Parker on Gulden’s role, Witts ‘feeling great’, Duncan tracking well & Salem eyeing ‘early season return’

There were a few player updates on the final Friday before the season opener next week, with updates on Errol Gulden, Jarrod Witts, Mitch Duncan, Christian Salem, Aaron Hall, Tarryn Thomas and a few others.

UPDATES

At yesterday’s captain’s media day, Sydney Swans co-captain Luke Parker spoke to the Herald Sun about Errol Gulden (AF $735k SC $472k M/F) and what his role will look like. “Gulden will definitely be in the middle more, at times we’ll probably have that rotation of one of us forward which we basically had last year. He’s taken his game to another level.”

Gold Coast co-captain Jarrod Witts (AF $801k SC $605k RUCK) also spoke Herald Sun and talked about how it has been big to have a full preseason another 12 months removed from his ACL injury. “To be able to do the pre-season this year off the back of the knee, and get through that, it’s been great. I’m excited to see what that’s going to do for me going into the season.”

With the season just under a week away, and Geelong’s season opener against Collingwood next Friday night, Geelong Football GM Simon Lloyd said Mitch Duncan (AF $820k SC $486k DEF) is tracking well in his rehab, but no time frame has been put on his recovery. “Obviously it’s been reported that Mitch jumped on a plane and, just for a change of scenery went to South Australia to continue his training program. He’s been doing a big body of running work and getting some treatment from Steve Saunders in SA, who is one of our physios and sports scientists, so Mitch is in a great place and is tracking well,”

North Melbourne will have their second VFL practice match against Footscray, with a few AFL listed players in the team, including defender Aaron Hall (AF $797k SC $538k DEF) who will be looking to play well to get a spot in North’s round 1 team. Another relevant player in this game will be Tarryn Thomas (AF $475k SC $295k M/F) who will also be looking to impress after some off-field issues this preseason. Aidan Corr, Phoenix Spicer, Curtis Taylor and Daniel Howe will also be in North’s VFL team for the practice game.

Melbourne star Christian Salem (AF $653k SC $390k DEF) is on track for an early season return, but is expected to miss round one after training in a modified program this preseason due to a thyroid problem that he dealt with during his first season. This could impact Angus Brayshaw’s (AF $878k SC $550k DEF) role for round 1, then when Salem returns.

Jack Viney is also in a race against time to be fit for Melbourne’s season opener against the Western Bulldogs. Whether Viney plays or doesn’t play, this could potentially impact Melbourne’s midfield mix in round 1, then once Viney returns, with Clayton Oliver (AF $994k SC $699k MID) and Christian Petracca (AF $908k $619k MID) the main two in the midfield mix, and Angus Brayshaw maybe having a role in the midfield with Salem returning early in the season.

St Kilda released a couple of injury updates on players that could affect some other players in the team. Marcus Hindhager underwent surgery on his hand last Saturday, and St Kilda won’t be sure if he will be fit for round 1 until closer to the game. This could impact Fremantle gun midfielder Andrew Brayshaw (AF $995k $615k MID) and his impact in their round one clash. Tim Membrey is in a race against the clock to be fit for round 1, with Max King and Jack Hayes ruled out for the medium term, which could open the door for either Anthony Caminiti (AF $200k SC $102k FWD) or Max Heath (AF $200k SC $124k R/F) to make an early season debut.