KFC SuperCoach 2022: Late mail, selection news and advice for round 10

Collingwood has provided an update on sick defender Jack Crisp, while there are huge changes at GWS with one star and a popular rookie both out. Latest whispers and KFC SuperCoach advice.

AFL record-keepers and more than 60,000 KFC SuperCoaches can breathe a sigh of relief – for now, at least.

Jack Crisp’s streak of 172 straight games was in doubt when the Magpies defender missed training early in the week after copping the illness that has swept through Collingwood in recent weeks.

But Magpies coach Craig McRae said on Thursday that Crisp will be named when the Pies’ submit their team sheets on Thursday for their clash against Fremantle. And as promised, Crisp has been selected on the half-back flank for Sunday’s clash.

The final 22 for that game will be confirmed on Friday afternoon and changes can be made up until an hour before the game – the last fixture of the round – but if Crisp gets on the plane to Perth he should be in the clear.

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But almost 40,000 KFC SuperCoaches will have to bench a starter in defence after news on Thursday that Lachie Whitfield will miss this round with an ankle injury.

The news is a particularly cruel blow to coaches who have held Whitfield for the opening nine rounds. He has averaged just 77.9 in that time and remarkably lost almost $80,000 in value despite a starting price many saw as a bargain.

Lachie Whitfield has an ankle injury. Picture: Mark Kolbe/Getty Images

Jack Crisp is recovering from illness. Picture: Michael Willson/AFL Photos via Getty Images

He will also miss a game against the Eagles that could have delivered some redemption and an indication of stand-in coach Mark McVeigh’s plans for the utility, who was thrown all over the field by Leon Cameron.

McVeigh has made a statement for his first game in charge, making nine changes – including dropping popular KFC SuperCoach rookie Cooper Hamilton ($156,800 MID/FWD).

But potential debutants Jacob Wehr ($123,900 DEF) and Josh Fahey ($117,300 DEF) have both been named on an extended interchange bench. If either make the final team – and keep their spot for the next two rounds – they will be on the bubble coming out of the Giants’ round 12 bye.

In other rookie news, Jack Carroll held his spot in the Carlton team but Hawthorn dropped Finn Maginness, Jason Horne-Francis is back for the Kangaroos and Josh Gibcus returns for Richmond, Robbie McComb and Luke Cleary will start on the bench for the Bulldogs against Gold Coast and Brady Hough has been named in West Coast’s 25-man squad. If he makes the final squad it will be his first game since round 4.

THE ENGLISH PATIENT

The 22,000 patient coaches who have held onto Bulldogs ruckman Tim English are in for some more pain.

After recovering from a hamstring injury English copped a severe bout of the flu that forced him to spend several days in hospital.

He returned to training at Whitten Oval this week but coach Luke Beveridge has already ruled him out of the Dogs’ clash against Gold Coast at Mars Stadium on Saturday.

And RSN reporter Mark Stevens reported today that English could also miss the game against the Eagles in Perth the following week.

Dogs spearhead Aaron Naughton was under an injury cloud after hurting his knee in last week’s win against Collingwood but has been named at full-forward alongside Buku Khamis ($127,400 DEF), who is set to jump in price after playing his third game this weekend.

Gold Coast bubble boy Rory Thompson has been named in a back pocket. Greg Clark has been named on a half-forward flank for the Eagles.

Maurice Rioli Junior and Tex Wanganeen are pumped for Dreamtime at the G. Picture: Michael Willson/AFL Photos via Getty Images

RIOLI LOCKED IN

Maurice Rioli Jr didn’t exactly live up to the expectations of his 52,000 owners when he scored just seven points from four disposals against Hawthorn last round.

But he is a guaranteed starter against Essendon on Saturday night.

“He’ll play,” Tigers coach Damien Hardwick said.

“He was probably a bit quieter last week but defensively he’s elite at what he does. Although he was a bit quiet we think he’ll be much better this week. He’s important to the way we play.”

Rioli has been active this week promoting the Dreamtime at the G and Richmond’s Indigenous guernsey, hopefully providing an extra spur for a return to form. But it is probably smart to leave him on the bench!

Originally published as KFC SuperCoach 2022: Late mail, selection news and advice for round 10