Wednesday’s early mail is in with updates on Isaac Heeney’s availability this round, along with Max Gawn’s timeline and replacement, plus news on Dylan Shiel, Sean Darcy’s replacement and a Crows debutant.
Reports are swirling that Sydney would appeal Isaac Heeney’s one-game suspension that was upheld by the AFL Tribunal on Tuesday night. The appeals board hearing is likely to take place on Thursday night.
Sydney coach John Longmire confirmed Callum Mills will play this round after a long-term injury absence but wouldn’t declare his role. He said: “Oh yeah, we’ve got some ideas but we’ll wait and see on the game, I’m not going to declare anything.”
Longmire also noted Luke Parker “will come back into the frame” after his suspension elapsed.
Melbourne coach Simon Goodwin discussed the timeline on ruckman Max Gawn with an ankle injury that the club indicated would sideline him for 2-3 weeks, although the player had said to media on Tuesday it might only be 1 week.
Goodwin said: “It’s ambitious. We’re certainly of the mindset that it’s probably going to be more like two or three. But Max is Max, he’s the ultimate professional. We’re thinking it’s more likely two or three and we’ll rely on our doctors and our medical team to make the best decision.”
Goodwin also discussed the potential replacements for Gawn with Tom Fullarton and possible debutant Will Verrall’s names floated.
He said: “It gives us the chance to look at not only some personnel that’s different but also some method that sits within that role for us. We’ll look at all that. We’re still working through some of that at this stage of the week and what that might look like.
“We’ll look at personnel, Tom’s in that, Will Verrall’s in that. We’ll have a look at all those opportunities that sit within it and make a decision probably by today.”
The Dees coach also confirmed Charlie Spargo’s season is over due to an Achilles injury.
Essendon coach Brad Scott said Dyson Heppell and Todd Goldstein were available for selection after being managed last week.
Scott also praised Dylan Shiel for his form on his return to the side. He said: “He performed like we thought he would, he played really well. We were really clear that we wanted him to get fully over his injury and get a really good block of fitness so that when he came back into the AFL side that he could play at the level we know he can.”
Collingwood coach Craig McRae also confirmed Daniel McStay would return via the VFL this weekend following an ACL injury, while Jamie Elliott should play in the AFL side after 2 months out with a vascular issue.
The Pies coach also said Jeremy Howe was “unlikely” to play due to a hamstring concern, while he noted Josh Daicos wasn’t back to “full intensity” after dealing with soreness last week.
Fremantle coach Justin Longmuir said Patrick Voss would “come into consideration” with Sean Darcy out after a good WAFL game. He added Josh Draper was “trending in the right direction” to play this week.
Longmuir noted ruckman Liam Reidy was an option to replace Darcy like-for-like, saying: “Liam Reidy is doing his job in the ruck, if we want to go that way as well.”
Adelaide confirmed a debut for 185cm defender Hugh Bond, who they took with pick 50 in the 2022 AFL Draft. He had 16 disposals in the SANFL last weekend.
