The Sunday teams dropped late on Friday afternoon with rookies Kai Lohmann, Taj Woewodin and Matthew Johnson all missing out, while there was a bit of a boost for Dante Visentini owners.
TEAM NEWS
Key ins: Z.Bailey
Key outs: E.Stanley, Lohmann, Woewodin, Stocker
Key holds: Sturt, Fletcher, Ziebell, Hansen, Fogarty, Cuningham, Windhager
Possible subs: E.Stanley, M.Johnson, Lohmann, Robertson, Grundy, Binns
There wasn’t much of significance from the Sunday teams, except that Jack Ziebell comes into North Melbourne’s 22 for the first time in three weeks where he’s been sub each time. That comes amid Alastair Clarkson’s return to coaching North, so perhaps he’ll stay in the side moving forward.
Rookies Taj Woewodin and Kai Lohmann got dropped, while Matthew Johnson didn’t return to Fremantle’s 22 after being managed last week.
UPDATES
The West Australian reporter Mitch Woodcock noted a potential knee injury to West Coast’s Elijah Hewett (AF $405k SC $261k MID) from training at Port Melbourne on Friday but the Eagles later clarified he’s fine. The Eagles said: “Contrary to reports, Elijah Hewett trained fully and did not injure his knee at captain’s run this afternoon.”
Dante Visentini (AF $205k SC $123k R/F) might get an extended run as ruckman for Port Adelaide with news that Scott Lycett (AF $569k SC $411k RUC) is set to undergo knee surgery. Fellow ruckman Sam Hayes is already sidelined with a shoulder issue, while Brynn Teakle recently returned in the SANFL.
Port said in an update: “Lycett will have surgery on Friday to clean out the meniscus in his left knee. The 30-year-old has been managing knee soreness in recent weeks and didn’t play in last weekend’s Showdown. More information, including a timeline for his return, will be available in coming days.”
Ollie Lord and Francis Evans have come into Port’s 22, with Charlie Dixon (foot) and Kane Farrell (illness) ruled out of their selected side.
Geelong coach Chris Scott revealed Cam Guthrie is on track to return before the end of the home-and-away season, albeit maybe not in the AFL side. He said: “I think he is tracking roughly toward some home and away time. The question will be, having missed so much with a foot injury, how he comes back… likely through the VFL. But I think even with that program he could play some VFL footy and still play, say, the last home and away game for example.”
Scott also added Tom Hawkins’ hamstring injury was only minor. He said: “My information is that (Hawkins’ injury) is minor and that he will certainly play before the home and away series but I’m passing on my interpretation of information.” He added Marc Blicavs’ injury was “more serious” so he won’t return in the home-and-away season.
North Melbourne coach Alastair Clarkson’s press conference was largely focused on other matters than team news, but he did confirm Ben Cunnington would travel with the side as the carryover player.
Brisbane Lions coach Chris Fagan indicated Deven Robertson isn’t likely to make their final 22 for Sunday’s game against Fremantle, having been named on an extended bench. Fagan said: “He’s in the mix, as are five-six boys who’ve come into the team.”
When asked if he’ll replace the injured Keidean Coleman, he added: “We’ll probably replace like for like. Dev’s not a half-back flanker.”
The Lions coach had some glowing words for Josh Dunkley since his return from injury, when discussing Zac Bailey who returns after a fortnight out.
On Bailey, Fagan said: “He brings lots of energy. He’s a threat in the midfield, he’s a threat up forward. He’s a bit of a team ignitor. His energy was obvious at training yesterday. In a sense a couple of weeks off wouldn’t have hurt him. I think Josh Dunkley after a couple of weeks off he’s had plenty of energy, so it might be a good thing.”
Fagan didn’t give much away on the extent of Oscar McInerney’s ankle injury. He said: “Oscar will have a bit of a rest. Hopefully those guys (McInerney and Coleman) won’t be too long.”
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