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In the mix: Who's pushing for selection in round three?
JUNE 16, 2020
WHO IS a chance to play in round three?
In this week's In the Mix, brought to you by the Toyota WorkHorse Range, we find the players who are giving their selectors plenty of food for thought.
Who's going out, who's sore, who is under the pump? Our reporters attempt to pick all the round three ins. Check it out.
Expect a few changes for the Crows this week after their round two embarrassment at the hands of Port Adelaide.
Jake Kelly has to pass a concussion test while a thigh injury could also rule out captain
Rory Sloane. Among the other Crows who could be under selection heat include mature-age recruits
Ben Crocker and
Ben Keays, who were quiet last week.
David Mackay,
Bryce Gibbs and
Ben Davis are among the possible inclusions for the Crows.
Verdict: Mackay could come in to add some experience if Sloane is ruled out. Davis will be considered to replace Kelly.
- Cal Twomey
Debutant
Tom Berry and leader
Ryan Lester did little to disappoint last week after they were added to the Lions side, while
Callum Ah Chee and
Grant Birchall look settled in defence. It would likely see those who missed in
Alex Witherden,
Noah Answerth,
Cam Ellis-Yolmen,
Sam Skinner and
Deven Robertson sit out again. Skipper
Dayne Zorko (Achilles soreness) is the only concern on fitness.
Verdict: Unchanged, unless Zorko doesn't prove his fitness. Should that be the case, flip a coin on Ellis-Yolmen or Robertson.
- Mitch Cleary
Could there be a debut this weekend? Carlton is rapt with the development of first-round draft pick
Sam Philp, who could come in to contention after another promising display in Saturday morning's scratch match.
Jack Silvagni will return from a bout of gastro and will likely replace last week's late inclusion
Darcy Lang, who had just four disposals on Saturday afternoon. Meanwhile,
Tom Williamson is the obvious candidate to replace
Nic Newman, who ruptured his patella against Melbourne and will miss the rest of the season.
Zac Fisher and
Paddy Dow are still at least another week away.
Verdict: Silvagni and Williamson in for Lang and Newman, with Philp an outside chance.
- Riley Beveridge
Nathan Buckley will be debating whether
Mason Cox is an automatic inclusion following his knee injury, given the promising display by club debutant
Darcy Cameron last Thursday night.
Jaidyn Stephenson could return, having bided his time on the fringes of the best team during the first two rounds, while
Adam Treloar is an outside chance to be available after battling a calf injury.
Josh Thomas might be a little nervous, having won only five disposals in another quiet performance in the draw against Richmond.
Verdict: Cameron to keep his place, with Stephenson to press for a return ahead of Thomas.
- Riley Beveridge
The Bombers are hopeful
Orazio Fantasia will be available for this weekend's clash with Melbourne after his minor quad strain.
David Zaharakis could be in some danger of losing his spot if Fantasia gets through training.
Patrick Ambrose was an emergency last week and will be considered, as might
Brandon Zerk-Thatcher who is now available after his
COVID-19 breach saw him suspended last week.
Verdict: If Fantasia is fit, Zaharakis' spot could be in jeopardy.
- Cal Twomey
The Dockers could be forced into a reshuffle after losing No.1 ruckman
Sean Darcy to a knee injury against the Lions.
Rory Lobb is likely to assume the lead role against the Power with help from
Matt Taberner, opening the door for key forward
Jesse Hogan to finally return. Hogan impressed in last weekend's reserves scratch match along with the injury-prone
Stephen Hill. A debut for ruck
Lloyd Meek is another option for coach Justin Longmuir. Expect a conservative approach with Hill and
Cam McCarthy, who was last week diagnosed with epilepsy after his training collapse.
Verdict: Hogan in for Darcy,
Sam Sturt in for
Brandon Matera and
Nathan Wilson to return in place of an unlucky
Hayden Young, who didn't do much wrong in his debut.
- Chris Correia
Jake Kolodjashnij might well be given an extra week given the success of the backline against Hawthorn.
Jed Bews appears closest to the edge in defence, but it'd be hard to see him being dropped before renewing acquaintances with Eddie Betts. The Cats are making
Jordan Clark earn his spot, while Chris Scott admitted last week
Jack Steven was no guarantee to face the Blues despite being available.
Gary Rohan is the only watch after twisting his knee.
Verdict: Unchanged off the eight-day break.
- Mitch Cleary
It's a strong position for the Suns who find themselves with a selection squeeze after their round. Co-captain
David Swallow will be an automatic inclusion after serving his one-week suspension, while
Brandon Ellis will also train in the hope of proving his fitness after his calf strain.
Sam Flanders is also pushing for an AFL debut while forwards
Peter Wright and
Josh Corbett performed well in the scratch match with the Eagles last week.
Verdict: Nick Holman could be under some pressure with Swallow to return after gathering six disposals in the Suns' strong performance last week.
- Cal Twomey
It will be interesting to see what Leon Cameron does this week after his near full-strength side was outplayed by the Roos in round two. It's most likely that he backs in most of the line-up, although
Tom Green and
Zac Langdon will be a chance to return after being dropped last week.
Jackson Hately and
Bobby Hill are others who pressed their case in the Giants' second-tier hitout against the Swans.
Verdict: Expect the Giants to keep the faith, as they should.
Daniel Lloyd, who managed only five disposals last week, could be under some heat.
- Cal Twomey