Darcy Cameron will miss Collingwood’s Round 18 game with a back issue to add to the latest injury carnage, while Tom Mitchell has been managed and Brisbane offered a Josh Dunkley update.
TEAM NEWS
Key ins: van Rooyen, Angwin, Lord, Lycett, Maynard, Wagner, Hamling, Sturt, J.Cameron, Peris, Wardlaw, Sicily, Hurn, Shuey
Key outs: Grundy, Robertson, Lohmann, M.Kennedy (inj), Horne-Francis (inj), Narkle, T.Mitchell (mng), Cameron (inj), Serong (susp), Young (inj), Worner (inj), Mullin, Fiorini, Weller (inj), Bauer (inj), Nankervis (susp)
Key holds: Woewodin, Fletcher, Cincotta, Cuningham, Fogarty, M.Johnson, Ridley, Windhager , Ford, C.Harvey, Chesser, J.Williams, Long
Extended bench: Ziebell, S.Mitchell, Maginness, E.Hewett, Gaff, Maric, Banks, S.Ryan
Confirmed sub: T.Mitchell
Possible subs/emergencies: Grundy, Chandler, Lohmann, Robertson, Fahey, Sinn, Harrison, Mullin, P.Voss, A.Davey, Fiorini
Tom Mitchell (AF $900k SC $542k MID) has been managed by Collingwood, who have confirmed he will start as the sub.
There’s been loads of injury carnage this week, but there were some rookies to fall too, including Deven Robertson, Kai Lohmann and Oisin Mullin, plus Brayden Fiorini lost his spot and Jason Horne-Francis is out “managed after reporting mild back soreness.”
DEBUTANT ALERT
Jack Peris (AF $200k SC $123k M/F) will make his debut for Sat Kilda. He is a Category B Rookie (NGA) from the 2021 Rookie Draft, who is a 178cm quick small forward, who had 14 disposals, 2 marks, 3 tackles and a goal in the VFL last weekend.
UPDATES
Collingwood coach Craig McRae confirmed ruckman Darcy Cameron (AF $721k SC $463k F/R) will miss Saturday’s clash with Fremantle after copping a knock last week.
Honeyball flagged on Wednesday that there was some doubt around Cameron and he left the track early on Thursday before being officially ruled out by the coach.
McRae said: “Darcy won’t play. Unfortunately, after the game he had a bit of a stiff back. He trained early in the week and we were hoping he would progress, but he didn’t get much progression on Tuesday. We thought we’d go again today and he’s not going to be right. He won’t play this week. He just couldn’t get himself going.”
Brisbane coach Chris Fagan said Jarrod Berry and Lincoln McCarthy would return from a hamstring injury and suspension respectively, adding Josh Dunkley (AF $985k SC $685k M/F) will miss again with his calf issue.
On Dunkley, Fagan said: “He won’t play. I think he’ll be right for Geelong. He was running really well on Tuesday. He’ll continue his program today and over the weekend, so I expect by the following Saturday he should be good to go.”
Fremantle coach Justin Longmuir confirmed his side would be forced into five changes with Hayden Young, Brennan Cox, Karl Worner and Michael Frederick all out with injuries, plus Caleb Serong is suspended. It is expected all that may bring Corey Wagner and Sam Sturt back into the Dockers selection mix.
Longmuir revealed forgotten defender Joel Hamling (AF $213k SC $169k DEF) will play his first AFL game of the year. He said: “Joel Hamling will come in this week off the back of his best game of the year where he was really dominant in the contest. He’s put on a really good block of a month of footy and deserves the opportunity. It’s disappointing we’ve lost Coxy but it’s a great opportunity for Joel who’s worked really hard behind the scenes to get his footy in good order and he’s deserving of an opportunity.”
Hamling’s run in the side will likely depend on Cox’s absence, with Longmuir saying he’ll definitely miss next week with his ankle injury, but they’d need to firm up timeframes.
Richmond interim coach Andrew McQualter discussed their ruck situation with Toby Nankervis out suspended, noting Ivan Soldo was in “good physical condition” but he had missed plenty of footy this year due to injury, while Samson Ryan was a chance too.
On Ryan, McQualter said: “Long-term we think Samson’s going to be a No.1 ruck but we also know how hard it is for a young kid to carry the ruck. He’s shown he’s able to do it and he’s been a great second ruck at times, as well, and we’re really excited about his future.”
McQualter provided an update on Jayden Short’s (AF $791k SC $515k D/M) hamstring injury amid reports he’ll miss 4-6 weeks. He said: “With a hammy like that, it’s hard to put a timeframe on it… He’s progressing at the moment, there’s certainly been no setbacks for him. When he actually plays again, it will be a bit of wait and see towards the end of his rehab.”
St Kilda coach Ross Lyon confirmed Jack Higgins will miss another game due to a knee niggle, while Bradley Hill and Josh Battle were in the mix to return from issues. He added Tim Membrey was closing in on a return, which was timely with Max King out.
Interim Gold Coast coach Steven King revealed Elijah Hollands will make his return to the side this weekend.
King spoke about the role of Touk Miller (AF $844k SC $556k MID) after playing some forward time in his first game back. He said: “Got through the game on managed loads. He ticked every box. We were really happy with his output. That’s an upside we’ve got, Touk can probably be unleashed in a more normal capacity as to what a midfielder would play at AFL level. We really look forward to having him back at the level we know he’ll play at.”
Read In The Wings to see who’s pushing for an AFL game via the VFL, WAFL & SANFL
