Panic Room: AFL selection whispers, late SuperCoach and betting mail for Round 9

COULD a luckless Magpie make his long-awaited AFL return? Meanwhile, there could be more selection changes at North Melbourne and Richmond. Plus, SuperCoach mail

Tyson Goldsack had scans this week. Picture: Getty Images

LUCKLESS Magpie Matthew Scharenberg could make his long-awaited return to the AFL if Tyson Goldsack is a late withdrawal from tomorrow night’s match against Hawthorn.

Goldsack had scans on his troublesome back on Thursday and could miss his 150th game.

Scharenberg is believed to be on standby for his first AFL game since Round 23, 2015.

The 21-year-old defender is pushing for selection after back-to-back 34-disposal performances for Collingwood’s VFL team.

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Scharenberg has had two knee reconstructions on different legs and a foot issue cruelling his first three AFL seasons. He has played just four senior games.

Matthew Scharenberg has been in hot form in the VFL. Picture: Wayne Ludbey

KANGAROOS coach Brad Scott is continuing to play coy on whether midfielder Andrew Swallow will return this weekend.

Swallow trained with the main group after being named in the extended squad for North Melbourne’s clash with Melbourne on Sunday, which will be cut to the final 22 later today.

Not that Scott was keen to give his plans away.

When asked where Swallow was at, he replied “he’s out on the track”, before affirming that the announcement will come “at about 4.30 (pm)”.

“He’s in the mix,” Scott said.

“He’s responded to the coaching points that we put to him and we know what a fierce competitor he is. He’s a player who has given his heart and soul to this football club. We’re far from seeing the last of Andrew Swallow.”

Andrew Swallow trains at Arden St today. Picture: Wayne Ludbey

Todd Goldstein also had precautionary and routine scans yesterday. The ruckman has battled ankle and knee problems the past 12 months.

The changes may not stop there for the Kagaroos, who have reshuffled of their extended bench with Luke McDonald, Ryan Clarke, Aaron Mullett and Mason Wood now in the starting 18.

Luke McDonald, Ryan Clarke, Aaron Mullett and Mason Wood were shifted to the bench along with Swallow, Taylor Garner and Declan Mountford.

DON’T be surprised if the Western Bulldogs make a late change with heavy rain predicted for tonight’s game against Geelong.

Axed premiership midfielder Tom Liberatore could earn a reprieve if the Dogs decide to go smaller in the wet conditions, which will about a more contested game.

Tom Liberatore has been dropped after a quiet match last week against West Coast. Picture: Getty Images

RICHMOND midfielder Josh Caddy has reportedly pulled up sore after training yesterday.

The Tigers have already made five changes for their trip to GWS.

Jacob Townsend, Anthony Miles and Corey Ellis are the emgencies.

WEST Coast coach Adam Simpson has confirmed Drew Petrie will definitely return from injury this weekend, but it may not be at AFL level.

Petrie has been sidelined since breaking his hand in the round-one win over North Melbourne, but the 34-year-old has been cleared to return.

He was named in West Coast’s extended squad for Sunday’s clash with Essendon at Etihad Stadium, but it appears more likely Petrie will return via the WAFL.

GREATER Western Sydney’s injury crisis has worsened with Devon Smith set to miss up to 12 weeks with a knee injury.

Small forward Smith tore his right meniscus at training today and will have surgery early next week.

Ex-Fremantle midfielder Matt de Boer will make his club debut against Richmond on Saturday.

SUPERCOACH ALERT

YOU’D be sweating bullets if you had James Parsons in your SuperCoach line-up.

There’s 36,211 people who currently own the Cat heading into Round 9 and despite him playing four games, he’s creating some major headaches.

After starring in his first two games, he then spent the next two weeks on the sideline suspended and has returned a different player.

In his two games since, Parson has scored 19 and 38.

After starting at $117,300, the Cats forward has increased in price just $50,700.

Due to his last two scores, Parsons has a breakeven of 42, scary if you’re counting on him to generate some much needed cash off the bench.

Scarier if you’ve got him on the field due to Brett Eddy’s continued absence and Jarrod Witts now having the bye.

Parsons needs a big score this week to not only surpass his breakeven but make sure it’s low enough to ensure continued cash generation.

We think on behalf of those 36,000 owners, we can say “lift, big fella!”

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ON NOTICE

FREMANTLE. Even though the Dockers escaped against Richmond last week, they’ve turned the corner since Round 2 and are outside the top eight on percentage. Ross Lyon’s team should make it six wins from seven against Carlton on Sunday, but cannot take its opponents for granted. The Blues pulled off a mighty upset in the corresponding fixture last year.

BEST BETS

The weather could turn nasty tonight for Geelong v Western Bulldogs, so backing either team to win by under 15.5 points at $2.30 has a lot of appeal.

Sydney has named its strongest team for the season and looks the best value at $2.15 against St Kilda.