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In the mix: Who's pushing for selection in round five?
JUNE 30, 2020
WHO IS a chance to play in round five?
It would be hard to see
Matt Crouch spending too much more time out of Adelaide's senior side after last week being dropped by the Crows. He went back and performed well in the scratch match along with
Paul Seedsman, with both set to be in consideration against Fremantle this Sunday. Experienced options
Kyle Hartigan and
David Mackay also performed well on Sunday to push for a return to the senior side.
Will Hamill is in doubt with his concussion, while
Rory Sloane was also banged up again against the Lions, but played on despite his ankle knock.
Verdict: Crouch in for Hamill, while Hartigan could come back if the Crows want to give youngster
Fischer McAsey a breather after a tough first month.
– Callum Twomey
Captain
Dayne Zorko will miss at least the next fortnight after scans confirmed he had sustained a calf strain against Adelaide. It leaves
Tom Berry as the frontrunner for his spot, given he was dropped for the skipper's return last week.
Keidean Coleman,
Rhys Mathieson or
Allen Christensen could play a small forward role, however the Lions could opt for
Noah Answerth,
Alex Witherden or
Mitch Hinge if they reshuffle. Provided
Stefan Martin (hamstring) gets through main training, he'll be fit to take
Archie Smith's place.
Oscar McInerney was quiet but should keep his spot.
Verdict: Martin and Tom Berry in for Smith and Zorko.
- Mitch Cleary
Zippy midfielder
Zac Fisher will earn a recall, having kicked two goals in a scratch match on Saturday in his return from a syndesmosis injury. He will replace
Jack Silvagni to face St Kilda on Thursday night, with the five-day break ending Silvagni’s unlikely hopes of recovering in time from a fractured rib.
Harry McKay should be available after missing last week due to soreness, with
Sam Philp a chance to return to the reserves after a quiet debut against Essendon. The club will assess the fitness of its players on Wednesday due to the shortened spell between matches, with
Matt Kennedy and
Lochie O'Brien on standby after a series of impressive performances in the scratch matches.
Verdict: Fisher and McKay to return, with Silvagni and Philp to make way.
- Riley Beveridge
There are a number of interesting selection conundrums facing Collingwood, with
Steele Sidebottom and
Lynden Dunn adding to Nathan Buckley's headaches on Tuesday night when it was revealed
they were at the centre of a COVID-19 rule breach. Star midfielder
Adam Treloar will return from a calf injury after another impressive performance in a scratch match over the weekend.
Tyler Brown had looked likely to make way for Treloar but, depending on the outcome of the AFL's investigation, he could instead replace a suspended Sidebottom. Jeremy Howe will face months on the sidelines due to a ruptured PCL, with
Jack Madgen his likely replacement.
Matt Scharenberg could also be in consideration for the spot.
Verdict: Two changes. Treloar and Madgen will return for Howe and either Sidebottom or Tyler Brown, depending on the AFL's investigation into the club's COVID-19 breaches.
- Riley Beveridge
The Bombers will have at least one forced change, with
Zach Merrett suspended for this week's clash with Collingwood. What will the Bombers do? Move Darcy Parish to the midfield and bring in
Jayden Laverde as a half-forward? Recall
Matt Guelfi to play on a wing?
Conor McKenna is available to play after being released from his COVID-19 quarantine and should be considered to bring in some dash. Essendon has to make a call on its ruck department, too, with
Andrew Phillips performing well in last week's scratch match.
Verdict: Guelfi should come in for Merrett and the Bombers can juggle around some other roles.
Brandon Zerk-Thatcher should also be considered for a return in defence.
– Callum Twomey
Ruckman
Sean Darcy is a chance to return against Adelaide on Sunday to allow Rory Lobb to join twin towers Jesse Hogan and Matt Taberner in attack. Darcy and
Connor Blakely were the standouts in the combined Freo and Port Adelaide reserves team that took on Gold Coast last Saturday.
Sam Sturt has made a rapid recovery from his ankle injury and is listed as a test, while he will also be involved in match committee discussions with recruit
Blake Acres, who could finally make his club debut after overcoming his calf concern. The Dockers will be missing superstar skipper
Nat Fyfe (hamstring) for 1-2 weeks, while
Brandon Matera,
Travis Colyer and
Nathan Wilson were all quiet against the Suns.
Verdict: Darcy, Blakely and Acres in for Fyfe, Matera and Colyer. Sturt to be given another week before returning.
- Chris Correia
Tom Stewart will be hard to replace after he had surgery to repair a fractured collarbone. Despite the club pushing
Lachie Henderson's form,
Harry Taylor looks the most likely to return after he was managed last week. It's also hard to see the Cats have him sit out milestones for Joel Selwood (300th) and Gary Ablett (350th).
Jordan Clark has hit form at scratch match level and is a chance.
Tom Atkins is in doubt with bruised ribs, with
Quinton Narkle and
Lachie Fogarty next in line and rookie
Brad Close a smoky.
Verdict: Taylor and Narkle in for Stewart and Atkins.
- Mitch Cleary
Another solid win for the Suns means it is unlikely they make significant changes for their trip to Geelong this week.
Brayden Fiorini and
Josh Corbett continue to put their hands up for selection, as does
Sean Lemmens, while
Izak Rankine and
Sam Flanders are also pushing for AFL debuts. Tall forward/ruck
Peter Wright is also performing well in the Suns' scratch matches to give himself a chance of a recall. But with a fit and healthy list and no weak spots over the past three weeks, it's hard to see many unforced changes.
Verdict: No change for the flying Suns.
– Callum Twomey
The Giants will need to make at least one change, with
Zac Williams ruled out for at least a month with a hamstring tear. His likely replacement,
Isaac Cumming, also suffered a long-term hamstring injury in the Giants' scratch match.
Phil Davis will also need to clear a hamstring complaint to face Hawthorn on Sunday.
Jye Caldwell and
Daniel Lloyd could be a chance for immediate recalls after being dropped last week.
Verdict: Lachie Ash can take on Williams' role across half-back allowing for the Giants to bring back Caldwell.
Adam Kennedy is also ready to return and could come in for Davis if the Giants want to reshape their defence.
– Callum Twomey