Sydney will unleash its second 2021 draftee of the year, naming a midfield mate of No.1 pick Jason Horne-Francis.
Plus there’s great news for the Bulldogs and Hawthorn are set to face Gold Coast without a recognised ruckman.
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SYDNEY will unleash a second player from its 2021 draft class against Richmond at the SCG on Friday night, with midfielder Matt Roberts to make his AFL debut.
The 18-year-old South Australian, who was a South Adelaide teammate of No.1 draft pick Jason Horne-Francis, earned his senior call-up with consistently strong performances at second-tier level.
Roberts is averaging 25 disposals, nine contested possessions, four clearances, four inside 50s and five score involvements in the VFL this year since being the No.34 selection in last year’s draft.
Another ball-winner, James Rowbottom, is due back from suspension for the Tigers clash but veteran Josh Kennedy is set for a lengthy stint on the sidelines because of a serious hamstring setback.
Roberts was the Swans’ second pick behind Angus Sheldrick, who played in the first two rounds of the season but is currently sidelined with a knee injury.
The hard-working on-baller boasts an accurate left boot and can also be effective up forward, where he may start his AFL career.
Speaking to Fox Footy on draft night, Roberts was thrilled to be heading to the Harbour City.
“I am lost for words and am over the moon to be given an opportunity and so grateful for it,” Roberts said.
“It’s going to be good fun (moving states) and I am looking forward to getting there and getting stuck into it.”
– Marc McGowan, Newswire
RICHMOND have suffered a double blow before facing Sydney with premiership stars Tom Lynch and Kane Lambert both ruled out.
Lynch (hamstring) and Lambert (hip) injured themselves during the Tigers’ 32-point win over Essendon in the Dreamtime at the ‘G clash last weekend.
Lynch had been in some of the best form of his career heading into the Bombers game, but is now expected to miss 3-4 weeks, while Lambert experienced a recurrence of the hip issue which delayed his start to the season significantly and won’t be available for another 2-3 weeks.
“It’s in a similar spot to the issue he had in the pre-season, it’s not in the same spot, but given it’s in close proximity we need to take a bit of extra care,” Richmond physical performance manager Peter Burge said of Lynch’s injury.
“It’s actually pulled up really well, he’s running today (Monday) and we feel like it’s going to turn around pretty quickly.
“He’ll get moving pretty quickly this week and I anticipate he’ll be doing a fair bit next week … post-bye we’ll have to make the decision as to how quickly we return, if we give him an extra week or how that plays out.
“It’s not going to be a long (-term) injury, it’s just how we calculate the time frame and when he’s safe to return so that he stays returned and we don’t have another problem”
Burge said Lambert’s hip was “really sore”.
“He’s played four games in a row now and with his long-term hip issue, we kind of expected we would have a situation where he would have to miss games,” Burge said.
“He did unbelievably well to play four in a row. We didn’t expect it to be as sore on (Saturday) night (because) he trained last Thursday and was feeling quite good, but it’s a little bit unpredictable.
“But Kane himself flagged that he was struggling and it was getting sorer. So, really now it’s a situation where he needs a little bit more recovery time for that hip to settle over the bye, and I would anticipate that he’d be back training again leading into the Port Adelaide game (in Round 13).
“So, we’ll assess as we go as we usually do, and we will then look at how many games optimally he could play in a row. The longer breaks certainly help, the eight- or nine-day breaks, and the six-day breaks make it tougher for him.”
Richmond will welcome back Marlion Pickett from suspension while Jack Graham (toe) is also closing in on a return.
“He ran today and ran much better than he was at the end of last week,” Burge said of Graham.
“He was relatively close (to playing) last week, but we just took the decision that the turnaround was a little bit too quick given the joint issue that he had.
“But, today he was much better and I’d expect him to be training with the main group on Wednesday and all that going well, he would be available for selection.”
The WESTERN BULLDOGS are set to welcome back emerging ruckman Tim English this weekend after he spent the last five weeks sidelined with illness and a hamstring injury.
