Teams news dropped a big revelation that Sam Draper has been managed by Essendon, while two debutants were named by Richmond and West Coast on Wednesday sparking Nic Naitanui resting fears.

TEAM NEWS
Ins: D.Minchington, J.Gunston, J.Ceglar, C.Hooker, J.Daniher, A.Phillips, T.Nankervis, T.Dow (debutant), B.Williams (debutant), M.Hutchings

Outs: B.Stratton (managed), S.Burgoyne (managed), J.Impey (foot), T.Bellchambers (knee), A.Francis (hamstring), S.Draper (managed), S.Stack (hip), M.Chol (omitted), O.Allen (glute), J.Nelson (shoulder)

The big revelation from the teams announcement was Sam Draper (AF $334k SC $271k RUCK) has been managed again by the Bombers despite Tom Bellchambers (AF $426k SC $314k RUCK) being out injured.

Joe Daniher (AF $420k SC $270k FWD) also makes his long-awaited return for Essendon.

Bombers coach John Worsfold said: “He’s worked incredibly hard and built up his loads over the past month to the point where he’s now ready to go.”

Hawks ruckman Jon Ceglar (AF $515k SC $366k RUCK/FWD) has overcome a toe issue to return.

Bailey Williams’ (AF $170k SC $123k DEF/RUCK) debut had a lot of people fearing Nic Naitanui (AF $605k SC $604k RUCK) would be rested but second ruck Oscar Allen (AF $506k SC $380k FWD) is out with a minor injury.

DEBUTANT ALERTS
Thomson Dow (AF $230k SC $117k MID) has been named to make his debut in Richmond’s clash with West Coast.

Dow was pick 21 in the 2019 AFL Draft. Tigers assistant coach Xavier Clarke said: “He’s got great agility around the ball, he’s played on the wing and at times on-ball.”

Richmond coach Damien Hardwick also said Riley Collier-Dawkins (AF $170k SC $123k MID) is “banging down the door” and came very close to his debut.

Popular DPP choice Bailey Williams (AF $170k SC $123k DEF/RUCK) will debut for West Coast in the same game.

He was pick 35 in the 2018 AFL Draft and is an athletic 200cm ruckman who can play forward. He came close to a debut in Round One.

OTHERS
West Coast coach Adam Simpson explained Elliot Yeo’s (AF $646k SC $473k MID) absence from the side’s flight to the Gold Coast on Tuesday, with some reading it as meaning he’ll be out for longer than expected.

Simpson said: “He got sick, not COVID-19, but he is sick. We didn’t want him to travel with the team so he is spending a few extra days at home and will fly over soon.”

TOMORROW
Chris Scott, Luke Beveridge and Leon Cameron will speak to the media while we’ll learn the Friday teams and have two matches to get the round underway.