AFL 2023: Practice match teams and all the latest injury and selection news

Richmond will welcome back a quartet of stars for their fnal dress rehearsal, while it seems Melbourne’s recruiting team has done it again with another bargain recruit.

Demons Jack Viney and Clayton Oliver. Picture: Mark Stewart

Melbourne’s Angus Brayshaw is set to return to a defensive role this year to help coach Simon Goodwin fix a spotfire in the early part of the season.

Brayshaw, who is considered one of the most versatile playmakers in the competition, moved into the midfield late last year after signing a bumper six-year contract at the club.

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But Christian Salem’s thyroid issues have forced a change heading into the new season with Brayshaw, 27, set to cover Salem as a rebounding defender in the early part of the year at least.

Salem is slowly recovering but there remains no clear timetable for his return, meaning Brayshaw will play a key role helping steer the Demons’ ball use from the back half in 2023.

Angus Brayshaw looks set to cover Christian Salem in defence to start the year. Picture: Michael Klein

Brayshaw’s move back into a full-time midfield role last season included a 38-disposal game in the win over Carlton in round 22, which netted him three Brownlow Medal votes.

But the No.3 draft pick has said he will put the team’s needs first over his own midfield ambitions as the club strives to bounce back from a straight-sets finals exit last year.

Goodwin has tinkered with the side and the game plan as part of a mission to become more effective in the forward half this year, including a call for more direct forward entries.

Options include Judd McVee, who has bolted into early selection contention after the second-year defender produced a sparkling performance in the trial game win over St Kilda.

McVee is on the cusp of selection and may yet just miss out on a round 1 game against Western Bulldogs due to the Demon’s considerable depth.

Judd McVee impressed in the first practice game against the Saints. Picture: Michael Klein

Tom Sparrow could step in for Jack Viney if he misses round 1 with his knee injury, while Jake Lever has recovered from rolling his ankle last weekend against the Saints at Moorabbin.

McVee looms as another bargain pick-up for recruiting chief Jason Taylor and list boss Tim Lamb, helping add to the club’s considerable depth following moves for Western Bulldogs’ pair Lachie Hunter and Josh Schache.

Excitement machine Kysaiah Pickett is also set to enjoy more midfield minutes in the engine room this year with the club remaining confident he will stay despite advances from Port Adelaide.

Brayshaw, who was a free agent last year, signed with the club until the end of 2028, following bumper long-term deals for Chris Petracca (2029) and Clayton Oliver (2030).

Practice match teams: Cripps headlines missing big names

- Rebecca Williams

Melbourne vice-captain Jack Viney will miss Saturday’s practice match against Richmond after hurting his knee at training, but the Demons expect him to be fit for round one.

In a pre-season scare, Viney was forced to leave the track early after injuring his knee during the club’s main training session at Casey Fields.

Viney underwent scans on his knee, but they did not reveal any significant damage.

The midfielder will now commence light duties and will sit out the final pre-season tune-up against the Tigers at Casey Fields.

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Jack Viney sent a scare through the Demons after limping off the training track with a knee injury. Picture: Mark Stewart

Melbourne general manager of AFL football performance Alan Richardson said the club did not expect the injury to impact Viney’s start to the season.

“We sent Jack for scans and pleasingly there isn’t any significant damage to his knee,” Richardson said.

“We will have a better idea of his rehabilitation progress over the next week.

“While he will miss this weekend’s practice match against Richmond, we don’t anticipate him to be further impacted ahead of the season.”

The Demons face the Western Bulldogs in the opening round at the MCG on March 18.

Another Tiger blow, Cats flag trio left out

Premiers Geelong will be without premiership forward Jeremy Cameron and Norm Smith medallist Isaac Smith for Thursday night’s practice match against the Brisbane Lions.

But the Cats will welcome back forward Gary Rohan to face the Lions at Brighton Homes Arena after he sat out last week’s match simulation against Hawthorn.

Having also sat out last week’s hitout against the Hawks, the flag favourites will again be without midfielder Mitch Duncan, who continues to work his way back from a calf injury.

The Cats said Cameron and Smith would sit out the match against the Lions as they turned their attention towards their preparation for round one after strong pre-seasons.

