https://www.foxsports.com.au/afl/af...s/news-story/80b36efd234cda04692fc91e58c83318
Team Tips: Hogan ‘cherry ripe’ for AFL return; Blues may finally cull troubled veterans
Matt Balmer and Max Laughton from Fox Sports
After back-to-back standout performances in the VFL, Leon Cameron will find it difficult to leave out Jesse Hogan from the club’s side.
While Carlton has been urged to make a statement at selection. But who is in the gun?
That and more in this week’s edition of
AFL Team Tips!
RICHMOND v WESTERN BULLDOGS
Friday April 30, 7.50pm at the MCG
Last week’s Tigers team
B: D.Astbury, N.Balta, D.Grimes
HB: N.Broad, B.Houli, J.Short
C: K.McIntosh, T.Cotchin, M.Pickett
HF: D.Rioli, K.Lambert, J.Castagna
F: T.Lynch, D.Martin, J.Riewoldt
FOLL: T.Nankervis, S.Edwards, J.Graham
I/C: R.Mansell, S.Bolton, J.Aarts, L.Baker
SUB: J.Ross
Team Tips: A losing record looms large with the Tigers set to lose two, and possibly three, stars to injury for Friday night‘s clash with the Bulldogs.
Dustin Martin (concussion) and
Kane Lambert (calf) are confirmed outs, with Lambert to miss several weeks, while
Dylan Grimes (ankle) had scans and is currently a test for Round 7.
Nick Vlastuin (knee) remains a week away while
Dion Prestia suffered a calf injury while recovering from an existing hamstring complaint, setting him back several weeks. In terms of replacements, Round 6 sub
Jack Ross will be heavily considered, along with emerging youngsters
Maurice Rioli and
Riley Collier-Dawkins.
Sydney Stack played well at VFL level on the weekend and has served his suspension dating back to last year, likewise
Callum Coleman-Jones who is banging down the door for an AFL return.
Mabior Chol also impressed in the loss to Casey; it’s just a matter of how tall the Tigers want to be against a speedy Bulldogs outfit.
Last week’s Bulldogs team
B: T.Duryea, A.Keath, E.Wood
HB: L.Vandermeer, A.Naughton, L.Hunter
C: C.Daniel, B.Smith, B.Dale
HF: A.Treloar, Z.Cordy, J.Dunkley
F: T.English, J.Bruce, M.Bontempelli
FOLL: S.Martin, J.Macrae, T.Liberatore
I/C: A.Scott, J.Johannisen, H.Crozier, L.Jong
SUB: L.McNeil
Team Tips: It was a brutal night in Canberra, with the ladder leaders losing midfield pair
Josh Dunkley (shoulder reconstruction) and
Lin Jong (hamstring) to long term injuries, while
Tim English will miss a week through concussion after an accidental knee from teammate
Aaron Naughton. Fortunately for Luke Beveridge, the Bulldogs aren‘t lacking midfield depth, as anyone who saw their VFL triumph over the Giants last Thursday night can attest.
Patrick Lipinski could come straight back in after being omitted, likewise
Ben Cavarra. Theoretically
Jordon Sweet could replace English, but both Sweet and Stefan Martin are more pure rucks than ruck-forwards, making it a bit awkward. If Beveridge just wants a tall forward, Round 6 emergency
Josh Schache is the easy answer, but after watching No.2 draft pick Riley Thilthorpe star with five goals in his AFL debut, could the Dogs unleash No.1 selection
Jamarra Ugle-Hagan? He has eight goals in two VFL matches, and club great Brad Johnson said last week Ugle-Hagan would “dominate” right now at AFL level, given the quality of chances he’d receive from this midfield. However debuting against Richmond on a Friday night wouldn’t exactly be easing into the AFL.
COLLINGWOOD v GOLD COAST
Saturday May 1, 1.45pm at the MCG
Team Tips: With six players under 10 games, and 11 players under 30 games, in the Anzac Day side it‘s clear the rebuild has begun at Collingwood. The question is whether a 1-5 start will tempt Nathan Buckley into selecting mature players, in an effort to win some games and ease the pressure on him and the club, or if they’ll stay the young course. The Pies’ kicking out of defence has been poor, but you’re not going to drop main culprits
Brayden Maynard and
Jack Crisp, are you?
Jordan De Goey should return if he is over his concussion, while
Mark Keane is available after serving his one-match ban for tripping.
Caleb Poulter could become the fourth 2020 Magpies draftee to make his AFL debut, after the No.30 pick starred in the VFL with 27 disposals; No.23 selection
Reef McInnes may still be a little while away.
