AFL team news, whispers, updates for Round 3, 2023 – TOTOCC

RICHMOND superstar Dustin Martin and new midfield mate Jacob Hopper will both miss Friday night’s blockbuster against Collingwood.

Martin (general soreness) and Hopper (knee) were confirmed as forced omissions on Wednesday.

Martin was subbed out of his side’s win over Adelaide and underwent scans, which showed he hadn’t torn his hamstring. However he ran laps on his own on Wednesday at training creating further doubts.

“We made the decision during the game to take Dustin off the ground, given his injury history and the six-day break. We’re just going to monitor how he recovers off the game and make a decision on Wednesday, and see if he gets through training, with regards to playing this week,” Tigers fitness coach Luke Meehan said earlier this week of Martin, who was sidelined for seven games last year with hamstring issues.

Noah Cumberland would be a near certainty to replace Martin as he plays a similar forward 50 role, while Judson Clarke is also in the mix ahead of four forced changes for Damien Hardwick’s side. Cumberland, Clarke, Hugo Ralphsmith and Jack Ross all took part in Thursday’s captain’s run.

Teammate Jayden Short has already been ruled out with a calf injury, while the Tigers will be without Nathan Broad for the next four games due to suspension.

“It was pretty ugly, he’s actually pretty lucky,” Meehan said of Hopper’s knee injury.

“Jacob’s experienced a little bit of joint soreness in his knee and we’re going to monitor him on Wednesday and see how he recovers and make a decision. He’s probably doubtful at this stage, but we’ll see how he is on Wednesday.”

MELBOURNE has confirmed Jacob van Rooyen will make his debut in Sunday’s clash against Sydney at the MCG in place of injured skipper Max Gawn.

Van Rooyen was firmly in the mix to make his debut Round 1, but was overlooked as the club instead opted with two talls in attack in Ben Brown and Tom McDonald.

Meanwhile, key defender Steven May is all but certain to face Sydney after a calf injury kept him out of the opening two games.

May missed the Demons’ season opener against the Western Bulldogs and was then a late withdrawal after being named to face Brisbane last weekend, with Melbourne eager to regain the two-time All-Australian.

Dees forward Bayley Fritsch, who returned from injury in Brisbane after his foot was stomped on in pre-season training, said May’s leadership would be important to the Demons, who will be missing captain Gawn (knee) for at least the next month.

“I think we confirmed after the game that (May) would be back, so obviously a back-to-back All-Australian, he helps with a lot of things down there with his leadership and communication,” Fritsch told RSN Breakfast.

“We can’t wait to have him back.”

Versatile Demons player Adam Tomlinson, who was the late inclusion for May, could be the unlucky one to miss out again.

Fritsch said Gawn’s injury, which led to his substitution after the first quarter of Melbourne’s 11-point loss to the Lions, had been a “little bit flattening” for the Demons as they tried to combat a slick home side. But he added Gawn would still have an important leadership role among the group while sidelined.

SYDNEY will regain superstar Lance Franklin from suspension for its clash with Melbourne on Sunday.

But after Joel Amartey and Logan McDonald kicked 9.3 between them against Hawthorn, Hayden McLean might be the unlucky one to make way for Franklin.

No. 1 pick Aaron Cadman is firming for an AFL debut as the GIANTS ponder how to get the best out of their forward half following a disappointing loss to West Coast.

The 19-year-old was held to just six disposals and one goal in a heavy VFL loss to Essendon on Sunday, but registered three tackles and took four marks despite a significant lack of forward supply.

Cadman’s strong goalkicking form in the practice matches has him on the cusp of a spot in the Giants’ forward line after Jake Riccardi was kept goalless for a second consecutive game against the Eagles and only managed two marks.

Riccardi’s selection ahead of Cadman in Round 1 was partly due to his ability to play as the second ruck, but Harry Himmelberg competed well when thrown into the ruck at times in Perth and could occupy that hybrid role should Cadman play.

Giants coach Adam Kingsley said he was impressed with the top draft pick’s competitiveness despite the one-sided VFL clash.

“He had a pretty quiet game back at VFL, but they were under the pump a bit – the ball didn’t get forward a lot, but when it did he competed really strongly,” Kingsley said.

“He’s always a chance, obviously I feel like I say this a bit – he’s here for a career when he comes in, it doesn’t mean necessarily he’s in for the first month of the season, but I’m more than happy to bring him in when the time is right.”

The Giants expect to regain both Josh Kelly and Lachie Whitfield for the home game against Carlton this weekend, with the pair having almost completed the concussion protocols and set to train with the main group on Thursday.

Jacob Wehr has been ruled out though and could miss more than two months after Kingsley confirmed the wingman broke his scapula in the brutal collision that led to his substitution against the Eagles.

Finn Callaghan’s shoulder concern from the game was just a “stinger” and the classy left-footer would be fit to take on the Blues, Kingsley said.

