AFL Team Whispers: All the latest selection news and updates ahead of Round 22, 2023

After unleashing Elijah Tsatas, Essendon could turn to another explosive young gun for its clash against North Melbourne.

Plus mixed news at Collingwood, ample intrigue at Melbourne, mass Power changes loom and several stars in the mix.

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ESSENDON could turn to son of a gun Tex Wanganeen for Saturday’s clash against North Melbourne

Wanganeen, the son of Brownlow Medallist Gavin Wanganeen, played five AFL games last year but hasn’t featured in 2023.

But Wanganeen had his best VFL game of the season on the weekend, booting 4.1 from 15 disposals against Southport.

“Southport needed to go pretty hard at him after the first half he played,” Essendon VFL coach Leigh Tudor told the club’s website.

“He was just so explosive, making clever decisions and running to all the right spots, while also winning his own ball as well. His ability to get off the chain and spread allowed him to get on the end of some scoring opportunities, so we loved his game.”

Wanganeen could start as the sub instead of Alwyn Davey Junior, or replace one of Matt Guelfi or Jye Menzie in the starting 22.

Will Setterfield, who hasn’t played at AFL level since Round 9 due to a foot injury, got through his VFL return game with 20 disposals, six marks and five tackles to come into the selection frame.

“He ticked off everything he needed to do, showing his strength at the contest, winning some clearances and having an impact running both ways. We’re happy to have him healthy and excited to see him keep building,” Tudor said.

NORTH MELBOURNE could welcome back top-five pick George Wardlaw for Saturday’s clash against Essendon.

Wardlaw has been sidelined since Round 18 due to a hamstring issue. But North Melbourne head of performance Kevin White said the young midfielder was “tracking well” after taking part in main training last week.

“George absorbed a footy conditioning session over the weekend and will freshen up in the early part of this week to put him in the best position for game availability this weekend,” White said.

It’s already been confirmed that retiring favourite Ben Cunnington will come in for a farewell match, but Liam Shiels (calf) is at least another week away.

MELBOURNE star midfielder Clayton Oliver is set to make his long-awaited return when the Dees take on Carlton this weekend.

Oliver has been sidelined since Round 10 due to hamstring setbacks, as well as an infected blister, but Demons football boss Alan Richardson said the on-baller was “right to go this week”.

“Now we’ve still got a few training sessions but our expectation is that Claz will play,” Richardson said.

“It’s been frustrating for him and probably frustrating for our fans that he hasn’t been out there sooner. It was a challenging injury and we had to make sure that we treated it with the respect that that sort of injury requires.

“It’s good the team have been able to keep performing well in his absence because he’s such a good player. It’s great to have him back and we’re going to have a fresh Clayton Oliver leading into the finals, which is exciting.”

But the Demons will have to find a key forward replacement for Harry Petty, who’s been ruled out for the remainder of the 2023 season due to a high grade Lisfranc injury.

Intriguingly, Richardson confirmed Tom McDonald, who’s been sidelined in recent months due to an ankle issue, “will play this week at VFL level”, while Ben Brown wouldn’t play at any level due to knee soreness.

It means the Demons could give prized recruit Brodie Grundy another crack at AFL level — after several weeks working on his “forward craft” in the VFL — or shift Joel Smith to the forward line and re-call Adam Tomlinson to the backline.

CARLTON isn’t expected to make any drastic changes, with Adam Cerra and Sam Walsh likely to miss another week.

Jordan Boyd is available to play after serving his suspension, but strong showings from Paddy Dow, Zac Fisher and Lachie Fogarty in recent weeks means he’s not automatic inclusion.

BRISBANE should regain ruck Oscar McInerney, but will be without young gun defender Keidean Coleman for Saturday’s crunch clash with Adelaide

McInerney missed last weekend’s win over Fremantle due to an ankle issue, but looks set to return for the match against the Crows after training fully on Tuesday.

But Coleman (eye) and Noah Answerth (facial fracture), remain unavailable for selection. It means veteran defender Daniel Rich, who wasn’t picked last week due to hamstring tightness but is fit to return this week, will come under selection consideration.

Brisbane, however, has preferred the combination of Conor McKenna and Darcy Wilmot off half-back during the back-half of the season.

ADELAIDE could welcome back star forward Izak Rankine for the clash against Brisbane.

Rankine injured his hamstring late in the loss to Melbourne, but has made good progress to the point where he could be available for selection this week.

