The final two AAMI Community Series games were played on Sunday and Saturday evening with some standout performances, important injury news and role changes noted.
Hawthorn vs Western Bulldogs
Saturday, March 2; University of Tasmania Stadium, Launceston 5:40pm
Key Notes
Marcus Bontempelli picked up where he left off last season producing another stellar performance in the Western Bulldogs comfortable 57-point win over Hawthorn. The gun dog amassed 32 disposals, eight tackles, six clearances and a goal (127/135 – AF/SC) to put him in the mind of many AFL Fantasy and Supercoach teams for 2024.
Continuing from a breakout 2023, popular ruckman Tim English was again amongst the top scorers producing a solid first hit out against the Hawks gathering 15 disposals, 26 hit outs and seven tackles (111/134 – (SC/AF).
Tom Liberatore also continued to impress in the engine room for the Dogs collecting 30 disposals. Despite some attention from Hawks tagger Finn Maginness throughout the second term, Liberatore had a game-high 13 clearances and seven tackles. Fantasy coaches were also eager to watch first-year rookie Ryley Sanders in his first competitive hit out. The ball magnet started slow, however, found his groove as the match went on collecting 30 disposals and did his prospects of featuring in round one no harm, scoring (92/86 – AF/SC) from 24 CBA’s.
James Harmes was also one to watch throughout the Western Bulldogs practice match. He attended 19 CBAs in their first practice match a fortnight ago with the Hawks, however, they were missing Marcus Bontempelli, Jack Macrae and Adam Treloar. On Saturday night, he didn’t attend as many playing half-forward scoring (77/74 AF/SC).
Midfield bull Jai Newcombe led the way in what was a tough evening for the young Hawks. Newcombe who was without his partner in crime Will Day, amassed a game high 37 disposals. Despite being renowned for his tackle pressure and ability to accumulate points in a contested manner, he only had the three tackles, however collected nine marks proving his ability to spread from contest.
Karl Amon had no trouble finding the football even at half back for the Hawks. With talk about Sam Mitchell moving Amon into defence throughout the offseason, this came to fruition on Saturday night. He was arguably the Hawks best after Newcombe collecting 28 disposals. He well and truly could be a one to watch for draft coaches with a dual position status potentially on the horizon.
Youngster Cam Mackenzie looked comfortable at the level. He played through the midfield and used the ball well, despite seeing him not attend as many CBAs as the previous trials. Mackenzie appears pushing up from a HFF into the stoppages.
Injury news
Nothing new but Jackson Macrae played in the VFL in a sign he’s on track to play Round 1 after a pre-season hamstring concern.
St Kilda vs North Melbourne
Sunday, March 3; RSEA Park, Melbourne 1:40pm
Key Notes
There was plenty to like as a coach viewing Sunday’s clash between St Kilda and North Melbourne. St Kilda’s overall experience was too much for the young Roos winning by 19-points.
Former Carlton forward turned now defender Zac Fisher led the way for Kangaroos amassing a game high 36 disposals in his first competitive appearance. Fisher found plenty of the football in defence and used it well with a key part of North’s game plan to attack the middle of the ground. Gun youngster Harry Sheezel was the next best for North, tallying 32 disposals to along with six marks scoring (107/102 – AF/SC).
Pick two of the 2023 AFL Draft Colby McKercher only had one the disposal to quarter time, however amassed eight disposals in the second to show coaches what he can do playing across the half back line. Despite only scoring (63/55 – AF/SC) it isn’t a cause for concern and will be in calculations come Round One in a fortnights time.
A popular choice for AFL Fantasy/Supercoach coaches has been midfield bull, Luke Davies-Uniacke. North’s number nine struggled to find the football, only collecting the 14 disposals, and laying three tackles. LDU also game away the six FA’s not helping his overall tally of (38/36 – AF/SC).
For the Saints, former Port defender Riley Bonner looked to be filling the void left by injured star Jack Sinclair across the half-back flank. Bonner was immense in his first appearance for the Saints collecting 30 disposals going at 77% efficiency.
Mitch Owens was outstanding for St Kilda spending time up forward and in the midfield. The livewire amassed 19 touches to go with seven marks, five tackles and two goals.
As expected, Rowan Marshall was again impressive as always going up against developing ruck Tristan Xerri. Marshall worked his way through with 19 disposals, 12 hit outs and a goal.
The trio of Darcy Wilson, Nasiah Wanganeen-Milera, and Jack Steele were all impressive for the Saints. Wilson was influential around the ground with 24 touches, while Wanganeen-Milera played as a spare man around the ground and combined well off the half-back flank.
Captain Jack Steele, who is again a popular choice in both AFL Fantasy and Supercoach was solid in his first outing collecting 21 disposals and laying nine tackles.
Injury news
Unfortunately, it was bad news for the captain of North Melbourne Jy Simpkin, who was forced off the ground following a high bump laid by Jimmy Webster. Webster will no doubt be in hot water and is set for a stint on the sidelines.
Simpkin, who had two separate concussions in 2023 will now be managed in his return to the field this season.
St Kilda assistant coach Corey Enright was bullish Brad Crouch would be fit for Round 1, while he said they’d not ruled out Jack Sinclair (calf) yet. He said: “We’re not sure. Obviously Jack is doing everything he ran. We know what a good player he is for us, so we’ll give him every opportunity. We haven’t ruled him in or out at this stage.” Dougal Howard hurt his hamstring late, which may help Arie Schoenmaker hold his spot.
