In Thursday’s news, Will Day’s two-game suspension stands, Jarrod Witts is officially sidelined again, Reuben Ginbey has been named to play, Bailey Smith is out with an injury, and a couple of Corey’s will debut.
TEAM NEWS
Key ins: C.Wagner, S.Sturt, Co.Warner, D.Rich
Key holds: R.Ginbey, J.van Rooyen, N.Moyle, B.Humphrey, T.Young, D.Wilmot, W.Phillips, D.Williams
Key outs: A.Davey (managed), B.Smith (injured), T.Cole (injured), S.Hurn (managed), E.Hewett, W.Day (suspended)
Named on extended benches (26): T.Bruhn, H.Rowston, A.Cadman, C.Mackenzie, S.Mitchell
Possible subs: J.Draper, W.Brodie, C.Constable, W.Gould, L.McAndrew, J.Lyons, P.Voss, B.Laurie, T.McLean
Notable omissions: J.Witts (injured), Constable, M.Bergman, D.Sheed
Bailey Smith (AF $852k SC $503k MID) has been ruled out of the Bulldogs clash against Port Adelaide due to a calf injury. The severity of the injury is unknown at this stage.
UPDATES
Hawthorn’s Will Day (AF $727k SC $454k DEF) has failed his appeal at the Tribunal to overturn a two-game suspension for rough conduct as a result of a dangerous tackle. The Hawks attempted to downgrade his ban from high to medium impact (from 2 weeks down to 1). Day will miss matches against GWS in Round 5 and Adelaide in Round 6.
Fremantle’s Corey Wagner (AF $285k SC $117k D/M) will make his club debut against Gold Coast. The 26-year-old is a 181cm half-back/outside mid, who previously played 19 games for North Melbourne and Melbourne from 2016-19. He had 20 disposals and four marks for Peel in the WAFL last weekend.
Gold Coast ruckman Jarrod Witts (AF $845k SC $616k RUC) did not travel with the team to Adelaide and will miss a second straight match with general soreness. Witts was a late out last week against St Kilda, which gave the opportunity for Ned Moyle (AF $236k SC $123k RUC) to make his debut.
Essendon coach Brad Scott gave an update on Alwyn Davey (AF $334k SC $191k M/F) after he left last week’s game nursing a shoulder injury. He said: “He’ll be fine, no problems. He’ll train today and that’s the plan.” Scott added that training loads would be managed mainly due to their short turnaround. UPDATE: Davey is out against Melbourne, listed as ‘managed’.
Scott also touched on their young players pushing for a spot in the 22, including Patrick Voss (AF $200k SC $123k FWD). He said: “Patrick Voss is another one in the VFL who’s been playing really well, but we just want to set them up to succeed when they come in.” The Bombers coach added that it will take time, as the primary goal is to make sure that when their young players break into the AFL side, they stay there.
Richmond utility Ben Miller is travelling with the team to Adelaide. Something to keep an eye on in regards to the Tigers’ ruck situation, with Samson Ryan (AF $244k SC $156k R/F) in line for more ruck time after Toby Nankervis (AF $864k SC $563k RUC) was ruled out for several weeks. UPDATE: Miller has been named on the bench, with Ryan named in followers.
North Melbourne coach Alistair Clarkson spoke about the struggles of Ben Cunnington (AF $586k SC $385k M/F) against Carlton, which resulted in him being subbed out. Clarkson said: “For two and a half quarters, he wasn’t able to have the impact in the game that we would have liked. By halfway through the third quarter, every coach in the competition, if they’ve got their sub available to them, is looking at that player to say ‘we can bring a fresh man on, who’s not playing their role to the level?’ Last week it was Cunners, I would hope that’s not the case this week.”