“Izak has done everything we have asked of him so far,” Crows high performance boss Darren Burgess said.

“If he gets through main training and passes a few more markers that we need him to pass, then he should put his hand up for selection.”

Luke Pedlar, who was managed last week, should return to replace utility Chayce Jones, who’ll miss the rest of the season after suffering a Lisfranc fracture that requires surgery.

Last week’s sub Rory Sloane could also be upgraded into the starting 22.

PORT ADELAIDE is expected to be the busiest team at match committee this week ahead of its big clash with the GWS Giants.

The three players that missed the Cats clash with illness – Miles Bergman, Jeremy Finlayson and Kane Farrell – are all expected to return, while the club is hopeful both Aliir Aliir and Lachie Jones will face the Giants after they were placed in concussion protocols. Should Aliir be fit to return, it’d be timely considering Trent McKenzie will miss several weeks due to a partial tear of his PCL.

Key forward Charlie Dixon needs to pass a fitness test to return after the Power took a conservative approach with him last week due to a foot injury picked up at training. Dixon would likely come in for Ollie Lord, while Jackson Mead, Jase Burgoyne and Riley Bonner would be vulnerable to make way for the returning cavalry.

Ruck Scott Lycett remains a week-to-week proposition after undergoing surgery on Friday to clean out his meniscus.

The GIANTS will have to make at least two forced changes for their match against Port Adelaide.

A shake-up of the small forward brigade looms, with both Brent Daniels and Toby Bedford to miss due to suspension.

James Peatling, Harry Rowston, Conor Stone and Josh Fahey would be in the mix for a re-call, or the Giants could turn to Toby McMullin for a debut. The other option would be to welcome back Aaron Cadman – after his 3.3 performance in the VFL against the Swans – in an attempt to stretch the Power’s defence.

Finn Callaghan was a late withdrawal for the Sydney derby due to calf soreness, but could come straight back in — likely at the expense of his replacement Isaac Cumming.

COLLINGWOOD’SNathan Murphy is expected to back up for Friday night’s clash against Geelong, according to coach Craig McRae, despite the key defender‘s injury setback last weekend.

But the Pies will be without veteran midfielder Steele Sidebottom due to a foot injury.

The Magpies’ shock loss to Hawthorn was compounded by two brutal blows to Nick Daicos and Murphy a month out from finals, with Daicos to be sidelined for at least six weeks with a knee issue.

The club on Sunday suggested Murphy would miss two three weeks with a low-grade syndesmosis injury. But McRae on Wednesday said he expected Murphy to play and hold his place in the side in a shock turnaround.

Billy Frampton was held out from the VFL on Sunday and would be the likely replacement for Murphy if required.

But McRae also confirmed to reporters Sidebottom would miss Friday night’s match against Geelong with a foot issue.

Tom Mitchell was subbed out of the Hawks game with ice on his thigh, but McRae downplayed any concerns.

Oleg Markov, who was the sub against Hawthorn and replaced Mitchell, might come in for Daicos to add some outside run.

The Pies could have another look at Will Hoskin-Elliott and/or Mason Cox, with the latter having a big day out in the VFL with one goal from 15 disposals and 46 hit-outs. He could come in at the expense of Ash Johnson, who had limited impact against Hawthorn, but dropping him after one game back would be harsh.

GEELONG could welcome back veteran forward Tom Hawkins to face Collingwood after just one week on the sidelines.

Hawkins missed last week’s win over Port Adelaide after injuring his hamstring late in the Round 19 match against Fremantle.

But if Hawkins gets through the Cats’ main training session on Wednesday, he looms as a handy inclusion for Friday night’s blockbuster.

“Tom Hawkins is running well, his strength has improved,” Cats football boss Simon Lloyd said.

“He’s hitting all the markers that he needs to hit, and he’ll complete main training on Wednesday.”

Fellow forward Gary Rohan is also expected to be available for Friday night’s clash, despite a lingering ankle issue.

The Cats will be without premiership defender Jack Henry, who suffered a Lisfranc ligament injury against Port Adelaide, with Jed Bews a chance to return. The Cats could also upgrade Brandan Parfitt to the starting 22, or turn to veteran Sam Menegola for his first game of the season.

RICHMOND should welcome back star veteran trio Dustin Martin (managed), Trent Cotchin (managed) and Dylan Grimes (neck) for Sunday’s must-win clash against St Kilda.

