Tex rested, Cripps is ‘fine’, Highmore returns, Macrae update & 4 debutants
Taylor Walker is set to be rested for the Crows’ trip to Perth whilst Braeden Campbell won’t be returning to AFL level anytime soon. Debutants have been named across the league and Tom Highmore is named for the Saints in Thursday teams.
TEAMS
Ins: Highmore, Frawley, Ross
Outs: Joyce, Coffield, Wood, Z.Jones (inj), Simpson (inj)
Holds: Byrnes
Possible subs/Emergencies: Clark
Tom Highmore (AF $240k SC $117k DEF) will make his much-anticipated return this Friday night for the Saints.
Whilst Zak Jones (AF $621k SC $455k MID) will miss a minimum of 8 weeks after a rupture in his quad. This could give Ryan Byrnes (AF $240k SC $123k MID) even more job security.
DEBUTANT ALERTS
Collingwood have announced that Tom Wilson (AF $170k SC $123k FWD) will make his debut this weekend. Pies coach Nathan Buckley said: “Tom Wilson has been excellent. He’s played a little on the wing & down back for us.”
An injury ravaged Richmond will debut Hugo Ralphsmith (AF $170k SC $123k M/F). The pick 46 in the 2019 draft was drafted as a half-forward however has been experimented in a half-back role this year.
Ronin O’Connor (AF $170k SC $123k MID) will debut for the Crows. The Adelaide Crows describe O’Connor as: “an inside bull with an excellent work rate and massive appetite for the contest.”
Kieren Briggs (AF $170k SC $123k D/F) who can play ruck, forward or back will play his first game for the Giants. This could mean no green light for Matthew Flynn (AF $394k SC $273k RUCK).
UPDATES
Taylor Walker (AF $547k SC $419k FWD) will miss the Round 9 clash with West Coast. The Crows update said: “Walker will be rested as part of a long held management plan to ensure he is able to perform for the duration of the season.”
Braeden Campbell (AF $379k SC $235k M/F) has been ruled out for two weeks with shin soreness following a stint back in the VFL.
Sydney Head of Physio & Medical Services Damian Raper said: “Had some shin soreness. We had some imaging done & it turned out he had a stress response in his right shin, so he is going to offload for 2 weeks & then build back into training.”
Sam Weideman (AF $375k SC $303k FWD) will replace Luke Jackson for the Demons which may be good news for Max Gawn (AF $818k SC $678k RUCK) this week.
Despite Weideman’s ability to play in the ruck, along with Ben Brown and Tom McDonald, Melbourne coach Simon Goodwin flagged a larger ruck role for Gawn.
He said: "Sam's (Weideman) done that role (second ruck) for us previously, Tom McDonald & Ben Brown have done it. We've got some options. Gawny is going to take up a big part of our ruck this week."
Some other rookies have been mentioned throughout today with decisions yet to be made on their selection. Harry Edwards (AF $212k SC $123k DEF) will now be competing for selection as Tom Barrass and Jeremy McGovern are set to return.
Eagles coach Adam Simpson: “Barrass & McGovern look like they’re going to be OK... Maybe (Edwards will play). We’ll work on that. Match committee is this afternoon.”
Finlay Macrae (AF $253k SC $137k M/F) impressed with 29 disposals in the VFL last weekend. However is no certainty to return as coach Nathan Buckley said: "Fin is tracking really well. He's had some exposure at the top. One of the challenges is the midfielders at VFL level struggle to get midfield time in the senior side. It's a balance.”
Finally, Carlton coach David Teague rubbished reports that Patrick Cripps (AF $630k SC $419k MID) is nursing a back fracture. Teague said: "He's fine. He's doing all of the training. He'll complete everything in training today. He doesn't have a fractured back. Not at all."
TOMORROW
Tomorrow we will have Ken Hinkley, Luke Beveridge, Damien Hardwick, Alastair Clarkson, and Ben Rutten’s press conferences as well as Saturday team announcements.
