AFL pre-season is heating up with most clubs now into match simulation, providing insights on form, injury status and role changes, with some key notes from this past week below.
MATCH SIM
Nat Fyfe (AF $491k SC $283k M/F) continues to impress in pre-season, having an excellent first half of the Dockers’ Saturday morning match sim before exiting at half-time for conditioning work. Freo coach Justin Longmuir told SEN WA: “I don’t think with the injuries he’s had (Fyfe) he will ever be 100 per cent fit, but he’s had a cracking pre-season. He’s as fit and in as good of form as he’s ever been since I’ve been at the club.
“We will look after him over the pre-season, there is a couple of six-day breaks between some of our games, and we will make sure he is cherry-ripe and in really good form for Round 1.”
Will Brodie (AF $732k SC $318k MID) was the standout of Saturday’s game and looms as a value option after struggling to get a game in 2023. Brodie said: “I feel like I’m at a pretty good place, I’ve had a great pre-season and haven’t missed much. My body is really good, and I feel healthy and fit.”
Longmuir added: “Will Brodie is training really well, and Fyfey has put a really strong pre-season together.”
Max Gawn (AF $831k SC $583k RUC) was the standout in Melbourne’s match sim although the quality of his opponent was likely questionable. The Dees match sim report said: “Captain Max Gawn looks in mid-season form after a dominant match simulation performance on Friday morning, appearing cherry-ripe for the opening bounce of the 2024 AFL season in just under 30 days’ time.
“Gawn’s deft ruckwork was on show as he gave silver service to the Melbourne midfield, while also proving damaging up forward with strong marking leading to two set shot goals.”
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Angus Brayshaw (AF $770k SC $502k D/M) was back in action after a delayed return to pre-season following his finals concussion, playing all four quarters.
The Brisbane Lions held their first intraclub of the pre-season on Friday, with newbie Logan Morris (AF $210k SC $117K FWD) booting four goals, while Keidean Coleman (AF $628k SC $398k DEF) was impressive.
The match sim report: “Following his outstanding Finals series in 2023, Keidean Coleman got plenty of the ball at half-back, and used it expertly by foot and hand.”
Kai Lohmann (AF $257k SC $150k FWD) earned recognition, flagged in the report: “Given a chance in the ‘A’ team, made some mistakes early, but warmed into the game nicely as he split time between wing and half-forward.”
Tom Green (AF $998k SC $508k MID) was a star in GWS’ match sim. The club report said: “Green too did his 2024 season preparations no harm as the inside bull dominated through the midfield, racking up countless clearances and possessions to show the hype ahead of his fifth season is real.”
Former Draft third pick Finn Callaghan (AF $684k SC $408k MID) also looms as a breakout star in 2024. The report said: “Finn Callaghan was another who looks ready to explode in 2024 with the smooth-moving midfielder showcasing his big summer with several eye-catching clearances as he burst from stoppage and covered the ground well to complement his silky skills by foot.”
St Kilda had a “physically demanding” match sim on Thursday, as “Darcy Wilson (AF $249k SC $130k M/F) and Hugo Garcia (AF $200k SC $117k M/F) in particular showed glimpses on-ball”.
Injury-prone midfield bull Elliot Yeo (AF $633k SC $447k D/M) was among the standouts during West Coast’s match sim under lights on Thursday.
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