We’ve got the early mail offering hints at likely Round 3 selection following several press conferences, with updates on Taylor Adams, Darcy Parish, Nick Daicos and many more.
UPDATES
Taylor Adams doesn’t seem likely to return this round, despite some talk, with Sydney coach John Longmire revealing he’s still “doubtful” to return from a pre-season knee injury. Adams had been listed as a test for this weekend in Tuesday’s injury report.
Longmire said: “He’s going well. He’s going to do some training this week and see how he pulls up. He hasn’t done a lot of training. He’s done a little bit of running last week, which he was able to do in straight lines.
“He’ll do some more change of direction running and a bit more training this week. We’ll see how he pulls up. We’re mindful that he wasn’t able to do a lot until this week. I think it’s probably a bit more doubtful this week. I don’t think from one week of training we’ll throw him in to an AFL game just yet.”
Essendon coach Brad Scott offered an update on Darcy Parish who has missed the first two rounds with a hamstring problem. He said: “Darcy (was a) late withdrawal based on the fact he didn’t feel 100% confident. We weren’t prepared to take risks on that. Provided he gets through training, he’ll be selected. It’ll always depend on how he pulls up.”
Scott indicated that Harry Jones was the most likely candidate to replace the suspended Peter Wright although they could still re-structure, while Will Setterfield was “a chance to be OK” after having a light session due to swelling on his knee.
Melbourne coach Simon Goodwin said he was “really confident” Jake Lever will play despite a knee concern, while he added Steven May (ribs) will miss the Round 3 game against Port but expected him to return the following week. All this may impact Blake Howes’ role, along with who takes Melbourne’s kick-ins, given that’s typically been May’s role.
Brisbane confirmed Tom Doedee’s devastating ACL partial rupture which coach Chris Fagan said would end his year. Fagan flagged Darragh Joyce, Jack Payne and Jackson Prior as possible options in defence, given Doedee was set to play this round.
On Tuesday, Collingwood coach Craig McRae spoke to the media, discussing Nick Daicos’ role amid questions he’d play off half-back. He said: “We always train that a bit in case we have to do that within a game. He plays midfield, forward and back. Quite often just whatever the game needs.”
