Travis Boak will miss for Port Adelaide with a shock injury, while the Magpies displayed their selection hand early and the Giants ruck dilemma rolls on plus Friday’s teams were confirmed.

TEAM NEWS

Ins: Collier-Dawkins (deb), Schache, Hannan, Lipinski, West

Outs: Martin, Lambert (both inj), McNeil (mng), Dunkley, English, Jong, Vandermeer (all inj)

Holds: Mansell, Scott

Emergencies/possible subs: Naish, Martyn, Coleman-Jones, Rioli, Ugle-Hagan, McNeil, Khamis

Ex-Demon Mitch Hannan (AF $353k SC $283k FWD) will make his Western Bulldogs debut this Friday night against the Tigers. Hannan kicked 56 goals in 50 games for the Demons and was described as “electric” across half forward by development coach Travis Varcoe.

Lin Jong (AF $353k SC $318k M/F) and Josh Dunkley (AF $823k SC $634k M/F) are out for extended periods of time whilst although Tim English (AF $595k SC $491k R/F) avoided any structural damage, he will miss the clash with Richmond due to concussion protocols.

Lachlan McNeil, (AF $259k SC $195k M/F) who was the medical sub last week, has been left out of the 22 again.

Richmond, as announced earlier in the week, will debut Riley Collier-Dawkins (AF $170k SC $123k MID) who looks set for opportunity in the midfield with Dustin Martin (AF $637k SC $482k M/F) and Kane Lambert (AF $617k SC $447k FWD) out for the Friday night clash. Collier-Dawkins has combined for 12 tackles in the opening two rounds of the VFL.

Martin will miss with concussion and is traveling to New Zealand but should be back for the round 8 clash with Geelong. Lambert on the other hand has a calf issue which could leave him out for up to 4 weeks.

Dion Prestia’s (AF $612k SC $416k MID) time on the sidelines has been extended today following a calf complaint with the club’s injury list showing his return still 3-4 weeks away.

UPDATES

Travis Boak (AF $721k SC $555k MID) has been ruled out for Port Adelaide’s trip to the Gabba to face Brisbane but has been flagged to return for the showdown the following week.

Port said in an update: "Boak has been managing a minor quad injury for the past couple of weeks & won’t make the trip to Queensland... (he) is expected to be available for next week’s Showdown at Adelaide Oval against the Crows.”

Boak attended the most centre bounces for the Power (21) out of all midfielders last week. His absence will create opportunity for increased midfield time for the likes of Willem Drew (AF $448k SC $351k MID) and Dan Houston (AF $666k SC $500k DEF/MID) or even mean a first game of the season for Sam Powell-Pepper (AF $558k SC $404k MID/FWD) after his 34 disposals in the SANFL last week.

GWS coach Leon Cameron admitted today that the selection committee were again weighing up the option to play Shane Mumford. Mumford played in Rounds 4 and 5 which left Matthew Flynn (AF $394k SC $273k RUC) out of the side.

When asked by the media, Cameron responded, "We're really rapt with how Flynny is going, equally Mummy comes in & serves a purpose as well. That's the one we're undecided on at the moment. It's a really good healthy debate."

Collingwood have announced their VFL team which contained some interesting names.

Jack Madgen (AF $463k SC $298k DEF), Will Kelly (AF $171k SC $135k FWD), Jay Rantall (AF $173k SC $123k MID) and Trey Roscoe (AF $198k SC $179k FWD) appear to have all been dropped by Collingwood as Caleb Poulter (AF $212k SC $117.3k M/F) comes in and Finlay Macrae (AF $251k SC $126k M/F) looks to have held his spot.

Madgen, who had recently been moved onto the wing, will leave room for debutant Poulter to play the role. Pies coach Nathan Buckley said in a social media video posted by Collingwood that Poulter “looked most conformable” on the wing. Poulter had 27 disposals in the VFL last week.

Jimmy Webster (SF $353k SC $268k DEF) will return this week after a one-week lay-off with a groin injury.

Saints coach Brett Ratten said: “Webster will play as well, he'll be straight back in.” This may impact Tom Highmore’s (AF $240k SC $117k DEF) chances of selection.

Jake Carlisle (SF $442k SC $340k DEF) looks set to miss after he didn’t complete training, however he played forward last round which arguably means a lack of relevance regarding Highmore’s selection.

Jack Billings (SF $665k SC $469k M/F) who’s numbers have been a rare celebration for the Saints so far in 2021 was not seen at training midweek.

Ratten was quick to put out any flames regarding the situation. He said: “Little bit (sore). He could've trained if we wanted to. It's a 6-day turnaround. He hasn't missed a training session all year so if he has a lighter session it's OK. He'll play."

Ryan Byrnes (AF $170k SC $123k MID), who played one game in 2020, is fit again and a chance to play too. Ratten said: "He's pretty close. We've got to go in and debate that now. He's one of the talking points."

Carlton coach David Teague spoke highly of Liam Stocker (AF $242k SC $186k DEF), when he said: "I thought his game last week was quite strong. He's tough, physical, he competed. I thought his adjustment (to AFL) was very good."

He also Luke Parks (AF $205k SC $102k DEF) was in the mix after injury. Teague said: "He's only missed a couple of weeks. He's another one, if he gets through training today, he's more likely to be considered for selection. Newman and De Koning will both play VFL."

Meanwhile, Melbourne confirmed Ben Brown (AF $532k SC $260k FWD) will make his club debut, while James Harmes (AF $489k SC $344k DEF) is back available for selection after injury.

TOMORROW

We'll get a bunch of teams for Saturday's games, plus Matthew Nicks, David Noble, Alastair Clarkson, Ken Hinkley and Adam Simpson will speak to the media.

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