Tom Mitchell was cleared to play this weekend amid rumours of a neck injury, while Sam Mitchell spoke about Will Day’s role and Callum Mills discussed his own likely position in the Sydney side.
SUNDAY TEAMS
Key ins: F.Greene, E.Curnow, Cumming
Key outs: Mackenzie, van Rooyen, Angwin, Cadman, Maric
Key holds: S.Mitchell, Weddle, Chesser, E.Hewett, Long, J.Williams, Stocker
Possible subs/emergencies: Binns, van Rooyen, Fahey, Angwin, Maric, Dewar, Peris
In Saturday team news, Junior Rioli was withdrawn from Port’s 22 for personal reasons, meaning Josh Sinn (AF $211k SC $121k M/F) holds his spot.
UPDATES
Collingwood coach Craig McRae declared Tom Mitchell (AF $899k SC $565k MID) is fit to play in their clash with Gold Coast on Saturday following talk of a neck injury. He said: “Tom is ready to go. He sort of just jagged his neck in the gym. It’s just one of those things where it stiffened up a little bit. He’s out there, he’s fine, we’ll declare him fit.”
McRae also said Brayden Maynard had trained all week after a shoulder concern and was “confident he’s 100% fit”.
Hawthorn coach Sam Mitchell said Will Day will start as a midfielder, having spent some time in defence last week in James Sicily’s absence. Mitchell said: “He’ll start as a midfielder. We know he’s got great flexibility in his game and we can move him around as we need to at different times. He’s been playing a really important role for us through the middle of the ground. He’s a really strong player wherever he plays.”
Mitchell was coy on Fergus Greene’s inclusion, with fellow key forward Jacob Koschitzke omitted.
Callum Mills (AF $683k SC $430k MID) spoke about his likely role for Sydney in his second game in the side following injury. Mills told afl.com.au: “I’m not really sure. There’s obviously Isaac (Heeney) who’s been able to do that job as well. There’ll be different looks and we think the more people that go through there (midfield), the better.”
Western Bulldogs coach Luke Beveridge confirmed rookie James O’Donnell will play in defence upon his return to the side, after Aaron Naughton went down back in their last game when Tim O’Brien and Liam Jones went down injured.
Beveridge said: “Yeah, James will play back. He and Gardy have come in to replace TO and Liam. They’ve trained up for a period of time now… James is in the infancy of his journey. He’ll improve on what he did last time. He’ll provide a good blend with the rest of the boys that’ll play down there.”
On new inclusion Caleb Poulter, Beveridge said: “He’ll be versatile. He can play a number of positions.”
Port Adelaide coach Ken Hinkley admitted the decision to demote Quinton Narkle was harsh but hinted he may be a sub or late inclusion. He said: “It’s likely Quinton will miss and that’s what will happen, but there’s an opportunity with the sub.
“Had a great game. As much as it was harsh, he got a good in into the team really quickly to where he came from. We think he’s going to add lots to our footy club over a period of time. He’ll certainly be a pretty important player for us for the back half of this year.”
Hinkley said they’d take three emergencies to Melbourne for Saturday’s game against Essendon, although he declined not to give away who’s in doubt.
Adelaide coach Matthew Nicks confirmed Lachlan Sholl will be their sub against North Melbourne this weekend.
On Ben Keays’ (AF $717k SC $462k M/F) midfield role, Nicks added: “He’s got energy. We’ll keep looking at that. He’s been able to help out our midfield group. He’s come in a little fresher. When you’re in there every week bashing and crashing, it’s amazing how much fresher guys say they are after that (playing outside). Sloaney has done a bit of a mix, inside and outside this year and he feels fantastic at the moment. We’ll keep working on that with Pedlar, Rachele, Keays is one we’ve done it with, Sloane as well, even Soligo has had a bit of a mix.”
