While Clayton Oliver remains doubtful, Melbourne has been urged to rest another superstar and re-call Brodie Grundy.
Plus how the Swans could replace Lance Franklin and the brutal call Brisbane could make.
Get the latest Round 19 selection news and updates in AFL Team Whispers!
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The WESTERN BULLDOGS have mixed selection news ahead regarding their key defensive stocks ahead of Friday night’s crunch clash against Richmond.
Veteran Liam Jones is a strong chance to return from a nasty forearm fracture, which has sidelined him since Round 14. Bulldogs medical boss Chris Bell said Jones needs to “progress through our contact requirements this week” in order to face the Tigers.
But Alex Keath (concussion) will be sidelined for up to two weeks, while Josh Bruce (knee) will undergo an ACL reconstruction after their respective injuries against the Giants.
Dogs coach Luke Beveridge flagged James O‘Donnell, who was an emergency against the Giants, could play key back and was also a chance to return alongside Jones.
Gun running defender Ed Richards is expected to return after recovering from a bout of gastro last week, but just needs to get through main training on Wednesday.
RICHMOND will be boosted by the return of ruckman Toby Nankervis from suspension for Friday night’s clash against the Western Bulldogs
And Richmond interim coach Andrew McQualter said he would have no qualms playing Nankervis in the same side as Ivan Soldo.
“They’ve played in a premiership together, so we know they can play together,” McQualter said after Sunday’s loss to Melbourne.
Hugo Ralphsmith, Judson Clarke and Maurice Rioli Junior would be in the mix for a senior re-call, while Matthew Coulthard could be due for an elevation to the starting 22 after two impressive outings as the sub.
WEST COAST is set to be boosted by the return of star veteran defender Jeremy McGovern for Saturday’s match against Essendon.
McGovern, who’s missed the past two games with concussion, looms as a crucial inclusion, considering vice-captain Tom Barrass has been ruled out for the season with a shoulder injury and Peter Wright will be waiting inside the Bombers’ forward 50.
“My assumption is he would be available this week,” Eagles coach Adam Simpson told 7 News Perth on Monday night.
McGovern would likely come in for Rhett Bazzo, who was subbed out before half-time against North Melbourne, while Elliot Yeo would almost certainly come into the starting 22 after beginning Sunday’s match as the sub.
ESSENDON will again look at its small forward set-up ahead of its clash with West Coast.
The Bombers swung a late change on Saturday night for their match against Sydney, bringing Alwyn Davey Junior into the starting line-up and moving Will Snelling to the starting sub. Davey was ultimately subbed out with seven disposals, with Snelling coming on and having a strong impact with 10 touches.
Snelling could move back into the starting 22, while Davey, Will Setterfield (if fit) or even fellow 2022 draftee Elijah Tsatas are sub options. Tsatas was a strong contributor for the Bombers’ VFL side on a tough day, finishing with 22 disposals and six clearances.
Bombers coach Brad Scott wouldn’t put a timeframe on the returns of injured stars Jordan Ridley and Sam Draper, while he didn’t sound confident forward Jake Stringer would be available for the Bombers clash with West Coast Eagles next Saturday.
“It‘s such a hard game, his strength, as everyone knows, is explosiveness, strength, power, speed in bursts and his foot (soreness) is not allowing him to do that,” Scott said on Saturday night.
“It‘s not the right thing for him and it’s not the right thing for the team for him to play right at the moment.
“We‘re hopeful that will turn around really quickly, but we’re not sure.”
ADELAIDE will regain young star forward Josh Rachele from suspension, but will be looking for reinforcement in its backline for Saturday’s clash against Gold Coast after Jordon Butts was ruled out for the season.
Butts hobbled off with a foot injury in the second quarter of his side‘s surprise 47-point Showdown win against Port Adelaide on Saturday night, with medical staff then confirming he’d suffered a fractured fifth metatarsal in his right foot.
Butts joins fellow tall defenders Tom Doedee and Nick Murray, who both suffered ACL tears, as long-term absentees.
But coach Matthew Nicks on Saturday said he was confident his squad had the depth to cover the latest setback, hinting James Borlase could get the call-up.
“We‘ve still got players that are ready to step up,“ Nicks replied when asked about his defensive woes after Saturday night’s win.
