AFL teams for Round 10: All the ins and outs
The mum of a Collingwood rookie is looming as a cult figure after a hilarious and graphic response to her son’s big teleconference reveal.
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Debutant phone calls home are always brilliant.
But this one might just take the cake.
The mum of Collingwood youngster Trey Ruscoe – who will run out for the Magpies for the first time on Thursday – has taken social media by storm in an epic video call where she learned the news that her son would make his AFL debut.
Ruscoe FaceTimed his mum Fiona on Wednesday after he was told the news, and her reaction proved priceless.
“You decided to ring, did you?,” she exclaimed.
“(I’m) good mate, but how about a phone call every now and then?
“What have you done, what do you want, all of that.”
When he declared “I’m playing my first game tomorrow”, she was stunned.
“What?,” she exclaimed.
“Oh f … off – are you joking? Oh my god Trey, that is unbelievable! Are you stirring me up?.”
She soon realised he wasn’t, when he panned the phone across the room to show a number of Collingwood players and officials – including Ben Reid, who was in stitches.
“Oh no, oh hello!,” she said.
“Oh s …
“Oh, thanks for the heads up.
“Oh Trey, that is so good I can’t believe it.
“Did the whole team fall over or something, did they?.”
@ AFL players in hubs: remember to call your mum once in a while.
— Collingwood FC (@CollingwoodFC) August 5, 2020
😂 The moment Trey Ruscoe called his mum to let her know some news. pic.twitter.com/8fxmpoHB52
Ruscoe, 18, was taken with pick 55 in last year’s draft.
And while his mum declared her pride, there was one last dig, in a warning for the Western Australian.
“I’m so proud of you darl – I can’t believe it’s so quick,” she said.
“Good on you darling, I’m so happy for you. Make sure you go out there and do the colours proud. Don’t be a big wuss.
“I’m so happy for you darl, that’s fantastic news. Fantastic honey. Fantastic.
“At least you rang for something, I suppose, I was waiting for your phone call to get something off me.
“But that’s fantastic, I’m so proud of you.”
MCKENNA MISSED LAST ROUND DUE TO HOMESICKNESS
Essendon coach John Worsfold has revealed Irishman Conor McKenna was left out of the Bombers’ team against Brisbane last week due to challenges with his motivation and “homesickness”.
But Worsfold expects McKenna to be available for selection for Friday night’s clash against Greater Western Sydney at Metricon Stadium.
In naming their changes for the Round 9 clash against the Lions, McKenna was listed as being “managed”, but he took part in a scratch match last weekend.
SCROLL DOWN TO SEE THE ROUND 10 TEAMS AS THEY ARE NAMED
Worsfold on Wednesday explained McKenna had raised some issues with his motivation and the club felt it best he sit out the match.
“As we know Conor has been having some areas of motivation that have challenged him with homesickness and things like that,” Worsfold said.
“Last week we felt, in consultation with Conor, that he wasn’t at his best to be able to play in the senior side.
“It was certainly not for us to decide if Conor was homesick or battling motivation. That’s really for Conor to talk to us about, so you could imagine that it wasn’t us initiating that conversation.”
McKenna had played in the Bombers’ three previous matches after a delayed start to the season following a suspension and enforced quarantine period for breaching AFL COVID-19 protocols.
Worsfold said McKenna was “really good” now and would come into the selection frame for this week’s clash against the Giants.
“He’s good (now). Really good. He most likely will be available for senior selection this week and will consider him in that role,” Worsfold said.
Asked what the motivational issues meant for McKenna’s future next year, Worsfold said the club wasn’t looking any further ahead than this season.
“We will continue to support all our players in any issues they have while we are in this unique situation,” Worsfold said.
“It is throwing up a lot of different challenges for a lot of different players and even staff at the moment, so we have got things in place to support everyone to try and function at their absolute best. We have got short turnarounds coming up so every player will be individually supported throughout this period.
“We want to see Conor playing some really exciting football for us in the coming weeks.”
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Worsfold acknowledged the situation had been tougher for McKenna being on the other side of the world to his family.
