Touk to miss practice games, Dunkley role update, Ashcroft impressing & Mackenzie set for Round 1 debut?

It’s been a busy day for AFL news, with plenty of relevant player updates coming out across the clubs, including injury updates Touk Miller, Aaron Hall and Brent Daniels, while there were updates on Josh Dunkley, Will Ashcroft and Cam Mackenzie.

UPDATES

In a lengthy interview with AFL.com.au, Brisbane Lions coach Chris Fagan gave an update on what new recruit Josh Dunkley’s (AF $963k SC $596k M/F) role is likely going to be this season. He said: “I think we’ll mostly see Josh play as a midfielder, an inside mid, but he’s a good mark and can challenge up forward, so he’ll get minutes up there and we know he can play on the wing as well.”

Chris Fagan also gave us an update on how new father-son draftee Will Ashcroft (AF $298k SC $202k MID) and how he has been “blown away” by how he has settled into life as a Lion, and he wouldn’t be surprised if he played every game in his rookie year. “The one thing that really sticks out is he’s the most professional 18-year-old I’ve ever struck and there’s not much we can teach him about elite performance that he doesn’t already know and isn’t already applying.”

Touk Miller (AF $972k SC $662k MID) will miss both practice games against Essendon and GWS as he deals with a low-grade hamstring injury. Gold Coast’s Head Physiotherapist Lindsay Bull said: “Touk felt some discomfort in his hamstring on Friday and on assessment, has a mild hamstring injury. Touk will reintegrate into full training over the next couple of weeks leading into the start of the season.”

GWS small forward Brent Daniels (AF $318K SC $191K FWD) suffered a minor hamstring injury last week, meaning he will miss this week’s intra-club game and next week’s practice match.

Cam Mackenzie (AF 288k SC $180k MID) and Josh Weddle (AF $266k SC $131k DEF) could make their debuts early in the season, with Hawthorn expecting to blood the youth, in particular Mackenzie, with spots in Hawthorn’s midfield up for grabs.

After being named as the new Hawthorn captain, Sam Mitchell talked about James Sicily (AF $854k SC $625k DEF) and how his new captain could add more versatility to his game in 2023. He said: “Adding some versatility into his game will be important. I think having a little bit more flexibility into his role will make him a little bit more potent and more damaging against certain teams.”

Sam Mitchell also had an update on Will Day (AF $537k SC $362k DEF) and what his role may be this season. “He can play defence and we know he can do that. We’ve trained him as a midfielder – inside and outside – and when the push comes to shove on selection I’m not sure where he’ll end up.”

Aaron Hall (AF $799k SC $539k DEF) is currently suffering with an Achilles injury, with North Melbourne Head of Performance Kevin White giving an update on the injury: “We’ve just got to take care that he’s got no soreness in his training… We envisage over the next 2-3 weeks that he’ll slip back into the main group once that pain & awareness settles.”

Richmond Coach Damien Hardwick gave an update to Herald Sun on how Dustin Martin (AF $677k SC $480k M/F) has been tracking this preseason. “His training form has been really good. He’s had a good off-season… It might be a little bit of a different role this year as compared to what it’s been but we’re still working through what that looks like.”

St Kilda released their injury report today, with some players potentially affecting Rowan Marshall (AF $808k SC $507k) with his role and scoring output. As per the official injury report, Tim Membrey should be ready to go for round one, and Tom Campbell is over his achilles flare up and will be ready for Friday’s match simulation against Melbourne. Max King and Jack Hayes are anticipated to return around Round 6.