Sydney have flagged a well-owned rookie after Dane Rampe’s season-ending injury, while Tim English’s Round 13 availability remains unclear and Max Gawn offered another update.
ROOKIE FLAG
Popular pre-season pick Will Gould (AF $220k SC $117k DEF) has been flagged by Sydney coach John Longmire as a possible replacement for Dane Rampe (AF $481k SC $470k DEF) after he was ruled out for the season due to his hand injury.
Longmire said: “Last night Dane had a scan and we found out that the plate has been dislodged. He will be out for the season.”
The Swans coach flagged that Gould, who is yet to debut, could be in the mix to replace Rampe.
Longmire said: “Aliir is one (option). We’ve got a couple of young fellas too we can use in that particular role, Will Gould, in the coming weeks if not this week.”
Gould is still owned by 8% of AFL Fantasy and 25% of SuperCoach coaches, despite not playing all season.
UNCLEAR ENGLISH
The will-he won’t-he situation for Tim English (AF $653k SC $506k RUCK) continues after his late ankle problem last round.
Dogs medical services manager Chris Bell said: “Tim’s doing everything he can to improve the swelling and normalise his ankle strength and function.
“We’re going to leave out decision on Tim’s availability until the back-end of the week.”
Laitham Vandermeer (AF $414k SC $262k MID/FWD) looks set to return after being managed last round.
Bell said: “Laitham had some general soreness that persisted for a few days. This did limit his training last week. He’s re-integrated into full training this week and expect him to put his hand up for selection.”
YOUNG CROWS OUT
The verdict is in on popular young defender Andrew McPherson (AF $360k SC $284k DEF) who injured his hamstring on the weekend.
Crows Head of Science and Medicine Steve Saunders said: “We anticipate him being ready to return to play for the Hawthorn match in Round 15 or the game after that.”
Will Hamill (AF $286k SC $210k DEF) will also miss this round with concussion. Saunders said: “He’s been cleared for full training by the doctors without contact for this week. He’ll progress into contact sessions next week and be ready for the Hawthorn (R15) game.”
BRIGHT BLUES
Formerly well-owned ruckman Marc Pittonet (AF $471k SC $334k RUCK) looks set to return after missing last round with a finger injury.
Carlton High Performance Director Andrew Russell said: “Pitto’s finger is settling down really well. We think he’ll be available to play.”
Jack Martin (AF $573k SC $436k MID/FWD) is also firmly in the mix for Friday night’s game in Darwin after a calf complaint.
Russell said: “Jack’s calf has settled down well: he’s a good chance to play. He’s not a certainty but we feel he’s on track to play this week and he’ll be tested later in the week.”
MAX LATEST
Amid a busy day, Max Gawn (AF $920k SC $721k RUCK) spoke to RSN Breakfast about his shoulder and knee issues, offering mild confidence he’ll return this round.
“It’s (the PCL) good, you do have to be relatively careful even though I have a pretty aggressive mindset with it,” Gawn said.
Melbourne plays the Western Bulldogs in Saturday’s early game on the Gold Coast.
OTHERS
The vague nature of Elliot Yeo’s (AF $646k SC 473k MID) groin injury will leave a lot of coaches uncertain about what to do with him.
Eagles coach Adam Simpson told 7 News Perth: “He’s got a bit of osteitis which can be anything from one week to several weeks. We’ll see how he pulls up… We’re hoping to get him back at the back-end of the season.”
Freo confirmed Michael Walters (AF $696k SC $524k MID/FWD) got through their loss to Carlton after his hamstring injury and has “pulled up really well”.
Connor Rozee (AF $451K SC $288k MID/FWD*) will miss again for Port but Brad Ebert (AF $609k SC $421k FWD) is in contention after concussion.
Port assistant coach Nathan Bassett: “Connor Rozee won’t be available for selection this week. We do expect him to return before the end of the home-and-away season. Brad Ebert will be available.”
Hawthorn’s bad run of injury continues with Jaeger O’Meara (AF $690k SC $450k MID) out with a hand injury, which will require surgery.
Hawks Physical Performance Manager Luke Boyd said: “Unfortunately Jaeger’s fractured his hand… he’s going to have surgery this week which’ll obviously rule him out (for this week’s game). We’ll re-assess next week.”
Harry Jones (AF $184k SC $123k MID) will also miss four to six weeks with an MCL injury.
Essendon rookie Ned Cahill (AF $196k SC $136k MID/FWD) will be out for three to four weeks with a quad injury suffered in match simulation.
TOMORROW
Stuart Dew and David Teague will speak to the media ahead of Friday’s Gold Coast clash against Carlton. Other than that it might be quite relaxed for a change!
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This club has such great chemistry, hopeful that everything will come together.