Geelong coach Chris Scott provided an update on both Bailey Smith (calf) and Tom Stewart’s (knee) prospects of playing this round in Brisbane.
Scott said: “As it stands at the moment, we expect them to play. Your specific question is easier, they will definitely be on the plane. We wouldn’t do it unless we though there was a really good chance that they were going to play.
“I think you saw enough of Bailey today to know that he is a lock, unless something happens. ‘Stewy’ is very likely I would say, but didn’t do as much work as Bailey today. We haven’t finalised our thinking just yet, we will do that this afternoon and then have the 24 hours in Brisbane to work out exactly what we do.”
Scott also discussed the impact and role of Ted Clohesy who was a late inclusion last round and impressed as sub. He said: “Ted will be on the plane as well, we are really excited by the impact he had. It actually wouldn’t be complete to mention Dangerfield, Cameron and Holmes late in the game without referencing Ted as well. He was as influential as any of them we thought, which is a great sign.
“He had a great pre-season and he has been on the edge of the team for longer than some people might have expected. If the conditions are a little bit slippery, that will be even more in his favour, he is suited to those conditions.”
The Cats coach also discussed Max Holmes’ best position. He said: “Some of the best players that I have worked with don’t like being moved around that much, they just think they will beat their opponent. But it is nice to have that, Max is a really flexible player.
“The jury is out in our mind where he is absolutely best served, to the point where we think it is unlikely he will play in the same spot in any game, irrespective of his match-up. Sometimes it may be accurate to say he is getting tagged and then he moved, but it is not the whole story and he might have been moved anyway.”
St Kilda confirmed 2024 Draft pick 8 Tobie Travaglia will make his debut, while Saints coach Ross Lyon revealed Isaac Keeler will hold his spot, meaning Harry Boyd likely misses again.
Lyon said: “Keeler he’ll maintain his spot. He had some good moments but also learned how tough the game is.”
Gold Coast coach Damien Hardwick said Mac Andrew and Sam Flanders were both “probable” to play this round but had to prove their fitness at Thursday training.
He said: “They’re both probable. But they both need to get through the training session. We’re reasonably confident both will get up to play.”
Hardwick also discussed Jed Walter and whether he can play in the same side as Ethan Read. He said: “(Jed)’s got to train his way into the side. We’ve been impressed with Jed’s growth as we have with Ethan’s. Whether they can play in the same side, we’ll wait and see.”
Western Bulldogs coach Luke Beveridge talked about Adam Treloar’s injury setback. He said: “He’s (Treloar) understandably flat and understandably emotional about it. I think we all are.
“We just want what’s best for Adam. When you consider the effect he had on the competition last year, All-Australian, and to not be able to play footy at all so far this year weighs pretty heavily on him. Some messaging (from a meeting on Thursday), he’s bounced out of it pretty well, and now we just set our sights for another month and a half away.”
GWS confirmed Jake Stringer will return from injury to make his club debut and coach Adam Kingsley indicated Jesse Hogan will play too.
Hawthorn coach Sam Mitchell said he expected Will Day to cop a tag from GWS’ Toby Bedford. He said: “Will has been sat on pretty heavily the last couple of weeks. He has still been able to have a positive impact on the team. He hasn’t had as prolific numbers as he did in the first half of the first game of the season.”
Carlton coach Mihcael Voss confirmed Harry McKay will miss again due to personal reasons, while there’s speculation Lucas Camporeale will drop out.
