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

The next 3 official AFL pre-season practice games took place on Friday, with plenty of key info coming from the three games today in an action packed day of preseason footy.

PRACTICE GAMES

St Kilda v Essendon

• If Rowan Marshall (AF $808k SC $506k RUCK) wasn’t your R1 before, he should be now. He had a big day against the Bombers. 24 disposals, 7 marks, 18 hitouts and 119/155 (AFL Fantasy/SuperCoach) points. He looks set for a big year.
• Could Andrew McGrath (AF $719k SC $478k D/M) be a guy we consider in defence? Played well as one of the main distributors down back with 25 disposals, 10 marks and 110 points (AFL Fantasy). There are alot of guys back there like Ridley, Redman, D’Ambrosio and maybe Heppell if he goes in defence.
• Zach Merrett (AF $949k SC $617k MID) got plenty of it, but I would be wary of starting with him as he will likely cop a Finn Maginness tag in round 1, plus a potential tag in round 3 against St Kilda.
• Jack Steele (AF $978k SC $604k MID) and Jack Sinclair (AF $911k SC $626k DEF) just got some run into the legs. Didn’t set the world on fire with 76 and 72 points respectively (AFL Fantasy). If you were keen on them, I wouldn’t be turned off by today’s performance.
• Mattaes Phillipou (AF $282k SC $166k M/F) showed some good signs and should be there in round 1. Only 47 points (AFL Fantasy) and played forward. Jack Bytel (AF $305k SC $159k) could see early opportunity, especially with Marcus Windhager suffering a hand injury. Scored 70 points (AFL Fantasy).
• Alwyn Davey Jnr (AF $212k SC $117k M/F) and Jye Menzie (AF $283k SC $154k FWD) both look to be in Essendon’s round 1 team. It was Menzie last week that impressed the most, but this week it was Davey Jnr that was impressive. He was able to push high up the ground to get involved, with 13 disposals and 58 points (AFL Fantasy).
• Darcy Parish (AF $888k SC $611k MID) was extremely quiet and struggled to get involved with a tag from Jack Bytel. Only had 10 disposals and 39 points from a low 69% time on ground but there were photos on social media of him icing his calf. Keep an eye on the news if there is anything to worry about.

Sydney v Carlton

• My word, Errol Gulden (AF $735k SC $472k M/F) had a day out. 45 disposals, 6 marks, 5 tackles, 3 goals and 177/188 (AF/SC) points. No Callum Mills today, but Sydney clearly wants to play him through the midfield.
• If you were thinking of paying up for Sam Docherty (AF $977k $603k DEF) then you would have seen exactly what you wanted. 34 disposals, 11 marks for 143/154 (AF/SC) points. Played mostly defence, but had 9 CBAs from 26 (35%). Will be the clear D1 and likely won’t get a whole lot cheaper than his starting price.
• Alex Cincotta (AF $200k SC $102k D/M), Oliver Hollands (AF $280k SC $162k MID) and Lachie Cowan (AF $242k SC $117k DEF) all put their hand up for a round one debut, scoring 73, 68 and 47 points respectively (AFL Fantasy). Cowan’s score may have been lower than the others, but he did some nice things without the ball.
• Matt Roberts (AF $200k SC $124k MID) also showed some promising signs, and has put his name in the mix for round one with 15 disposals and 67 points today.
• Lachlan McAndrew (AF $200k SC $123k R/F) might not have done enough to get a round 1 debut. Only played 38% gametime but did score 33 points (AFL Fantasy) from his time on the ground.

West Coast v Adelaide

• Rory Laird (AF $1.07m SC $703k MID) showed why coaches should consider paying up for him. He did as he pleased, racking up another 32 disposals, 10 tackles and even kicked 2 goals for 138/151 (AF/SC) points.
• Ben Keays (AF $862k SC $548k MID) played an important role for Adelaide, but it was up forward. Played forward with only a handful of CBAs, and kicked 4 goals, to go along with 18 disposals and 112 points (AFL Fantasy). Would seem to be a strong candidate to get FWD status come round 6.
• Jordan Dawson (AF $893k SC $603k DEF) also had a solid game for Adelaide, racking up the ball across half-back and the wing. 26 disposals, 10 marks and 99/105 (AF/SC) points, will be a great option and one of the top defenders this season.
• Elliot Yeo (AF $625k SC $337k DEF) and Dom Sheed (AF $591k SC $332k MID) played well and are both looking to put an injury plagued 2022 behind them. Yeo play well, splitting time between half-back and midfield, collecting 20 disposals, 7 marks and 89/78 (AF/SC) points from just 67% TOG. Sheed played mostly midfield, while also resting up forward, collecting 21 disposals for 78 points (AFL Fantasy) from 75% TOG).
• Reuben Ginbey (AF $284k SC $171k D/M) looked great in his first real hitout for the Eagles after a minor toe niggle kept him out last week. Splitting time between midfield and half-back (similar to Yeo), looked good with ball in hand and strong in the contest. 17 disposals, 5 tackles and 68 points (AFL Fantasy), and looks set for a round 1 debut.
• Luke Pedlar (AF $213k SC $173k FWD) made sure he put his hand up for a round one debut with a strong performance, kicking a goal and collecting 10 disposals for 42 points (AFL Fantasy). He won’t be a high scorer, but he should have good job security.
• Campbell Chesser (AF $200k SC $123k D/M) continued building his match fitness, and looked better as the game went on. Only played 61% TOG, and 35 points (AFL Fantasy) in his time on the ground. Should be in the round one team, but could still be on restricted game time as he continues building his fitness base.

Read Saturday’s practice games recap

Read Thursday’s practice games recap