Seamus holds, Cincotta debut, Gawn no certainty & Hinkley on ‘unlucky’ Williams omission
Carlton announced Alex Cincotta’s debut, while Melbourne coach Simon Goodwin revealed Max Gawn is no lock to play, which may impact Brodie Grundy’s output.
TEAM NEWS
Key ins: Cincotta, Witts, Hall
Key outs: Bytel, Humphrey, Moyle (rested)
Key holds: S.Mitchell, Mackenzie, Stocker, Sheezel, W.Phillips
Possible subs/emgs: Maginness, Nankervis, Campbell, Bytel, Bergman
DEBUTANT ALERT
Carlton confirmed Alex Cincotta (AF $200k SC $102k D/M) will make his debut against St Kilda, with a flagged half-back role in Adam Saad and Sam Docherty’s absence.
Blues assistant coach Ash Hansen said: “That’s why the list management committee added him, to create depth in that position. We’ll call on the next soldier and he’s certainly well equipped, through his journey and being in our (VFL) system for the last two years, to play that high back role. He’ll provide some really good run and some maturity in the contest, which will be important for us.”
UPDATES
On Adam Saad (AF $715k SC $577k DEF), Hansen added: “Such a dynamic athlete but the one or two weeks will be for him. Gives Alex his opportunity which is exciting.” Hansen was “optimistic” Mitch McGovern would be available this round after being a late out last Thursday with a calf issue.
Max Gawn (AF $849k SC $622k RUC) may have been named to return from a knee injury in Melbourne’s 22 for Monday’s game but coach Simon Goodwin flagged he’s no certainty to play.
Goodwin said: “Naming a squad of 26 on a Thursday before a Monday is not ideal. He just needs to train fully. He’s done a power of work, we’re pretty confident he’s going to be right to go but we need to see him really finish off his work, train fully and be really clear with us that he’s raring to go.
“Clearly it’s a little bit earlier than first thought, but he internally has progressed fairly well. He’s a pro Gawny when it comes to his rehab and his recovery and he wants to play as much footy as he can, but we certainly wouldn’t take a risk with him.”
The Dees coach said Jake Lever and Michael Hibberd would both be “right to go” and available after missing last week.
Port coach Ken Hinkley spoke about Dylan Williams (AF $246k SC $123k FWD) and whether he was unlucky to be omitted for Saturday’s game with West Coast. Hinkley said: “Not a little (unlucky), probably a lot. But the captain (Tom Jonas) is coming back in.”
The Power also dropped Scott Lycett (AF $530k SC $383k RUC) this week and Hinkley explained: “Scott Lycett understands exactly where he’s at and what’s going on. He’s trying, he’s a had a real crack to try get his form back to a level that we need him at. We’ve given him an opportunity to take a breath now and go back to the SANFL and works with some confidence and gets some belief. I have great respect for Scott. He’s a really important part of our footy club.”
Hinkley also spoke about tall forward Ollie Lord (AF $200k SC $123k D/F) who will debut this round, stepping in for the injured Charlie Dixon. He said: “He’s had a pretty remarkable turnaround from his (kidney) injury this year which was pretty significant. He’s back and playing really well and kicked four (goals) last week and he deserves his opportunity.
“The good thing about Ol is you know what he brings. He’s quite combative and he’s replacing a very combative player for us. That will be like-for-like, not necessarily with the same experience levels as Charlie and the size, because Ollie’s still physically developing as well, but he brings an intensity that we really like. That’s what we’re looking for as much as anything.”
Hawthorn coach Sam Mitchell was asked about potentially using Finn Maginness to tag Adelaide’s Jordan Dawson (AF $889k SC $655k D/M), having done that successfully last year. He said: “I see him playing a role like that again, whether that’s this week we’ll determine that at selection later today. Finn did a fantastic on Jordan last year but he was playing a different role, he was doing a lot of different things. Adelaide have changed a couple of personnel situations in their side.”