And the news gets better for the Dogs with Cody Weightman (collarbone) and Taylor Duryea (illness) also likely to return for their meeting with West Coast at Optus Stadium on Saturday night.
“Tim should come in,” Bulldogs coach Luke Beveridge said.
“He has had a couple of really strong sessions since he’s been back on his feet. Today’s a main session; I imagine he will get through unscathed and will be picked.”
“Taylor will be considered as well. We’ve had some change through that backline – Luke Cleary has had a couple of games which has been terrific to be able to debut another young fella.”
On Weightman, who broke his collarbone two weeks ago, he said: “Yeah, he wanted to play last week, Cody.
“He wanted to take Lin Jong’s example from a few years ago. We have held him back a little bit – I think he will get through today – we will consider him.”
Mitch Wallis (foot) will have to pass a fitness test.
WEST COAST captain Luke Shuey should be fit to play despite being subbed out due to back soreness last week against GWS.
Veteran key forward Josh Kennedy is also expected to take on the Dogs after missing the last two games due to knee soreness.
“Luke returned to play on the weekend and coming off the hamstring (injury) had some tightness in his back, which increased as the game went on so … the decision was made that we wouldn’t take any risks with him,” West Coast head of health Mark Finucane said.
“He’ll have a light start to the week and he’ll be a test for the game against the Bulldogs.
“JK’s (Kennedy’s) knee has settled down really nicely so he’s just got to train this week to be available for the weekend.”
Sam Petrevski-Seton could also come under consideration after exiting Covid protocols.
Premiership duo Dom Sheed (ankle) and Elliot Yeo look like making their returns via the WAFL this week.
“Dom has done some really good training and got some good work under his belt and we’re hoping to see him get some minutes as part of that build to the AFL through the WAFL this weekend,” Finucane said.
ADELAIDE have suffered a double blow to their forward stocks ahead of their match against Geelong at Kardinia Park on Saturday with star veteran Taylor Walker and youngster Josh Rachele both ruled out.
Walker has entered Covid protocols while Rachele suffered a corked thigh against St Kilda last week and was subbed out.
“(Walker) is obviously a very, very good player and he‘s been our best in-form key forward, so that obviously creates a hole,” Crows assistant coach Scott Burns said.
“We’ll give Josh a breather.
“He’s done terrifically well, Josh, to come in Round 1 – you can probably see he’s slightly tapering off (after) a few more knocks and a few more hits.
“But it’s in his best interest to (have) a breather, he won’t play this week.”
Key defender Jordon Butts should make a timely return from Covid protocols with Tom Hawkins and Jeremy Cameron to take care of this week.
And star recruit Jordan Dawson will take his place in the Adelaide line-up despite suffering a burst eardrum.
“He will be fine,” Adelaide defender Brodie Smith said.
“He copped that whack … and is just a bit sore and blocked up.”
Ruckman Reilly O’Brien has given the Crows’ match committee plenty to think about too after accumulating 37 disposals, 42 hitouts, 11 marks, 13 clearances and a goal in the SANFL last week.
GEELONG will tackle the Crows without superstar Paddy Dangerfield after the Brownlow Medallist suffered a calf injury against Port Adelaide last week.
The complaint will keep Dangerfield sidelined for at least a couple of weeks and the club has said he will be put through a “mid-season conditioning block” before he returns.
“It is likely that a couple of weeks of training now would better serve Pat and provide the conditioning base required for the remainder of the season,” Cats head of medical and conditioning services Harry Taylor said.
Rhys Stanley and Quinton Narkle were both late withdrawals for the Power game due to ankle issues and will have to pass fitness tests this week in order to take on the Crows. Shaun Higgins (general soreness) is also in the mix, while Sam Menegola remains at least another week away.
MELBOURNE look like regaining Jack Viney (hamstring) for their top-four showdown with Fremantle at the MCG on Saturday.
