SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA - JUNE 02: Chad Warner of the Swans trains during a Sydney Swans AFL training session at Lakeside Oval on June 02, 2020 in Sydney, Australia. (Photo by Ryan Pierse/Getty Images via AFL Photos)
There was another update on Clayton Oliver’s hamstring recovery which doubts about the Dees midfielder’s availability for Round 17, while North Melbourne’s midfield mix was discussed.
TEAM NEWS
Key ins: Dangerfield, Ratugolea, LDU, Poulter, O’Donnell, Hurn
Key outs: Warner (inj), Bowes, J.Cameron (inj), Spicer, T.Powell (inj), Greenwood, Sinn, Narkle, Atkins, Harrison, O.Baker, Sturt, Whitifeld (susp), Yeo (inj)
Key holds: Sheldrick, Melican, Worrell, W.Phillips, Wardlaw, Ford, Humphrey, M.Johnson, S.Mitchell, Weddle, Chesser, E.Hewett, Long
Ext bench: F.Greene, Mackenzie, Cincotta, Binns, van Rooyen, Angwin, Fahey, Barnett, Ginbey, J.Williams, Maric, Dewar, Stocker, Peris, Phillipou
Possible subs/emergencies: McAndrew, Corey Warner, Mullin, Greenwood, C.Harvey, Spicer, Narkle, R.Atkins, Harrison, A.Jones, Sturt
Sydney mid Chad Warner (AF $843k SC $551k MID) was a surprise out, with the Swans stating he sustained a calf injury at training on Thursday, which coach John Longmire called a “slight tear” after undergoing a scan.
Dustin Martin (AF $725k SC $407k M/F) was a late out for Richmond for Thursday’s game due to flu-like symptoms.
UPDATES
Melbourne coach Simon Goodwin offered the latest update on Clayton Oliver (AF $990k SC $658k MID), revealing he’s no certainty to play in Round 17 and detailing his hamstring recovery.
Goodwin said: “There’s no doubt it’s tracking in the right direction from a hamstring perspective but the scan did show that it was pretty much what Clayton was feeling, that he couldn’t get to maximum speed because it still wasn’t fully healed yet. We’re working with Clayton around that. He clearly won’t play this week but he will train today and he’s tracking in the right direction. We’ll try to tick off his max speed next week which he needs to hit to be available to play. We’re hopeful without any other setback and him continuing to feel better, that he’ll play the following week (Round 17).”
On Oliver’s absence, Goodwin pointed to Angus Brayshaw and someone who’s been getting more mid-time. He said: “It’s a pretty handy player in terms of Angus Brayshaw that we can bring in to the midfield mix without Clayton, and also Tom Sparrow’s ability to step up.”
Goodwin also noted Michael Hibberd would be out at least three weeks with a lacerated kidney, with Jake Bowey in the mix to replace him.
The Western Bulldogs confirmed a club debut for 2023 AFL Mid-Season Draft pick 10 Caleb Poulter (AF $410k SC $212k MID) who is a winger/half-back who previously played 11 games for Collingwood. Poulter is averaging 17.1 disposals, 4.6 marks and 3.1 tackles per game in the VFL for Footscray this year.
North Melbourne interim coach Brett Ratten said Luke Davies-Uniacke would “definitely come in” after his hamstring injury lay-off, which may impact their midfield mix, particularly for the likes of Harry Sheezel, Will Phillips and George Wardlaw.
“If you’ve got an overload of mids, where do they play? That’s been the conversation,” Ratten said. “Some of the growth we’ve had from our midfielder has been enormous, so we want to keep that going. The bye was good for us as a group. Couple of the younger players were getting a bit tired. Freshen up and go again.”
Ratten said Tristan Xerri would need one or two games in the VFL to rebuild his AFL case after injury, while he discussed the chances of Cooper Harvey getting a debut.
On Harvey, Ratten said: “He is getting closer. He won’t play this week but he is getting closer.”
Carlton coach Michael Voss revealed Caleb Marchbank will play in the VFL after recent ankle soreness.
