AFL pre-season series: Key positional battles for each club analysed
Is it possible to have too many gun mids? There is only one footy for the Western Bulldogs to share and that means Luke Beveridge will have a tough juggling act.
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Sunday’s AAMI Community Series combatants have plenty on their mind ahead of round one, with selection among their top priorities.
Here are some of the most compelling positional battles among the six clubs, with the mock Showdown clash the one to watch.
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MELBOURNE V WESTERN BULLDOGS
MELBOURNE
DOWN BACK
It was a surprise when Neville Jetta was first dropped last year, but his form suffered further. Jetta’s reclaimed his spot, relegating Jay Lockhart to the reserves. Christian Salem and Jayden Hunt should play across halfback, Michael Hibberd is another when fit, and Steven May and Jake Lever are the key mainstays. Adam Tomlinson, Joel Smith and Harry Petty are competing to be the other tall, with Oscar McDonald no longer around.
THE MIDFIELD
James Jordon is the bolter, especially with doubts on Jack Viney’s (foot) round one availability. Christian Petracca, Clayton Oliver and Viney (when fit) are on-ball certainties, while it will be fascinating to see Angus Brayshaw’s inside and outside splits. James Harmes is set to rejoin the rotation, and Ed Langdon will occupy a wing. Oskar Baker, Tom Sparrow, Nathan Jones and Aaron vandenBerg are vying for places as well.
BULLDOGS
THE MIDFIELD
How Luke Beveridge juggles his on-ball rotation is a major talking point. Adam Treloar’s inclusion further complicates the situation. Treloar goes into a boiling pot with Marcus Bontempelli, Tom Liberatore, Jack Macrae, Josh Dunkley, Bailey Smith and even Patrick Lipinski. Bontempelli and Dunkley will be spotted in attack plenty. Lipinski will also play on the wing, with Lachie Hunter owning the other. Stefan Martin will provide ruck support for Tim English.
UP FORWARD
Aaron Naughton and Josh Bruce are the top tall targets, and Mitch Wallis has established himself as a regular goalkicker. It gets murkier from there. Bontempelli and Dunkley are hovering, while they drafted Jamarra Ugle-Hagan at No.1, and Josh Schache is trying to secure a spot. Bailey Dale, recruit Mitch Hannan, Laitham Vandermeer, Cody Weightman, Rhylee West, Lachie McNeil, Anthony Scott and possibly Ed Richards are fighting for places.
Brisbane
BRISBANE V GOLD COAST
LIONS
THE MIDFIELD
The Lions are flush for options, but keen to get Cam Rayner more minutes in there. Rayner will primarily battle with Lachie Neale, Jarryd Lyons, Dayne Zorko, Jarrod Berry and Zac Bailey, while Cam Ellis-Yolmen, Rhys Mathieson and Deven Robertson are hunting a spot. Hugh McCluggage has a mortgage on one wing, while Bailey will spend time on the other, with Mitch Robinson and Ely Smith in that mix.
UP FORWARD
Joe Daniher gives Brisbane a major weapon and is already meshing well with Eric Hipwood. Dan McStay’s opportunities may be more limited, unless Chris Fagan is open to playing all three, while Tom Fullarton must be patient. Charlie Cameron and Linc McCarthy will form the smaller crew, and Zorko and Rayner will mix time in attack with midfield stints. Keidean Coleman is in the frame, and Nakia Cockatoo will challenge if he can get fit.
SUNS
DOWN BACK
Jack Lukosius’ shift onto a wing, Pearce Hanley’s retirement and Oleg Markov’s arrival mean it’ll be a new-look defence. Sam Collins and Charlie Ballard are the leading key defenders, while Caleb Graham and Jack Hombsch offer depth. Jack Bowes and Connor Budarick are fixtures, but where Jarrod Harbrow and Sean Lemmens – who’s returned to the backline – fit remains to be seen. Chris Burgess is a swingman, and Brandon Ellis and Wil Powell are halfback options.
