Cats assistant discusses Mannagh, Jhye & Guthrie, Swans breakout flagged & more
Pre-season press conferences can be full of huff and puff, so the Honeyball team picks and chooses what it shares, but there’s always some indicative grabs each week to help build your starting squads.
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Geelong assistant coach James Kelly spoke to the media in midweek and was asked about the prospects of mature-age recruit Shaun Mannagh (AF $200k SC $117k M/F), who they took with pick 36 in the 2023 AFL Draft.
Kelly said: “He’s good. I can see why he got picked up. We watched his year last year and how impactful he was at VFL level. He’s got good speed, got a good head on his shoulders, he understands the game really well. It’s a different beast being at an AFL club full time. He’s had to move. He looks like he belongs really quickly. He’s a great learner, wants to get better, which is all we can ask for. Where that lands, it’s up to him but we’ve been impressed with him.”
Kelly also spoke about second-year talent Jhye Clark (AF $237k SC $123k MID), who was restricted to one game as sub in 2023 due to injury after being a top 10 pick in the 2022 AFL Draft.
He said: “Jhye specifically hasn’t had a great prep for his first couple of years. He’s been a bit unlucky. We’re really excited about what he can bring to the group as well. We don’t want to put an expectation on him, in terms of we’d love to see ‘x’ or ‘y’ out of him for the season, we’re just excited about him getting a clean run at it.”
Kelly was also asked about ruckman Toby Conway (AF $316k SC $180k RUC). He said: “I think Toby is in the same category as Jhye Clark. He’s just enjoying being out there, he’s had a few niggles. He’s a big lump of a lad, so he’s carrying a fair bit around the ground. He’s happy to be training, playing some footy, he’s another one we don’t want to put a ceiling on what he’s capable of.”
In the same press conference, Kelly was asked about the scope for Tom Stewart (AF $869k SC $635k DEF) to play more midfield, which he didn’t deny. He said: “I’d love to see it. But I think it can only benefit the team. He’s big, he’s fit, he’s powerful.”
Kelly also offered an encouraging assessment of onballer Cam Guthrie (AF $762k SC $420k MID) who was below his best last year and missed plenty of footy due to injury. He said: “He looks really good, he’s unbelievably professional, unbelievably diligent. He’s come back happy and ready to train. It was a really long year for him, he’d a niggling injury that he couldn’t get over.”
Sydney assistant coach Dean Cox reiterated the positive messaging around recruit Brodie Grundy (AF $677k SC $481k RUC). Cox said: “He’s been unbelievable since he got here. We know he’s a quality ruckman, he’s done it for years and he’s done it ever since he’s been at the footy club.”
Cox also flagged Matt Roberts (AF $245k SC $156k MID) as a potential breakout in 2024. He said: “He’s been phenomenal this pre-season. To be able to do it all… he’s done every session, ticked every box and started to really get some belief in his game.”
Former Brisbane skipper Dayne Zorko spoke to the media this week and was asked about potential bolters in 2024, flagging Harry Sharp but also Kai Lohmann (AF $257k SC $150k FWD). On Lohmann, he said: “He’s another one who’s really exciting. He’s played a few games now. We know he can play the level. It’s about finding that consistency. He’s certainly doing that with his training at the moment.”
Eagles co-captain Liam Duggan (AF $869k SC $503k DEF) did the media rounds in WA this week, clarifying an injury scare was only a corkie. Duggan also spoke about his likely role in 2024, alongside top 2023 Draft pick Harley Reid (AF $300k SC $207k M/F). Duggan said: “We’re trying out a few things. Harley (Reid) and I have been rotating through the backline and midfield. I’m enjoying the midfield time. Exciting to see where that all lands.”
Essendon second-year gun Elijah Tsatas (AF $476k SC $245k M/F), who was a top 10 draft pick in 2022, spoke about his injury-free pre-season this year. He said: “Having an (injury) free run at it, it makes a massive difference. Especially in my second year as I didn’t have one last year. It’s made a real difference. I feel like I’m improving a lot in the gym and on the track.”
Dons teammate Andy McGrath spoke glowingly about Tsatas. He said: “He has an appetite to improve and become a really great AFL player. He’s had a great pre-season. He can play multiple roles, but he now has the body to compete at AFL level, and we’re just going to see him get better and better.”
Essendon defender Zach Reid (AF $253k SC $123k DEF), who was a top 10 draft pick in 2020, is another one who’s enjoying a good pre-season after a cruel run with injuries. McGrath said: “Zach has been great. We haven’t seen a lot of him due to injury. He’s had a really great pre-season. He’s connecting well with Rids and McKay on the last line of defence. I’ve no idea what to expect but I’m super excited by what’s to come. I feel like he’s growing every day. He’s got great skills, great game sense, hopefully we see him a lot this year.”
Kane McAuliffe (AF $200k SC $117k MID) is another rook to keep on your radar. We don’t tend to listen to fourth-year players but we didn’t mind Hugo Ralphsmith’s comments on RSN. He said: “We’ve got a new draftee, Kane McAuliffe, he’s a big-bodied mid. We had a bit of match sim last week and he absolutely dominated so I think he’s one to look out for.” With Dion Prestia having hamstring issues in pre-season, maybe he’s in contention.
View Honeyball’s full 2024 AFL pre-season injury list
Read our SuperCoach premiums feature: Who to lock and who to fade
Read Azza Jewell’s data analysis on who’ll be the hidden gems/breakouts in 2024