The Thursday team news dropped, while Chris Fagan talked about the job security of Kai Lohmann and Jaspa Fletcher and there was clarification on injury worries for Caleb Serong, Jordan Dawson and Matthew Johnson.
TEAM NEWS
Key ins: McCluggage, Mills, Heeney, E.Hewett, J.Williams, Duggan, Darcy, Parish
Key outs: Buller, Chesser, Sturt, T.Berry
Key holds: Lohmann, Fletcher, Robertson, Melican, Sheldrick, Maric, M.Johnson, Harrison, Worrell, Weddle, S.Mitchell
Extended bench: N.Daicos, Atkins, Fiorini, Weller, F.Greene
Emergencies/possible subs: McAndrew, Buller, Chesser, Sturt, Worner
Absent: T.McCartin, Zorko, Shiel, Jiath
UPDATES
West Coast coach Adam Simpson acknowledged Elliot Yeo (AF $605k SC $399k DEF) may be forced to play as a key defender again with Jeremy McGovern still unavailable. Simpson said: “Maybe, yeah. We’re just a bit light for talls, but we think Barrass coming back in will help that.”
Adelaide coach Matthew Nicks provided an update on Reilly O’Brien (AF $777k SC $500k RUC) who missed training on Thursday. He said: “Rolled his ankle on Tuesday. He’s fine, so he’ll play. It was just no risk today, manage, make sure he’s right for the game.”
Jordan Dawson also wore the orange cap – no contact – during training but Nicks reassured he’d be fine to play. Nicks said: “Just a manage for Daws this week. He’s fine.”
When asked if Ben Keays would tag Nick Daicos, he added: “Not decided as yet. Obviously a lot of respect for what he continues to do. He’s a fantastic player and needs some attention.”
Brisbane Lions coach Chris Fagan offered an update on Dayne Zorko’s fitness after missing last week with calf tightness. He said: “I don’t think he’ll get up for this week. Better chance for next week’s game. We want to take the safe pathway with him.
“He’s just had to rest up a little bit. He’s doing lots of alternate types of aerobic work, but I think he’ll train today and over the weekend. Zorks is one of those guys that loves playing, so he’s always frustrated when he’s injured, but in the long run it’ll probably be good for him.”
With Zorko set to miss, Fagan discussed the job security of Kai Lohmann (AF $233k SC $146k FWD) and Jaspa Fletcher (AF $296k SC $157k MID). He said: “Both boys were good. Had some really good moments of real composure in the game. They looked comfortable at the level. The more games we can give them the better.
Fremantle coach Justin Longmuir confirmed Sean Darcy (AF $789k SC $567k RUC) will play this weekend after a hamstring injury, long with Michael Frederick who missed last round with an ankle complaint. He said: “Frederick and Darcy got through training, they’ve put their hand up for selection.”
Longmuir provided an update on Caleb Serong (AF $933k SC $574k MID) who has been battling an ankle issue lately. He said: “When you get something sore, you seem to tweak it every week. He’s right. He did most of training last night, or he did all that was prescribed of him. He’ll keep working his way through it. But he’ll be right to go.”
The Freo coach also provided assurance on the fitness status of Matthew Johnson, stating: “Nah, he’s all good.”
Gold Coast coach Stuart Dew offered an upbeat assessment on Touk Miller who is out with a long-term knee injury. Dew said: “He’s very close. He’ll train today, and we anticipate within the next couple of weeks that he’ll put his hand up to play. He looks really strong. If you watch him train today, he looked like he can play. It’s getting to the pointy end of his rehab and we’re making sure he’s ready to go and we’re not rushing him.”
Dew also flagged Lachie Weller (AF $784k SC $502k DEF) was good to go after several weeks out with a knee issue following on from last year’s ACL. He said: “We’re expecting him to train today and if he gets through that (he’ll play). He’s been training for a number of weeks now, bar his little clean-up. Just been managing that swelling and we think that’s been resolved.”
Hawthorn coach Sam Mitchell flagged captain James Sicily will keep busy during his suspension. He said: “He is going to come up and sit in the coaches’ box and help us with a few things in the background. His leadership is still going to be important. He is going to do everything he can to get better while he’s not playing.