THE MIDFIELD
Will Brodie’s never been able to establish himself as a regular, but has impressed in the pre-season. It’s not getting any easier for Brodie, given the presence of Matt Rowell, Lachie Weller, Touk Miller, Hugh Greenwood and David Swallow. Noah Anderson is also itching for more on-ball time. Ellis, Anderson, Powell, Lukosius and recruit Rory Atkins are in the wing mix.
ADELAIDE V PORT ADELAIDE
CROWS
DOWN BACK
There are opportunities as soon as round one, with Daniel Talia (knee) a long shot to be ready and Tom Doedee (groin) still in the early stages of his return. Top prospect Fischer McAsey is struggling for form in his second pre-season, but Jordon Butts continues to blossom and list hopeful Nick Murray is another pressing hard. Luke Brown, Jake Kelly and Andrew McPherson are mid-sized options, David Mackay can fill a role if required, and Will Hamill offers great dash off halfback. Ben Davis, previously a forward, is also being trialled in defence. Key defender Josh Worrell has some work to do to enter this mix, but was highly rated in his draft year and selected with a long-term view.
UP FORWARD
Is this Taylor Walker’s last stand? The club great is out of contract at season’s end and might battle throughout this year to maintain his best-22 spot. That would be a good result for the Crows, because it likely means Elliott Himmelberg and Darcy Fogarty are holding up their end of the bargain. Tom Lynch will have an important role to play alongside them as the hardworking linkman. Shane McAdam enjoyed a breakout season last year and is set to make an even bigger impact in 2021, while Ned McHenry will combine his time between the forward line and midfield. The new addition is mature-age small forward James Rowe, fresh from a SANFL-leading 82 goals. Tyson Stengle will hopefully re-enter calculations at some stage, while exciting draftee Brayden Cook might work his way in.
POWER
UP FORWARD
One thing the Power no longer lack is depth, and that’s no more apparent than in attack. As with most of their line-up, they boast an excellent mix of veteran and emerging talent in the forward 50. Charlie Dixon and Robbie Gray are the standard-bearers, while ex-Bomber Orazio Fantasia arrives intent on reproducing his 2017 heroics. Todd Marshall and Mitch Georgiades are two of the most promising key forwards in the AFL, then there’s Connor Rozee, only two years separated from leading Port’s goalkicking tally. Rozee’s foot issue is a red flag for his season prospects, but he’ll continue to be used further afield when he does play. Zak Butters and Steven Motlop will spend time up forward as well. Untried trio Miles Bergman, Jackson Mead and Dylan Williams also impressed across summer and should get a look in at some stage.
DOWN BACK
Aliir Aliir crossed from the Swans in the Trade Period and will add height and line-breaking ability to a stingy but undersized backline. Tom Jonas, Tom Clurey and Trent McKenzie did the heavy lifting last year and it’ll be interesting to see whether all four play together, especially with Ryan Burton around, too. The Power have a good mix of skillsets in their smaller defenders, with Darcy Byrne-Jones, Dan Houston and Hamish Hartlett all reliable contributors. Jarrod Lienert, Riley Bonner and Joel Garner are others who will strive for senior opportunities in 2021.
GWS V SYDNEY
GIANTS
UP FORWARD
Jeremy Cameron is a huge loss, regardless of his limited impact last year. What the Giants have in their favour is they not only recruited Jesse Hogan on the cheap – with obvious risks, but also a potentially rich reward – but do have other tall forwards. Hogan (quadriceps) could be a late starter, but Jake Riccardi showed great promise in 2020, Jeremy Finlayson finds ways to kick goals and Harry Himmelberg is better than he showed last season. It’s hard to imagine all four playing in the same side, so the pressure will be on from the outset to perform. Could Leon Cameron opt to isolate the likes of Toby Greene or Stephen Coniglio more often with Cameron gone?
