Menzie named, Xerri ‘future of our ruck division’, Saints pair to debut & Rozee and Butters to be mids

The Sunday teams were finalised, while there were updates on Tristan Xerri, Mattaes Phillipou, Anthony Caminiti, Will Ashcroft, Connor Rozee, Zak Butters, Jason Horne-Francis, Bailey Smith and more.

SUNDAY TEAMS

Key ins: Michalanney, Menzie, Phillipou, Caminiti, Henry

Key outs/possible subs/emgs: McDonald-Tipungwuti, Sturt, M.Johnson, Campbell, Windhager

UPDATES

With Tristan Xerri (AF $587k SC $393k RUCK) being named a solo ruck, it has got the whole fantasy community tempted by him as an option. North Melbourne coach Alastair Clarkson gave an update on what he thinks the ruck lineup will look like moving forward. “It’s really a flick of the coin whether you play two ruckman. We’ve just elected we think it’s more important to have more run with our fourth interchange player rather than a second ruckman. Time will tell in the two or three weeks if that’s the right call or not. Tristan’s had a great summer, he’s continued to improve as a player and his application to his training, and ultimately he’s the future of our ruck division at our footy club. Goldy’s been a great stalwart but the future in terms of the next five to 10 years is going to be with a newer guy coming in.”

St Kilda announced on social media that both Mattaes Phillipou (AF $282k $166k M/F) and Anthony Caminiti (AF $200k SC $102k FWD) will make their debuts in the final game of the round against Fremantle at Marvel Stadium. Marcus Windhager didn’t make their final 22, which may help Andy Brayshaw (AF $995k SC $615k MID) who was set to be tagged, although Jack Bytel, named at centre, could do a job. Tom Campbell missed St Kilda’s final 22 which will ensure Rowan Marshall (AF $808k SC $506k RUCK) is sole ruck.

Brisbane Lions coach Chris Fagan said they are excited to see what Will Ashcroft (AF $298k SC $203k MID) can do an how impressive he has been this preseason. “For all the hype that’s gone on around him, he’s the most level-headed down-to-earth young man I’ve ever met. I expect he’ll take his transition into AFL footy in his stride. He played well in all our intra-club games. It was interesting to see how he’d go against real opposition and he’s played just as well.”

Chris Fagan also said that they expect Dayne Zorko (AF $731k SC $453k FWD) to be “another week or two away” after suffering a hamstring injury during the preseason.

Port Adelaide coach Ken Hinkley said that Connor Rozee (AF $780k SC $513k M/F), Zak Butters (AF $764k SC $529k M/F) and Jason Horne-Francis (AF $553k SC $349k M/F) will all get plenty of midfield time this season, with both Rozee and Butters named in the forward line in team selection. Hinkley said: “I won’t be taking Connor out of the midfield, and I’ll be improving Zak’s time in the midfield. That’s reality, and we’ll bring Jason into our side. But they’ll all spend some time in the forward line, but also spend a lot of time in the midfield.”

Ken Hinkley also said they are really excited to have Scott Lycett (AF $622k SC $429k RUCK) back in the team after missing so much footy last season. He said: “Scott’s a really important player for us in good form, but that’s the key. He’s got to be in really good form, he’s an aggressive big ruckman and he needs to be that we, and we expect that’s what he’ll bring.

Western Bulldogs coach Luke Beveridge spoke about Bailey Smith (AF $935k SC $543k MID) and if he thinks Bailey Smith can recapture his form from the first half of last season after an interrupted second half of the season with some off-field hiccups. He said: “I think he can. He’s had some interruptions, Adam’s (Treloar) had some interruptions. That’s why we had Caleb (Daniel), Cody (Weightman) and Rylee West and Riley Garcia pinch hit in the midfield. Whatever Bailey and Adam do on Saturday, they will continue to flourish from then on, they’re absolutely ready no doubt.”

Beveridge also spoke about the potential for Caleb Daniel (AF $768k SC $495k DEF) midfield time as flagged in pre-season. He said: “It’ll probably depend on injury. He’s a match-winning player. Even when he started, he was playing that midfield-forward role. If we lose one of the boys, there’s every chance he might play midfield.”

Essendon coach Brad Scott has said that both Jye Caldwell (AF $653k SC $443k MID) and Dyson Heppell (AF $739k SC $481k D/M) are available for selection this week after getting over their respective injury niggles.