“Everybody is in the same boat this year. Someone who’s family is only a one or two hours flight at the moment, can’t go and visit them at the moment,” Worsfold said.
“Whereas in a normal season, a player can play a game on a Friday night and then head home to a different state for 24 hours to see family if required, Conor has never really had that opportunity.
“It certainly is tougher than guys who have even moved interstate to play for their careers there.”
WICKS’ WHIRLWIND RISE CONTINUES WITH SWANS DEBUT
— Ben Horne
Sydney Swans have plucked another young prospect out of rugby league heartland, with Manly small forward Sam Wicks coming from nowhere to make his AFL debut against Collingwood on Thursday night.
Wicks was not even on the Swans top list until two weeks ago when he was promoted from the category B rookie roster, but will fulfil his lifelong dream against the Magpies in a testament to the powers of never giving up.
The 20-year-old is the second Northern Beaches player to make it to the big time after fellow Swan Callum Mills and is further reinforcement of the staggering junior registration numbers which show the AFL is starting to muscle its way into Manly Sea Eagles territory.
Wicks made the Swans academy when he was just 12 years of age, and Academy boss Chris Smith said the dedicated talent personifies perseverance.
“He’s always had a really strong focus to make it. He’s one boy that is a really good example to others that when you have setbacks or maybe things not going exactly how you had planned or how you would like them to be, to get over it and continue to put your head down and work hard,” Smith said.
“He was a boy that was overlooked in his draft year. Now he’s been given his opportunity and he’s very much prepared for it.
“That one trait that Sam had that not every boy has, is that determination and focus to continue on regardless of what setbacks are presented to you.
“I’m very, very proud of him actually, because he’s a really good example to other boys who might just miss the post at draft. A lot of the boys think they’re a lot older than what they are, but they are still quite young and opportunity will come to those who continue to persevere and stick at it.”
Wicks was destined not to play this year after sitting on the rookie list, but was promoted a fortnight ago as the Swans looked to bolster their resources for the demands of playing back-to-back matches in the hub.
Born to parents who hail from Adelaide, Wicks has dedicated his sporting life to making it in the AFL despite the fact he went to rugby school Shore.
“I’m unbelievably grateful to get the opportunity. It’s always tough coming from a place where footy is not as big as in Melbourne and Adelaide,” said Wicks.
“But the Sydney Swans academy was the main one that’s helped me get to where I am. They’ve been unbelievable in providing a pathway for Sydney boys like myself.
“My role (against Collingwood) is to play predominantly as a pressure forward. Tackling the opposition as much as I can, trying to win the ball back and hopefully get on the end of a couple of goals.”
Crows make eight changes
Adelaide will field a vastly different side to the one thumped by the Kangaroos, making a whopping eight changes for Wednesday night’s home game against Melbourne.
Headlining the Crows’ ins are the returns of stand-in skipper Tom Doedee (hamstring), key forward Darcy Fogarty (shoulder) and ex-captain Taylor Walker (gastro), along with Harry Schoenberg and Lachlan Sholl being named for their debuts.
Youngsters Ned McHenry and Fischer McAsey, and veteran David Mackay also come back into the team.
Former Carlton star Bryce Gibbs finds himself on the outer again, getting dropped for the second time this season and sixth occasion over the past two years.
Rory Atkins, last week’s debutant Kieran Strachan and Riley Knight were also omitted on the back of Saturday’s 69-point defeat to North Melbourne at Metricon Stadium, while Shane McAdam, Tyson Stengle, Andrew McPherson and Kyle Hartigan have been managed after a four-day break.
Half-back/wingman Sholl and inside midfielder Schoenberg bring the number of players to debut for the Crows this season to eight.
The last time Adelaide had at least that many in a year was in 1999, when it had nine.
Sholl struggled to believe he had been included when coach Matthew Nicks told him on Tuesday.
“I can’t believe it, I’m in shock, but I’m so pumped,” Sholl told the Crows’ website.
“Everyone that’s helped me along the way, I just want to thank them and get around them because I wouldn’t be here without them.”
