AFL 2024: All the latest selection news for round 8
The Dogs are set to regain a key midfielder, with another youngster in the frame for return, while a Collingwood duo has been ruled out of Friday night football.
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Midfield clearance machine Tom Liberatore is a certain starter for Sunday’s must-win clash with Hawthorn at Marvel Stadium as the Western Bulldogs look to fresh small forward options to try to cover the loss of Cody Weightman and Rhylee West.
Liberatore hasn’t played since he collapsed in the dying moments of the loss to Essendon a fortnight ago, missing the win over St Kilda due to concussion protocols and last week’s defeat at the hands of Fremantle after suffering gastro.
But the Bulldogs barometer trained strongly on Tuesday and is set to do so again on Thursday, paving the way for his return against the Hawks.
He entered concussion protocols after the Bombers’ loss out of precaution but the gastro – which ruled him out against the Dockers – was totally unrelated.
The soon-to-be 32-year-old was sorely missed as Caleb Serong, Nat Fyfe and co stormed over the top of the Bulldogs late.
First-year Bulldog Sanders is in the mix for a senior recall after having 36 disposals, nine clearances and four inside 50s in Footscray’s clash with the AFL Academy last weekend.
Sanders hasn’t played since being the sub against St Kilda in round 6, having been subbed out the previous game.
Coach Luke Beveridge will have to look at alternative small forward options following surgery for Weightman on his elbow, which will keep him on the sidelines for an extended period, and the one-game suspension for West.
There does not appear to be a perfect like for like scenario from the VFL side, though 2022 draft pick Charlie Clarke is edging closer to an AFL debut after kicking three goals last week. Arthur Jones could also be considered.
The Bulldogs are 3-4 on the ladder but have two very winnable games against the Hawks and Richmond in the next fortnight.
PIES TO LOSE TWO KEY MIDFIELDERS
Collingwood will be without premiership midfielders Jordan De Goey and Tom Mitchell when it faces Carlton in Friday night’s blockbuster clash.
The Magpies will need to dramatically overhaul their centre bounce mix against their arch rivals after the injured duo were ruled out by coach Craig McRae on Wednesday.
McRae said De Goey’s prospects of overcoming his groin issue before round 9 were unclear as the Magpies “deloaded” his training this week.
De Goey and Mitchell, who is battling a plantar fasciitis flare-up in his foot, were both absent from training on Wednesday.
“Jordy won’t play – he’s got tight groins, so we’re just going to sort of back him off a little bit, hopefully get those things settled down,” McRae said.
“This is the unknown, we’re not sure how long (his recovery) will be, the reality is it’s come on reasonably quickly.
“My expertise, which is none … the things I’ve been told is if it comes on quickly, it may go away quickly, we’ll have to wait and see.”
McRae said Oleg Markov, untried midfield recruit Lachie Sullivan and Anzac Day sub Harvey Harrison were all in the frame to come into the side as he planned for how to combat a star-studded Blues midfield led by Patrick Cripps and Sam Walsh.
Originally published as AFL 2024: All the latest selection news for round 8
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