CARLTON on-baller George Hewett remains in doubt with a hand injury as the Blues prepare for their first away game of the season.

The strong-bodied midfielder will be assessed at training on Thursday and could end up playing while wearing a glove as the Blues plan to take on the Giants’ inside bulls in Sydney.

Carlton coach Michael Voss said he was still optimistic Hewett would be available for Saturday’s clash.

“He’ll still be assessed today, so we’re hoping he’ll be available … we’ve still got to go through the test for him today, but if he goes fine at training he’ll be right to go,” Voss said.

“He may end up playing with a glove if he does.”

Ed Curnow will likely again play a more prominent role in the midfield if Hewett misses out, but Voss was tight-lipped on whether the veteran would play a run-with role with a GWS midfielder.

Voss said the Blues were planning to take two specialist ruckmen into the game after Tom De Koning and Marc Pittonet both had an influence in the win over the Cats.

“We’re always trying to balance our profile of our team. We certainly got some good ascendancy around the ground with Pitto and Tom there as well,” he said.

“It’s certainly a model that we’re keen to continue, and they both had an impact on the game, so I see no reason why we wouldn’t continue with that.”

Voss said small forward Jack Martin would be a chance to play in Round 4 as he battles a calf complaint, while Sam Walsh’s session with the main group at Thursday training could determine how soon he makes a return.

“If he pulls up really well out the back of this particular session, then we can probably sit down with a bit more clarity and start to pick where his return date lies,” Voss said.

“We’re not going to do anything that puts him at risk, we’ve been pretty patient and so is he. “We want him to play 18 to 20 games for the rest of the year, so we want him in good health.”

Coming off heavy losses in its first two games, HAWTHORN has confirmed it’ll make at least three changes for its showdown with North Melbourne in Launceston.

Hawks coach Sam Mitchell told reporters on Thursday that Chad Wingard, Jack Scrimshaw and Harry Morrison are all set to return to the side.

Wingard missed last week’s big loss against Sydney due to a calf strain suffered against Essendon seven days earlier.

The 29-year-old will face a fitness test later this week in a bid to prove himself available for selection.

Several AFL-listed Hawks stood out on Box Hill’s VFL win over Sydney, including Tyler Brockman (3.2 from 12 disposals), Seamus Mitchell (30 disposals, 9 marks), Ned Long (29 disposals), Cooper Stephens (23 disposals) and Denver Grainger-Barras (20 disposals, 11 marks).

Meanwhile, NORTH MELBOURNE will be without Jy Simpkin against Hawthorn after the co-captain accepted a one-match ban.

Kangaroos coach Alastair Clarkson told reporters on Thursday that Will Phillips would be “right in the mix” to replace Simpkin, so too Flynn Perez and Darcy Tucker.

Phillips and Daniel Howe have been the Roos’ subs in their first two wins, but veteran Aaron Hall starred in the VFL with 38 disposals.

ESSENDON coach Brad Scott has declared gun forward Jake Stringer will return for the club’s meeting with St Kilda.

Stringer hasn’t played at senior level this season due to a hamstring injury, but is firming to come back into the side after an impressive VFL showing, registering 22 disposals and kicking a goal.

Sam Weideman (toe), who was a late withdrawal last week, is also in the mix to return if he gets through training, while Brandon Zerk-Thatcher (ankle) is likely to miss.

Veteran Dyson Heppell, who was subbed out of the match on Sunday in the third quarter, could find himself unlucky.

ST KILDA defender Callum Wilkie will step in as captain this week trying to fill the “remarkable” shoes of Jack Steele, who set a new example for his teammates by playing out last Saturday‘s win with a broken collarbone.

Steele underwent surgery and is set to spend at least a month on the sidelines having played through the pain in the final quarter as the Saints defeated the Western Bulldogs to maintain their undefeated start to the season.

As for who could replace Steele in the side to face Essendon, Jack Bytel and Jimmy Webster are both considered good chances to return from their respective injuries.

At ADELAIDE, Darcy Fogarty remains in doubt to take his place in Saturday night’s Showdown against Port Adelaide. The key forward was a no show at training on Wednesday as he continues to manage his recovery with the Crows saying they will give him every opportunity to prove his fitness.

Adelaide high performance manager Darren Burgess said a call on Fogarty’s availability for the clash with the Power would be made later this week.

“Fog tweaked his knee in the game on Saturday and pleasingly he was able to get back on the ground and play and do really well for us,” Burgess said.

“He’s had some scans and will have some further tests today and tomorrow and we’ll give him every chance to get up this week, so we’ll see how he responds to some training later on in the week.”

However Burgess indicated Wayne Milera should be available for selection after he was withdrawn from the senior team late last weekend due to a “slight adductor strain”.

The Crows will need to replace defender Patrick Parnell (concussion). They looked undersized in defence without Jordan Butts, who was an emergency against the Tigers, but they could also turn to Will Hamill.

