We’ve got the early mail before Thursday’s team news drops with Fremantle coach Justin Longmuir offering some insights on Luke Ryan, Nat Fyfe and Luke Jackson plus more.
UPDATES
Fremantle coach Justin Longmuir answered questions about Luke Ryan’s role, shutting down talk that he’d play tall with key defenders Brennan Cox and Oscar McDonald out injured.
Longmuir said: “Probably not. Josh’s (Draper) role at Peel has been as a key so we wanted to give him that in his first game and a role he’s been able to bed down and do a lot of work in. The option is there to play Luke a bit taller and go a bit smaller, but it’s not a short-term fix. The guys we’ve lost are long term. We need to find out about these guys.”
On Josh Draper’s debut against North, he added: “He was solid. He would’ve been nervous. Maybe didn’t play with the mindset he’s played with at Peel because of those nerves. Didn’t make any mistakes, was really calm and composed with ball in hand.”
Longmuir confirmed Nat Fyfe will start on Friday after being subbed out last game, managing a back issue. Longmuir said: “He’s fine. He’s done most of training. Trained well today. He’s good to go.”
The Freo coach also spoke about Luke Jackson’s role, asked if he could play midfield when Sean Darcy returns to the ruck. He said: “I’ve spoken about that for the last 18 months, that’s not an option for us. How that plays out when Sean (Darcy) comes back, we’ve got some time to work through that.”
Hawthorn coach Sam Mitchell discussed the form line of defender James Sicily. He said: “He’ll be the first one to say that he’d like to be playing better. He had some good moments on the weekend, but he played on a really good player and I think consistently when you have James Sicily in your side, opposition are going to put work into him.”
North Melbourne coach Alastair Clarkson clarified that SSP recruit Tyler Sellers won’t debut this week after some good VFL form, but isn’t far away. He said: “He’s banging on the door. I don’t think he’ll be coming into the side for this week’s game.
“Gee, he’s done everything right in the last six weeks. We’ve been really pleased with his progress. He’s playing some good footy but the guys ahead of him need further opportunity to consolidate their spots. At some point in time he’s going to push his way into the side, I’m sure.”
Carlton coach Michael Voss offered an update on Sam Walsh who has been out with a back injury. He said: “He’s progressed well. He’s back into his modified training. He’ll jump into full training next week. If he’s able to complete his next couple of weeks, then he’ll be available to play.”
Voss clarified Jesse Motlop won’t come back in, while he did confirm Elijah Hollands will make his club debut with his two-game ban for illicit drugs elapsed.
St Kilda coach Ross Lyon indicated Anthony Caminiti will replace the suspended Max King, while he added Dan Butler will also play AFL, with Mason Wood and Liam Henry out injured.
Jack Steele has been battling illness and ran laps with the rehab group on Thursday but is expected to be available.
Lyon was also asked about the form of Nasiah Wanganeen-Milera. He said: “There have been a lot of bouquets thrown around. He had a good game, but it doesn’t guarantee him a good game this week. I’m pretty hard to impress, I’d like to see that for another 20 weeks.
“His prep is good, he puts a lot into his mental preparation and physically he is a really good athlete. He’s got some genetic gifts and he’s maximizing them.”
