Bailey Smith is on track to return next round after illness, while timelines were clarified for Josh Rachele and Rory Thompson and West Coast coach Adam Simpson talked about Brady Hough’s job security.
UPDATES
Bailey Smith (AF $903k SC $552k M/F) looks set to be available for Round 12 after missing last game due to illness. He’s since also gained forward status as part of the DPP updates.
Western Bulldogs Head of Sports Medicine Chris Bell said: “Bailey missed the game on the weekend due to a bad dose of the flu. He’s back on track, and if he gets through full training this week as I expect, will return to availability.”
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Josh Rachele (AF $413k SC $232k M/F) is no certainty to return for Adelaide after a corked thigh. Crows High Performance Manager Darren Burgess said: “He has a bit of a history with corkies as a junior so he’ll be assessed this week, hopefully he will get through training tomorrow and play but we aren’t too sure at this stage.”
The Suns have confirmed a timeline for defensive downgrade Rory Thompson (AF $207k SC $141k DEF). Gold Coast Head Physiotherapist Lindsay Bull said: “Rory had successful surgery last week on his meniscus and we expect him to be back available to train fully with the main group, in the next month.”
Charlie Comben (AF $190k SC $123k R/F) was looming as a replacement for the injured Cam Zurhaar but has been ruled out himself. North GM of Football Performance Daniel McPherson said: “He has to have a couple of screws from a previous surgery removed from his lower leg. Hopefully all goes well and we’ll see him back in around five or six weeks.”
Tristan Xerri (AF $481k SC $341k F/R) should be good to go after a knock last game. McPherson said: “He’s just sore. He just got a whack, he’ll be right. We’re fully expecting him to play.”
Fremantle Executive General Manager of Football Peter Bell provided an update on the return of Nat Fyfe (AF $709k SC $546k MID). Bell said: “Barring anything unforeseen in the next 48 hours or so, he’ll be available this weekend. We’ll just work through whether that’s at WAFL or AFL level.”
Brady Hough (AF $306k SC $163k MID) looks to have some job security. West Coast coach Adam Simpson said: “He’s 18-19 years-old, he went back to WAFL for a few weeks & he’s part of our future. We’d love to keep him in the side for most of the year but at the moment we haven’t got a lot of people to select, so it’s a no brainer.”
Luka Strnadica (AF $248k SC $102k RUCK) could be in the mix to return, although likely via the WAFL. West Coast Head of Health Mark Finucane said: “Luke had a tight calf in his last WAFL game, but it has settled well.”
Brisbane coach Chris Fagan praised Lachie Neale (AF $932k SC $648k MID) on FoxFooty. He said: “I think he’s more dangerous going forward these days. He’s hitting the scoreboard more and getting more score assists. The great players do a lot of damage in the front half & Lachie is starting to do that.”
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