Sydney coach John Longmire was asked how to explain Callum Mills’ below-par Round 16 performance, while there were updates on Isaac Heeney, Dustin Martin, Luke Jackson and Zak Butters.
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Sydney coach John Longmire backed in Callum Mills (AF $891k SC $590k MID) after his down game over the weekend. Longmire said: “I think Callum just had a bit more of a quieter one. He’s set a really high standard. I’m confident he’ll be fine this week.”
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Longmire also cleared Isaac Heeney (AF $637k SC $452k M/F) of injury after suffering a corked quad. He said: “He’s pulled up fine. He’s all good. It was a knock he received during the course of the game… he’s OK today so he should be fine this week.”
Luke Jackson (AF $586k SC $396k F/R) is set for a fitness test ahead of Thursday night’s game against Geelong, while Max Gawn (AF $845k SC $608k RUC) looks certain to return. Melbourne club doctor Lauren Lallanec said: “Both Max Gawn and Luke Jackson are recovering from their respective injuries. They’re looking to fitness test on Wednesday leading into our game on Thursday.”
Port assistant coach Brett Montgomery offered an update on the knee injury to Zak Butters (AF $614k SC $471k M/F). He said: “Zak Butters is a chance to play this week. He couldn’t get quite right for Perth, but he is in the frame.”
On Dan Houston (AF $727k SC $517k D/M), Montgomery said: “Dan Houston jarred his knee, but early signs are positive. We’ve just got off a three-hour flight. He’ll have scans during the week.”
Richmond ruled out Dustin Martin (AF $592k SC $430k M/F) this week with a “small hamstring strain”.
Nick Vlastuin (AF $738k SC $510k DEF) has been offered a one-game ban for striking Connor West.
Pies rookie Charlie Dean (AF $190k SC $102k DEF) is unlikely to play this regular season after injuring his toe in the VFL. The club update said: “He will be managed conservatively and a surgeon will review his return date but it looks to be a 6-8 week injury.”
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