k SC $459k FWD) and Laitham Vandermeer (AF $297k SC $225k M/F) appear to be right to go after their head knocks last weekend.

Popular SuperCoach forward Tom Lynch (AF $456k SC $402k FWD) looks set to miraculously play after midweek surgery, having been named in the 22. However, he’s not a lock yet.

Richmond coach Damien Hardwick said: “He did the vast majority (of training) which exceeded expectations. He’s gone from a doubtful to a probable to play on Sunday. The only thing we need to tick off is the health of the wound.”

CUT
Sam Sturt (injury), Tom Rockliff, Justin McInerney, Sam Philp

Popular rookie Sam Sturt (AF $237 SC $195k FWD) managed another ankle injury at training on Thursday, ruling him out of Saturday’s game against St Kilda.

Traders podcast fave Tom Rockliff (AF $724k SC $451k MID) was dropped by Port, with Power coach Ken Hinkley explaining: “We made a decision based on Tom’s form over the last two or three weeks.”

DIDN’T MAKE THE CUT
Sam Jacobs, Riley Collier-Dawkins, Callum Moore, Callum Porter, Jordon Sweet

FISCH ON
Rookie defender Fischer McAsey (AF $254k SC $204k DEF) was a popular pre-season choice but has underwhelmed but take note this week as he’s being moved forward.

Crows coach Matthew Nicks said: “Fisch will play forward. We freshened him up last week. It’s a long season for guys who come in first year. We’ll let him jump at a few.”

Nicks also offered some comfort for those worried about debutant Andrew McPherson’s (AF $170k SC $123k DEF) job security.

“He’s a half-back. Really solid in defence, really good ball user,” Nicks said. “He’s a player we can rely on. Macca is very composed. I’ve no doubt he’ll be really important to us moving forward.”

OTHERS
Harley Bennell (AF $267k SC $123k MID) is back and Dees coach Simon Goodwin is confident he’ll be better this time around.

Goodwin said: “Clearly he’d done the work & got his game in Round Two but there was still gaps in the way he played and his footy durability. We used the last four weeks to fix that, he’s shown good signs.”

Gun defender Bachar Houli (AF $779k SC $528k DEF) may not be ruled out for five weeks yet, despite not joining the Tigers in the hubs, although any decision is premature at this stage.

Houli’s wife Rouba recently gave birth to their son Mohamed, hence his decision to stay in Melbourne. When asked if Houli may link up the Tigers in the hub, Hardwick didn’t rule it out.

Hardwick said: “The AFL are working through, with regard to bringing players up. There’s people in the backdoors trying to figure out that. The AFL are doing a power of work to see if it can happen.”

It’s not all over for Port rookie Mitch Georgiades (AF $258k SC $130k FWD) with Hinkley offering hope for a recall after a minor injury.

Hinkley said: “He’s fine now. He had a few issues going on in the background. But he’s fine now and right to play. We look forward to getting him back in the team once he gets a bit of footy behind him.”