We have the Sunday team news, along with both the Showdown and Derby press conferences today, so we had a few updates on players including Charlie Constable, Matthew Johnson, Elliot Yeo, Campbell Chesser, Elijah Hewett and Jason Horne-Francis.
Key ins: Wil Powell, Tom Stewart, Jacob van Rooyen, Nathan O’Driscoll, Matthew Johnson (will be the sub)
Key outs: Charlie Constable, Bodhi Uwland, Max Gawn, Matt Roberts, Will Brodie, Elijah Hewett
Key holds: Jack Bowes, Kade Chandler, Judd McVee, Campbell Chesser, Noah Long,
Emergencies/possible subs: Charlie Constable, Tom Berry, Cooper Whyte, Bailey Laurie, Matt Roberts, Angus Sheldrick, Hugo Hall-Kahan, Elijah Hewett
After rumours floated around yesterday, it was confirmed by Gold Coast that Charlie Constable (AF $422k SC $124k D/M) has been omitted from the Suns lineup. That puts 56.6% of AFL Fantasy coaches and 68% of Supercoaches in a predicament.
The good news for some coaches was that Campbell Chesser (AF $214k SC $124k D/M) held his spot in the side.
DEBUTANT ALERT
Fremantle announced that they will have a debutant for the derby on Sunday afternoon, with Matthew Johnson (AF $200k SC $124k MID) playing his first game, albeit as the sub. He was pick 21 in the 2021 AFL Draft and averaged 17 disposals, 2.9 marks & 4.3 tackles in 14 WAFL games in 2022 playing as a midfielder/winger.
Fremantle coach Justin Longmuir spoke about Johnson making his debut even though it would be as the sub. He said: “Matty Johnson will come in, he’ll make his debut as the sub. We’ve been keen to get him in for a while. He’s had a tremendous preseason, his body is up to AFL standard and his performances at Peel have been really strong. He’s deserving of his opportunity.”
UPDATES
Fremantle coach Justin Longmuir spoke about Nat Fyfe (AF $657k SC $314k M/F) and said he isn’t too far away from returning. Longmuir said: “He was close. He trained all of the session yesterday, just hasn’t come along as well as we needed. It’s improved, but we thought the extra week would make a fair bit of difference.”
West Coast Eagles coach Adam Simpson gave an update on Elliot Yeo (AF $625k SC $337k DEF) and when he may be ready to return. Simpson said: “Nah he’s not ready. He’s another week away, he may be available next week.”
Simpson also spoke about Campbell Chesser (AF $214k SC $124k D/M) and Elijah Hewett (AF $253k SC $149k MID) and what their job security will look like moving forward. Simpson said: “These guys don’t get drafted one year and play every game in the seniors. We want to back the kids in a bit longer than what we normally would with an eye on the future, and then there’s respecting the integrity of match committee.”
He added: “We like what we see with all of them and we see something there, it’s just whether it’s in the seniors every week. We will make that call this afternoon, but there will be changes throughout the year.”
Port Adelaide coach Ken Hinkley spoke about Jason Horne-Francis (AF $569k SC $349k M/F) and the criticism he received after a poor game last week against Collingwood. Hinkley told reporters: “Like all our young players, we know it’s an opportunity for him to get better and him to learn. I get a little bit fascinated by a 19-year old getting all the attention he’s getting but we understand somewhat why. The reality is this kid is going to make some mistakes, he’s not going to have a perfect football career from today forward, it’ll be up and down.”
