There were plenty of updates today as we are just over a week out from the start of the season, with updates on Reuben Ginbey, Finn Callaghan, Cam Mackenzie, James Worpel, Luke Jackson, Tim English and plenty of others.
UPDATES
Fremantle released their injury and update and Executive General Manager of Football Peter Bell spoke about a few players that could come back into the team. Bell said: “Luke Jackson definitely will (play). Luke Ryan’s been struggling a little bit with a sore back, but his signs are good. Nathan’s (O’Driscoll) just coming to hand with a bit of a hot spot in his foot.”
Jackson returning could impact Sean Darcy (AF $760k SC $562k RUCK) and the ruck split during the season, while Ryan could impact Hayden Young (AF $776k SC $508k DEF) and O’Driscoll returning could impact Liam Henry (AF $339k SC $202k M/F) and his selection in Round 1.
North Melbourne co-captain Jy Simpkin spoke on SEN today about Harry Sheezel (AF $296k SC 198k FWD) and how impressive he has been. “He’s come straight into our team and hasn’t missed a beat. He’s always looking for ways to get better, and as we saw on the weekend, he’s silky smooth with the ball in his hands and I can’t wait to watch him get out there this season.”
Simpkin also spoke about Blake Drury (AF $200k SC $102k M/F) and he is one to keep an eye with a possible early season debut. “He’s working just as hard and and he’ll be a big smoky I reckon coming into the season. I reckon we will definitely see him at some stage throughout the year.”
Simpkin also mentioned that Aaron Hall (AF $797k SC $538k DEF) will be available for Round 1.
West Coast Eagles General Manager of Football Gavin Bell spoke about how they were very impressed with how Reuben Ginbey (AF $284k SC $171k D/M) looked in his first proper hitout for the club.
Bell said: “It was wonderful to see the approach Reuben took to the game. He was strong in the contest, he certainly worked his backside off for the team, so he was really pleasing. With regards to round one, we’ve still got a week and a half … to go until selection, so we’ll work our way through it but he certainly didn’t do his chances any harm by the way he went about it and the performance that he gave.”
Gavin Bell also mentioned Campbell Chesser (AF $200k SC $123k D/M) and Elijah Hewett (AF $274k SC $149k MID) and they have also showed signs leading into the season opener. He said: “We got another game into Campbell Chesser as a younger player as well which was good, and we saw a little bit more from Elijah Hewett.”
Cam Mackenzie (AF $288k SC $180k MID) has been a player on all coaches lips after a very impressive first game in Hawthorn’s practice game against Collingwood last Thursday, and Hawthorn’s Footy General Manager Rob McCartney spoke on SEN and talked up Mackenzie’s round 1 chances.
McCartney said: “He did everything right so I think he gets every chance come Round 1. It’s a few days away but he acquitted himself very well. Based on form, he’ll be discussed strongly at the selection table.”
Another relevant player this coaches have tried get more of a read on has been James Worpel (AF $463k SC $309k MID). McCartney talked him up and said we could see a return to his early career form that saw him average 97 in just his second season and win the Best and Fairest award for them that year.
He said: “Worpel re-announced to a few, ‘don’t forget me either’. He’s one of our hardest trainers. He’s been able to find the form that saw him win the Crimmins Medal.” After hearing this, it will give coaches out there more confidence in picking him.
Could Liam Jones (AF $321k SC $228k DEF) be an option for both our AFL Fantasy and SuperCoach teams as a cheap defender just above rookie price? Western Bulldogs coach Luke Beveridge talked on SEN about how Liam has been tracking over the preseason.
He said: “It was an outstanding game. No one will get too carried away with anything at this stage of the year but Nick Larkey (his opponent) is a good player. Jonesy’s game really was quite outstanding.” Just one to keep on your radars.
Luke Beveridge also had an update on star ruckman Tim English (AF $901k SC $581k RUCK) after a couple of niggles through the preseason. He said: “He started last year with a pretty rich vein of output. He was really influential then he had a concussion. He missed almost a month, came back and had a virus but he lost a lot of weight and never really recovered. He’s had a good pre-season. He’s come into this one really well prepared. He’s had that form line from last year so we’re hoping he can start the year well. He’s better prepared, he’s stronger.”
Finn Callaghan (AF $406k SC $244k MID) was one of the impressive performers from this past weekend and has presented as an option for coaches to really consider given his cheap price. GWS Footy General Manager Jason McCartney talked up the young star after an injury riddled first season.
He said: “He was a high draft pick. He’s had a good pre-season. He’s been showing that in intraclubs or training, so to transfer into some match play, the whole footy industry got a look at what he can do.”
Jason McCartney also spoke about Aaron Cadman (AF $300k SC $207k FWD) and his potential prospects of an early season debut. “Progressing really well… When people ask if he’ll play Round 1, he’s going to be around the mark but there’s no pressure to get him in there quickly. When he’s ready, Kingers will pick him.”