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Fogarty is back in for his first game since Round 3, having injured his shoulder at training in the lead-up to the Brisbane clash.
Doedee and Walker both missed one match.
Brodie Smith has been chosen on a wing despite suffering a knee contusion against the Kangaroos and being restricted to light duties, while wearing strapping, at Tuesday’s training session.
He will need to pass a fitness test on Wednesday to play.
Captain Rory Sloane (hand), Brad Crouch (hamstring) and Wayne Milera (foot) are all expected to be sidelined for up to another fortnight.
The Crows enter the midweek match without a win since August 3 last year and off to a 0-9 start this season.
Big name Cat is back
Inspirational captain Joel Selwood will return for Geelong and coach Chris Scott says his hamstring injury will not impact how he is used in the Cats fixture cram.
And Scott says he is remaining hopeful Gary Ablett will play some role for the Cats this season after returning to Geelong to be with his family – but is unclear on how the Victorian State of Disaster will affect his training and potential return to the group.
Selwood suffered a hamstring injury against Collingwood in Round 7.
Scott said the Cats captain will return against North Melbourne on Wednesday and the hamstring injury won’t define how Selwood was used in Geelong’s crammed schedule.
“I think his injury history is insignificant,” Scott said.
“He has had the one injury this year that was a bit out of the blue, unrelated to anything he has had in the past.
“And last year he had a chronic injury, that didn’t keep him out of games.
“It will be more about managing his gameload as an important player for us, rather than one who has a significant injury history.”
Charlie Constable will go out after suffering a concussion against the Eagles while Jake Kolodjashnij, Brandan Parfitt, Gary Rohan and Esava Ratugolea have all been managed.
Jack Steven, Rhys Stanley, Zach Guthrie and Tom Atkins have been included for the Cats.
Scott said there was no update on when Ablett might look to return, after returning to Geelong from Perth to be with family and young son Levi – who has been diagnosed with a rare degenerative condition.
“It’s a bit hard to tell at the moment, my priority at least is making sure we stay out of his way so he can prioritise the most important things in his life at the moment,” he said.
“Nothing negative to report, initially we said he need to prioritise his private life, we were still optimistic that he plays some footy towards the end of the season and I haven’t heard anything that changes that.”
Ablett has been training with former teammate Andrew Mackie in Geelong.
Scott said he was unsure just how the increased regulations in Victoria would impact this training and any potential return to the Cats camp.
“We need to look at that … we just have to look after society at large rather than trying to get an competitive advantage for one of our players,” Scott said.
“If ever there was a time to dot the I’s and cross thee T’s it is now, we are not working with Gary back in Geelong for performance reasons – he is keeping fit, he has been doing some work previously.
“With the new restrictions I’m not completely across them … it will change things for him but I’m not completely sure.”
Scott said Nathan Kreuger, Cooper Stephens, Ben Jarvis and Francis Evans may be a chance of making their debuts in coming games.
