Numerous clubs played intraclub games on Friday, offering an insight into roles and showcasing those in good touch, although we must caution it’s still a month until the season begins.
RUNDOWN
Nick Daicos (AF $769k SC $502k DEF) impressed in a midfield role in Collingwood’s intraclub game on Friday, although Pies assistant coach Scott Selwood acknowledged they were weighing up his best position.
“I think he sees himself as a midfielder and transitioning into a midfielder,” Selwood said. “Now that he’s put some weight on he’s feeling more comfortable over the sessions he has done over the pre-season to compete with the guys and learn the different bits of craft he can do to try to manipulate someone like Tom Mitchell, who is really good inside, and how he can potentially play within his strengths within that.
“Is it going to be the spot he is going to impact the game the most? We saw what he did at half forward and half back and he had a massive impact from those positions.”
Darcy Cameron (AF $725k SC $465k F/R) didn’t play after his recent hamstring worry, while rookie Joe Richards (AF $206k SC $117k M/F) offered a bit off half-back by all reports.
Campbell Chesser (AF $200k SC $123k D/M) played the first half and kicked two goals in West Coast’s intraclub on Friday, with the club report calling it a “significant step forward in his preparation after missing the whole of last year through injury”.
The report also talked up Elliot Yeo (AF $625k SC $337k DEF): “Yeo was probably best afield, providing energy and speed through the middle and out of the back half.”
Scott Lycett (AF $622k SC $429k RUCK) lined up on the B-team in Port Adelaide’s intraclub game on Friday and assistant coach Chad Cornes admitted the ruck position is “up in the air”, with Brynn Teakle in the A-team.
“(Port midfield coach Josh) Carr likes the way (Teakle) jumps in at the centre bounce,” Cornes said. “He moves really well and gets up and down the ground well. We’ve seen what he can do when he goes forward. Scooter’s (Lycett) had a bit of an interrupted pre-season. (Ruck positions) are definitely up in the air. There are spots all over the ground (up for grabs).”
Cornes also acknowledged Jason Horne-Francis (AF $553k SC $348k M/F) was “quiet”, while Ollie Wines (AF $866k SC $580k MID) got through his first hit-out after a delayed pre-season.
High-draft pick Harry Sheezel (AF $296k SC $198k FWD) impressed in North Melbourne’s intraclub on Saturday morning, trialled across half-back before being moved to the forward line in the second half.
Tom Powell (AF $492k SC $308k M/F) was one of the best afield, Josh Goater (AF $537k SC $192k D/M) didn’t play due to load management while Ben Cunnington (AF $668k SC $419k M/F) kicked three goals and North assistant coach Jordan Russell said they were weighing up his best role.
“We’re not sure (midfield split), we’ve tinkered,” Russell said. “We have seen his ability to hit the scoreboard. In the four match sims, he’s kicked 10-12 goals. If he keeps doing that he might spend more time forward, but we love him around the contest and we think that’s where his biggest strength is.”
Will Phillips (AF $270k SC $158k MID) was also impressive. Russell added: “He’s had a really good pre-season. The last four games, he’s been a really solid contributor. His ability to go forward was exciting. He’s certainly in the mix.”
Rory Sloane (AF $622k SC $413k MID) played his first competitive game since an ACL injury in Adelaide’s intraclub, while Luke Pedlar (AF $213k SC $173k FWD) impressed Crows assistant coach Scott Burns.
“Pedlar was very good at times as well,” Burns said. “He’s certainly a very good kick on goal and he can beat anyone.”
Touk Miller (AF $972k SC $662k MID) left Gold Coast’s Friday match sim at quarter-time with a tight hamstring, although he reportedly didn’t seem overly concerned. Ben King (AF $316k SC $176k FWD) played the first half, kicking two goals, as he aims to return to AFL footy after an ACL injury.
Finn Callaghan (AF $406k SC $244k MID) continues to impress in GWS’ pre-season. The club’s match sim report said: “Midfielder Finn Callaghan produced his second consecutive standout performance, showcasing his speed and penetrating left foot kick.”
Nat Fyfe (AF $681k SC $313k M/F) booted three goals up forward in Fremantle’s match sim, earning praise from midfield coach Joel Corey who said: “Fyfey had a pretty good day, the chemistry he’s got going with the forwards is growing.
“His repeat effort work, and he’s always a threat and a danger forward of the ball. He’s an extremely hard matchup. I’m looking from the outside (as midfield coach) but I think he’s really grown. If you think back to December to now, there’s been some leaps made and I think we keep looking forward to that continuing into the season.”
Caleb Daniel (AF $768k SC $495k DEF) enjoyed more midfield time in the Bulldogs’ match sim, while Toby McLean floated through the midfield too. That squeezed Marcus Bontempelli (AF $891k SC $639k MID) and Jackson Macrae (AF $916k SC $634k MID) into the forward line at times.
Tim Taranto (AF $846k SC $503k MID) and Jacob Hopper (AF $716k SC $332k MID) were both busy in Richmond’s match sim, while Mattaes Phillipou (AF $282k SC $166k M/F) impressed in St Kilda’s intraclub as he pushes his case for a Round 1 debut.
Josh Dunkley (AF $963k SC $596k M/F) booted three goals in Brisbane’s hit-out, proving dangerous in midfield and up forward. Darcy Wilmot (AF $200k SC $123k DEF) and Conor McKenna (AF $373k SC $167k DEF) were both on the A-team.
1 thought on “Intraclub rundown: Daicos mid-time, Lycett spot ‘up in the air’ and Yeo & Chesser impress”