SWANS
THE MIDFIELD
Callum Mills says it’s time the younger Swans offered more support for Josh Kennedy and Luke Parker. This was the club’s weakest area of the ground last year, as John Longmire rebuilds his midfield brigade, but there’s plenty to like about James Rowbottom and Ollie Florent. Mills finally looks set to leave his defensive role to be a full-time onballer, too. The finished product looks some way off, but Sydney’s invested heavily in the draft and will hope at least some of Dylan Stephens, Chad Warner, Justin McInerney, Braeden Campbell and Errol Gulden kick on. George Hewett still has a role to play as well.
FREMANTLE V WEST COAST
DOCKERS
DOWN BACK
Luke Ryan and Brennan Cox held the fort magnificently with Joel Hamling, Alex Pearce and Griffin Logue injured last season. Logue’s dealing with a pre-season hamstring injury, so he might be the odd man out, but the Dockers’ defensive dynamics are seriously interesting. Skipper Nat Fyfe has already thrown his support behind Cox, saying he was Freo’s No.1 key defender. Throw in the unheralded Ethan Hughes and halfback weapons Nathan Wilson and Hayden Young, and you’re suddenly running out of spots. Taylin Duman faces a difficult task to break in, while the Dockers spent a high pick on Heath Chapman, but he won’t feel any pressure to play early.
EAGLES
UP FORWARD
Josh Kennedy is one of several Eagles entering their last season. How Kennedy’s season maps out will be fascinating, particularly with the club keen to get Oscar Allen more involved. Jack Darling gives West Coast another quality target, while Liam Ryan is one of the game’s best mid-sized forwards. Jake Waterman will hope to snare a regular gig in attack, too. Zac Langdon’s off-season acquisition gives Adam Simpson more small forward depth and eases the reliance on Jamie Cripps. Willie Rioli (suspension) will also be available to return in August and there is still hope Daniel Venables (concussion) can resurrect his career.
HAWTHORN V NORTH MELBOURNE
HAWKS
THE MIDFIELD
Isaac Smith’s defection to Geelong and the retirements of Ricky Henderson and Tom Scully forced the Hawks to look at new wing options. Connor Downie is one obvious choice after the Hawks matched North Melbourne’s draft bid for their Academy prospect last year. Downie’s been impressive in his first AFL pre-season, while ex-Pie Tom Phillips will slot onto the other wing. James Cousins and Finn Maginness will push for more opportunities.
UP FORWARD
With Jon Patton (stood down) out indefinitely, Paul Puopolo in the AFL afterlife and Jack Gunston (back) injured, there are spots up for grabs. Mitch Lewis and Tim O’Brien will resume their combination from the second half of 2019. There should be more chances for players such as Jacob Koschitzke, Ollie Hanrahan, Dylan Moore and Tyler Brockman – a WA speedster drafted last year – to play alongside Luke Breust, Shaun Burgoyne and Chad Wingard.
ROOS
UP FORWARD
Ben Brown’s exit, Jack Ziebell’s defensive switch and Charlie Comben’s tibial stress fracture leave a lot of responsibility for 29-gamer Nick Larkey to deliver. A bunch of small- and medium-sized forwards are set to jockey for spots around him. Recruit Jaidyn Stephenson will spend time there – between midfield stints – while Cam Zurhaar, Curtis Taylor and Tarryn Thomas are proven. Back from injury, Kayne Turner will be the defensive standard-bearer. Taylor Garner, Jack Mahony, Phoenix Spicer and Will Walker will eye off spots as well.
THE MIDFIELD
Ben Cunnington, Jy Simpkin, Luke Davies-Uniacke and Jed Anderson form North’s on-ball frontline, with Trent Dumont an inside-outside option. Jared Polec, Dom Tyson and Connor Menadue are trying to resurrect their careers, while Bailey Scott, Tom Powell, Will Phillips and Charlie Lazzaro are trying to take off. Stephenson and Thomas will also be part of the rotation.
