Get the early mail ahead of Thursday team news, with all the latest press conferences updates supplied by head coaches.
St Kilda coach Ross Lyon provided an update on Nasiah Wanganeen-Milera who missed training on Thursday having picked up a hip issue against Sydney.
Lyon initially joked: “He walked in and said ‘I don’t want to train’ and I said ‘OK Nas’.”
He added: “It’s early in the week. He obviously got caught in that big collision where you don’t like seeing other players get hurt.
“I think he had a bit of a hip pointer. I think it’s the first session he’s almost missed since I’ve been here. But that’s part of being a midfielder and a player who everyone targets. Sometimes you’re a little bit sorer than cruising around half-back.”
When asked if there’s a risk he may miss, he replied: “Yeah there’s always a risk (he misses) because everyone has got to get through training.”
Jordan De Goey is unlikely to play for Collingwood against West Coast on Sunday after missing training again with a glute concern.
Pies Head of Football Strategy & Coaching Hayden Skipworth, stepping in for the unwell Craig McRae, said at Thursday’s press conference: “He didn’t get through training today.
“Obviously got a bit longer break before Sunday, but you’d think he’d be unlikely going into the game having not trained this week. We’ll give him every opportunity. We’ll talk to the medicos this afternoon and see where he’s at.”
Josh Daicos also missed training earlier this week, having had an ankle concern a fortnight ago but Skipworth was bullish he’d be available for the long trip west. He said: “This time of year we’ve got a lot of guys with grumbly bodies. That’s real.
“I think he’s played over 100 games straight so he’d be highly unlikely to miss. He finds a way to get up for games and perform. We don’t expect him to be in any doubt this week.”
Skipworth added that Sam Swadling was “definitely in the mix” following good VFL form, while he insisted they had “no plans at the moment” to rest players for the trip west.
Adelaide coach Matthew Nicks appeared open to the idea of resting ruckman Lachlan McAndrew, with Reilly O’Brien waiting in the wings.
Nicks said: “It may be that he does need the opportunity to get his body right, and ROB might get a shot at it, but we’re not going to know that until at least later on today, if not in the next 48 hours.”
Rory Laird is in the mix to return from an ankle injury but Wayne Milera isn’t ready yet. Nicks said: “We’ve probably got a week or so with Junior when it comes to (him returning), and Laird is going to train today, and hopefully everything goes well there.”
Sam Berry (foot) and James Peatling (hip/groin) will also need to pass tests. Nicks said: “We didn’t have Berry and Peatling available last weekend, probably looking at that, we’re going to have to see how they go today.
“The reality is that probably I think JP is going to be fine. He looks like he’s in pretty good order. Bez still has a bit of soreness there, so we’ll just work our way through that.”
Brisbane coach Chris Fagan provided an update on his injured players, including Hugh McCluggage who picked up a calf concern on the weekend and Dayne Zorko who was managed last game.
Fagan said: “We have to see how some blokes go this morning so I can’t give you any more than that other to say Zorko and Gardiner are available. And Lester is available. Thee’s a few others we need to check out today.”
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Ben Somerford
