The Sunday teams were confirmed while there were updates on some key players including Harry Sheezel, Errol Gulden, Elliot Yeo, Nick Daicos and Liam Jones with debuts confirmed for Harry Rowston and Elijah Hewett.
SUNDAY TEAMS
Key ins: Harry Rowston, Elijah Hewett (confirmed will be the sub)
Key outs: Matt Roberts
Key holds: Errol Gulden, Jye Menzie, Bodhi Uwland
Emergencies/possible subs: Elijah Hewett (confirmed sub), Nathan McAndrew, Matt Roberts, Angus Sheldrick, Connor Blakely, Araon Cadman
There were rumours floating around that Errol Gulden (AF $746k SC $472k M/F) would be out, after having a tight calf, but he has been named in the team to take on Gold Coast on Sunday at the SCG.
Adelaide confirmed a late change for their Saturday game against Richmond, with Wayne Milera (AF $442k SC $321k FWD) ruled out with “adductor tightness”.
DEBUTANT ALERTS
GWS have confirmed that their pick 16 from last year’s AFL Draft, Harry Rowston (AF $270k SC $140k MID) will make his debut for the club against West Coast on Sunday afternoon. He said: “My head’s still spinning, I can’t believe it. I haven’t slept all week thinking about it. To finally know is pretty exciting. I couldn’t be happier.”
West Coast Eagles coach Adam Simpson announced that first round draft pick Elijah Hewett (AF $274k SC $149k MID) will make his debut this Sunday against GWS, but will be the sub, with Simpson explaining why he would start as the sub. He said: “Ideally you play in the starting 22 but where he’s at it’s the perfect fit. He had a pretty good game last week against Claremont and he’s AFL ready, probably just not full-game levels just yet but if he had to come on earlier I think we’d back him in anyway.”
UPDATES
North Melbourne coach Alastair Clarkson spoke about Harry Sheezel (AF $358k SC $198k FWD) and what role he’ll play against Fremantle on Saturday. “He’s got the capability of playing in three parts of the ground, which is really good for us. At the present time, him playing in the back end is what suits us, and he’ll start there tomorrow, but we know for well if we can’t kick a goal, we’ll probably shift him forward too.”
Adam Simpson also spoke about Campbell Chesser (AF $207k SC $124k D/M) and their decision to keep him in the team instead of the WAFL. He said: “Just his lack of football over the last three years. One game in, I think we will see some growth with what he can bring and expressing his strengths. We thought one more game at least won’t hurt him.” Simpson also said they expect Elliot Yeo (AF $625k SC $337k DEF) back “either next week or the week after.”
After Collingwood coach Craig McRae spoke yesterday and that if he was up against Nick Daicos (AF $788k SC $503k DEF) that he would tag him, Port Adelaide coach Ken Hinkley spoke about their plan for Nick Daicos on Saturday. “We’ll set up to achieve a result of beating all of Collingwood, not just one of Collingwood.”
Western Bulldogs named defender Liam Jones (AF $299k SC $ 228k DEF) in their team for Saturday night’s game against St Kilda, and coach Luke Beveridge said: “At the moment yes, his mentality all week has been fine, he’s been cleared by all the specialists. We won’t play him if there is any risk at all. So he’s 99.9% absolutely going to play tomorrow unless he sleeps funny and wakes up with a creak in his neck or something like that, but he’s fine.”
Port coach Ken Hinkley confirmed Travis Boak (AF $841k SC $580k MID) will be their sub, which may impact their CBAs split if/when he gets on, relevant for Jason Horne-Francis (AF $572k SC $348k M/F) and Connor Rozee (AF $784k SC $513k M/F) among others.