“This week Mark Keane came in, but James Borlase had just as much right to come in and play. James is playing great footy at SANFL level and there are guys who will continue to step up and be ready to go for us.
“It‘s not easy, though, to replace these guys … I’m not sure what’s happening in our backs room, but we’re having no luck when it comes to key defenders. But the pleasing part is that we’ve got a really strong squad that is ready to step up whenever called upon.”
Several Crows impressed in the SANFL to push their cases, including Elliott Himmelberg (4 goals, 17 disposals, 8 marks, 5 tackles), Sam Berry (29 disposals, 9 clearances), Brayden Cook (3 goals, 17 disposals) and Ned McHenry (24 disposals, 9 marks).
GOLD COAST is unlikely to make too many changes after its most impressive win of the season against Brisbane.
Ben Long responded well to his demotion, gathering 22 disposals and six marks in the VFL, while Brayden Fiorini (32 disposals, 1 goal), Charlie Constable (34 disposals, 11 marks) and James Tsitas (28 disposals, 1 goal) all found plenty of the ball.
Competition for spots is as hot as ever at COLLINGWOOD with a full list to choose from heading into the final month of the home-and-away season.
But that has made for a “difficult” situation in which coach Craig McRae has had to keep players on the fringe of senior selection motivated and engaged at VFL level.
Bobby Hill sat out the Carlton game due to illness, but McRae was very confident he would be fit to face Hawthorn next week.
McRae on Friday night suggested the likes of Billy Frampton, Ash Johnson and Jack Ginnivan were all in the frame for a call-up in the coming weeks.
“These guys have been in good form down in VFL level,” the Magpies coach said.
“It’s a good problem because it puts pressure on and if you don’t execute your role, someone might be jumping up to take your spot.”
Trent Bianco (32 disposals) and Josh Carmichael (28) both pushed their cases in the VFL, with Will Kelly (3.1 from 22 disposals) doing his chances of a re-call no harm.
HAWTHORN could look to bring an extra tall into its starting 22 against Collingwood after an early tactical sub call against St Kilda.
After the Saints’ stunning nine-goal blitz in the first quarter, Seamus Mitchell was subbed out and key defender James Blanck brought into the game. Speaking post-game, coach Sam Mitchell said his namesake “wasn’t playing bad, but was just the unlucky one” to be subbed out.
Blanck could start Saturday’s game against Collingwood on the field, although Denver Grainger-Barras put his hand up for a re-call after an impressive five-goal display for Box Hill in the VFL.
Fergus Greene also returned via the VFL and kicked 1.3 while applying good pressure. Jack Scrimshaw (31 disposals, 1 goal, 13 marks) and Ned Long (25 disposals, 1 goal, 10 tackles, 9 clearances) were other standouts for Box Hill.
GEELONG will have to make two forced changes for its clash against Port Adelaide, with star duo Tom Hawkins and Mark Blicavs sidelined with hamstring injuries.
Blicavs has suffered a high grade hamstring strain, while Hawkins’ setback is a minor strain and is expected to be back training in some capacity later this week – although he won’t play this weekend.
Shannon Neale and Esava Ratugolea will come into consideration after their strong VFL outings. Neale kicked 3.4 from 21 disposals and 11 marks in a powerful performance up forward, while Ratugolea was a rock in defence with 20 touches and eight marks.
If the Cats wanted to include a smaller type to help on the ball, Ollie Dempsey (5.3 from 29 disposals, 13 marks) and Brandan Parfitt (40 disposals, 1 goal, 6 clearances) would come in off hot VFL form.
PORT ADELAIDE will have to find replacements for Aliir Aliir and Lachie Jones for Saturday‘s clash against Geelong after both were placed in the concussion protocols.
Skipper Tom Jonas looms as a logical replacement for Aliir after his 21-disposal, eight-mark display for Port’s SANFL side, while Riley Bonner (28 disposals, 7 marks) would also be in the mix.
Willie Rioli will come back into the side from suspension, while ruck Scott Lycett is a chance to return after his knee issue and Travis Boak a good chance to come into the starting 22 after starting as the sub in the Showdown.
Not only will SYDNEY need to find a replacement for the now-retired Lance Franklin, star defender Dane Rampe is also in doubt for the derby against GWS Giants with calf soreness.
