Dons’ ruck dilemma over Peter Wright inclusion as ‘undroppable’ Harry Jones stands up
Peter Wright is due to return for the Bombers on Anzac Day, but creates a selection dilemma over the rest of the Dons’ big men, with a call to be made over an ‘undroppable’ young gun.
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Brisbane champion Jon Brown has declared emerging Essendon tall Harry Jones undroppable as the Dons ponder resting one of their underperforming ruckmen for returning spearhead Peter Wright.
Essendon faces a pair of significant selection choices as coach Brad Scott declared their Anzac Day clash a perfect test of their improvement against the reigning premier Collingwood.
Wright is available after a four-week suspension but in his absence Jones has kicked seven goals and been lauded for his tackling intent and gut-busting run across the ground.
Essendon could also recall Dylan Shiel after a four-kick, 20-handball VFL contest but he would be playing off five days.
Essendon started Goldstein in the ruck against Adelaide and Draper forward, with Draper winning only five possessions and nearly giving away the decisive free kick against Taylor Walker.
Of the AFL’s top 20 ruckman Goldstein is ranked the second-lowest and Draper is ranked the third-lowest.
The Dons would be unlikely to bring in another tall against Collingwood without dropping another so Scott faces a big call.
Goldstein has been lion-hearted at 35 years of age but averaged only nine possessions while only 12 per cent of his hitouts have been to advantage.
Brown told Fox Footy Jones had been so integral to the club’s improvement the Dons would have to consider dropping one of their ruckmen.
He said the forward line with Wright, Kyle Langford, Jake Stringer and Jones would still be well-balanced.
The improvement of Sam Durham and Jye Caldwell – who GWS captain Phil Davis once said was so “special” he would offer him a 10-year deal – means Shiel is not an automatic selection.
But he would be the perfect sub candidate given his pace and X factor after strong VFL form.
Caldwell is in career-best form after taking down Tom Liberatore against the Bulldogs and following it up with 26 possessions, six clearances and 10 tackles.
Matt Guelfi (calf), Archie Perkins (hamstring) and Will Setterfield (knee soreness) will likely fall several days short of availability but be ready for round 8 against West Coast.
Nick Hind is the Bomber most likely to miss out if Shiel comes in off a five-day break.
Scott’s Dons will go into Anzac Day as the $2.50 outsiders with TAB after he remarked after the Adelaide victory his team were perennial underdogs.
“We sit now 4-2 and it’s pretty hard not to look at the odds, when you look at the fixture,” Scott said.
“I think we have started favourite in one of those and I can see we have a lot of work to do and the bookmakers think the same. It’s good reward for effort to sit here at 4-2.
“Anzac Day is an unbelievable privilege. It’s a unique game. I knew it was huge, but last year I was blown away.
“I have been very fortunate in my AFL life to be part of some big finals and games and Anzac Day sits out on its own.
“We are privileged to put ourselves in a finals-like atmosphere at round 7 against the reigning premier. What an opportunity.”
PRUESS IN LINE FOR RETURN, DEAR SHINES FOR HAWKS
The Dons’ VFL side lost to Southport by one point on Saturday, with rookie ruck Vigo Visentini slotting three goals in his best performance for Essendon this year.
The Giants had two rucks dominate against Werribee, with Nicholas Madden (21 disposals, 30 hit outs and two goals) and Braydon Preuss (17 disposals, 39 hit outs, seven clearances and one goal) showing out.
Toby McMullin also booted four goals from 14 touches, while Nick Haynes had 26 touches and 11 marks as he tries to earn a recall into the senior side.
Mid-season draftee Mitch Hardie continues to bang on the door of the senior side for Geelong, recording 32 disposals, eight clearances and six tackles for the Cats against Brisbane.
Hardie also had a chance to impact the scoreboard but was wayward with his two shots at goal.
Ted Clohesy recorded 26 disposals, 13 tackles and five clearances for the Cats in the three-point win, while Connor O’Sullivan had 24 disposals and eight marks in an encouraging display.
Hawthorn father-son draftee Calsher Dear had his best day at VFL level, slotting four goals from 15 disposals in Box Hill’s commanding win over North Melbourne.
Dropped midfielder Josh Ward had 27 disposals, seven tackles, six clearances and kicked 2.2 in the win, while Hugh Greenwood was North Melbourne’s best with 17 touches, 12 tackles and a goal.
Caleb Daniel turned out again for Footscray as he searches for a way back into Luke Beveridge’s senior side, and collected 21 disposals and kicked a goal in the win over Williamstown.
Sydney and Gold Coast played out a draw on Sunday, with Rory Atkins leading the way for the game with 35 disposals and 12 marks.
Swan Angus Sheldrick cracked 30 touches, while also recording 10 marks and five clearances and was Sydney’s best, while Joel Jeffrey had 29 touches and nine marks.
Sydney had two chances in the final minutes of the game to take the win, instead scoring two behinds to draw level in the 31st minute, with a Caleb Graham save on the goal line stopping an accurate Jacob Konstanty shot.
Meanwhile Ashton Moir continues his search for a senior debut, booting three goals from 13 touches and seven tackles in Carlton’s win over Port Melbourne.
Fellow uncapped Blue Jaxon Binns was one of Carlton’s best AFL-listed players too, with 23 disposals and six clearances.
Collingwood went down to Coburg by 15 points, with Oleg Markov (27 disposals, three tackles) and Finlay Macrae (25 disposals, eight tackles, four clearances) the Pies’ best.
Mid-season draft prospect and former Hawk Ned Long kicked 1.2 from his 19 touches and continues to build a solid case to get an AFL lifeline.
Originally published as Dons’ ruck dilemma over Peter Wright inclusion as ‘undroppable’ Harry Jones stands up
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