Braydon Preuss was named in the GWS Giants’ 26-man squad but on an extended bench, while Jack Carroll, Jesse Motlop, Sam Durdin and Connor Macdonald all missed out and Jacob Wehr is in doubt.
TEAMS (key ins/outs)
Key ins: Marchbank, Boyd, Kennedy, Callow, Hall, Whitfield
Key extended bench ins: Archer, Preuss, Chugg, F.Macrae, Turner
Key outs: Carroll, J.Motlop, Wanganeen-Milera (mng), MacDonald
Key holds: C.Durdin, Windhager, Owens, Wehr (26)
Possible subs/emergencies: J.Motlop, Tunstill, Wanganeen-Milera, MacDonald
The big news surrounded Braydon Preuss (AF $683k SC $457k RUCK) being named but only in the GWS 26-man squad along with Jacob Wehr (AF $256k SC $123k DEF) on their eight-man bench.
St Kilda’s Mitch Owens (AF $266k SC $117k MID) held his spot, but rookies Jack Carroll (AF $346k SC $171k MID), Jesse Motlop (AF $280k SC $135k FWD) and Connor Macdonald (AF $371k SC $206k M/F) were all demoted.
Carlton’s mid-season draftee Sam Durdin (AF $195k SC $123k DEF) missed out as coach Michael Voss confirmed in the morning. Voss said: “Sam needs to get his feet on the grass & get familiar with the environment. We give him that opportunity in the VFL this week… In just a few days we’ve been really impressed with how he’s presented.”
Aaron Hall (AF $818k SC $511k DEF) was named by North as coach David Noble indicated in the morning: “Hall looks like he’ll be available. The good thing about those hamstrings is you can keep training.”
Sadly there was no Matt McGuinness (AF $190k SC $123k D/F), despite Noble hinting at a debut. He said: “Stephenson will come into consideration, and McGuinness and Lazzaro had good games (in the VFL).”
UPDATES
Voss also clarified that the returning Caleb Marchbank (AF $294k SC $209k DEF) will not play managed minutes. He said: “He wants to play his role and do his job. No one will be on managed minutes.”
Collingwood coach Craig McRae revealed Brodie Grundy (AF $802k SC $504k RUCK) isn’t too far from returning which may negatively impact the role of Darcy Cameron (AF $748k SC $503k F/R). He said: “He’ll start to transition towards training and hopefully another four to six weeks he’ll be available for us.”
Charlie Dean (AF $190k SC $102k DEF) is also closing in on availability after a long-term foot injury. McRae said: “Charlie Dean trained really well today and he’ll be back out after the bye.”
Essendon named Andrew McGrath (AF $647k SC $452k MID) but he’s no certainly to play after suffering a groin complaint at training last week. Dons coach Ben Rutten said: “We want to give him, as our deputy vice captain, every possible chance to get up for the game. He’ll make a call on that tomorrow to see whether he can go or not.”
About The Author
Ben Somerford