“Jeremy and Isaac haven’t missed a beat through pre-season and are in a good position,” Geelong’s general manager of football Simon Lloyd said.

“We have got what we need through a large number of training sessions and last week’s match simulation against Hawthorn.

“Mitch had a minor calf setback several weeks ago. He has been running for some time and is progressing well with his load volumes.

Jeremy Cameron will miss the Cats’ practice match. Picture: Michael Klein

“As per last season, we’ll take all the time we need to ensure Mitch is in the best shape for the season. We won’t be pressured by a timeline and will focus on the bigger picture”.

Brisbane recruits Darragh Joyce and Conor McKenna have been named to play their first official games for the Lions, while former skipper Dayne Zorko will miss with a hamstring problem.

Collingwood forward Brody Mihocek has been named in the squad to face Hawthorn for Thursday’s practice match in Launceston after he sat out last week’s hitout against Carlton, but the Magpies will be without hard-nut Brayden Maynard.

The Magpies said Maynard suffered a small leg abrasion in last week’s hitout against the Blues, which had become slightly infected, and would not make the trip to Tasmania as a precaution.

The Pies have also named pre-season recruit Oleg Markov to make his first appearance in the black and white.

New Collingwood captain Darcy Moore will lead the Magpies for the first time in an official practice match after playing a half in last week’s match simulation against Carlton.

Moore is on track to feature in the Magpies’ opening round clash against Geelong after his start to the pre-season was delayed when he suffered a bone infection.

Hawthorn has named veteran forward Luke Breust and the exciting Changkuoth Jiath to face the Magpies after both were rested from last week’s hitout against Geelong.

Richmond key defender Robbie Tarrant’s preparations for the start of the season have been dealt a blow after he was ruled out of Saturday’s practice match against Melbourne with a hip complaint.

Robbie Tarrant has been sidelined with a hip injury. Picture: Michael Klein

Richmond key defender Robbie Tarrant’s preparations for the start of the season have been dealt a blow after he was ruled out of Saturday’s practice match against Melbourne with a hip complaint.

In an injury update ahead of the final tune-up for the start of the home-and-away season, the Tigers said Tarrant would be unavailable for the “short-term” as he managed hip symptoms.

Richmond later clarified the hip problem was expected to keep Tarrant sidelined for between one and three weeks.

The Tigers face Carlton in the season-opener on March 16 at the MCG when they will face the Blues’ twin forward threats of Harry McKay and Charlie Curnow.

Tarrant’s injury comes as star forward Tom Lynch prepares to make his return from injury with a limited appearance against the Demons.

Having recovered from plantar fascia injury, the Tigers said Lynch would be available for “reduced game time” if he completed Thursday’s main training session.

The Tigers also said Liam Baker was also in line to play some game time against Melbourne after surgery to have his appendix removed last month.

“Liam has joined in non-contact drills with the group, he has a few things to get through on Thursday during our main session,” club physical performance manager Luke Meehan said.

“Presuming he does, he is expected to play some game time on Saturday.”

Richmond said it would make a call on the availability of Jack Graham (toe) later this week.

“Jack has been training with the group for a couple of weeks and is close to playing some game time,” Meehan said.

“A decision will be made later this week as to when that is.”

Marlion Pickett (adductor) will be unavailable to face the Demons, but the Tigers said he was likely to play in the VFL practice game next week.

SATURDAY PRACTICE MATCH TEAMS

GWS v GOLD COAST

Blacktown ISP, 12.10pm AEDT

GIANTS

B: C.Idun 39 S.Taylor 15 I.Cumming 13

HB: L.Ash 7 N.Haynes 19 L.Whitfield 6

C: F.Callaghan 17 T.Green 12 J.Wehr 10

HF: C.Stone 18 H.Himmelberg 27 J.Peatling 20

F: T.Greene - C 4 J.Hogan 23 D.Lloyd 38

Foll: B.Preuss 11 S.Coniglio 3 J.Kelly 22

I/C: C.Ward 8 H.Perryman 36 A.Kennedy 40 J.Riccardi 26 X.O’Halloran 33 L.Aleer 21 J.Fahey 34 M.Flynn 30

