Highmore misses again, Clark role update, Chapman job security boost
Rowan Marshall was named to play, Tom Highmore missed out, Jordan Clark offered an update on his role and Fremantle coach Justin Longmuir pumped up Heath Chapman’s job security.
TEAM NEWS
Ins: Rioli, McIntosh
Outs: Long, Ross, Caddy, Martyn
Missing: Highmore
Holds: Marshall, Mansell
Emergencies/possible subs: Hunter, Joyce, Ralphsmith, C-Jones
There’s no major selection news except that Tom Highmore (AF $240k SC $117k DEF) is still nowhere to be seen, while Rowan Marshall (AF $717k SC $557k FWD/RUCK) and Rhyan Mansell (AF $179k SC $102k DEF) hold their spots.
On Marshall, Saints coach Brett Ratten said: “He’s going well. He did a bit yesterday, he’s done a bit again today. He’s doing everything right so unless something pops up he’ll play.”
UPDATES
Ratten also spoke about Paddy Ryder (SF $575k SC $505k RUCK) and his potential return in the coming weeks which may impact Paul Hunter.
He said: “He was probably best-on yesterday at training but we’ll just stick to the process and his program. He won’t be far off against Port (R6) or we wait for the Hawthorn week (R7).”
Jordan Clark (AF $442k SC $294k D/M) fronted the media and spoke about his role. He said: “The last couple of weeks I’ve played a few different roles and it’s something I’m prepared to do for the side. I don’t mind getting thrown around wherever, as long as I’m out there it’s all that matters to me.”
Good news for those wondering about the job security of Heath Chapman (AF $316k SC $207k DEF) after comments by Freo coach Justin Longmuir on 6PR last night.
Longmuir said: “With injuries comes opportunity and he has grabbed it with both hands. It looks like we have got a player there, that is a bonus out of the injury toll.”
On Freo, forgotten rookie Luke Valente (AF $170k SC $123k MID) looks a way off having played WAFL reserves on the weekend.
Dockers development coach Tendai Mzungu said: “Played limited minutes in the reserves. He showed a bit of his class around the stoppage and got his hands on the footy. It was a positive for Luke to get through the game unscathed.”
There’s bad injury news for Jared Polec (AF $602k SC $432k MID) who has a hamstring issue, which equates to good news for North’s rookies’ job security.
North Football GM Brady Rawlings said: “We’re probably thinking 4-5 weeks before he’ll realistically be able to play AFL again.” That will impact the likes of Charlie Lazzaro (AF $242k SC $147k MID) and Will Phillips (AF $266k SC $198k MID) primarily.
Tyler Brockman‘s (AF $284k SC $172k MID/FWD) job security may be shaky with Oliver Hanrahan (AF $376k SC $237k FWD) pressing for a recall to the senior side.
Speaking about his VFL scratch match performance, Hawks development coach Andy Otten said: “Olly came back to reserves level and his attitude was outstanding. His pressure around the football was to a really high level… He was outstanding for us this week.”
TOMORROW
It’ll be a busy Thursday with Simon Goodwin, David Teague, Ben Rutten, Matthew Nicks, Adam Simpson and Chris Scott fronting the media, while we’ll get the Friday 22s for West Coast-Collingwood and Round 5 will commence too.
