There were numerous press conferences on Wednesday, with an interesting note on Rory Laird’s fitness, along with grabs relating to Matt Crouch, Jack Steele, Elijah Tsatas and Sam Flanders.
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Adelaide coach Matthew Nicks insisted there’s no doubt about Rory Laird’s availability moving forward, but noted he was being managed at training, away from physical contests, following a shoulder issue that kept him out of Round 19.
Nicks said: “Not in doubt at all. Lairdy probably won’t do a lot of contact for the rest of the season. Work his way from game to game. We just won’t take a risk with him in a main session which is hard because we’re trying to keep him out of those, a contest he wants to be in there. He knows what makes him the player he is. He’s been religious with the way he trains that throughout his career. At the moment, that’s something new for him. Hopefully that freshens him up and lets him do his thing on the weekend.”
The Crows coach also talked up the form of Matt Crouch, clarifying there were no plans to drop him, despite previous concerns about playing him alongside Laird and Rory Sloane. He said: “If he continues to display the form he has now for two weeks, he’s a massive part of the performance on the weekend, when it comes to selection at the moment, Matty and I aren’t really talking through that. We’re discussing exactly what he’s doing and how he can continue to perform that way.”
Nicks also confirmed Luke Pedlar will miss their Round 21 game with Gold Coast. He said: “Pedlar won’t play this week. That’ll be one we made the call on yesterday. Just want to rejuvenate him. Give him an opportunity to get back to his best. His form has been a little bit off, some of that is because he’s been grinding… it’s probably more management in it, but there’s a form part to that. When you’re banged up and bruised, it’s hard to perform at the level.”
The Adelaide coach also added Josh Rachele was in the mix to return from suspension, while he discussed upcoming debutant James Borlase. Nicks said about Borlase: “He’s been waiting a long time. He’d be one of the best key backs in the game at SANFL level. He gets his job done week-in, week-out. He’s done his time and he’s ready.”
Essendon coach Brad Scott hinted at a potential debut for Elijah Tsatas who has continued to build form in the VFL. He said: “He’s very close. I know I said that last week. Trying to select your side before you’ve had main training is always fraught with danger. We’ll sit down tonight and go through that.
“He missed over three months with knee surgery right on the eve of the season. It’s been a long slow build for Elijah. We wanted to put a good block of work into him at VFL level. Now you start to consider his performance. His performances are really starting to knock the door down, so he’s very, very close.”
Scott also revealed Jordan Ridley’s season isn’t over despite a calf injury a fortnight ago, although it’s unclear if he’s a chance during the home-and-away season. He said: “Jordan Ridley, he’s rehabbing with a view to playing again this year.”
The Dons coach said Jake Stringer and Sam Draper remained “week-by-week” but had started some running loads, while he revealed Will Setterfield will return from a foot injury via the VFL this weekend. Scott said: “The one update is Will Setterfield will play at VFL level this week. He’s been training really strongly. The temptation is, he’s available for senior selection, but he’s missed quite a big chunk of footy. So he’ll play VFL footy this week which is a really important step forward for him.”
Fremantle coach Justin Longmuir hinted that they’re weighing up a Lachie Neale tag, with Hayden Young and James Aish among the options. He said: “Once we can’t do is let him have the game he had against us last time. Yeah, we need to put some attention to him.”
Longmuir said Brennan Cox would need to get through agility work at training to prove his fitness to return.
St Kilda coach Ross Lyon talked up the form of Jack Steele, noting he’s unlikely to deploy him in a tagging role against Patrick Cripps like last time they met Carlton.
He said: “We didn’t do it until after half-time. I haven’t been fortunate to see the best of Jack. He was struggling through those niggles, but I’ve certainly seen it over the last two weeks. His spread and his run. It’s coming to hand, I think we’re going to see Jack at his best. I’m more inclined to back Jack in.”
Lyon, speaking before main training on Wednesday, said Max King was a chance to return and that “he’ll train and have more contact”.
Gold Coast interim coach Steven King indicated his side would likely go unchanged for their Round 21 game against Adelaide.
King offered praise to Sam Flanders, when he said: “I just love Sammy’s ability to just play his role. Sammy has been desperate to feel that sense of belonging and have that breakthrough game. Now he’s actually smashed through. Now he feels really comfortable at the level and he’s got tremendous belief in himself. He adds something different to our midfield group. He can play numerous positions because he’s really flexible.”
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