We’ve got the latest info from the past week in AFL pre-season with lots of injury news and role changes impacting SuperCoach and AFL Fantasy selections for your 2023 starting squads.
We’ve gone club-by-club (in reverse alphabetical order for once) to offer some key snippets of info.
Western Bulldogs
Tim English reportedly has a hamstring issue which forced him to miss Monday’s match sim.
West Coast
Eagles coach Adam Simpson talked about potential Round 1 debutant Elijah Hewett, stating: “He’s been playing forward and pinch-hitting on-ball. That suits him at the moment with his young body and young tank.”
Jack Darling picked up an ankle injury in match sim and is touch and go for Round 1 which may impact Oscar Allen.
On Allen, Eagles Footy GM Gavin Bell told Sport FM: “Oscar has been fantastic. We need to manage his training loads at this time of year to give him the best chance to have a strong 2023. He’s unlikely to play in our final intraclub.”
Sydney
Nick Blakey will be rested for three weeks due to “a mild case of glandular fever”.
St Kilda
The Saints added 19-year-old 196cm forward Anthony Caminiti, who kicked 16 goals in 11 games in last year’s NAB League.
Richmond
Tim Taranto and Jacob Hopper both impressed in last week’s match sim. The Tigers match sim report said: “Taranto and Hopper were composed through the midfield and found plenty of the ball as they continue to build excitement ahead of their first seasons in the Yellow and Black.”
The Tigers have 21-year-old 195cm forward Kaelan Bradtke as an SSP, although he seems pretty raw, so unlikely to be up for selection early in 2023.
Port Adelaide
Ollie Wines is still not back in full training. Port coach Ken Hinkley said: “Ollie is the one who hasn’t done as much footy training as he’d like coming off pretty significant knee surgery but he’s back into full training as of next week so he’ll be ready to go (soon).”
North Melbourne
No news of note.
Melbourne
Christian Salem is on a modified training program due to a thyroid issue and the Demons Football Performance GM Alan Richardson offered an update on RSN, with some implications on Angus Brayshaw.
Richardson said: “He’ll be touch and go for the start. We think Rivers, Bowey and Angus – who played midfield last year – can go back and give us that rebound that Salo provides. He’s tracking the right way now.”
There’s been talk of Kysaiah Pickett playing midfield this year. Richardson added: “He’s done a bit more work through the midfield. We felt we’d become a bit too predictable through the middle. We’re going to rotate a few more through there and Kossie is one of those.”
Richardson also confirmed that Max Gawn was back into full training after a recent hamstring issue.
The Demons added 21-year-old defender Kye Turner as an SSP signing out of the VAFA, having also played two VFL games last year for Frankston.
Hawthorn
Hawks coach Sam Mitchell flagged cheapie Fergus Greene as among the candidates to replace injured key forward Mitch Lewis early in the season. Mitchell told afl.com.au: “It’s going to create an opportunity, whether that’s for Fergus Greene or Emerson Jeka who has gone back into the front half, or Jai Serong.”
Ned Reeves hinted at a potential ruck share with Lloyd Meek when he spoke to SEN. Reeves said: “I reckon we should work really well together. He’s a bit more mobile, bit more explosive around the ground. I can try use my height at the centre bounces and maybe even a bit forward more.”
GWS Giants
Tom Green impressed during GWS’ match sim on Friday. The report said: “Played a starring role in match sim as the midfielder looks to lift his game to another level again in 2023. Green started at the first centre bounce and spent the majority of the match playing on ball.”
Former AFL Draft pick 3 Finn Callaghan was another who impressed. The report said: “After sitting out the second half of last year with a foot complaint, Callaghan has put his injury troubles behind him, powering through the session and showcasing his penetrating left foot kick and burst of pace.”
Harry Himmelberg played that game up forward, rather than down back.
Giants coach Adam Kingsley told RSN that 2022 Draft Pick 1 Aaron Cadman would likely be eased into his debut year. Kingsley said: “He’s a young key forward and they all take time. The reality is it was only last year that he’s played as a key forward. He grew 5-6 inches in his 16th year. He’s still learning his craft.”
Gold Coast Suns
Co-captain Touk Miller indicated top 10 Draft pick Bailey Humphrey could play early this year, but also hinted that may take it slow with him. Miller told SEN: “Yes as long as he gets his body right to be AFL ready. He’s champing at the bit… He’s only just started to be out on the track, we’re easing him into it. He’s a special talent.”
Popular SuperCoach pick Sam Flanders impressed across half-forward in the Suns’ match sim on Monday. Suns coach Stuart Dew had raved about Flanders on SEN, when he said: “Some guys have stepped up, based on maturity, another year in the system. I feel he looks like he’s got more composure with the ball. Some players when they come in, look rushed.”
Dew also praised Noah Anderson in that interview. He told SEN: “Noah is just a freak. He’s mature, he’s a leader, he drives standards.” Charlie Constable was also flagged for a new defensive role.
Geelong
No news of note.
Fremantle
No news of note.
Essendon
No news of note.
Collingwood
The Magpies confirmed young defender Charlie Dean had been placed on their Inactive List after he re-fractured his right foot.
Ex-Richmond and Gold Coast defender Oleg Markov joined the Pies as an SSP, adding depth to that position.
Carlton
The role of Sam Docherty remains unclear, having played midfield late last year, while Zac Williams’ recent ACL injury may have forced him to the backline. Docherty said this week: “I’ve done most of the training in the midfield, but that was just to add some more flexibility to the team and see where I was best-suited.
“We’ll wait and see. Me in the midfield has changed up our midfield mix a bit, so it’s whether or not we want to persist with that or head back to the backline. There’s still plenty of time to play around with things. We’ve had some good growth from a lot of guys in the backline and hopefully they can stand up. We’ll see how it goes.”
The Blues also added ruck depth with Hudson O’Keeffe, who looks a long-term project. Carlton also picked up 26-year-old defender Alex Cincotta as an SSP, having been on the podium in their reserves best and fairest last year, averaging 21 disposals in the VFL.
Brisbane Lions
Lions Footy GM Danny Daly spoke on SEN, all but guaranteeing rookie Will Ashcroft a Round 1 berth. He said: “He’s played in all three practice matches in the A-team & been in our best players. As we stand right now, he’s in our Round 1 team but a lot can happen between now and then.”
Daly also all but guaranteed recruit Josh Dunkley a start in the middle in Round 1 too. He said: “I think between him & Lachie Neale & McCluggage in there, it makes us a formidable threesome in there. Dunks will be in the first centre bounce, no doubt about that.”
Darcy Wilmot is doing his best to claim a Round 1 berth. The Lions match sim report from Friday said: “Wilmot continues to put his best foot forward after his memorable first three games last year, playing across half-back and pushing up the wing on occasion.”
Adelaide
Rory Sloane spoke about his condition after missing most of last year with an ACL injury. Sloane said: “I feel in great shape right now. Back in full training. Really enjoying my footy and where my body is at. I’m excited for this season to be back out there playing.”
About The Author
