Harry Sheezel has been named along with Jarrod Witts in their respective 22s but will both need to be monitored for their Sunday game with Stuart Dew enlightening us on Witts’ back issue.
TEAM NEWS
Key ins: O.Lord, Steele, Witts, Gawn
Key outs: D.Williams, Lycett, N.Long (inj), Gould, Corey Warner
Key holds: Sturt, Wagner, M.Johnson, O.Baker, McLean, A.Jones, L.Edwards, Ginbey, Cadman, Rowston, Wilmot, Roberts, Pedlar, Cowan, Hollands, Chandler, van Rooyen, Sheezel
Named on extended bench (26): Mackenzie, S.Mitchell, Nankervis, Cincotta, Stocker, Bytel, T.Campbell, Moyle, Humphrey, M.Bergman, Hall, W.Phillips, Bauer
Possible subs/emergencies: D.Williams, Bruhn, Corey Warner, Gould
North Melbourne’s Harry Sheezel (AF $748k SC $431k D/F) is a watch at the selection table. He trained away from the main group, nursing a thumb injury and a corked hip which he received against Brisbane, but was named in North’s 22. Among those to be omitted were rookie targets Dylan Williams and Corey Wagner, but both are possible subs, while Seamus Mitchell is on Hawthorn’s extended bench.
There were some big-name inclusions in Max Gawn and Jack Steele, while Jarrod Witts was named despite ongoing uncertainy about him, so watch this space and read the updates below.
DEBUTANT ALERT
Port Adelaide named Ollie Lord (AF $200k SC $123k D/F) to make his AFL debut. He went pick 49 in the 2020 AFL Draft and is a 197cm tall forward, who is averaging 8 disposals &and1 goal in two SANFL games this year. He had 11 disposals, 3 marks and 5 tackles in Round 1.
Carlton’s Alex Cincotta, Adelaide’s Luke Nankervis and Richmond’s Jacob Bauer have been named on extended benches so could make their debuts too.
UPDATES
Gold Coast coach Stuart Dew gave reporters an update on Jarrod Witts (AF $845k SC $616k RUC), giving him every chance to get up for this week, but won’t be risked if underdone. He said: “He’s got a bit of a bad back at the moment. We’ll look to step him up. He’s done a fair bit this week which we’ve been happy with, but we want to make sure that we’re doing the right thing by him and therefore us.”
Western Bulldogs coach Luke Beveridge spoke to reporters about Bailey Smith (AF $852k SC $503k M/F) (calf), and his availability for round seven. He said: “He’s got an important session. He hasn’t really done much yet with the calf injury, so we’ll wait and see how he pulls through some training to see whether or not he’s available for the following week.” Smith will miss tomorrow night’s match against Fremantle.
On the ruck matchup between Tim English (AF $996k SC $670k RUC) and Sean Darcy (AF $821k SC $571k RUC), Beveridge said: “I think both teams value the partnerships. Luke Jackson is there to support Sean and Rory (Lobb) is there to support Tim. It’ll be a really important battle… We’re hoping that Tim can carry on his good form, and Lobby can really support him in his minutes in the ruck.”
