Kangaroos look to untried small forward, Essendon weighs up final list spot, Stephen Hill’s injury drama
SuperCoach rookies have been hard to find this pre-season. But North Melbourne could be about to deliver some help. Plus, get the latest on Stephen Hill’s injury and an update on Essendon’s final list spot.
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North Melbourne looks set to turn to untried small forward Jack Mahony to ramp up the forward line pressure in the Round 1 clash against St Kilda.
Kayne Turner’s foot injury will keep him sidelined for months, opening up a spot for the man taken with pick No. 34 in November’s national draft in the forward pocket.
Mahony can lock-in his spot in the season-opener with another hard-nosed effort in the club’s second Marsh Series clash against Sydney Swans in Kingston, Tasmania.
Former Cat and Brisbane Lions’ backman Josh Walker is likely to be the second new face in the Roos’ Round 1 team after an impressive start to his new chapter at Arden St.
But Mason Wood’s hopes of playing against the Saints have taken a hit after he was left out of both of the Kangaroos’ Marsh games.
Wood, who was put up for trade but did not attract much interest in the exchange period, has spent time training in defence and attack over summer.
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While he played 18 senior games last year, the Geelong Falcons’ product could start the season in the VFL.
The club remains hopeful gun forward Ben Brown will also overcome a calf complaint in time for Round 1.
Former Collingwood defender Marley Williams and ex-Demon Dom Tyson were also omitted for the clash against the Swans.
BOMBERS LOOK TO USE FINAL LIST SPOT
Essendon is weighing up taking back-up Norwood ruckman Henry Crauford with its final list spot.
The 204cm big man, who was a former talented swimmer, is in talks about joining the Bombers after developing rapidly last year, winning Norwood’s reserves best and fairest.
Essendon chiefs are also considering Nigel Lockyer, an exciting utility from Alice Springs, and West Australian big man Brynn Teakle, but have also not ruled out leaving the spot open for someone else in the mid-season draft.
The Bombers will make a final call this week after completing some more tests on Crauford, 22, who is recovering from a broken arm and was unable to train over the pre-season.
Crauford was stuck behind Norwood’s first-choice ruckman Sam Baulderstone in the SANFL this year but has impressed with his mobility around the ground, athleticism and marking power.
Essendon is considering bolstering its ruck stocks to support Andrew Phillips, Tom Bellchambers, who underwent pre-season knee surgery, and Sam Draper, who is on the way back from a knee reconstruction.
Phillips will lead the ruck in Essendon’s Marsh Series clash against Geelong in Colac on Monday and is in the box seat to secure a Round 1 berth against Fremantle at Marvel Stadium.
The Bombers can add another player under the supplemental selection period rules after moving draftee Lachie Johnson to the inactive.
HILL FACING TIME OUT WITH QUAD INJURY
Fremantle has been dealt a blow with dashing wingman Stephen Hill sweating on the results of further testing for a left quad injury.
Hill, 29, had scans on Sunday which confirmed the injury but the full extent of the damage will not be known until the “coming days”.
Hill, who has been troubled by quad injuries for the past two seasons, left the ground at three-quarter time and did not return in Fremantle’s one-point Marsh Community Series win over West Coast.
“Stephen experienced some discomfort in his left leg during the game, so we rested him for the last quarter with intention of having scans today (Sunday),” Fremantle football manager Peter Bell said.
“The subsequent report from the scans confirmed that Stephen sustained an injury to his left quad.
“He will undergo further testing in the coming days to determine the extent of the injury.”
HOW DIMMA VIEWS PICKETT
Richmond coach Damien Hardwick expects cult figure Marlion Pickett to become a “valuable chess piece”, as the full strength Tigers roll towards Round 1.
Pickett, 28, was elusive in spurts on Sunday, operating through the midfield and forward of centre, in the Tigers’ 14-point Marsh Community Series loss at Wagga Wagga.
The “valuable role player”, who sensationally debuted in the Grand Final last year, finished with 20 disposals.
“We’re excited with what he’s going to bring, he’s a lot leaner, a lot fitter than what he was this time last year,” Hardwick said.
“He’ll be significantly better for the preparation, he’s got a better understanding of how we play but he’s one of 22.”
“(He) reads play pretty well, uses the ball very well so he’ll play predominantly through the midfield with stints up forward.”
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Pickett is one of several Tigers auditioning for Round 1 selection, along with Toby Nankervis, Kamdyn McIntosh and Jack Graham, who all sat out Sunday after playing in a VFL practice match.
The Tigers will have one more run at Punt Road this week before Thursday week’s season-opener against a “reinvigorated” Carlton.
“This time of year we’re probably excited for Round 1 to come but we’re playing some reasonably solid footy without being at our very best, we know the hard work is in front of us,” Hardwick said.
“We’ve got, touch wood I think, everyone available to play for Round 1 which is a great place to be.”
-GILBERT GARDINER
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Originally published as Kangaroos look to untried small forward, Essendon weighs up final list spot, Stephen Hill’s injury drama