Van Rooyen to debut, Kelly & Whitfield return, Constable & Stewart among extended bench
Thursday teams give us a debutant, some important stars return, and a couple of interesting names slotted on the extended bench, plus we get a number of injury updates, including Hopper and Stewart.
TEAM NEWS
Key ins: W.Phillips, J.Kelly, L.Whitfield, W.Milera, J.Van Rooyen
Key holds: K.Chandler, S.Ryan, A.Caminiti, M.Phillipou, F.Greene, A.Davey, N.Long, R.Ginbey
Key outs: J.Hopper (inj), B.Uwland
Named on extended benches (26): C.Constable, S.Flanders, T.Stewart, T.Bruhn, C.Whyte, J.McVee, B.Laurie, H.Hall-Kahan, E.Hewett, C.Chesser, M.Johnson
Notable omissions: N.Fyfe (inj), A.Hall not named (good for Ziebell role)
DEBUTANT ALERT
Melbourne have announced that Jacob Van Rooyen (AF $200k SC $123k FWD) will make his debut versus Sydney. He was selected pick 19 in the 2021 AFL Draft, and booted 36 goals in 18 VFL games in 2022. He had 19 disposals, 11 marks and a goal in the VFL last weekend, scoring 102 AF points. He likely comes in for the injured Max Gawn as second ruck, having had hitouts in the VFL last weekend.
On Van Rooyen, Demons coach Simon Goodwin said: “He’s worked incredibly hard at VFL level to develop his game over the last two years. We’ve been pretty hard on him about getting his game to the right level in terms of what we want from him, and he’s continued to execute that through pre-season and the first few weeks.”
He added: “One thing you’ll see is his (Van Rooyen) ability to compete aerially. He goes at the ball hard, he creates a contest and his follow-up at ground level is exceptional. We won’t be asking him for too much other than to do that for us.”
UPDATES
Richmond coach Damien Hardwick provided an update on Jacob Hopper (AF $722k SC $332k MID) and when he is expected to return from his knee injury. Hardwick told reporters: “One week. I think the short week, if they had a couple days extra, they would’ve been fine. The cut and thrust of the early part of the season, we’d rather take one week rather than push and possibly miss more. It’s the right approach. We’re very confident those boys (Hopper & Dustin Martin) will be available next week.
On Hopper’s knee injury history, Hardwick added: “It was a completely different injury. It was a contact injury. He’s a tough player, he’s fine. We’re really happy with Jacob.”
On tagging Nick Daicos (AF $821k SC $502k DEF), Hardwick said: “We generally rely on the system to take care of it. He’s going to get the ball no question, so do we allow him to play his game and try and manage it and try and exploit him the other way? Probably. A lot of sides have tried, not many have succeeded, so we’ll be one of those that’ll give it a crack.”
Collingwood GM of Football Graham Wright announced that Mason Cox will be out versus Richmond. He said: “His injury was initially believed to be a bruised rib. However, after further investigation scans revealed a hematoma in that region. Mason’s health is our priority here – he will now undertake further scans before we determine a timeline for his return.” This should have a positive impact on Darcy Cameron’s (AF $733k SC $465k R/F) role, who is already a hot trade-in target, particularly in SuperCoach.
Carlton coach Michael Voss has been impressed by Ollie Hollands’ (AF $327k SC $162k MID) first two games of his career. Voss said to reporters: “He’s been particularly impressive the first two games. I think what I’ve been impressed with the most (with) both Lach (Lachie Cowan (AF $260k SC $117k DEF)) and him, is the composure they’ve had in both games. To ask an 18-year-old to be able to come in those two games, you’ve got that 60,000 at the MCG, and it’s your first time that you’ve ever been there or played there, that’s pretty significant what they were able to do. The level of composure they have within the team, they’re certainly growing a lot of trust amongst the boys with some of the acts that they’re able to do as well.”
Voss also provided an update on George Hewett (AF $869k SC $613k MID) and said he’d be assessed before being cleared to return, while he confirmed that Jack Martin will miss this week versus GWS and be a test for next week.
Melbourne coach Simon Goodwin is looking forward to the prospect of Brodie Grundy (AF $809k SC $512k RUC) solo rucking. He said: “This isn’t abnormal for Brodie, he’s played as a sole ruckman for a big part of his career, he’s done it incredibly well. We’re excited for Brodie to have this opportunity. It’s not what we were planning but it’s certainly an opportunity that we think we can try and exploit and trial some things.” Goodwin said Steven May will be a definite inclusion into the side.
Geelong coach Chris Scott provided a number of injury updates, including Tom Stewart (AF $775k SC $604k DEF) and Mitch Duncan (AF $820k SC $486k DEF). On Stewart, Scott said: “(He’s) close to being available this week. He’s made really strong progress, so he’s banging down our door. It’s really exciting for us that an injury that looked like it could be multiple weeks, even a month, is not going to be that. If it’s not this week it looks like it’ll be next week.”
On Duncan, Scott said: “Mitch will really help us when he comes in, but we’re going to hold him back this week. That doesn’t necessarily mean he’ll play the following week, but I’m hopeful that’s what it means.” Scott also said that Jeremy Cameron will be fine after finishing the Carlton game banged up.
North Melbourne coach Alistair Clarkson spoke about Will Phillips (AF $281k SC $158k MID) potentially replacing Jy Simpkin (suspension) this week, along with the progress of rookie George Wardlaw (AF $294k SC $193k MID).
On Phillips, Clarkson said: “He’ll be right in the mix, it’s probably likely that it will be that. But (Flynn) Perez and (Darcy) Tucker and a couple of other boys will be right in the mix. We’ve just got to work out what we do with the sub.”
On Wardlaw, Clarkson said: “He’s such an exciting talent. He thinks he’s ready to go but we recognise that his last two years have been really interrupted and disturbed in terms of stability and continuity with his conditioning. He’s diligent, he’s professional and he’s gotten himself into a position where he’s ready to go but he still has some rebuilding to do.”
St Kilda coach Ross Lyon had some more positives to say about Mattaes Phillipou (AF $315k SC $166k M/F) who has impressed from the very start. Lyon said: “I’ve just seen a kid that wants to improve his footy. He’s got some genetic capabilities, but he working hard to maximise them and that’s what you want to see. We don’t play the talent game here, he’s getting to work and trying to improve.” Lyon said Max King is looking at a return for Round 9, while Tim Membrey is making ground but no timeline was said on him.
Hawthorn coach Sam Mitchell will welcome a number of inclusions into this week’s side, with Jack Scrimshaw and Harry Morrison returning, while Chad Wingard is set to be named provided he makes it through training.
Essendon coach Brad Scott said that Jake Stringer is likely to come back into the side. On how he’ll be used, Scott said: “Probably a combination of mid and forward. It’ll depends on how the game is going and where we think his attributes best suit the team, but a combination of both.” A watch to see how their midfield rotation looks if Stringer gets a chunk of time there.