And the Demons are also holding out hope that Ed Langdon (ribs) will be right to play after he found himself on the receiving end of a bone-crunching tackle from North Melbourne’s Tarryn Thomas last week, leading him to be subbed out.
Michael Hibberd (calf) is closing in on full fitness but will likely return via the VFL this week.
The DOCKERS will be without important forward Sam Switkowski after he was suspended for two weeks for his “chicken-wing” tackle on Collingwood’s Jack Ginnivan.
Josh Treacy, Neil Erasmus, Darcy Tucker, Mitch Crowden and Brandon Walker have all been in good form at WAFL level and will come under consideration by Fremantle for senior selection.
Coach Justin Longmuir said it was unlikely Sam Sturt would come into contention.
The BRISBANE LIONS are sweating on the fitness of Hugh McCluggage who is in doubt to face GWS at the Gabba on Saturday after hurting his hamstring last week against Hawthorn.
McCluggage will have to pass a fitness test this week, while forward Dan McStay could return to the line-up after injuring his ankle against West Coast in Round 8.
“With Hugh it’s just going to be wait and see,” captain Dayne Zorko said.
“He’s done everything right in the pre-season to give his body the best chance.
“These little niggles happen and Hughy’s renowned for it to be honest, we’re into him most weeks about little niggles.
“He’ll probably train Thursday and see how he pulls up after that.
“He’s deserved the right up to game day to be given an opportunity to play.”
Lions defender Marcus Adams will return from Covid protocols.
GREATER WESTERN SYDNEY should welcome back Nick Haynes, Lachie Ash and Braydon Preuss from illness.
However, the club confirmed on Thursday Lachie Whitfield would not be fit to resume after an ankle injury sidelined him from their big win over West Coast on Sunday.
GOLD COAST will be without defender Rory Thompson (knee) and Jy Farrar (concussion) for the clash with Hawthorn.
But it’s good news for Thompson with scans confirming he damaged his meniscus, and not his ACL in the loss to the Western Bulldogs.
“He’ll liaise with a specialist later this week and we’ll go from there with our course of action for Rory,” Suns head physio Lindsay Bull said.
Farrar is now sidelined under the AFL’s mandatory 12-day concussion protocols.
Jeremy Sharp is pushing for an AFL recall, with a 33-disposal effort in the VFL, while Jack Bowes impressed in his third game back from a shoulder injury, with 27 touches.
Charlie Constable continued his hot run of form in the VFL, with 35 disposals last weekend. He’s averaging almost 30 touches a game this season.
HAWTHORN will likely head into the clash with Gold Coast without a recognised ruckman.
Max Lynch is sidelined under the AFL’s concussion protocols while Ben McEvoy is still recovering from a neck injury.
Ned Reeves (shoulder) is pushing hard for a recall but needs to pass a fitness test this week.
“It’s going to be an interesting one in the ruck if he (Reeves) is unavailable,” Mitchell said on Wednesday.
“But I think I’m actually quite excited by that prospect, it means we’re going to have to do something different. It will make us quite hard to scout, they (Gold Coast) won’t know who we’re rucking and what type of player we’re going to have.”
Daniel Howe is a possible option in the ruck, alongside forward Jacob Koschitzke.
Will Day (ankle) will need to pass a fitness test to face the Suns in Darwin, but Mitchell says the club is “quite hopeful” he’ll be named.
Jack Scrimshaw is also in a race against time to be fit.
Hunter Clark is pushing hard for a recall for ST KILDA after recovering from his shoulder injury suffered in the pre-season.
The 23-year-old has been back in the VFL for three matches, and racked up 31 disposals and seven clearances last weekend.
Dan Butler is another player pushing for selection after overcoming achilles soreness, while Ryan Byrnes is trying to get a promotion from medical sub, and collected 30 touches in his last VFL outing.
Jack Higgins won’t face North Melbourne as he continues to battle the head knock he suffered against Geelong.
NORTH MELBOURNE could receive a massive boost with defender Ben McKay coming into contention for Sunday’s clash with St Kilda.
