Jackson Macrae’s role was discussed with Adam Treloar returning to the Western Bulldogs’ midfield group, while the Nick Daicos tag question was raised again along with possible debuts.
DEBUTANT ALERT
Seamus Mitchell (AF $511k SC $299k D/F) was a shock late withdrawal from Hawthorn’s side to play Port Adelaide on Saturday due to illness. He’s been replaced by Bailey Macdonald (AF $200k SC $117k DEF) for his AFL debut.
Macdonald is a 182cm rebound defender, who went with pick 51 in the 2022 AFL Draft. He is averaging 16.9 disposals and 4.8 marks per game in the VFL this year.
SUNDAY TEAMS
Key ins: Himmelberg, Shiel, Thomas
Key outs: Fahey, B.Miller, Powell
Key holds: Angwin, Briggs, S.Ryan, Ford, Wardlaw, W.Phillips, Hall
Possible subs: Flynn, Fahey, Banks, Montgomerie, A.Davey, Powell
The Sunday teams dropped with no major shocks, while Matthew Flynn didn’t make the GWS final 22 which is good for Kieren Briggs’ (AF $540k SC $254k RUC) role.
UPDATES
Western Bulldogs coach Luke Beveridge discussed the likely make-up of his side’s midfield with Adam Treloar (AF $841k SC $535k MID) returning from injury, potentially impacting the role of popular trade-in target Jackson Macrae (AF $831k SC $574k M/F).
Beveridge said: “(Treloar) will come into that mix. Between him, Marcus (Bontempelli) and probably Libba (Tom Liberatore) over the course of the year, they’ve been pretty productive with the others Caleb (Daniel), Macrae and Bailey Smith there’s a bit of depth there. All six will play this week, that’s our challenge to manage their impact on the game. We can’t fit them all into that inside mid brigade all the time, so they’ll need to share some responsibilities here and there.”
The Dogs also spoke about Mid-Season Draft addition Caleb Poulter (AF $410k SC $212k MID), who previously played 12 games for Collingwood, coming into their side this season. Beveridge said: “Absolutely (he could play). We’ve been impressed with what he’s been able to do. I didn’t realise he had such a penetrating left leg. He’s got a great kick on him. He’s quick, he’s got good depth with endurance and he’s only 20-years-old. We hope he’s with us for another 10 years.
“I’d say he’ll definitely play senior footy, when that may be, I don’t know. He’s been impressive enough at state league level for us to consider him coming in in the near future. He’s been playing mostly wing, but there’s a chance he might play back if we need him there.”
Richmond interim coach Andrew McQualter talked up Tim Taranto (AF $1.04m SC $612k M/F) who comes up against his former side GWS. He said: “Tim has been incredible all year. His form has been really consistent. He just turns up every week, gives us great effort. I’m sure he’s looking forward to this weekend (against his old side) as well.
McQualter said Nick Vlastuin’s corkie hadn’t quite recovered, while he declined to confirm a debut for Sam Banks (AF $200k SC $123k D/M) who was named in their 26. He said: “We’ve still got main training to go. We’ll do match committee this arvo and see where that lands.”
Geelong coach Chris Scott said they’ll likely get Patrick Dangerfield, Mitch Duncan and Max Holmes soon but wouldn’t be rushed into it based on where they sit on the ladder.
Scott also confirmed Cameron Guthrie had undergone toe surgery on Friday, with the club hopeful he’ll return late in the season. He added they had an “open mind” to Mid-Season Draft Mitch Hardie (AF $200k SC $102k MID) playing at some point this role, earmarking him for a midfield role if he played.
Adelaide coach Matthew Nicks confirmed Ned McHenry will be their sub against Gold Coast this weekend, while Brayden Cook (AF $369k SC $212k MID) would be with the side to Darwin as their traveling emergency.
Nicks said: “We’re taking Cooky across with us (as well). He probably played his best game, last weekend (in the SANFL). He’s knocking on the door as well, so another player who’s unlucky not to be in and playing some of his best footy of his career.”
West Coast coach Adam Simpson was asked about a potential Nick Daicos tag. Simpson said: “There’s a few there. We’ll look at doing it but we might not as well. He’s a young player but he seems to handle things pretty well. The reason it’s a challenge is he can play on-ball, wing, half-forward.”
Simpson also discussed the potential for top Mid-Season Draft pick Ryan Maric (AF $200k SC $102k FWD) playing AFL this season. He said: “He’ll add to the depth of the side. As we get players back you’ll see more opportunity with our forwards. He might get some senior exposure this season, you never know, it happened with Jai (Culley)… He’ll play WAFL this week and we’ll go from there.”
