Bolton’s likely role change, more debutants named, Robertson & Koschitzke out
Dion Prestia will return for Richmond coach Damien Hardwick has indicated will impact Shai Bolton’s role, two more debutants were confirmed on Friday while Jacob Koschitzke and Deven Robertson have been left out.
SUNDAY TEAMS
Relevant holds: Treacy, Western, Prestia, Peatling (deb), T.Greene, Fantasia
Relevant outs: Koschitzke, Robertson, Bruhn
Relevant holds: Brockman, Bramble, Reeves, Fullarton, Cockatoo, B.Walker, M.Parker
Possible subs: Newcombe, Robertson, Prior, O’Driscoll, Coleman-Jones, Miller, Bruhn, McEntee
Jacob Koschitzke (AF $341k SC $240k D/F) has been left out “rested”, while Deven Robertson (AF $432k SC $279k M/F) is omitted as Brisbane get the troops back.
Nakia Cockatoo (AF $243k SC $123k M/F) also comes into Brisbane’s 22 to make his official club debut after being an unused sub last week.
DEBUTANT ALERTS
GWS confirmed early on Friday that mid-season draftee James Peatling (AF $170k SC $102k D/M) will make his debut.
Peatling went pick 8 in the mid-season draft and is a 20-year-old 182cm medium defender.
Nathan Kreuger (AF $170k SC $123k FWD) comes into the Geelong side to make his debut after a late change with Mark O’Connor injured.
He is a 2018 AFL pre-draft selection, who is a 196cm 22-year-old key forward.
UPDATES
Richmond coach Damien Hardwick confirmed Dion Prestia (AF $550k SC $400k MID) will return from injury this round.
Prestia’s return may impact the role of popular pick Shai Bolton (AF $559k SC $413k M/F).
Hardwick said: “Our challenge with Shai is we like him in a number of areas on the ground, whether it’s forward or midfield. He can go between the two at various stages.
“We’ve asked him to do a bit more work in the middle, which has taken away a little bit of our scoring power. Dion back allows that (going forward) to happen. It’ll be a combination of both.”
Adelaide coach Matthew Nicks spoke about early season popular pick James Rowe (AF $389k SC $288k FWD) who was managed last week.
Nicks said: “He went away, played in a trial game last weekend & it released the shackles. He looked really strong in that game. We think, what that confidence, he’s a good in this weekend.”
West Coast coach Adam Simpson was asked about Mark Hutchings (AF $306k SC $157k M/F) who is a cheap option in SuperCoach but was dropped after one game back.
Simpson said: “He is stiff to miss. Reddo comes back, we want to keep (Connor) West in the side. He’s in the conversation for the sub.”
TOMORROW
Ken Hinkley will speak to the media and there’s bulk footy.