The 24-year-old limped from the field in Perth in Round 8, with fears he suffered a serious knee injury.
Luckily scans revealed a slight medial injury, with the club now considering him for selection.
“He’s progressed through everything he’s needed to do, up to now,” General Manager of Football Performance Daniel McPherson said.
“He’ll train with the main group on Thursday in the hope that he’s right to play this weekend.
“If he’s not quite right on Thursday, we’ll hold him back, but we’d then be pretty confident that he’ll play next week.”
Curtis Taylor is another who will have to prove his fitness.
Taylor was crunched in a tackle against the Demons and left the field with rib soreness.
“We’ll see how he trains tomorrow in the main session,” McPherson said.
“If he’s able to get through training without any issues, he’ll be available for selection.”
North will continue to consider playing three talls, with Todd Goldstein, Tristan Xerri and Callum Coleman-Jones all vying for a place in the side.
The Roos have opted for a Goldstein-Xerri ruck duo, but Coleman-Jones is pushing for senior selection once again.
The Kangaroos had the bye in the VFL last weekend, but according to the club Charlie Comben and Charlie Lazzaro are impressing, as is Jaidyn Stephenson – who is yet to cement his place in the 2022 senior team.
Atu Bosenavulagi is another yet to seal his spot in the starting 22, after playing as the medical substitute against Melbourne.
COLLINGWOOD could still consider big Mason Cox for Round11, despite the ruckman injuring his finger in the win over Fremantle.
Scans cleared the 31-year-old of any ligament damage, after he suffered a compound finger dislocation – which split the skin.
The Pies are unlikely to make wholesale changes for the clash with Carlton, after their stunning victory in Perth.
Their VFL side also enjoyed the bye last weekend, so a host of youngsters were unable to press their claims for senior selection.
One player who won’t be considered is Jordan Roughead, but there’s good news for the defender as he rejoins contact training this week in his bid to return from injury.
CARLTON could be set to consider duo Jack Martin and Jack Newnes this weekend.
But both will need to prove their fitness with Martin (calf) and Newnes (soreness) both training this week.
Paddy Dow has impressed with his VFL form, racking up 31 disposals and two goals last weekend.
But teammates Caleb Marchbank and Alex Mirkov are unlikely to feature this week after sustaining injuries in the VFL.
Mirkov sprained his ankle and will be available after the AFL/VFL bye.
Marchbank suffered a knock to his knee and did not return for the second half of the VFL clash.
Luckily scans have cleared him of any damage. He will be assessed to see if he can back up this weekend.
PORT ADELAIDE duo Riley Bonner and Xavier Duursma are both in contention for a senior recall.
Bonner has overcome his ankle sprain while Duursma was the Russell Ebert Medallist last weekend in the SANFL with 28 disposals, three tackles, seven inside 50s and two goals.
Sam Mayes is also pushing with 33 disposals in the SANFL and six clearances. along with Martin Frederick (30 disposals, six inside 50s and a goal).
Charlie Dixon looks to be a big inclusion for Round 11, after his 3.3 performance in the SANFL.
The big forward is yet to play AFL in 2022 after suffering an ankle injury in the pre-season. But whether the Power will take four talls into the match with Essendon is unlikely, meaning one of Mitch Georgiades, Todd Marshall and Jeremy Finlayson could make way.
Orazio Fantasia will need to pass a fitness test to be considered to face the Bombers.
ESSENDON coach Ben Rutten has some options from the VFL if he opts to make a statement at the selection table.
The Bombers are one of the most under-fire teams, following their 2-8 start to the season.
Defender Brandon Zerk-Thatcher collected 18 touches, nine marks and three tackles in a “complete performance” while Andrew Phillips stepped up in the ruck, with 23 hitouts, 14 disposals, four clearances and a goal.
Harrison Jones could also earn a senior recall with a 12 disposal effort in the VFL in his first game back from an ankle injury.
Tex Wanganeen is seeking a promotion from medical sub into the final 22.