Last weeks tactical sub Riley Thilthorpe is in the frame for a starting recall.

The Crows will be forced into at least one other forced change at selection with Patrick Parnell to miss with concussion. The Crows could recall Jordon Butts after looking undersized in defence last week against Richmond but could also turn to Will Hamill as more of a like for like replacement.

PORT ADELAIDE will consider a Showdown AFL debut for Jake Pasini, who’s one of several options to replace Ryan Burton for Saturday night’s match with Adelaide.

Burton earlier this week accepted a two-game ban for a sling tackle on Collingwood’s Jamie Elliott in Round 2, leaving the Power with a defensive chasm to fill,

Key forward Todd Marshall indicated to reporters that Tom Clurey, Riley Bonner and Pasini were all replacement options for Burton. Pasini, who was taken in the 2019 rookie draft, hasn’t played an AFL game yet, but has shown significant progress in recent months in his recovery from an ACL injury.

Marshall said he expected veteran Travis Boak would return to the Power’s starting 22 – he started as the sub against Collingwood – while backing out-of-form forward Mitch Georgiades to flip his fortunes.

“Mitch works really hard, I kind of know what position he is in,” Marshall said.

“He is getting shots on goal but he isn’t converting and that happens as a forward.

“But he does a lot of goal kicking work through the week and it is about just going back to that and trusting himself and if he can simplify his game I’m sure that can help as well.

“We really back Mitch to turn it around and I’m sure he can be a really important part of this team so hopefully we can do it this week.”

Expect a few changes at FREMANTLE for Sunday’s derby against West Coast.

Superstar Nat Fyfe is expected to play after being a later withdrawal from the side that lost to North Melbourne.

“I’m not sure he was ever out of the derby, I might have got that wrong in the press conference, but he’s tracking really well,” Dockers coach Justin Longmuir told 7 News Perth.

“He’s got to get through training on Thursday, but everything is going as planned.”

Matt Taberner was subbed out of the game on Saturday for the second consecutive week, this time because of cramp. He was replaced by Michael Walters, who overcame an Achilles injury and kicked two goals to keep his side in the game.

Walters is likely to come into the starting 22 this week.

Whether the Dockers persist with Jye Amiss – who was the late inclusion for Fyfe – or give fellow key forward Josh Treacy another crack remains unclear.

Winger Nathan O’Driscoll and rebounding defender Brandon Walker are both in the mix to return as are second-year midfielders Matthew Johnson and Neil Erasmus and medium forward Sam Sturt.

As desperate as WEST COAST would be to beat cross-town rival Fremantle on Sunday, Adam Simpson is unlikely to rush back a couple of injured stars for the clash.

The Eagles are likely to resist the temptation of bringing back Elliot Yeo and Nic Naitanui for their first games of the 2023.

Yeo has missed the first two rounds with a calf injury and ruckman Naitanui with an Achilles complaint. If Naitanui does not play, the Eagles will likely look for an alternative ruck option to assist Bailey Williams.

Against the Giants, that help was Jake Waterman, who had eight hit-outs, but looked much more comfortable in attack than in the centre square. He kicked four vital goals, three in a blistering second term.

That help could be Oscar Allen, who pinch hit in the ruck in 2021 before missing all of 2022 through injury.

“I think we’ve got to explore that,” Simpson said. “North play a tall mid and some clubs play two rucks.

“It worked for us today to a certain degree, but it might not work next week. So, each week will be different.”

The WESTERN BULLDOGS will unveil a new exciting talent against Brisbane on Thursday night, with speedy forward Arthur Jones to make his debut.

Jones was in line to make his debut in Round 1, only to injure an adductor a week out from the match against Melbourne.

“It’s a bit hard to put into words,” Jones said on Tuesday.

“It’s a great moment – when you work at something for so long.

“I had a massive pre-season and just before Round 1 tweaked my groin, so to have a speedy recovery and have all the boys see the work I’ve put in – to finally get this one thing that I’ve wanted so bad, is kind of an emotional moment.

“It’s a lifelong dream. I’m just so grateful to the Western Bulldogs for giving me the chance to debut.

“Hopefully I can make the red, white and blue as proud as they can be.”

Elsewhere, the Bulldogs have regained star duo Adam Treloar and Rory Lobb for Thursday night’s clash against Brisbane after training well on Saturday. Norm Smith Medallist Jason Johannisen has also been re-called.

Under growing pressure at 0-2, Beveridge has dropped father-son young gun Sam Darcy plus Rhylee West and Toby McLean for the meeting with the Lions, while Taylor Duryea will miss through illness.

, but a five-day turnaround will give them, as well as key defender Ryan Gardiner (elbow), limited time to prove they’re fully fit to play.

BRISBANE has made two changes with Keidean Coleman replacing the injured Daniel Rich in defence, while last week’s substitute Deven Robertson is out of the squad entirely.

As expected Josh Dunkley has been named to go up against his old club.