Gather Round kicked off last night, and we had some coach press conferences today with 8 games left of the round, with updates on Bailey Smith, Will Day, Jai Newcombe, James Worpel, Dom Sheed, Tom Cole and Zak Butters.
TEAM NEWS
Key ins: Cadman, S.Mitchell
Key outs: Cole (inj), Hurn (mng), Day (susp), Rowston, Mackenzie (mng)
Key holds: Ginbey, Long, Bowes, Callaghan, Caminiti
Emergencies/Possible subs: Bruhn, Rowston, Mackenzie, Campbell, Bytel
Rookies Cam Mackenzie (AF $444k SC $263k MID) has been managed but Hawthorn have confirmed he will be their sub. Harry Rowston (AF $278k SC $167k MID) was left out by GWS, but is among their sides’ emergencies so could be sub.
DEBUTANT ALERTS
GWS confirmed 2022 AFL Draft top overall pick Aaron Cadman (AF $300k SC $207k FWD) will debut on Sunday against Hawthorn. He is a 195cm key forward, who has averaged eight disposals, three marks, 3.5 tackles and two goals per game in opening two VFL games in 2023. He averaged 16.8 disposals, 5.5 marks and 2.8 goals per game in the 2022 NAB League.
Hawthorn announced that 2020 AFL Draft pick 20 Seamus Mitchell (AF $200k SC $123k D/F) will debut on Sunday against GWS. He’s a 181cm speedy utility, likely to play in backline, who had 26 disposals, seven marks and two tackles (96 AF points) last round in the VFL.
UPDATES
Western Bulldogs coach Luke Beveridge gave an update on Bailey Smith (AF $852k SC $503k MID) and his injury after he was ruled out of Saturday night’s game against Port Adelaide. Beveridge said: “(Smith’s) got a calf injury and he’ll be out for a couple of weeks. Beyond that, I’m not sure. Bit ginger after training so he had a scan. So he’ll stay back, miss a couple and we’ll work it out from there.”
Hawthorn coach Sam Mitchell was asked about Will Day (AF $727k SC $454k DEF) and what he thought of the outcome from the tribunal. Mitchell said: “I don’t really want to start my coaching career getting into MRO stuff, it is what it is, we obviously thought we had a case and it didn’t go our way.”
Sam Mitchell also talked about Jai Newcombe (AF $753k SC $472k MID) and James Worpel (AF $575k SC $350k MID) and what sort of split they will play between midfield and forward. He said: “He’s (Newcombe) a great forward target for us. He and James Worpel are good forwards and good midfielders, trying to get that balance right has been a challenge, so we’re trying to get that right at the moment.”
West Coast Eagles coach Adam Simpson gave an update on Dom Sheed (AF $613k SC $365k MID) and how he is tracking after suffering a throat injury at training last week. Simpson said: “He’s probably a couple of weeks away. He has had a follow-up scan on his throat. His swelling hasn’t gone down as quick as we hoped.”
Reuben Ginbey (AF $482k SC $282k D/M) had been flagged for a potential rest this week but West Coast selected him in their 22. Simpson clarified: “It’s probably more managing during the week. These kids can come in and do everything training wise. We just pulled back his minutes at training. He had a lighter week. He’s good to go.”
Simpson also spoke about the role of Elliot Yeo (AF $605k SC $337k DEF), playing either defence or midfield. He said: “We thought his best football when he came back last year was down back. We’re going to stick to that plan at this stage but that’s not to say we can’t throw him in there (midfield).”
Simpson also gave an update on Tom Cole (AF $435k SC $254k DEF) and his ankle injury. He said: We don’t know the full extent. His specialist is on holidays at the moment but it’s going to be weeks. We’ll get a full report midweek. He didn’t re-do the ankle but it’s around the same area. It’s a different issue, it’s stress related. It’s more of a reaction to the comeback.”
Youngster Elijah Hewett (AF $251k SC $137k MID) was omitted and Simpson said: “He needs now to go back and get some form, play some more midfield, express himself a little bit there and then when he comes back in he comes back in with a bit of game confidence.”
Port Adelaide coach Ken Hinkley was asked about Zak Butters (AF $689k SC $480k M/F) and his increase in CBA’s last week, if that would continue. He said: “We’re managing to get a lot more minutes into quite a few younger players in that area of the ground, and we get that’s part of our growth, and we won’t be fighting to do that, we won’t be fighting to pull back from that if we have to, we just have to do what’s right for the team.”
