The latest team selection news and whispers ahead of Round 1 of the 2022 AFL season
FREMANTLE skipper Nat Fyfe remains in “significant” doubt for the Dockers’ Round 1 clash with Adelaide, reports 7 News’ Mitch Cleary.
The dual Brownlow Medallist has failed to make an appearance in any of Fremantle’s pre-season clashes after opting for shoulder surgery in 2021.
But Fyfe was hit with a setback last November, contracting a bacterial infection in his shoulder that required intravenous antibiotics.
While Dockers medical staff have given Fyfe the green light for his shoulder, the superstar is struggling with a knee injury.
Coach Justin Longmuir said Fyfe’s knee pain stemmed from “old battle wounds” when questioned earlier this month.
HAWTHORN has copped a major Covid blow with star pair
Ben McEvoy and
Luke Breust both ruled out of its Round 1 clash against North Melbourne.
The Age revealed McEvoy and Breust had both entered Covid isolation, with the club only confirming two players were subject to health and safety protocols.
As for fresh faces, top-10 pick
Josh Ward is a hot chance to debut after his 29-disposal display against Richmond in the AAMI Community Series, with the club confident the post-game calf tightness he experienced won’t make him unavailable for selection.
Connor Macdonald will also be considered.
The Hawks had been hopeful of being boosted by the return of exciting defender
Changkuoth Jiath, who missed the back-end of last season recovering from a PCL injury but moved well in recent weeks.
Hawks football boss Rob McCartney told ABC Sport on Sunday a decision on Jiath would come later in the week, but declared: “We’re really, really hopeful.”
McCartney also confirmed star trio
Jaeger O’Meara (knee),
Chad Wingard (ankle) and
Tom Mitchell (groin soreness) would take on the Kangaroos. But
Will Day (ankle) still appears some weeks away.
Tristan Xerri’s strong pre-season outing against Sydney as the main ruck has created a selection dilemma for
NORTH MELBOURNE with
Callum-Coleman Jones absent from the side.
No. 1 pick
Jason Horne-Francis is all but locked into making his debut, while
Ben McKay should will return from concussion.
The Hawks aren’t the only team dealing with positive Covid cases, with
COLLINGWOOD forward
Will Hoskin-Elliott unavailable to face St Kilda on Friday night.
Magpies coach Craig McRae on Wednesday confirmed Hoskin-Elliott, who was already in doubt for the clash after hurting his groin at training, wouldn’t be available for Round 1 due to being in health and safety protocols.
McRae added assistant coaches Brendon Bolton and Josh Fraser wouldn’t be with him in the coaches’ box due to health and safety protocols.
In more positive news, the Magpies have confirmed father-son prodigy
Nick Daicos will make his debut against the Saints and become the 45th father-son to represent the club.
Recruit
Patrick Lipinski will also make his club debut, after recovering well from a rolled ankle suffered against the Giants.
Veteran midfielder
Taylor Adams will line-up against the Saints’ despite missing the club’s AAMI Community Series clash against GWS with hamstring tightness, while
Jeremy Howe (groin)
, Brody Mihocek (illness)
and
Isaac Quaynor (concussion) are also set to return.
ST KILDA has been hit hard by the injury bug on the eve of the season, with several key players to be unavailable for Friday night.
Hunter Clark (AC joint) and
Jack Billings (hamstring) will be sidelined for several more weeks
Zak Jones (personal reasons),
Dan Hannebery (managed),
Nick Coffield (ACL),
Jarryn Geary (shoulder) and
Paddy Ryder (Achilles) are all on the sidelines.
With Ryder in doubt to face the Pies, ex-SANFL star
Jack Hayes, who was just signed by St Kilda fortnight ago, is shaping as a surprise Round 1 bolter,
reports AFL Media.
It’s believed that if the 33-year old Ryder isn’t able to prove his fitness in time, Hayes will be handed a debut in a backup ruck/forward role.
Prized
ADELAIDE recruit
Jordan Dawson will be one of three fresh Crows faces against Fremantle on Sunday.
Despite battling calf tightness in recent weeks, Dawson will be named to play his first game in Crows colours.
The ex-Swan will be joined in the team by exciting No. 6 draftee
Josh Rachele and Pick 36
Jake Soligo, who’ve both been named to make their AFL debuts.
The Crows also confirmed 2021 injured trio
Matt Crouch,
Wayne Milera and
Mitch Hinge would be named to play
.
Lachlan Gollant is pushing to take
Taylor Walker’s role up forward, while
Jackson Hately and Luke Pedlar could claim midfield opportunities with
Rory Laird (broken hand) sidelined.
https://www.foxsports.com.au/afl/af...s/news-story/256988c194b6173cf89cfb189d3d47b2
