The long-awaited Josh Fahey debut has been confirmed although it’ll be as sub, while Geelong coach Chris Scott discussed Oisin Mullin’s role on debut and a Jeremy Cameron injury scare.
SUNDAY TEAMS
Key ins: T.Young, Rich
Key outs: Vlastuin (inj), Evans, Boak (inj), Drury, Sharp
Key holds: S.Ryan, Lord, D.Williams, Hall, Ford, Pedlar, Wilmot
Possible subs/emergencies: H.Jackson, Harrison, Drury
Blake Drury has lost his spot for North Melbourne but is among four emergencies, so he could be the sub. Eddie Ford held his spot for North, along with Darcy Wilmot at Brisbane.
Yartapuulti/Port’s Travis Boak is out due to ongoing soreness to his ribs after a whack last game, while Richmond’s Nick Vlastuin was withdrawn due to a corked leg.
DEBUTANT ALERT
Josh Fahey (AF $200k SC $123k D/M) will debut for GWS as the sub. He went pick 42 in the 2021 AFL Draft and is a 187cm half-back flanker, who is averaging 31.4 disposals, 8.3 marks and 2.4 tackles across seven VFL games this year.
UPDATES
Geelong coach Chris Scott discussed the debut of Irishman Oisin Mullin (AF $200k SC $102k DEF). He said: “Obviously, some positions have opened up with some of the injury issues we have but specifically with Oisin we felt that he could come in fill a real need for us, but it is a remarkable story. (Mullin) won’t be the sub, he won’t be held back, he’ll be right in the thick of the action right from the start. Oisin will play mainly back but we’ve been trying to develop a bit of flexibility there.”
Jeremy Cameron (AF $767k SC $485k FWD) exited training early but Scott was bullish he was OK to play this weekend. He said: “He’s fine. He doesn’t generally do much on these sessions, but I saw it as well so I did specifically go down and just double check … but they assured me he’s fine.”
On Patrick Dangerfield’s return, Scott added: I’m still thinking that (returning before the bye) but with an open mind. We will be cautious but my take on it is we’ve already been cautious, so it looks likely for it to be next week… Pretty optimistic about next week.”
On Cam Guthrie’s toe injury, Scott added: “It just hasn’t progressed that way and it’s gotten to the point where he’s had so much time without any loading in general, so much time without running or footy training, that it’s just going to take a little bit longer from here than we would have thought. Still optimistic that it would be relatively quickly after the bye but it certainly won’t be before that.”
West Coast coach Adam Simpson spoke about Elliot Yeo’s (AF $572k SC $337k DEF) role on his return from injury. He said: “Played him back last time, we’ll probably do that again. Bit of on-ball time. Pretty similar to what he did earlier in the year.”
Yartapuulti/Port coach Ken Hinkley indicated Hugh Jackson (AF $200k SC $123k M/F), who was named in their 26, is unlikely to debut as sub. He said: “I think it’s unlikely we’ll have a debutant full stop, regardless of what happens at training.”