GEELONG V ESSENDON
CATS
UP FORWARD
Jeremy Cameron and Tom Hawkins will form the AFL’s best one-two punch, with Gary Rohan, Luke Dahlhaus and Gryan Miers among those at their feet. Another recruit, Shaun Higgins, will spend time across half-forward, as will Brandan Parfitt, with the usual Patrick Dangerfield cameos. Whether Esava Ratugolea can carve out a place remains to be seen. Francis Evans might come into calculations, but it’s hard to see Josh Jenkins or Nathan Kreuger playing. Tom Atkins, possibly out of necessity, is now playing at halfback.
DOWN BACK
Lachie Henderson’s re-emergence after his career looked over was one of the stories of the Cats’ surge to last year’s Grand Final. He’ll try to remain part of a strong backline, including Mark Blicavs – following Harry Taylor’s retirement – Tom Stewart, Jake Kolodjashnij and Jed Bews. Mark O’Connor, Jack Henry and Zach Tuohy are other regulars, while Atkins is trying to break in.
BOMBERS
DOWN BACK
Michael Hurley’s hip infection, Patrick Ambrose’s long-term foot issue and Cale Hooker’s shift forward create all sorts of scenarios for the Bombers. James Stewart has switched ends, while Brandon Zerk-Thatcher, Mason Redman and Aaron Francis are also part of the solution, alongside reigning club champion Jordan Ridley. They’ve lost Adam Saad’s dash, as well as running partner Conor McKenna, with Nick Hind, Ned Cahill and potentially Dyson Heppell looming as replacements.
UP FORWARD
Peter Wright fell out of favour at the Suns, but might be the Bombers’ main target with Joe Daniher gone. They’ll hope someone emerges as a regular goalkicker out of Wright, Hooker, new signing Alec Waterman, Harry Jones and Jayden Laverde. Jake Stringer, Anthony McDonald-Tipungwuti and Devon Smith will be relied upon, with Orazio Fantasia no longer around.
RICHMOND v COLLINGWOOD
Players from Richmond and Collingwood get their chance to force their way in for Round 1.
The Herald Sun’s identified the most compelling positional battles at each club.
TIGERS
UP FORWARD
Jake Aarts missed out on the Tigers’ premiership after being dropped mid-finals. He made his case for the season opener with three goals in last week’s practice match against Melbourne. Aarts’ problem is Daniel Rioli (ankle) didn’t play but is fit again, and that Jason Castagna and Shai Bolton – even though he increasingly goes through the centre – are still around. Mabior Chol is trying to stake his claim as the back-up ruckman, given Ivan Soldo (knee) is out for the season, but needs to prove he can perform in attack. Otherwise, Callum Coleman-Jones, who can’t play until Round 5 because of last year’s COVID-19 breach, will be ready to pounce. Josh Caddy is eyeing off a spot as well, whether up forward or as a winger.
THE MIDFIELD
The leading on-ball spots look sewn up between Dustin Martin, Dion Prestia and Trent Cotchin, with a healthy dose of Kane Lambert, Shane Edwards, Shai Bolton and Jack Graham. Kamdyn McIntosh should assume one wing. Hugo Ralphsmith spent time there when he wasn’t at halfback against the Demons, while Marlion Pickett – a premiership wingman – is learning the backline ropes and played in the reserves last week. Caddy’s best position is the wing, and Graham played there at times in 2020. Jack Ross, Will Martyn, Riley Collier-Dawkins and Thomson Dow are among those hoping to make an impact.
MAGPIES
UP FORWARD
This is the area the Pies must get right. Brody Mihocek is reliable but not a star, and you never quite know what you’re going to get from Mason Cox. Will Hoskin-Elliott is another forward mainstay, while Josh Thomas will hope to reproduce his 2018 form. Jaidyn Stephenson is a Roo now, Ben Reid’s retired and Jamie Elliott and Jordan De Goey will mix their time between attack and the middle, so there are opportunities. Steele Sidebottom will get a look up forward as well. Young guns Will Kelly and Ollie Henry are creating the most excitement. Kelly was a track standout before a calf setback kept him out last week, while Henry’s shone in intraclub and practice games. Trey Ruscoe and Darcy Cameron will also be thereabouts.