Emerg: A.Cadman 5 W.Derksen 45 H.Rowston 24 C.Hamilton 43

SUNS

B: B.Long 22 S.Collins 25 C.Graham 46

HB: J.Farrar 50 C.Ballard 10 C.Constable 33

C: E.Hollands 36 N.Anderson 15 S.Flanders 3

HF: N.Holman 7 M.Chol 1 J.Lukosius 13

F: J.Jeffrey 40 B.King 34 B.Ainsworth 9

Foll: J.Witts - C 28 D.Swallow 24 M.Rowell 18

I/C: T.Berry 16 L.Casboult 30 B.Fiorini 8 A.Davies 5 D.Macpherson 44 N.Moyle 49 A.Sexton 6 B.Uwland 32

Emerg: R.Atkins 2 S.Brock 45 J.Sharp 20 J.Tsitas 21

WESTERN BULLDOGS v NORTH MELBOURNE

Ikon Park, 1.10pm AEDT

DOGS

B: H.Crozier 9 L.Jones 19 T.Duryea 15

HB: B.Dale 31 A.Keath 42 E.Richards 20

C: T.McLean 16 T.Liberatore 21 A.Scott 28

HF: B.Smith 6 J.Ugle-Hagan 2 A.Jones 32

F: R.Lobb 7 M.Hannan 29 A.Naughton 33

Foll: T.English 44 J.Macrae 11 M.Bontempelli - C 4

I/C: C.Daniel 35 B.Williams 34 A.Treloar 1 S.Darcy 10 O.Baker 13 J.Bruce 17 B.Khamis 24 C.Weightman 3

Emerg: R.West 14 L.Cleary 36 R.Garcia 38 J.Sweet 41

ROOS

B: J.Ziebell 7 B.McKay 23 F.Perez 39

HB: L.McDonald 11 A.Bonar 16 J.Goater 31

C: B.Scott 8 J.Simpkin - C 12 K.Turner 28

HF: T.Powell 24 C.Comben 30 P.Curtis 25

F: C.Zurhaar 44 N.Larkey 20 H.Sheezel 3

Foll: T.Goldstein 22 B.Cunnington 10 W.Phillips 29

I/C: G.Logue 19 L.Davies-Uniacke 9 L.Shiels 14 T.Xerri 38 J.Stephenson 2 M.Bergman 27 C.Coleman-Jones 21 H.Greenwood 18

Emerg: K.Dawson 42 E.Ford 40 C.Lazzaro 35 La.Young 17

MELBOURNE v RICHMOND

Casey Fields, 4.10pm AEDT

DEMONS

B: S.May 1 H.Petty 35 T.Rivers 24

HB: C.Spargo 9 J.Lever 8 J.McVee 41

C: L.Hunter 12 C.Oliver 13 E.Langdon 15

HF: K.Chandler 37 B.Brown 50 K.Pickett 36

F: A.Neal-Bullen 30 T.McDonald 25 J.Harmes 4

Foll: M.Gawn - C 11 C.Petracca 5 A.Brayshaw 10

I/C: J.van Rooyen 2 B.Grundy 6 M.Hibberd 14 B.Laurie 16 J.Bowey 17 B.Howes 22 T.Sparrow 32 T.Woewodin 40

Emerg: J.Schache 19 J.Jordon 23 D.Turner 42 A.Moniz-Wakefield 45

TIGERS

B: D.Grimes - C 2 N.Balta 21 T.Young 45

HB: L.Baker 7 N.Vlastuin 1 D.Rioli 17

C: K.McIntosh 33 D.Prestia 3 J.Clarke 42

HF: T.Cotchin 9 S.Bolton 29 D.Martin 4

F: J.Riewoldt 8 N.Cumberland 38 T.Lynch 19

Foll: T.Nankervis 25 T.Taranto 14 J.Hopper 22

I/C: I.Soldo 20 N.Broad 35 J.Short 15 T.Dow 27 M.Rioli 10 S.Green 48 R.Mansell 31 S.Ryan 32

