Friday practice games wrap: Standouts, roles, CBAs, kick-ins

Practice games have begun for the 2023 season. We recap the notable performances throughout the six games today and look at players you may need to watch more closely or potentially remove from your radar.

PRACTICE GAMES

North Melbourne v Richmond

• Harry Sheezel (AF $296k SC $198k) was very impressive for the Kangaroos, showing his composure and clean skills, kicked 3 goals put also pushed into the middle at times. Hard to not see him in the Round 1 team.
• Luke Davies-Uniacke (AF $824k SC $557k MID) continued where he left off last season being one of the standouts today with plenty of clearances. Important to note though that Jy Simpkin and Ben Cunnington didn’t play but still impressive regardless.
• Will Phillips (AF $270k SC $158k MID) also impressed in the midfield once again, so should be another cheap rookie in the North Melbourne team in round 1.
• Tim Taranto (AF 846k SC $503k M/F) was excellent for the Tigers in his first proper hitout for his new side, playing majority midfield while floating forward and kicking a couple of goals.

Carlton v Collingwood

• Nick Daicos (AF $769k SC $502k DEF), one of the most talked about players this preseason, was solid once again for Collingwood, playing essentially a 50/50 split between midfield and defence.
• Is Tom Mitchell (AF 853k SC $528k MID) as much of a lock in our sides as we thought? Looked a bit slow today and spent some time forward. I would recommend not jump at shadows and watch again next week before making a decision.
• Darcy Cameron (AF $725 SC $465k R/F) split time in the ruck with Mason Cox, which I don’t see changing into the season. Not exactly what coaches were hopin to see but probably feared.
• Sam Docherty (AF $977k SC $603k DEF) played mostly half back in the first half of the game, but did get some midfield minutes in the 2nd half.
• Could Carlton have a couple of debutants Round 1? Oliver Hollands (AF $270k SC $162k MID), Alex Cincotta (AF $200k SC $102K D/M) and Lachie Cowan (AF $240k SC $117k DEF) were all impressive and are in the mix for Round 1.

Sydney v Brisbane Lions

• Will Ashcroft (AF $298k SC $202k MID) couldn’t have been more impressive, as he continues to shine in his first preseason, and was one of the best players on the ground.
• Josh Dunkley (AF $963k SC $596k M/F) also impressed in his first competitive hitout as a Lion, spending plenty of time in the midfield, but also played a little bit forward and kicked 2 goals.
• Darcy Wilmot (AF $200k SC $123k DEF) and Conor McKenna (AF $373k SC $167k DEF) were both a little quiet today, with Wilmot splitting his time between wing and half-back, while McKenna played at half-back.
• Lachie Neale (AF $947k SC $676k MID) got plenty of it, but suffered an ankle injury during the 3rd quarter and did not return. The Brisbane Lions post match injury report said: “The Brownlow medallist appeared to tweak his ankle in the third quarter, and although walked around without assistance afterwards, left and the field and did not return.”
• Errol Gulden (AF $735k SC $472k M/F) was impressive for the Swans. Was busy early and kicked an early goal, split his time between midfield getting CBA’s and up forward.
• Callum Mills (AF $983k SC $642k MID) didn’t spend a lot of time in the midfield, and was used a fair bit in the forward line. I wouldn’t expect this role to continue into the season as he was on limited minutes, much like a few of Sydney’s star players.

St Kilda v Melbourne

• We were all waiting to see how Melbourne was going to split the ruck time between Max Gawn (AF $914k SC $622k RUC) and Brodie Grundy (AF $830k SC $512k RUC). It was a fairly even split between the pair, with Gawn maybe getting the slight edge in terms of performance.
• Clayton Oliver (AF $994k SC $699k MID) and Christian Petracca (AF $908k SC $619k MID) were both very impressive and found plenty of the ball, which is what you’d expect from two of the stars of the comp.
• Rowan Marshall (AF $808k SC $506k RUC) was good as the main ruck for the Saints, with his backup mostly being Max Heath (AF $200k SC $124k R/F), but is he in the mix for Round 1?
• After a quiet start, Mattaes Phillipou (AF $282k $SC $166k M/F) really got going with a very impressive 2nd half playing across half forward and getting involved plenty. Certainly in contention for a round 1 debut.

Fremantle v Adelaide

• Rory Laird (AF $1.07m SC $703k MID) was a beast and doesn’t look like slowing down. Got plenty of ball and tackled like he always does.
• The new Adelaide captain Jordan Dawson (AF $893k SC $603k DEF) racked up the ball down back and even pushed further up the ground onto a wing after the first two periods where he played down back.
• Sam Berry (AF 746k SC $479k MID) was very impressive, plenty of tackles and found more of the ball than he did last year. If he can elevate his game to getting over 20 disposals, could be a sneaky option.
• Wayne Milera (AF $441k SC $321k FWD) looked composed in his half back role and found a bit of the ball, not as much as Dawson. Still a tempting option to consider at a cheap price.
• Andrew Brayshaw (AF $995k SC $616k MID) looks to be even fitter than he was last year, which could see him increase his TOG. Got open for a number of +6’s and is in for another big year.
• One of the buzz names in defence this preseason has been Hayden Young (AF $776k SC $508k DEF), who was very quiet today. I wouldn’t be taking too much away from this, so just watch and see how he goes next week.

West Coast v Port Adelaide

• Scott Lycett (AF $622k SC $429k RUCK) was a major factor in the ruck, albeit against lesser lights Bailey Williams and Callum Jamieson, with Nic Naitanui out.
• Connor Rozee (AF $780k SC $513k M/F) was classy in the midfield while Jason Horne-Francis (AF $553k SC $348k M/F) had an encouraging display playing in the middle and forward.
• Elliot Yeo (AF $625k SC $337k DEF) impressed in his roles off half-back and through the midfield, while Oscar Allen (AF $358k SC $210k FWD) looked lively up forward, taking several strong marks.
• Youngsters Campbell Chesser (AF $200k SC $123k MID), playing on a wing, and Noah Long (AF $200k SC $117k M/F) also had some impressive moments while Reuben Ginbey (AF $284k SC $171k D/M) didn’t play due to a minor toe injury.
• Travis Boak (AF $841k SC $580k MID) copped a heavy hit from Jeremy McGovern in the second quarter and headed down into the rooms to be assessed.

Read Thursday’s practice games recap