FULL ROUND 10 TEAMS (Times AEST)
GEELONG v NORTH MELBOURNE
Wednesday, August 5, 6.10pm at the Gabba
CATS
B: M.Blicavs, L.Henderson, J.Henry
HB: Z.Tuohy, H.Taylor, T.Stewart
C: S.Menegola, M.Duncan, M.O’Connor
HF: B.Close, T.Hawkins, T.Atkins
F: J.Steven, G.Miers, S.Simpson
FOLL: R.Stanley, P.Dangerfield, J.Selwood
I/C: J.Bews, Z.Guthrie, L.Fogarty, C.Guthrie
EMG: N.Kreuger, C.Stephens, J.Parsons, F.Evans
IN: T.Atkins, J.Steven, R.Stanley, J.Selwood, Z.Guthrie
OUT: C.Constable (injured), J.Kolodjashnij, G.Rohan, E.Ratugolea, B.Parfitt (all managed)
KANGAROOS
B: B.McKay, R.Tarrant, L.McDonald
HB: S.Atley, J.Walker, A.Bonar
C: J.Macmillan, J.Simpkin, S.Higgins
HF: C.Zurhaar, B.Brown, B.Scott
F: J.Mahony, M.Daw, L.Hosie
FOLL: T.Goldstein, A.Hall, J.Anderson
I/C: J.Polec, T.Dumont, J.Pittard, W.Walker
EMG: S.Durdin, M.Wood, T.Murphy, T.Campbell
IN: B.Brown, L.Hosie, J.Polec, W.Walker
OUT: C.Taylor (injured), K.Hayden, N.Larkey, L.Davies-Uniacke (all managed)
ADELAIDE v MELBOURNE
Wednesday, August 5, 8.10pm at Adelaide Oval
CROWS
B: L.Brown, D.Talia, J.Kelly
HB: R.Laird, T.Doedee, W.Hamill
C: B.Smith, M.Crouch, P.Seedsman
HF: N.McHenry, F.McAsey, T.Lynch
F: E.Himmelberg, T.Walker, L.Murphy
FOLL: R.O’Brien, B.Keays, C.Jones
I/C: D.Mackay, H.Schoenberg, D.Fogarty, L.Scholl
EMG: B.Gibbs, B.Crocker, R.Atkins, K.Strachan
IN: T.Doedee, N.McHenry, F.McAsey, T.Walker, D.Mackay, H.Schoenberg, D.Fogarty, L.Sholl
OUT: R.Atkins, R.Knight, B.Gibbs, K.Strachan (all omitted), K.Hartigan, A.McPherson, S.McAdam, T.Stengle (all managed)
DEMONS
B: J.Lockhart, S.May, M.Hibberd
HB: C.Salem, J.Lever, N.Jones
C: E.Langdon, C.Oliver, A.Tomlinson
HF: J.Melksham, S.Weideman, A.Brayshaw
F: B.Fritsch, L.Jackson, H.Bennell
FOLL: M.Gawn, C.Petracca, J.Viney
I/C: J.Harmes, A.vandenBerg, A.Neal-Bullen, T.Sparrow
EMG: C.Spargo, T.Rivers, T.McDonald, O.McDonald
IN: A.Tomlinson, H.Bennell, A.vandenBerg, A.Neal-Bullen
OUT: O.McDonald, T.McDonald, M.Hannan (all omitted), K.Pickett (injured)
PORT ADELAIDE v WESTERN BULLDOGS
Monday August 3, 7:10pm at Adelaide Oval
POWER
B: S.Mayes, T.Clurey, T.McKenzie
HB: H.Hartlett, T.Jonas, D.Byrne-Jones
C: X.Duursma, O.Wines, K.Amon
HF: S.Powell-Pepper, T.Rockliff, C.Rozee
F: Z.Butters, C.Dixon, R.Gray
FOLL: P.Ladhams, D.Houston, T.Boak
I/C: M.Georgiades, K.Farrell, B.Woodwock, J.Westhoff
EMG:
IN: B.Woodcock, T.McKenzie
OUT: J.Lienert, B.Ebert
BULLDOGS
B: Easton Wood, Alex Keath, Caleb Daniel
HB: Bailey Williams, Zaine Cordy, Hayden Crozier
C: Jason Johannisen, Jack Macrae, Pat Lipinski
HF: Toby McLean, Marcus Bontempelli, Laitham Vandermeer
F: Mitch Wallis, Josh Bruce, Cody Weightman
FOLL: Tim English, Tom Liberatore, Josh Dunkley
I/C: Bailey Smith, Ed Richards, Sam Lloyd, Roarke Smith
EMG: Ben Cavarra, Billy Gowers, Fergus Greene, Jordon Sweet