Emerg: S.Banks 41 T.Sonsie 40 H.Ralphsmith 13 B.Miller 46

SELECTED SIDES FOR EARLIER PRACTICE MATCHES

ST KILDA V ESSENDON

Friday, 4.10pm AEDT, RSEA Park

SAINTS

B: D.Howard 20 J.Webster 29 C.Wilkie 44

HB: N.Wanganeen-Milera 7 J.Sinclair 35 J.Battle 26

C: B.Paton 33 M.Windhager 17 R.Byrnes 13

HF: M.Owens 10 M.Phillipou 25 J.Higgins 22

F: Z.Cordy 21 A.Caminiti 47 J.Gresham 4

Foll: R.Marshall 19 J.Steele – C 9 B.Crouch 5

I/C: M.Wood 32 L.Stocker 14 H.Clark 11 C.Sharman 43 T.Highmore 34 D.Butler 16 B.Hill 8 J.Bytel 23

Emerg: N.Coffield 1 L.Connolly 37 O.Adams 27 T.Campbell 38

BOMBERS

B: M.Redman 27 J.Laverde 15 J.Ridley 14

HB: J.Kelly 29 B.Zerk-Thatcher 30 A.McGrath 1

C: S.Durham 22 Z.Merrett – C 7 W.Setterfield 12

HF: N.Martin 37 S.Weideman 10 A.Perkins 16

F: A.McDonald-Tipungwuti 43 P.Wright 20 H.Jones 23

Foll: S.Draper 2 D.Parish 3 D.Shiel 9

I/C: J.Caldwell 6 W.Snelling 11 N.Hind 19 K.Baldwin 26 A.Davey Jnr 33 A.Phillips 34 M.D’Ambrosio 42 J.Menzie 47

Emerg: L.Hayes 18 R.Montgomerie 38 P.Voss 39 T.Wanganeen 40

SYDNEY V CARLTON

Friday, 7.10pm AEDT, Blacktown International Sportspark,

SWANS

B: D.Rampe 24 T.McCartin 30 O.Florent 13

HB: J.Lloyd 44 P.McCartin 39 J.McInerney 27

C: H.Cunningham 7 C.Warner 1 D.Stephens 3

HF: W.Hayward 9 S.Reid 20 L.McDonald 6

F: I.Heeney 5 L.Franklin 23 E.Gulden 21

Foll: P.Ladhams 19 J.Rowbottom 8 L.Parker – C 26

I/C: N.Blakey 22 B.Campbell 16 M.Roberts 34 H.McLean 2 A.Sheldrick 29 L.Rankin 41 W.Edwards 28 L.McAndrew 46

Emerg: C.Mitchell 35 H.Hall-Kahan 45 C.Warner 37 A.Francis 10

BLUES

B: S.Docherty 15 J.Weitering – C 23 L.Plowman 20

HB: A.Saad 42 Le.Young 33 A.Cincotta 40

C: B.Acres 13 E.Curnow 35 A.Cerra 5

HF: Z.Fisher 25 C.Curnow 30 O.Hollands 14

F: J.Motlop 3 T.De Koning 12 J.Silvagni 1

Foll: M.Pittonet 27 M.Kennedy 7 G.Hewett 29

I/C: L.Cowan 26 L.O’Brien 4 P.Dow 2 M.Owies 44 J.Carroll 16 J.Binns 32 J.Honey 36 S.Durdin 38

Emerg: B.Kemp 17 A.Mirkov 45 H.Lemmey 31 D.Akuei 41

WEST COAST V ADELAIDE

Friday, 4.40pm AWST, Mineral Resources Park

EAGLES

B: S.Hurn 25 T.Barrass 37 T.Cole 28

HB: L.Duggan 14 J.McGovern 20 J.Hunt 5

C: A.Gaff 3 T.Kelly 11 D.Sheed 4

HF: X.O’Neill 24 J.Waterman 2 J.Cripps 15

F: L.Ryan 1 O.Allen 12 J.Jones 31

Foll: B.Williams 32 E.Yeo 6 L.Shuey – C 13

I/C: R.Ginbey 7 E.Hewett 8 C.Chesser 18 J.Petruccelle 21 A.Witherden 23 J.Rotham 35 G.Clark 39 C.Jamieson 40