Aaron Francis, who had 23 disposals and eight marks in the Swans’ big VFL win, would be a chance to come in for Rampe if the latter is deemed unfit.
Meanwhile, the Swans have a few options to replace Franklin. They could bring in a recognised ruck like Tom Hickey (25 disposals, 11 clearances, 27 hit-outs in the VFL), Peter Ladhams (1.3, 11 disposals) or Lachlan McAndrew (16 disposals, 22 hit-outs) and send Hayden McLean into the forward line. Or Sydney could look at mid-season draftees Jack Buller (4.1, 15 disposals) or Hugo Hall-Kahan (3.1, 25 disposals) to play a forward role and keep McLean as the main ruck with support from Joel Amartey.
On-ballers Dylan Stephens (33 disposals), Matt Roberts (33) and Corey Warner (32) all pushed their respective cases with big VFL outings.
The in-form GWS GIANTS could regain star midfielder Tom Green, as well as key forward Jesse Hogan, for Sunday’s Sydney derby against the Swans.
Greene has missed the past three games due to a hamstring issue, while Hogan has been sidelined with a quad issue. If fit, Hogan would likely come in for Aaron Cadman, while Ryan Angwin might be the player that goes out if Green is given the tick of approval to play.
MELBOURNE coach Simon Goodwin said superstar midfielder Clayton Oliver is “doubtful” to return against North Melbourne next week, but was confident he would end his three-month absence the following week against Carlton.
“He’s progressing really well,” Goodwin said.
“In terms of his training, he’s outstanding. He’s in a really good position to forge ahead for the back half of the year.
“We can’t wait to get him back. He’s done a power of work and when we get him back, we’re going to get a great version of Clayton.”
In a further boost, Goodwin was optimistic that Bayley Fritsch (foot) would feature again either in Round 23 or 24. And the Melbourne coach revealed small defender Michael Hibberd wasn’t far away from getting a call-up to the senior team either.
Amid ample trade whispers Brodie Grundy could be at a third club next year, Port Adelaide premiership midfielder Kane Cornes said the Demons should consider playing Grundy this week against the Kangaroos and give skipper Max Gawn a week off.
“They can‘t burn this guy. He’s 32 years of age, you can’t run him into the ground,” Cornes said of Gawn on SEN Breakfast. “He played 100 per cent game time in the last quarter again on the weekend.
“So, they play North this week, I would actually think about playing Brodie Grundy to give Max Gawn an in-game rest.
“You can‘t cook this guy ahead of the finals. He is that important to them.”
NORTH MELBOURNE coach Alastair Clarkson will return to the box this weekend, so selection will be interesting.
Charlie Lazzaro returned from a back injury last week via the VFL and was one of North’s better players in a disappointing loss to Werribee, finishing with 23 disposals. Veterans Ben Cunnington and Hugh Greenwood would be other re-call options.
ST KILDA could be boosted by the returns of star goalkickers Max King and Tim Membrey, as well as gun wing Bradley Hill, for Sunday’s clash against Carlton.
However the Saints will be without veteran Zak Jones due to a knee issue, while there’s a watch on Cooper Sharman, who appeared to injure his hamstring late against Hawthorn.
CARLTON will be without midfielder Adam Cerra (hamstring) against St Kilda.
Paddy Dow is likely to get a crack in the starting 22, while the likes of Ed Curnow, Zac Fisher and Jack Carroll will be in the mix for a re-call or the sub spot.
FREMANTLE defender Brennan Cox could be a shock inclusion for the Dockers’ clash against Brisbane on Sunday.
Cox hasn’t played since Round 17 after injuring his ankle, but Dockers high performance manager Phil Merriman said Cox’s recovery had “been a little bit quicker than we first thought”.
“It speaks to his professionalism and diligence to his reconditioning. That’s a big win for us,” Merriman said.
Will Brodie (ankle), Bailey Banfield (knee laceration) and Karl Worner (calf) could also return for the Dockers this week.
BRISBANE should be boosted by the return of Zac Bailey for Sunday’s clash against Fremantle.
But could the Lions drop veteran Jack Gunston for the game? Gunston had a stinker against the Suns, booting 0.1 from seven disposals and one tackle.
