Waiting in the wings: Tigers & Kangaroos rookie flags, Lions selection squeeze
Some emerging stars showed their class at the lower levels this week pushing their claims for a recall, while some senior players returned from injury for North Melbourne and the Brisbane Lions.
Richmond
Riley-Collier Dawkins (AF $376k SC 237k M/F) finished the game with 27 disposals and two goals to put his hand up for selection again. Richmond’s VFL report said: “The emerging onballer drove with his legs through the contest and brought his teammates into the game.”
Ben Miller (AF $170k SC $123k DEF)is a flag for a debut with some injuries in the senior side, after being impressive again in defence, finishing with 18 disposals.
Collingwood
Finlay Macrae (AF $240k SC 130k M/F) put in a strong performance on Saturday, finishing the game with 24 disposals and a goal. Max Lynch (AF $229k SC $123k RUC) was dominant in the ruck and around the ground, collecting a season high 19 disposals and 36 hit-outs.
GWS Giants
Tom Green (AF $533k SC $391k MID) showed his class on the weekend, gathering 41 disposals, 11 clearances and a goal to put his hand back up for selection.
Tanner Bruhn (AF $223k SC $161k MID) collected 19 disposals and kicking a goal. Lachie Ash (AF $608k SC 421k D/M) made a solid return to the VFL, finishing the game with 18 disposals at 90% efficiency. Jacob Wehr (AF 170k SC $117k DEF) was influential in the back half, finishing the match with 21 disposals and 12 marks.
Geelong
Charlie Constable (AF $437k SC $262k MID) was at his best on Friday finishing with 43 disposals, 10 clearances and nine marks while
Oscar Brownless (AF $170k SC $123k MID) had 30 disposals, while Max Holmes (AF $270k SC $121k) played in the forward line and showed promising signs with Geelong’s VFL report.
Hawthorn
There’s hope for Ned Reeves (AF $245k SC $123k RUC) after he gave his midfielders first use collecting 35 hit outs and six clearances.
Conor Nash and Oliver Hanrahan were impressive in the midfield, both collecting high clearance numbers to put pressure on Jai Newcombe (AF 273k SC $143k MID) and Lachlan Bramble (AF $205k SC $102k MID).
North Melbourne
Jared Polec (AF $602k SC $432k MID) made a successful return from injury and finished the game with 29 disposals.
Eddie Ford (AF $170k SC $117k FWD) continues to press his case for AFL selection, kicking another two goals on the weekend. North Melbourne’s VFL coach Leigh Adams said: “I don’t think he’s too far away from senior footy with the way he’s playing. He’s doing a great job at the moment.”
West Coast Eagles
Mark Hutchings (AF $308k SC $157k MID) was busy again on the weekend gathering 26 disposals and nine tackles, which may impact the job security of Luke Edwards (AF $276k SC $166k MID).
Alex Witherden (AF $650kSC $428k DEF) pushed his case for selection after another strong performance in the WAFL Eagles win, collecting 25 disposals and four marks.
Sydney Swans
Callum Sinclair was best afield for the Swans with 25 disposals, 45 hit-outs and six marks, with his strong performance putting pressure on the job security of Joel Amartey (AF $304k SC $222k F/R).
Adelaide
One-gamer Josh Worrell (AF $170k SC $123k D/F) was among Adelaide’s best, finishing the game with 24 disposals, while Luke Pedlar (AF $250k SC $162k MID) collected 15 disposals and four clearances to go with his goal.
Western Bulldogs
Jordon Sweet (AF $349k SC $226k RUC) won the ruck battle convincingly, giving plenty of supply to his midfielders.
Patrick Lipinski (AF $492k SC $345k MID) and Will Hayes (AF $403k SC $249k MID) were impressive in the middle, collecting 28 and 25 disposals respectively.
Fremantle
Potential debutant Nathan O’Driscoll (AF $218k SC $117k MID) was one of Fremantle’s best, collecting 26 disposals and 10 marks in a narrow loss. Luke Valente (AF $170k SC $123k MID) kicked a goal to go with his 18 disposals.
Port Adelaide
Peter Ladhams (AF $560k SC $560k F/R) returned to the SANFL on the weekend, collecting 17 disposals and 12 hit-outs.
Carlton
Sam Ramsay (AF $170k SC $123k MID) returned to Carltons VFL side after being the emergency last week and finished with a game-high 28 disposals and four tackles.
Melbourne
Jake Bowey (AF $230k SC $117k M/F) was impressive off half-back for Melbourne, collecting 26 disposals, seven marks and four tackles. Melbourne’s VFL report said: “If it is that we were to get someone injured, we’re starting to get really comfortable with where he’s at that he could come in and play that role.”
Essendon
Nick Bryan (AF $195k SC $123k RUC) was strong in the ruck against Majak Daw, collecting 34 hitouts.
St Kilda
Paul Hunter (AF $273k SC $153k RUC) was imposing in the ruck, registering 42 hit-outs and 19 disposals.
Brisbane Lions
Important midfielder Jarrod Berry (AF $570k SC $455k MID) made a successful return from a groin injury, collecting 22 disposals and eight tackles. He’ll be getting close to an AFL recall causing a selection squeeze although Deven Robertson (AF $469k SC $346k MID) seems secure now.
