A potential Marcus Bontempelli tag against Hawthorn was discussed with Finn Maginness or Conor Nash floated for the job, while there was a big development around Jack Ziebell’s availability.
TEAM NEWS
Key ins: S.Neale, Wardlaw, Roberts, T.Miller, Grundy, Oliver, O.McInerney, Pedlar, Worner, D.Martin
Key outs: Hansen, W.Phillips, J.Fletcher, Rachele, J.Williams, Maric (inj)
Key holds: Ziebell, Ford, Robertson, Borlase, M.Keane, L.Nankervis, Chesser, E.Hewett, M.Johnson, Wagner, Visentini, Briggs, Bauer, Coulthard
Extended bench: B.Ryan, S.Mitchell, Daniel, Macrae, H-Francis, Narkle, O.Lord, F.Evans, Angwin, McMullin, Fahey, Flynn, Banks
Possible subs/emergencies: Mullin, A.Davey, Baldwin, Buller, Fiorini, J.Williams
Confirmed subs: Ginnivan, J.Fletcher, Rachele
The big news was the returns of Brodie Grundy, which may impact Max Gawn, along with Clayton Oliver, who many patient coaches have held in Draft formats.
Jaspa Fletcher has been demoted to Brisbane’s sub, along with Adelaide’s Josh Rachele, while Eagles rookie Ryan Maric is out with a calf injury.
Jack Ziebell holds his spot in North’s 22 along with James Borlase, Dante Visentini and Kieren Briggs, although back-up ruck Matthew Flynn has been named on an extended GWS bench, in a possible ruck split. Seamus Mitchell’s job security is at risk, named on an extended bench after being subbed last week.
UPDATES
Hawthorn coach Sam Mitchell held his weekly press conference but wasn’t asked about potentially using Finn Maginness to tag Marcus Bontempelli (AF $1.03m SC $658k MID) in Sunday’s game against the Western Bulldogs.
However, Bulldogs coach Luke Beveridge was pressed on it and noted Conor Nash had gone to Bontempelli in the past as opposed to Maginness, who Mitchell has previously said is more suited to tagging outside running players.
Beveridge said about a Maginness tag on Bontempelli: “Possibly. He’s had some influential outings, quelling the influence of some marquee midfielders. Over the recent history we’ve played the Hawks, it’s been Conor Nash who’s played that role. We’ll be expecting someone to do it. If he (Maginness) is picked, you’d expect he’s got a negating role on someone.”
The Dogs coach added: “Marcus’ role and the way he plays, sometimes he’ll be stationed forward of the stoppage. Not often but it did happen a little bit last week. What generally will happen too, there’s not many six foot four speed endurance powerful aerial and ground taggers who can go with Marcus. He’ll challenge them forward. At the same time, you see his tackling stats, you see him get behind the ball as a layer for us. He’ll try to do it all again as he does. You’ll find him forward of the footy at different times on Sunday, no doubt.”
Beveridge added that Alex Keath would be available to return following concussion, while Ryan Gardner would likely miss.
Mitchell was asked about the form of James Sicily (AF $951k SC $660k DEF) who looms as an option for coaches to trade in for the injured Nick Daicos. The Hawks coach noted the freer role Sicily has been afforded in the second part of 2023.
He said: “He’s been so consistent. The whole course of the season, in the early phase of the year he was playing on the no.1 key forward for the opposition and doing a great job for the vast majority of those games. He’s played a little bit of different roles across the second half of the season.
“His offensive threat is obviously significant. Defensively he helps us get the ball back. His intercept marking and intercept possession count is up there with the best. The thing that he has in his kit bag, which we value enormously, is he sets up our offence as well.”
North Melbourne coach Alastair Clarkson appeared to confirm that Jack Ziebell (AF $605k SC $324k D/F) will not play in Round 24, turning off anyone considering trading him in this week, with a farewell game likely for Round 23 in their final game in Melbourne for the year.
Clarkson said: “Ziebs plays his last game for the club next week against Richmond at the MCG.”
The Roos coach added that George Wardlaw had got through training all week in his bid to return from a hamstring injury. On his availability, Clarkson said: “I’m hoping so. He’s been able to complete the full week of training.
“We’ll sit down after this with the medical staff and see that he’s ticked all the boxes. We just need to give some consideration as to whether he comes back via the VFL program or the AFL program. If he plays again this week, we want him to finish the last three games and finish the season fit and healthy. We’re more mindful of that than just pushing him back into AFL footy. Having said that, we may decide to pick him too.”
Geelong coach Chris Scott confirmed Tom Hawkins will not play this weekend due to a hamstring injury. He said: “He’s looking good but he won’t play tomorrow night. It’s a good sign that he’s making good progress and we fully expect him to play before the end of the home and away season.”
Scott added that the absence of Hawkins along with Jack Henry would open the door for Shannon Neale to play. He said: “On the flip side, it gives Shannon Neale an opportunity to come in and play in our forward line.
“We were really optimistic about what Shannon could do at the start of the season but he just had some bad luck as well and found himself injured at the wrong time. It’s been a bit of a frustrating year for him but you can have a frustrating year and come in and have a few big moments at the end and it makes up for all of it. We’re excited about the prospect of Shannon.”
Brisbane Lions coach Chris Fagan said Oscar McInerney trained on Tuesday and expected him to be available for selection following an ankle injury.
Fagan also indicated it was Dayne Zorko and Zac Bailey who’d be getting midfield time moving forward with Will Ashcroft out of the side injured. He added Keidean Coleman won’t play this week, after some time away from training with his eye issue.
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