THE MIDFIELD
Adam Treloar’s exit, plus Nathan Buckley’s want to get De Goey and Elliott involved more in the midfield rotation means Collingwood will look different. Taylor Adams had a career-best season last year, while skipper Scott Pendlebury remains in the game’s elite and Sidebottom will look to make amends for his disjointed 2020. It gets murky after this group. Brayden Sier will aim to inherit some of Treloar’s centre-square attendances, but Josh Daicos, the Browns – Callum and Tyler – and even Trent Bianco have received pre-season opportunities. John Noble is transitioning from halfback to a wing, and what role will utility Chris Mayne have?
CARLTON v ST KILDA
BLUES
THE MIDFIELD
Paddy Dow’s blistering performance against Essendon last week creates a welcome headache for David Teague. The No. 3 pick in the 2017 draft could be ready to break out – but where does he fit? Ed Curnow looks set to be outside the first-choice centre-square combination this year, behind Patrick Cripps, Sam Walsh and star recruit Zac Williams. Marc Murphy is pegged for half-forward and Will Setterfield a wing, while Jack Martin will bounce between the centre and attack. Could Sam Petrevski-Seton come into the mix? Players such as Mick Gibbons, David Cuningham, Matt Kennedy and even Liam Stocker will also try to force their way in. Jack Newnes likely fills the other wing, with top-10 draft pick Lochie O’Brien still down the pecking order. Marc Pittonet gets an early leg-up on the No. 1 ruck role, given challenger Tom De Koning (back) isn’t ready to play.
UP FORWARD
Super-veteran Eddie Betts might be the odd man out at stages with the Blues’ depth upfront. Zac Fisher’s emergence last year – after struggling to get a game initially – makes him a lock, while the likes of Jack Silvagni, Gibbons, newcomer Lachie Fogarty, Cuningham, Sam Philp and draftee Corey Durdin will jostle for spots inside 50. Martin’s silky skills will feature in attack when they’re not being used through the midfield. Harry McKay, Mitch McGovern and Levi Casboult form the tall timber, with Charlie Curnow (knee) still sidelined.
SAINTS
DOWN BACK
It’s a logjam for the Saints, who strengthened this area with the recruitment of ex-Hawk and Demon James Frawley and mature-age SANFL product Tom Highmore. Whether Frawley is a first-choice option or an insurance policy remains to be seen. They also have Dougal Howard, Callum Wilkie and Jake Carlisle. The Blues’ key forwards will offer a good chance for coach Brett Ratten to figure out which of his talls warrant round one selection. Ben Paton (double leg break) is out for the season, Jarryn Geary (fractured fibula) will be a late starter and Dylan Roberton is contemplating retirement. And what to do with Hunter Clark, who’s long been touted for a midfield move? Ben Long’s mixture of toughness and skill makes him a favourite, while Nick Coffield had a breakout campaign in 2020. Jimmy Webster and Daniel McKenzie will want to regain their places.
UP FORWARD
Max King is the budding superstar, while Tim Membrey is the reliable, undersized sidekick, then there’s gun small forward Dan Butler. There’s some unknowns beyond them, given Jade Gresham and Jack Billings both spend time in the midfield. Josh Battle will have designs on a spot, and newcomers Jack Higgins, Mason Wood and even Shaun McKernan could play a role, especially given the uncertainty around Rowan Marshall’s (foot) return. How much time Paddy Ryder can soak up in the ruck – as he prepares to turn 33 – may be a selection factor. Will Jack Lonie and Dean Kent still be regulars?
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Originally published as AFL pre-season series: Key positional battles for each club analysed
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