Carlton coach Michael Voss will unleash Patrick Cripps in his normal role this round after a hamstring injury, while the severity of injuries to Tim English and Hugh Dixon was confirmed and there was a flag for Zak Butters.
DEBUTANT ALERT
Ollie Dempsey (AF $190k SC $102k FWD) was debut for Geelong, having been taken pick 15 in the 2021 AFL Rookie Draft. Dempsey is a 185cm forward with a basketball background who has kicked seven goals in four VFL games.
Cats coach Chris Scott said: “The fact Ollie is in our squad speaks to how far he’s come in a short space of time… He’s performed well at VFL level. He’s taken his chance straight away.”
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TEAM NEWS (Sunday key ins/outs)
Key Ins: O.Dempsey, T.Thomas, Curtis, Coleman, J.Smith, Gibcus
Key outs: Dangerfield (inj), Davies, Ralphsmith (inj)
Key holds: Perez, Lohmann, Rosas, T.Dow
Patrick Dangerfield (AF $686k SC $483k MID) was the major out of Sunday’s games due to injury. Geelong coach Chris Scott said: “He’s got a couple of corks in a calf. He got a couple of corks right in the spot that had been worrying him.”
UPDATES
Patrick Cripps (AF $803k SC $525k MID) is all set to play and play his normal role for Carlton. Blues coach Michael Voss said: “He was able to get out yesterday and train. He trained really well. He was able to do everything he needed to play this game… We expect Crippa to have the normal minutes around the ball.”
The Western Bulldogs confirmed that Tim English (AF $837k SC $572k R/F) will miss 2-3 weeks with his hamstring injury. Dogs Head of Sports Medicine Chris Bell said: “MRI and clinical tests have confirmed that he has a low-grade hamstring injury. The Club is working through his return to play plan but expect Tim to miss the next 2-3 games.”
Hugh Dixon (AF $329k SC $216k F/R) is also out this weekend, with West Coast coach Adam Simpson confirming his calf strain was minor. He said: “I think it’s a small strain, he couldn’t feel it on gameday last week. There’s something small there, I would think 1 to 2 max.”
It’s worth flagging that Zak Butters (AF $732k SC $446k F/M) was unwell earlier in the week as confirmed by Port coach Ken Hinkley, who said: Early in the week he was (unwell). We expect Zak will play.”
Hinkley said Ollie Wines (AF $883k SC $555k MID) was cleared and good to go. He said: “Ollie Wines was ticked off medically by more than one person which was important to us – we weren’t going to take any unnecessary risks with him “
St Kilda coach Brett Ratten praised the form of Jack Sinclair (AF $778k SC $553k D/M). He said: “Jack is playing well. The great thing about jack is his ability to play anywhere. High forward, wing, on-ball which we’ve used him this year, and also at half-back. He’s playing great footy.”
Ratten also spoke about Marcus Windhager (AF $240k SC $117k M/F) who has been named for his third game. He said: “Marcus will play again. Marcus is such a hard worker. He can play in and out.”
Gold Coast coach Stuart Dew spoke on SEN about the form of Matt Rowell (AF $575k SC $401k MID). He said: “He’s 20 games in. We’re happy with his progress. If you go back to his first 3 games, he hasn’t been a 30+ possession player, it was low-mid-20s and hit the scoreboard. He’s finding his way.”
Dew also spoke about popular trade-in target Malcolm Rosas (AF $276k SC $130k FWD). He said: “He’s electric when he’s on. He was electrifying last week. He’s one we’ve been looking to develop.”
The Suns coach also discussed the potential of a debut for Elijah Hollands (AF $190k SC $123k M/F). He said: “He got drafted with a knee injury. We’ve got a bit of work to do on his core strength. His fitness is fine but his body composition in a contest at AFL level is going to be his next challenge.”
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