Team Tips: Stuart Dew made a statement last week, dropping three, and the Suns responded with arguably their most impressive game of the season (given the level of opposition). Based on that we‘re not expecting too many changes; the main exception being a potential AFL return for
Zac Smith, who got through his first VFL outing successfully after a knee injury.
Will Brodie (31 disposals, two goals) also pushed his case.
ADELAIDE CROWS v GWS GIANTS
Saturday May 1, 2.10pm at the Adelaide Oval
Last week’s Crows team
B: J.Kelly, J.Butts, L.Brown
HB: T.Doedee, B.Smith, W.Hamill
C: L.Sholl, B.Keays, N.McHenry
HF: J.Rowe, E.Himmelberg, R.Thilthorpe
F: S.McAdam, T.Walker, L.Murphy
FOLL: R.O’Brien, R.Laird, P.Seedsman
I/C: D.Fogarty, H.Schoenberg, J.Hately, A.McPherson
SUB: T.Lynch
Team Tips: After a troubling second-half fade out, we wouldn‘t be shocked to see a few changes at selection, though
Rory Sloane still looks a week or two away.
Billy Frampton starred in the SANFL with seven goals, 19 disposals and 12 marks; he had played every AFL game before Round 6, but it’s hard to include him over
Riley Thilthorpe when the No.2 pick kicked five goals on debut, the most for any player since 2003. Veteran
David Mackay will be considered while
Fischer McAsey remains stuck in the state league after last month’s reports he was keen on a trade home to Victoria. We suspect Adelaide won’t be so silly as to name an injured player as their substitute again.
Last week’s Giants team
B: J.Buckley, S.Taylor, L.Keeffe
HB: H.Perryman, I.Cumming, L.Ash
C: X.O’Halloran, J.Hopper, N.Haynes
HF: B.Hill, T.Greene, B.Daniels
F: J.Kelly, J.Finlayson, H.Himmelberg
FOLL: M.Flynn, T.Taranto, C.Ward
I/C: C.Idun, C.Stone, J.Riccardi, T.Green
SUB: T.Bruhn
Team Tips: Jesse Hogan looks all-but-certain to finally make his Giants debut after a stellar outing in the VFL last Thursday night. The ex-Docker and Demon has kicked seven goals in two weeks, and Leon Cameron said after GWS‘ loss to the Bulldogs that Hogan was “cherry ripe … without confirming it right now, he’s clearly a massive chance to play next weekend”.
Nick Haynes (hamstring) and
Xavier O’Halloran (shoulder) may both need replacing, with
Matt Buntine and
Tanner Bruhn among the potential inclusions.
Lachie Whitfield (liver) still needs game-time at VFL level before returning to the seniors.
ST KILDA v HAWTHORN
Saturday May 1, 4.35pm at Marvel Stadium
Last week’s Saints team
B: D.Howard, C.Wilkie, B.Long
HB: H.Clark, J.Carlisle, N.Coffield
C: J.Sinclair, B.Crouch, B.Hill
HF: D.Butler, J.Battle, J.Higgins
F: T.Membrey, J.Billings, M.King
FOLL: R.Marshall, J.Steele, S.Ross
I/C: D.Joyce, D.McKenzie, Z.Jones, J.Lonie
SUB: J.Bytel
Team Tips: After another non-competitive loss, the Saints will surely make a selection statement; though two changes could be forced, with
Bradley Hill batting Achilles soreness, while
Daniel McKenzie will miss through suspension. In a major boon to the midfield, Paddy Ryder is ready to return and partner up with
Rowan Marshall in the ruck. The omitted
Luke Dunstan did his thing at VFL level, racking up 46 disposals, while
Ryan Brynes (25 disposals, five marks) will again be considered.
Jimmy Webster (groin) could return while
James Frawley (hamstring) may make his way back via the VFL.
Last week’s Hawks team
B: H.Morrison, K.Hartigan, C.Jiath
HB: B.Hardwick, S.Frost, J.Impey
C: O.Hanrahan, T.Mitchell, J.Cousins
HF: S.Burgoyne, J.Koschitzke, J.O’Meara
F: C.Wingard, M.Lewis, L.Breust
FOLL: B.McEvoy, L.Shiels, J.Worpel
I/C: J.Scrimshaw, D.Moore, T.Phillips, T.O’Brien
SUB: F.Maginness
Team Tips: After all of the concerns about the Hawks‘ underpowered forward line, suddenly they have too many to choose from, despite
Tim O’Brien moving to the other end of the ground (and looking much more settled in defence). Rising Star nominee
Jacob Koschitzke has to hold his spot, but
Emerson Jeka keeps banging down the door in the VFL, kicking five goals from 20 disposals. In even bigger news
Jack Gunston may finally be ready following December back surgery.
