The early mail is in ahead of Thursday’s team news with updates on Nat Fyfe, Zach Merrett, Zac Fisher, George Wardlaw, Colby McKercher and Clay Hall.
Press Conferences
Fremantle coach Justin Longmuir said a number of players are under consideration to cover the loss of suspended midfielder Nat Fyfe. He said: “We’re hoping (Matthew Johnson) comes back from injury. We’ve had some guys ready for an opportunity at Peel. Wether it comes from outside the team or within the team, we’ll work that out at selection.”
Longmuir also discussed the potential to send a tag the way of Bombers skipper Zach Merrett. He said: “We’ll look at it, absolutely, look at what teams have done to him. He’s had influence on games no matter what, wins and losses, tagged and not tagged. He’s a good player, so we can’t just let him run around by himself.”
North Melbourne coach Alistair Clarkson confirmed defender Zac Fisher will miss once again this week as he continues to work his way back from a foot injury. He said: “Zac is still a little bit sore. He’s progressing nicely. He’s got a terrible plantar injury in his foot that just grumbles along.
“They’re nasty little injuries because they just don’t go away quickly. He just hasn’t settled to the level we’d like just yet but he’s progressing OK.”
The Kangaroos coach added that George Wardlaw is also set to miss after suffering delayed concussion symptoms, whilst fellow youngster Colby McKercher is tracking to return to take on the Tigers this weekend. He said: “Colby has trained the full week. We’re hopeful that as long as he pulls up well tomorrow that he’s available to play.”
Essendon coach Brad Scott discussed the temptation to swing the axe at selection following a string of poor performances for the Bombers. When asked wether he would back his side in or look to wholesale changes, he said: “Dunno yet. Haven’t got that long to sort it out, teams have gotta go in in a few hours. I think there’s a balance, we’ve made changes over the last couple of weeks. Those changes are based on a whole range of factors, but mostly it’s based on picking a team that we think is going to give us our best chance to win. There’s a few moving parts at the moment, this is going to a really important training session for us. I want to look at a few key things and we’ll make a decision post training.”
Scott offered an update on Jordan Ridley who’ll miss with a hip issue. He said: “He’s not a player you replace like for like. Jordan is really disappointed. Our expectation is it’ll only be a couple of weeks but we won’t have him this week or next, I suspect. How we replace him? We’ll still yet to ascertain.”
The Dons coach also discussed the form of Dylan Shiel following his return from long-term injury. He said: “Dylan is an absolute pro. He leads by example. He’s come back well. Everyone is pleased for guys who come back through long-term rehab.”
West Coast announced that young midfielder and second generation Eagle Clay Hall will make his AFL debut this weekend against the Gold Coast Suns. The teenager was taken by the Eagles with the 38th pick in last year’s draft and has been rewarded after a strong run of form in the WAFL.
Eagles caretaker coach Jarrad Schofield said about Hall: “He’s been working on his craft and his game the whole season. Over the last 4-6 weeks we got him to explore playing outside on the wing. He’d ben purely inside. He’s got a really good profile with his running, covers the ground really well. When he goes inside, he plays tough football. He’s earned his spot. The outside going inside first up, get used to the game. But at the same time we’d be very comfortable throwing him inside.”
On whether Hall will start as the sub, he added: “We’re working through that. We’ve still got match committee. We’re working through that.”
Schofield confirmed Jeremy McGovern and Liam Duggan will come back and Tom Cole will continue to play up the field, having been used on the wing last week.