Emerg: S.Petrevski-Seton 10 C.West 36 H.Edwards 42 N.Long 44

CROWS

B: J.Butts 41 T.Doedee 39 P.Parnell 37

HB: J.Dawson – C 12 N.Murray 28 B.Smith 33

C: M.Hinge 20 R.Laird 29 R.Sloane 9

HF: L.Pedlar 10 J.Rachele 8 B.Keays 2

F: I.Rankine 22 T.Walker 13 D.Fogarty 32

Foll: R.O’Brien 43 S.Berry 3 J.Soligo 14

I/C: W.Hamill 17 E.Himmelberg 34 M.Michalanney 16 H.Schoenberg 26 T.Brown 21 S.McAdam 23 R.Thilthorpe 7 M.Crouch 5

Emerg: L.Murphy 4 J.Borlase 35 N.McHenry 25 C.Jones 1

HAWTHORN v COLLINGWOOD

Thursday 5.10pm AEDT, UTAS Stadium

HAWKS

B: S.Frost 8, J.Blanck 36, W.Day 12

HB: B.Hardwick 15, J.Sicily – C 6, K.Amon 10

C: J.Ward 25, F.Maginness 32, L.Bramble 16

HF: C.Wingard 20, L.Breust 22, J.Worpel 5

F: J.Koschitzke 23, L.Meek 17, D.Moore 13

FOLL: N.Reeves 7, J.Newcombe 3, C.Macdonald 31

INT: C.Jiath 9, C.Mackenzie 28, J.Impey 4, S.Butler 30, F.Greene 26, C.Nash 11, D.Grainger-Barras 24, H.Hustwaite 44

EMERG: J.O’Sullivan 43 M.Lynch 18, J.Weddle 3, N.Long 27

PIES

B: J.Crisp 25, D.Moore – C 30 I.Quaynor 3

HB: J.Howe 38 B.Frampton 17 N.Murphy 28

C: B.Hill 23 J.Daicos 7 N.Daicos 35

HF: J.Elliott, 5 B.Mihocek 41, J.De Goey 2

F: P. Lipinski 1, M.Cox, 46, S.Sidebottom 22

FOLL: D.McStay 11, T.Adams 13, T.Mitchell 6

INT: J.Noble 9, S.Pendlebury 10, D.Cameron 14, R.McInnes 26, B.McCreery 31, W.Hoskin-Elliott 32, O.Markov 37, J.Carmichael 45

EMERG: T.Bianco 8, T.Wilson 12, T.Ruscoe 21, J.Ryan 24

FREMANTLE v PORT ADELAIDE

Thursday 7.10pm AEDT, Fremantle Oval

DOCKERS

B: J.Clark 6, B.Walker 31, H.Young 26

HB: N.Wilson 14, B.Cox 36, A.Pearce – C 25

C: J.Aish 11, S.Sturt 1, L.Henry 23

HF: L.Schultz 5, M.Taberner 20, C.Serong 3

F: J.Treacy 35, N.Fyfe 7, S.Switkowski 39

FOLL: S.Darcy 4, A.Brayshaw 8, J.O’Meara 2

INT: L.Reidy 42, M.Johnson 44, J.Hamling 21, B.Banfield 41, E.Hughes 15, J.Amiss 24, W.Brodie 17, H.Chapman 27

EMERG: N.Erasmus 28, J.Corbett 19, K.Worner 40, T.Colyer33

POWER

B: R.Burton 3, T.Jonas – C 1, J.Burgoyne 36

HB: D.Byrne-Jones 33, A.Aliir 21, D.Houston 5

C: M.Bergman 14, W.Drew 28, X.Duursma 7

HF: M.Georgiades 19, T.Marshall 4, C.Rozee 20

F: Z.Butters 9, C.Dixon 22, S.Powell-Pepper 2

FOLL: S.Lycett 29, O.Wines 16, J.Horne-Francis 18

INT: K.Farrell 6, T.McKenzie 12, O.Fantasia 13, R.Bonner 26, B.Teakle 27, F.Evans 31, L.Jones 34, J.McEntee 41

