Sam Docherty and Bailey Smith was both outs when the teams dropped on Thursday afternoon, with doubts about Patrick Cripps swirling too and updates on Finn Maginness’ tag target and Rowan Marshall’s role.
TEAMS
Ins: Setterfield, De Goey, J.Hayes, Mullin, Liberatore, B.Ryan, Walsh, Cerra, Banks, Bauer
Outs: J.Ryan, M.King, B.Smith (ill), Macrae (inj), Drury, Ziebell (ret), Humphrey (inj), Atkins, Chesser, Docherty (inj)
Holds J.Fletcher, S.Neale, Hustwaite, Day, Emmett, Worner, M.Johnson, Maric, E.Hewett, Borlase
Extended bench: Fogarty, McMullin, Fahey, Flynn, Visentini, Soldo, M.Roberts, Melican, Woewodin
Possible subs/emergencies: Lohmann, H.Sharp, S.Mitchell, Drury, Chesser
Confirmed sub: Thilthorpe, Atkins, F.Macrae
Absent: Constable, Davies-Uniacke, Grundy
Sam Walsh was named in Carlton’s 22 but Sam Docherty (AF $867k SC $534k D/M) was a surprise out. Carlton said in an update: “Docherty experienced some calf soreness and was unable to train throughout the week, and therefore will not be available for selection on Sunday.”
Bailey Smith was also out for the Bulldogs due to illness, while Will Day was named after a collision and cramps last week and Luke Davies-Uniacke failed to return from a foot injury.
Rory Atkins was demoted from Gold Coast’s 22 but the club confirmed he will be sub.
DEBUTANT ALERT
Geelong confirmed Toby Conway (AF $200k SC $123k RUC) will debut. He is a 206cm 20-year-old who went pick 24 in the 2021 AFL Draft. He had 21 disposals, five marks and 26 hit-outs in the VFL last weekend.
UPDATES
Luke Davies-Uniacke’ absence was declared earlier in the day with North coach Alastair Clarkson revealing he suffered the foot injury in a surfing accident. Clarkson said: “He enjoys getting into the surf. He hurts his foot, misses last week’s game because of it, we were hoping he’d get up for this week. He’s not going to play this week either.”
St Kilda coach Ross Lyon discussed Rowan Marshall’s role with forward-ruck Jack Hayes returning to the side for Max King. He said: “he just works really hard. He’s a worker. He’s totally dedicated. He’s carried the ruck mantle all year which he’ll do again this weekend. Mcinerney is one he lowered his colours to last time. He wouldn’t have enjoyed that and it’s critical to what Brisbane do, that ruck craft, clearance and ground position. He’ll have his hands full this weekend.”
Carlton coach Michael Voss revealed Patrick Cripps was no certainty to play in their Sunday game against GWS Giants, having been banged up in recent weeks. Cripps was named on-field in Carlton’s extended squad.
The Blues trained in the evening, as preparation for their unusual 6:10pm Sunday bouncedown, and prior to that session (which was not long before the 6:20pm AEST teams dropped), Voss spoke about Cripps as well as Sam Walsh and Adam Cerra who are set to return from hamstring injuries.
Voss said: “We’ll fit Sam Walsh in somewhere though. Cez might go OK… We’ve obviously got to get through today. There’s a couple of little things they’ve got to do. They’ve trained well to this point in time. Been somewhat conservative on the return. Both pretty patient. They’ll be right to go.”
On Cripps, Voss added: “If players are fit, they’ll play. If they’re not fit, they won’t play. We’re pretty determined to go to the line as hard as we possibly can. “He’s one of those players who has to get through training today. He didn’t train a couple of days ago. We obviously would like him to get through a bit of training today before we’re satisfied with where he’s at.” When asked if the issue was ribs, Voss declined to confirm.
In-form Nic Newman kept GWS forward Toby Greene to five disposals and one goal when the two sides met earlier in the year. On whether he’ll use Newman as a shutdown defender again, Voss said: “We’ll call on that from time to time but we’ll obviously have a different strategy coming into this game.”
Hawthorn plays Fremantle on Saturday, with Finn Maginness having shut down a number of gun players lately, meaning trading out this week’s tag target may be an option in Fantasy, namely either Andy Brayshaw or Caleb Serong.
On Maginness’ role, Mitchell said: “I’ve seen plenty of footage of him trying to get the footy, he’s certainly a negator at first… Every week the opposition we play become more prepared for him, we’re going to have a different challenge this week in making sure he can get his job done.”
Mid-Season draftee Brandon Ryan was picked in Hawthorn’s 22. Mitchell had said in the morning: “Not sure yet. Hopefully. He was very sick. Last week he technically could’ve played but he hadn’t trained for two weeks. He wasn’t able to do any training until the end of last week. If he gets through training today, then that would make him available. He’ll obviously be a little bit underdone, whether we decide to go with him.”
Mitchell confirmed Henry Hustwaite (AF $261k SC $117k MID) will play again after debuting last week. He said: “Henry will play. He did a great job, I think… He had his first game and he took that opportunity so he’ll get to finish in the seniors.”
Melbourne coach Simon Goodwin conceded that their experiment with Max Gawn and Brodie Grundy hadn’t worked this year, indicating the latter is unlikely to play this round. He was later not picked in Melbourne’s extended squad. Goodwin said in the morning on Grundy’s selection: “That’s something we’ll decide after today’s training. We’re not playing until Sunday. So we’ll have a look at what that looks like… The way they function together from a forward-half perspective, we acknowledge it hasn’t quite been the success that we’re hoping for. That’s impacted Brodie’s ability to play in the team.”
The Dees coach also dismissed talk of Christian Petracca missing due to illness. He said: “No, we’re like every club, 2-3 guys crook every week for the last 7-8 weeks. Just a standard week for us. I think Christian might have had a runny nose but he’s all good now.”
Essendon coach Brad Scott flagged six changes, although likely a few were related to those carrying injuries like Jake Stringer and Sam Draper.