But Jacob Hopper has already been ruled out after failing a concussion test on Friday night, while Daniel Rioli is in doubt after hurting his ankle against the Bulldogs – although the nine-day break between games will help his chances.

Maurice Rioli (concussion) is another option for the Tigers.

Martin’s return might make it hard for Noah Cumberland to hold his spot, while Jacob Bauer might be vulnerable too.

ST KILDA will strongly consider selecting goalkicker Tim Membrey to face Richmond.

The veteran forward booted 4.2 from 20 touches and 14 marks for Sandringham in an impressive VFL showing.

If so, he could come in for Zaine Cordy, who was scoreless from seven touches against Carlton. Mattaes Phillipou could be due for a week off – or perhaps starting as the sub – which could open the door for Liam Stocker to start in the 22.

Coach Ross Lyon was greatly disappointed by his side’s midfield fadeout against the Blues, but whether that leads to personnel tweaks remains unclear. If so, Jack Bytel would be in the mix to return after a monster VFL game that included one goal from 35 disposals, nine marks and six tackles, while Ben Paton, Jack Peris and Jack Billings would be other options.

The WESTERN BULLDOGS could be boosted by the returns of Alex Keath (concussion) and Ryan Gardner (soreness) for the clash against Hawthorn.

If both are available, Gardner appears more likely to come in than Keath and James O’Donnell the most likely exclusion.

The only sour note for the Bulldogs from their win over Richmond was the loss of Anthony Scott due to concussion, meaning he won’t be able to play against the Hawks.

Toby McLean (1.2, 31 disposals, 7 clearances) and Oskar Baker (1.0, 22 disposals, 7 marks) performed well in the VFL and could come in for Scott, while Arthur Jones could come into the 22.

HAWTHORN could welcome back duo Karl Amon and Sam Frost for its clash against the Bulldogs.

Amon has missed the past few games due to a knee injury, but trained on Tuesday and is expected to take part in full training on Thursday.

“We’ll make a final call on his availability for the weekend, but it’s looking certainly more positive this week,” Hawthorn high performance manager Peter Burge said,

Frost is also expected to be available for selection after missing the win over Collingwood with a foot injury.

After being subbed out the past two weeks, Seamus Mitchell could be due for a rest – particularly after “popping a couple of fingers”, according to Sam Mitchell, against the Pies.

Sam Butler, Bailey Macdonald and Tyler Brockman will be in the mix.

WEST COAST will be without retiring Shannon Hurn (Achilles) and Luke Shuey (hamstring) for Saturday’s western derby, but could welcome back Jamaine Jones for his first game since Round 10.

Jones hasn’t played since suffering an ankle injury against Hawthorn in Tasmania, but is in the mix to return this week.

“Jamaine has worked his way through his rehab after his ankle surgery and has put his hand up and just needs to train this week to be available,” Eagles health boss Mark Finucane said.

FREMANTLE be without defender Ethan Hughes for Saturday’s derby with the Eagles,

Hughes suffered an ankle injury in the tight win over Brisbane and will miss at least two games.

Sub Matthew Johnson could come into the starting 22, but Will Brodie impressed in the WAFL in his return from injury to have 31 touches. Bailey Banfield is set to return as well, but it remains uncertain whether that’ll be at WAFL or AFL level.

Veteran key forward Matt Taberner also returned via the WAFL with 3.2 from 11 disposals and eight marks, so he could come in and add more height and experience to attack.

SYDNEY will be without young gun Braeden Campbell for Saturday’s clash against Gold Coast due to suspension.

Swans coach John Longmire hinted fellow top-five draft pick Dylan Stephens was likely to replace Campbell in the side after a strong showing coming on as the sub against the Giants, although Matt Roberts (34 disposals in the VFL) and Corey Warner (32) were also mentioned.

Longmire said it was unlikely veteran Dane Rampe returned from injury on Saturday.

“We’ll see how he goes on Thursday. We’re conscious being a calf and being a bit older that we don’t put him through too many risks,” Longmire said.

GOLD COAST will need to find a replacement for gun defender Wil Powell, who’ll miss the rest of the season with an ankle injury.

Ben Long or Charlie Constable could get a reprieve, while Connor Budarick would also be in the mix after a few VFL games back from injury.

After serving his one-match ban, Touk Miller will return for the Suns in a welcome boost to the midfield.