Panic Room: Round 5 latest selection news and whispers, SuperCoach advice and best bets
LATE MAIL: Dustin Martin is dealing with groin soreness in the lead up to Anzac Day eve. Plus the latest selection news and whispers and best bets.
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RICHMOND is sweating on the fitness of superstar Dustin Martin ahead of the Anzac Day eve clash against Melbourne.
It was revealed after the Tigers’ win over Brisbane last week that “Dusty” was dealing with a niggling injury but was expected to face the Demons on Monday night.
However, senior coach Damien Hardwick and assistant Blake Caracella have added some mystery in recent days.
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Speaking on The Footy Show, Hardwick said Martin would be given to the final minute and joked he was doing everything in his power to help recovery.
“We’ll see how he goes, we’ve got another training session later in the week,” he said.
“Dusty, he has got a little bit of groin soreness so if we can hurry up this interview I’ve got to go and rub that groin.”
The Tigers and Demons will name their teams on Saturday.
Caracella said Martin would be a big loss.
“I’m not too sure, I think he will,” he said on SEN.
“We play Monday, we’ll have to wait until Saturday or Sunday to find out ... let’s just hope he is OK because he is a fantastic.”
Meanwhile, Carlton is adamant Patrick Cripps will face Port Adelaide tonight despite a abdominal strain.
Cripps injured his oblique in the loss to Gold Coast last week but Blues coach Brendon Bolton said the star midfielder wouldn’t be hampered by it this week.
“It would take a fair bit to stop Patrick Cripps as we know,” he said.
“He had a bit of an oblique (abdominal) strain, he was a bit sore with that, but he will be fine. He will be right to go.
“When I first met him I realised how professional he is, but nothing surprises me now with ‘Crippa’. We’ve seen how tough he is over a number of years.”
As well as Melbourne and Richmond, Collingwood and Essendon will wait until Saturday to name their teams for Anzac Day.
The Bombers are set to hand a debut to rookie Ben McNeice after upgrading him on Thursday.
The Magpies will have Daniel Wells for the first time since his move from North Melbourne last year and could look to add some marking power up forward with “Anzac Day specialist” Mason Cox in line for a recall.
SUPERCOACH ADVICE
THE cash cow crisis deepened on Thursday night when the Round 5 teams were announced.
The most popular trade target this week - Harley Balic - was a surprising omission due to a hip injury while last week’s must-have rookie Nic Newman was dumped by the Swans.
It didn’t stop there with Kangaroos big man Braydon Preuss rested, Oliver Florent and Robbie Fox dropped, Tim Taranto dropped and James Parsons suspended.
It makes any trades decisions extremely difficult with some risky cash cows available.
Troy Menzel ($183,900, BE: -23), Tom Williamson ($117,300, BE: -53), Jarrod Berry ($139,800, BE: 21) and Hugh McCluggage ($202,800, BE: 24) are all on the bubble.
However, there is some light on the horizon with Zac Fisher ($117,300), Blake Hardwick ($134,900), Cedric Cox ($117,300), Ben Long ($117,300) playing their second game this week and Ed Vickers-Willis ($117,300) debuting on Saturday night.
BEST BETS
Collingwood to beat Essendon: $1.70
The Magpies let us down last week but we’ll stick with them for Anzac Day. Bad kicking cost them last week against the Saints, but this is a must-win game.
On reflection, Essendon’s Round 1 and 2 wins over Carlton and Brisbane doesn’t read as well now, and coach John Worsfold’s comments after last week’s defeat to Adelaide doesn’t fill you with much confidence about the Bombers.
Really, if the Pies are to revive their season and be a serious finals threat, they simply have to win here.
If you’re looking for a bit of value, Sydney is worth a crack at $2.60 to knock off the Giants in the derby.
The Swans will field their strongest line-up with Kurt Tippett, Gary Rohan and Isaac Heeney among the inclusions.
ON NOTICE
The obvious one is Jesse Hogan.
In his return from a two-week suspension and highly publicised trip back to Perth, Hogan has a bit to prove on Monday night against Richmond.
The Demons spearhead wasn’t in great form before his ban, kicking three goals in the opening round and none the following week.
Hogan has traditional played well against the Tigers, famously dismantling All-Australian full-back Alex Rance in the corresponding game two years ago.
The Demons have lost both games without him - as well as Jordan Lewis and an injured Max Gawn - and the club in general will be looking to bounce back on the big stage.
Originally published as Panic Room: Round 5 latest selection news and whispers, SuperCoach advice and best bets
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