The Sunday teams were confirmed with no major surprises and no debut for Isaac Chugg, while Matthew Nicks discussed the job security of debutant Patrick Parnell and Geelong pulled a late change.
SUNDAY TEAMS
Key ins: McCluggage, O’Meara
Key outs: Maginness
Key holds: K.Coleman, S.Butler
Possible subs/emergencies: Erasmus, Callow, McInnes, Chugg
Some coaches were hoping for a debut for Collingwood’s Isaac Chugg (AF $190k SC $123k DEF) but Pies coach Craig McRae confirmed that wouldn’t be the case in the 22 earlier on Friday. He said: “It looks like we’re going to have an unchanged line-up for the second week in a row.”
UPDATES
Another debutant drawing interest is Adelaide’s Patrick Parnell (AF $190k SC $123k DEF). Crows coach Matthew Nicks was asked effectively about his job security.
Nicks said: “You want me to promise two-three games for him?! We’d love for that to be the case. The last thing we’d want to do is bring someone in for one. Brown is out with H&S, Butts concussion, so there’s a few forced. Some of the areas we’re working on we feel Patty will bring but the step-up is huge. That’ll be the challenge. We’ll give him every chance we possibly can.”
Reilly O’Brien (AF $746k SC $523k RUCK) was also discussed, with Nicks talking him up. He said: “We were really pleased with what ROB brought last week. ROB going back and re-setting himself, he was outstanding last week. Came in with soft hands, good connection with our mids.”
Geelong were forced into a late change for Friday’s game against the Bulldogs with Jake Kolodjashnij (AF $427k SC $324k DEF) entering H&S protocols and Toby Conway (AF $244k SC $117k RUCK) added to the 22 for a potential debutant, but it’s worth noting he played the earlier VFL game and he didn’t end up in the senior side.
