It was all about the team news on Thursday with Dustin Martin, Travis Boak and Jack Steele among the big names to return, while Darcy Parish and Patrick Dangerfield both miss another week.
TEAM NEWS
Key ins: Blanck, Macdonald, D.Martin, Steele, Archer, T.Thomas, Boak
Key ins into ext squad: Chugg, Begg, Taranto, Derksen, P.Davis, Archer, Hinge, J.Burgoyne, T.Schofield, Boak, Hollands, Rosas
Key outs: G.Clark, English (inj), S.Durdin (inj), C.Stephens, Ryder (mng), De Goey (pers), Preuss (susp), Peatling (inj), Angwin (inj), Teakle (inj), Butters (inj), Jeffrey (inj)
Absent: Parish, Strnadica, Dangerfield, S.Hayes
Key holds: Bazzo, Hough, Jamieson, McComb, J.Clarke, M.Rioli, Windhager, Curtis, Soligo, Parnell, Mead
Emergencies/possible subs: G.Clark, Witherden, Khamis, J.Motlop, C.Stephens
There’s no ruck relief in sight, while Greg Clark (AF $456k SC $255k MID) was omitted again after being last week’s medi sub and Cooper Stephens (AF $334k SC $200k MID) is also left out.
Darcy Parish (AF $869k SC $607k MID) didn’t travel west after battling a corked calf, while Patrick Dangerfield (AF $619k SC $435k MID) wasn’t picked for Geelong after a calf issue.
The Cats said: “Patrick Dangerfield will miss as Geelong continues its measured approach to injury management and players returning to the team.”
DEBUTANT ALERT
Son-of-a-gun Jackson Archer (AF $190k SC $117k DEF) will debut for North Melbourne. He went pick 59 in the 2021 AFL Draft and is a 183cm half-back flanker, averaging 7 disposals and 2.5 tackles per game in VFL this season.
TEAM NEWS
On a quiet night days, Joel Jeffrey (AF $368k SC $284k FWD) was the major news with his knee surgery ruling him out for the season.
Gold Coast coach Stuart Dew said: “Yep (it’s season over). It’s really unfortunate. Joel was adding something to our side… It’s one we were really surprised by given it wasn’t too sore (after the game).”
