Chelly

Media Conference Rundown | All eyes on Gather Round Some developments on the injury front. • Michael Hibberd will miss playing against his old side in this week’s Gather Round due to his Achilles injury, and • Jake Lever’s ankle to be tested later in the week. Plus good news re James Harmes who will return after missing a couple of games due to personal issues.

Thanks - missed it by that much. MFC version - Injury List: Round 5 Ben Brown - Back | Test Michael Hibberd - Achilles | Test Max Gawn - Knee | 1 - 2 Weeks Joel Smith - Thumb | 1 - 2 Weeks Kye Turner - Groin | 1 - 2 Weeks Taj Woewodin - Finger | 1 - 2 Weeks Christian Salem - Knee | 3 - 5 Weeks Will Verrall - Pelvis | 8 - 9 Weeks

I haven’t seen any reports of any training at the club but the AFL site has listed all clubs’ injuries. From the section allocated to Melbourne, I’ve gleaned the following: Injury List: Round 5 Ben Brown - Back | TBC Joel Smith - Thumb | 2 Weeks Max Gawn - Knee | 2 - 4 Weeks Taj Woewodin - Finger | 4 Weeks Christian Salem - Knee | 4 - 6 weeks Will Verrall - Pelvis | 7 - 9 Weeks That leaves out any mention of Michael Hibberd who was said to have been subbed off with an Achilles injury last Sunday and Jake Lever who looked as if he sustained a possible ankle injury late in the game. Also Kye Turner missed at Casey in the local derby on Sunday and we’re all hopeful of an early James Harmes return from personal leave. Watch this space.

Excellent analysis of a problem compounded by the Dockers’ appalling list management in their quest to secure Jackson during last year’s trade period. Fyfe’s continuing struggles are bad luck but allowance should have been made for the possibility of a shaky return from injury. In order to secure Jackson, Mundy was retired and Blake Acres, Rory Lobb, Griffin Logue, Lloyd Meek and Darcy Tucker were traded. The other ins don’t really excite although you might get some mileage from Jaeger O'Meara. Nothing exciting came from the drafts and their first pick at the end of the year is currently #29 followed by #48. Tell me again. Who is the list manager over at the Dockers?

The Herald Sun’s article on yesterday’s game vs West Coast has this kiss of death section on Jake Lever: An ankle injury to Jake Lever early in the fourth term is unlikely to stop to cause the defender to miss next week’s Gather Round. Lever limped from the ground after laying a tackle on West Coast’s Connor West. Before Sunday, Lever was the only player to have played every second of every quarter of the opening three rounds. You can take it to the bank that just as Ben Brown was cleared earlier last week to play in yesterday’s game and then ruled out, Jake will not play against the Bombers in Adelaide. My tip is that Harry Petty goes back to defence and Adam Tomlinson also gets picked to play in the Gather Round. Michael Hibberd also a likely out after he was replaced due to his Achilles playing up as well.

Good question - anyone know?

Wondering how Zane Duursma went for the Gippy Power yesterday. I watched his brother Xavier for the other Power and I like the cut of his jib.

The name you’re thinking of is Tom Sparrow.

Injury List: Round 4 Josh Schache - Concussion | Test Daniel Turner - Ribs | Test Joel Smith - Thumb | 3 Weeks Max Gawn - Knee | 3 - 4 Weeks Taj Woewodin - Finger | 4 Weeks Christian Salem - Knee | 4 - 6 weeks Will Verrall - Pelvis | 8 - 10 Weeks

At one stage last week, the list was a brief one but now … Injury and Suspension List: Round 3 Steven May - Calf | Test Daniel Turner - Foot | Test Kysaiah Pickett - Suspended | 1 Week Josh Schache - Concussion | 1 - 2 Weeks Max Gawn - Knee | 4 - 6 Weeks Taj Woewodin - Finger | 5 Weeks Christian Salem - Knee | 6 - 8 weeks Will Verrall - Pelvis | 8 - 10 Weeks

Yep. Corrected to finger.

Injury Update | Four Dees available for return Injury List: Round 2 Bayley Fritsch - Foot | Available Steven May - Calf | Available Christian Salem - Thyroid | Available Jack Viney - Knee | Available Taj Woewodin - Finger | 6 Weeks

I made no comment on selection. Just quoted who was available after injury. It’s up to the selectors now to decide the makeup of the team.

According to today’s Herald Sun ~ “While the Dees will lose star forward Kysaiah Pickett, they have four reinforcements likely to be available from their 2021 premiership side - Christian Salem (thyroid), Jack Viney (knee), Steven May (calf) and Bayley Fritsch (foot). “The quartet successfully completed the Demons session at Gosch’s Paddock on Monday.”

Charlie Curnow is 192cm and the media touting him as the Coleman Medallist.

Dazzle reported yesterday that Seston had a bandaged left hammy. How’s he looking?

Any news on Max?

What are his options for 2023? Can he be released to play in the VFL and potentially be selected in the mid season draft?

FWIW, Toby Bedford won the 2k time trial at GWS training yesterday.

Elementary my dear Watson

That’s because Kynan Brown is a schoolboy and he was amongst men. He played with the Oakleigh Chargers as an underage player this year. He will be one of their mainstays next year and is already in the Vic Metro hub group of 19 elite players so it’s a great start for him.

Unless this is an optical illusion then I would suggest that Will Verrall is still growing and would be up around 202cm.

Harley Reid can just about play anywhere but if anyone wants a midfielder and they can get hold of the #1 pick, he'd be the one. I reckon a few mids will emerge over the season and some of the players mentioned might go into the midfield. Chaser J posted a 23 in 2023 above and there's not to many mids in that lot either. Looks like 2022 absorbed some of the good ones going around.

Cheers, well done and thanks

This year’s early top 10 1. Harley Reid 186cm Utility (Bendigo Pioneers) 2. Jed Walter 194cm key position forward (Suns Academy / Allies) 3. Daniel Curtin - 195cm key position defender (Claremont) 4. Ashton Moir 186cm forward (Glenelg) 5. Nick Watson 169cm small forward (Eastern Rangers) 6. Zane Duursma 188cm forward (Gippsland Power) 7. Archer Reid 201cm key forward (Gippsland Power) 8. Jack Delean 181cm small forward (South Adelaide) 9. Nathan Philactides 180cm defender (Oakleigh Chargers) 10. Mitchell Edwards 205cm ruckman (Peel Thunder)