Chesser, Constable & Chandler hold spots, Phillips emergency again, Tigers debutant & Treloar out
The team news has dropped with alot of rookies holding their spots while Damien Hardwick spoke about Jacob Hopper’s club debut, Ross Lyon on Jack Bytel’s injury, and Justin Longmuir’s on Nat Fyfe’s role.
TEAM NEWS
Key ins: Zorko, May, T.Young, S.Ryan, Weller
Key holds: Wilmot, McVee, Chandler, Pedlar, Milera, L.Jones, McLean, Baker, Caminiti, Phillipou, Sheezel, Goater, F.Greene, Mackenzie, Davey, Constable, Long, Chesser, Ginbey
Key outs: Laurie, Treloar (inj), Bytel (inj), W.Phillips, Xerri (inj)
Named on extended benches (26): Gulden, McAndrew, Roberts, Meek, Menzie, Blakely, Uwland, Hunt, E.Hewett, Cadman, Rowston
Possible subs/emergencies: Tunstill, Boak, Walters, Campbell, Windhager, M.Johnson, W.Phillips
Adam Treloar (AF $871k SC $530k MID) was the major surprise absentee due to “hamstring tightness” according to the Western Bulldogs. Plenty of well-owned rookies held their spots.
🤔 LINE-UP OBSERVATIONS
– McKenna HB, Wilmot bench
– Chandler bench
– N.Daicos FP
– Hopper foll
– Phillipou HF
– Fyfe FF
– Sheezel HB
– Gulden ext bench
– Mackenzie centre
– Constable HB, Weller BP, Flanders FP
– Chesser HF, Ginbey wing, Long FP#AFLFantasy #SuperCoach #AFL
DEBUTANT ALERT
Richmond announced 196cm key defender Tylar Young (AF $200k SC $102k DEF) will debut against Adelaide. He went pick 26 in the 2022 Rookie Draft and scored 32/65 (AF/SC) points from 9 disposals, 3 marks and 2 tackles in the pre-season game vs Melbourne.
UPDATES
Richmond coach Damien Hardwick spoke to reporters ahead of their clash against Adelaide, touching on the club debuts of Tim Taranto (AF $865k SC $503k M/F) and Jacob Hopper (AF $708k SC $332k MID).
On Taranto’s game: “We probably saw the evidence of Tim, 30-odd touches, was really good around clearance, did a good job on Crippa for the vast majority.” On Hopper’s game, Hardwick said: “Hopps was a bit out of the limelight, but we showed the players vision where he was open a lot and we didn’t get the ball to him at stages where he could’ve hit the scoreboard. We’re looking forward to that progressing.”
On the performance of Dan Rioli (AF $715k SC $507k DEF), Hardwick said: “He started off the way he finished last year. His ability to break lines and to be creative, he’s similar to the Bachar Houli mould, those sort of players that can break open a game.”
On their backup ruck situation, Hardwick said: “It’s one we’re still trying to work through. We had Ben (Miller) play through the backs and through the ruck last week. We’ve also got Samson Ryan (AF $200k $123k R/F) that’s been going very well at VFL level and can pinch hit from up forward. It might just be horses for courses. Sometimes we might go with a ruck-back philosophy, sometimes we might go with a ruck-forward philosophy. That will probably change from week-to-week.”
Collingwood coach Craig McRae spoke to reporters about the club debut of Tom Mitchell (AF $842k SC $528k MID) and what the expectations are of him. He said: “We’re really clear, we don’t need him to get the 30 possessions which he’s averaged his whole career, he just won’t get that with us. We’re a low possession team. We got him here for a reason, he’s a first-possession clearance player and he’s elite at that. On the weekend everyone got to see what that was, and that’s all we ask every week, that he just comes and plays a role for the team.” Billy Frampton (AF $542k SC $408k DEF) is confirmed to replace the injured Jeremy Howe.
Fremantle coach Justin Longmuir spoke to the media, where most of the spotlight was put on Nat Fyfe (AF $657k SC $313k M/F) after his forgettable round one game against St Kilda. He said: “He’s gotta keep working at it, and just keep trusting his preseason form. I know it didn’t work for him last week but I’ve got full faith he can turn it around. He’s really committed to being a forward, and really committed to making sure he works on his forward craft. There’s opportunities within the forward line for him to be able to change his roles up and go a bit higher, we’ve given him that license. I’d like to see a few of those things a bit more, so he can manipulate his opponents and take them to uncomfortable positions.”
On not ruling out Fyfe mid time, Longmuir said: “It could be an option. But we didn’t go to it on the weekend, not saying we won’t go to it this weekend. We feel like we’ve got a pretty good centre bounce crew as well, when they’re up and going. It’s easy to be reactive and change everything, we’re not gonna do that.”
St Kilda coach Ross Lyon spoke to reporters ahead of their match vs the Western Bulldogs to talk about their injury woes and preparation for the weekend. On Jack Bytel’s (AF $340k SC $158k MID) injury, Lyon said: “He cut his leg, there was no boot involved. The ground was pretty firm so it was like an impact injury. The risk is infection, the last update was that he’s still in hospital just on an IV drip. If there’s no infection, he’ll get moving pretty quick, but he won’t play this week.”
Lyon said Marcus Windhager (AF $448k SC $266k M/F) was available to return from injury. On running a tag this weekend, Lyon said: “It was more of an accountable role last week, I wouldn’t have thought it was a lockdown tag. Who do you tag? I’ve got no idea. But I back our midfield in, I thought our hit around the ball and our stoppage work was elite.”
Brisbane coach Chris Fagan spoke to the media ahead of Friday night clash vs Melbourne, touching on Dayne Zorko (AF $731k SC $453k FWD) and his return to the line-up. Fagan said: “Zorks at his best, his pressure and his ball use, they’re the two great things (he brings). He brings energy to the team as well, he’s quite flexible in the way that we can use him, so it’s good to have him back.”
Gold Coast coach Stuart Dew told reporters Bailey Humphrey (AF $290k $184k M/F) will play in the VFL after recovering from a foot injury, along with Wil Powell.