The early mail is in ahead of Thursday’s team news with updates on Jordan Dawson, Colby McKercher, Tom Liberatore, Ed Richards, Marcus Windhager and a pair of debutants.
Adelaide coach Matthew Nicks said skipper Jordan Dawson has recovered well after managing a foot niggle through his last match. He said: “Dawson is going really well. He pulled up better this week than he was going into last week. It’s an unusual one for him, just around the foot. He’s doing some good work with recovery. He’s really confident he’ll be good to go.”
Nicks also discussed the selection of debutant Billy Dowling. He said: “Billy is an accumulator. He can find the footy. Sees the game really well, he’s got great awareness. He deserved his opportunity. With Matty going out, it was the perfect opportunity.”
North Melbourne coach Alistair Clarkson said the Kangaroos won’t be rushing young gun Colby McKercher back in as he looks to overcome his foot injury. He said: “We’re just taking an ultra conservative approach with (Colby). He was back running on the track this morning.”
Clarkson added that key defender Griffin Logue is on target to potentially return to the side later this month. He said: “This morning was his first full match practice. He’ll run through that for another two or three weeks before he plays. We’re really pleased for Griff. He’s put in a truckload of work over the last 12 months.”
Bulldogs coach Luke Beveridge said whilst Tom Liberatore should be given the all clear to return this weekend, fellow midfielder Ed Richards will remain on the sidelines for at least another week. He said: “(Liberatore) should be fine. He’s been training with the group and getting through most things. We anticipate that he’ll be okay. We’re gonna give Ed Richards another week though. He won’t play this week.”
St Kilda coach Ross Lyon said the Saints will consider utilising Marcus Windhager as a tagger moving forward. On deploying the tag, Lyon said: “It’s not something we typically do. We felt it necessary after Harley Reid’s 7 clearances and 14 disposals, they were pretty handy. We thought that was a significant factor in the game so we did it. We know we can go to it, it’s not off the table, but we’ve only done it two or three times since I’ve been here. You’ve gotta balance up your system versus locking someone down. Last week it worked, there’s no guarantee for next week.”
Blues coach Michael Voss discussed the role of Zac Williams, who has spent majority of his time as a forward in recent weeks. He said: “It’s hard to take him away if he keeps doing what he’s doing. He’s been able to do that (kick goals) really well and you’ve seen the energy he’s bringing to it. He’s very passionate and he’s got a natural flair for it.”
Brisbane coach Chris Fagan said there won’t be any shock debutants this week from the Lions crop of mid-season draftees. He said: “We’ve gotta see what their form is like at reserves level first. They all look like good players, they’ve trained impressively this week and they’re good young lads. I’m sure they’re looking to make the most of their opportunity.”
Richmond coach Adem Yze said the Tigers will be wary of Adelaide skipper Jordan Dawson. He said: “The hardest thing with (Dawson) is he can play various positions, he can play on a wing or up forward, and he’s obviously a great midfielder. He’s really important to them, we know that. We’ll just make that decision on whether it’s during the game that we have to shut him out, or if we start that way. He’s a terrific player and obviously a leader at their footy club, so he’ll want to perform. We’ll be looking at him for sure.”
Debutants
The Crows announced that young midfielder Billy Dowling will make his AFL debut tonight against Richmond at Adelaide Oval. The opportunity comes following a season ending shoulder injury to fellow ball magnet Matt Crouch. Dowling collected 30 disposals and 6 tackles in his most recent outing in the SANFL, and is averaging 24 disposals at the reserve level this season.
West Coast confirmed mid-season draftee Jack Hutchinson will debut for the Eagles this weekend. A medium-sized forward, Hutchinson has been given his chance just a week after being plucked from Collingwood’s VFL side.
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Lachlan Robb