IN: Josh Dunkley, Cody Weightman, Roarke Smith
OUT: Matt Suckling (hamstring), Jackson Trengove, Billy Gowers
RICHMOND v BRISBANE LIONS
Tuesday August 4, 7:10pm at Metricon Stadium
TIGERS
B: Nathan Broad, Dylan Grimes, Noah Balta
HB: Derek Eggmolesse-Smith, Nick Vlastuin, Jayden Short
C: Kamdyn McIntosh, Sydney Stack, Marlion Pickett
HF: Kane Lambert, Jake Aarts, Tom Lynch
F: Jason Castagna, Dustin Martin, Jack Riewoldt
FOLL: Ivan Soldo, Trent Cotchin, Shai Bolton
I/C: Liam Baker, Jack Higgins, Mabior Chol, Jack Ross
EMG: Oleg Markov, Daniel Rioli, Riley Collier-Dawkins, Jack Graham
IN: Nick Vlastuin
OUT: Oleg Markov
LIONS
B: Ah Chee, Andrews, Gardiner
HB: Witherden, Payne, Answerth
C: Robinson, Zorko, McCluggage
HF: Berry, Rayner, McCarthy
F: Bailey, Hipwood, Cameron
FOLL: McInerney, Lyons, Neale
I/C: Skinner, Ellis-Yolmen, Starcevich, Ballenden
EMG: Coleman, Hinge, Mathieson, Eagles
IN: Payne (debut)
OUT: Birchall (managed)
COLLINGWOOD v SYDNEY
Thursday August 6, 5.40pm at the Gabba
MAGPIES
B: J.Madgen, J.Roughead, I.Quaynor
HB: B.Maynard, D.Moore, J.Noble
C: T.Phillips, J.Crisp, C.Brown
HF: J.Stephenson, B.Mihocek, W.Hoskin-Elliott
F: S.Sidebottom, B.Reid, J.Elliott
FOLL: B.Grundy, T.Adams, A.Treloar
I/C: J.Daicos, B.Sier, T.Ruscoe, J.Thomas
EMG: T.Broomhead, C.Mayne, R.Wills, M.Keane
IN: J.Roughead, C.Brown, B.Reid, T.Ruscoe
OUT: T.Varcoe, M.Keane, C.Mayne, D.Cameron (all omitted)
SWANS
B: J.Lloyd, D.Rampe, M.Ling
HB: R.Fox, A.Aliir, W.Hayward
C: D.Stephens, O.Florent, H.Cunningham
HF: J.Thurlow, T.McCartin, J.Rowbottom
F: T.Papley, S.Reid, E.Taylor
FOLL: C.Sinclair, L.Parker, C.Mills
I/C: L.Melican, J.Bell, J.Dawson, S.Wicks
EMG: R.Clarke, C.Warner, L.Taylor, N.Blakey
IN: D.Stephens, J.Thurlow, L.Melican, S.Wicks
OUT: R.Clarke, L.Taylor, N.Blakey, S.Gray (all omitted)
GOLD COAST SUNS v ST KILDA
Thursday August 6, 8.10pm at Metricon Stadium
SUNS
B: C.Budarick, S.Collins, J.Bowes
HB: J.Lukosius, C.Ballard, J.Harbrow
C: L.Weller, H.Greenwood, B.Ellis
HF: N.Holman, S.Day, A.Sexton
F: I.Rankine, B.King, B.Ainsworth
FOLL: J.Witts, D.Swallow, T.Miller
I/C: N.Anderson, S.Lemmens, W.Powell, J.Sharp
EMG: W.Brodie, B.Fiorini, S.Flanders, J.Corbett
IN: S.Lemmens, J.Sharp
OUT: P.Hanley, D.MacPherson (both omitted)
SAINTS
B: B.Paton, D.Howard, J.Carlisle
HB: N.Coffield, B.Long, C.Wilkie
C: J.Billings, Z.Jones, B.Hill
HF: D.Kent, T.Membrey, D.Butler
F: J.Battle, M.King, J.Gresham
FOLL: P.Ryder, J.Steele, H.Clark
I/C: J.Geary, R.Marshall, N.Hind, J.Sinclair
EMG: E.Phillips, R.Abbott, R.Byrnes, M.Parker
IN: B.Long, D.Kent
OUT: M.Parker, S.Savage (both omitted)
The remaining Round 10 teams will be named at 6.20pm on the night before a game is played.
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