Josh Kelly ‘feeling good’, GWS to appeal Greene ban, Freo cop Brayshaw’s suspension
Josh Kelly looks like he will return although he didn’t declare himself 100 per cent ready to go, while GWS confirmed it will appeal Toby Greene’s one-game suspension while Fremantle will cop Andy Brayshaw’s ban.
UPDATES
Josh Kelly (AF $762k SC $503k M/F*) spoke to the media on Wednesday after re-signing with GWS and said he was likely to be fit to play on Friday night after missing last round.
Kelly said: “The body is feeling good. I’ll have a training session today. I’m confident everything’s fine. It was only a small little issue on the back of a 5-day break. Had to be careful. Hoping to be out there.”
The other big news was GWS confirming it will appeal Toby Greene‘s (AF $564k SC $417k FWD) one-game ban.
Meanwhile, Fremantle confirmed it would not appeal the one-game ban for Andrew Brayshaw (AF $807k SC $588k MID).
Luke Shuey (AF $612k SC $427k MID) is back in the frame after injury with West Coast, which may impact Luke Edwards (AF $327k SC $202k MID) or Connor West (AF $298k SC $176k MID).
West Coast GM Craig Vozzo said: “Luke has just got to main train this week to be available for selection and we’re expecting him to do so.”
Dyson Heppell (AF $683k D/M SC $517k DEF) is looking likely to return from a thumb injury.
Essendon Head of HP Sean Murphy said: “Things are looking pretty positive at the moment. He’s a test for this week but we expect things to go pretty smoothly.”
Richmond coach Damien Hardwick offered some reassurance about the job security of Round 21 debutant Maurice Rioli Jr (AF $174k SC $117k FWD).
Hardwick said: “We haven’t had match committee yet. We think they (young players) did enough to warrant another game. Maurice Jr showed some signs as well. He only had 6-7 touches but created 5 turnovers.”
The AFL confirmed late in the day the timeslots for the Round 22 fixture which will help loop planning.
Round 22
Friday, August 13
GWS Giants v Richmond, Marvel Stadium, 7.50pm AEST
Saturday, August 14
Hawthorn v Western Bulldogs, UTAS Stadium 1.45pm AEST
Port Adelaide v Carlton, Adelaide Oval, 4.05pm ACST
Geelong v St Kilda, GMHBA Stadium, 4.35pm AEST
Brisbane v Collingwood, TBC, 7.25pm AEST
North Melbourne v Sydney, Marvel Stadium, 7.40pm AEST
Sunday, August 15
Melbourne v Adelaide, MCG, 2.10pm AEST
Gold Coast v Essendon, TBC, 3.20pm AEST
Fremantle v West Coast, Optus Stadium, 3.10pm AWST
TOMORROW
Chris Scott, David Noble and Simon Goodwin are due to speak to the media, while we’ll get the teams for Round 22 at 6:20pm AEST.