EMERG: T.Clurey 17, D.Williams 23, J.Pasini 24, D.Visentini 38

BRISBANE v GEELONG

Thursday 8.10pm AEDT, Brighton Homes Arena 

LIONS

B: B.Starcevich 37, J.Payne 40, D.Rich 10

HB: C.McKenna 26, H.Andrews – C 31, D.Wilmot 44

C: W.Ashcroft 8, Z.Bailey 33, D.Robertson 2

HF: C.Cameron 23, J.Gunston 19, H.McCluggage 6

F: C.Rayner 16, J.Daniher 3, E.Hipwood 30

FOLL: O.McInerney 46, J.Dunkley 5, L.Neale 9

INT: L.McCarthy 11, J.Madden 14, K.Coleman 18, J.Prior 20, H.Sharp 22, J.Tunstill 29, D.Fort 32 D.Joyce 41

EMERG: N.Cockatoo 12 J.Lyons 17, T.Fullarton 21, R.Lester35

CATS

B: T.Stewart 44, S.De Koning 16J, .Kolodjashnij 8

HB: Z.Tuohy 2, E.Ratugolea 17, Z.Guthrie 39

C: M.O’Connor 42, M.Blicavs 46, S.Menegola 27

HF: P.Dangerfield – C 35, O.Henry 36, B.Close 45

F: T.Stengle 18, G.Rohan 23, G.Miers 32

FOLL: R.Stanley 1, C.Guthrie 29, T.Bruhn 4

INT: J.Bews 24, C.Whyte 11, J.Ceglar 15, T.Atkins 30, B.Parfitt 3, S.Simpson 37, O.Dempsey 28, M.Holmes 9

EMERG: M.Knevitt 10, O.Mullin 34, O.Riccardi 21, T.Clohesy 40

King’s best and worst case return dates revealed

— Harper Sercombe

St Kilda spearhead Max King has not set a date for his return after shoulder injury, but he remains upbeat about his recovery.

King had surgery in December with coach Ross Lyon indicating the 22-year-old would be ready by round 7.

King said he did not have a “specific round in mind”.

“For me it’s just about week to week improving,” King said.

Max King should be back by round 7 or sooner. Picture: Getty Images

“Each week you hit a new milestone and can do some different things.”

The Saints’ 2022 leading goal kicker said he had been able to find a silver lining in his recovery.

“I’ve been able to spend more time in the gym,” he said.

“[It’s been a] good opportunity to smash a bit of leg weights, and to try to stay strong and put some size on,

“I feel good out there, I feel powerful.”

King’s forward partner Tim Membrey has also had an interrupted pre-season after a knee ‘clean out’ in mid-February.

Membrey remains doubtful of a round 1 start.

“If it’s feeling good I’ll put my hand up,” Membrey said.

“I don’t think it’s something we need to push if it does get dicey, it’s a long season.”

Membrey joins fellow Saints key forwards in King, Jack Hayes and Matthew Allison on the sidelines, leaving the key forward role open.

Tim Membrey could miss round 1, but has floated the idea of a surprise replacement up forward.

“It’s going to be an exciting opportunity for someone to grab early on in the season, whether it is Dougal [Howard] or Zaine [Cordy] up there,” Membrey said.

“As long as they’re competing and bringing the ball to ground, we still have some dangerous small forwards that can hit the scoreboard.”

Another forward option for the Saints is 2022 No. 10 pick Matteas Phillipou.

“He’s been really impressive so far, he’s training really well, and he was really good in our practice match here the other day,” King said.

Phillipou kicked two goals in Friday’s match against Melbourne at RSEA Park.

The Saints play Essendon in their official practice match on Friday before facing Fremantle in Round one which will officially start their 150th year and the first of the return of head coach Lyon.

Veteran Bomber in moon boot as R1 closes in

— Lauren Wood

Essendon midfielder Dyson Heppell has suffered a foot strain and is in a moon boot just a fortnight out from Round 1.

The former captain won’t play in this weekend’s practice match after an MRI revealed the injury in the wake of last week’s match simulation against Gold Coast.

pic.twitter.com/GGvSADhePl

— The Don Massimo Wangaa Hanga (@CharlieDons) February 27, 2023

The 30-year-old is set to be on a modified program for at least the next few weeks and while he has not officially been ruled out for the Bombers’ season-opener, he is in obvious doubt to play.

“Heppell will be in a moon boot until the discomfort resolves, and then look to progress into some running,” the club said in a statement on Monday afternoon.

Originally published as AFL 2023: Practice match teams and all the latest injury and selection news