Panic Room: Late AFL selection whispers for Round 14
UPDATE: DON’T look now, SuperCoaches — Carlton’s Sam Docherty has barely trained this week as he battles injury, while Richmond, Geelong and GWS announce late changes. LATE SELECTION WHISPERS
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CARLTON will monitor important defender Sam Docherty in the lead-up to Sunday’s clash with Richmond, as he has been battling calf soreness.
The Blues expect the All-Australian contender to play against the Tigers on Sunday, but he was very sore following a kick in the calf during last week’s win over Gold Coast.
He hasn’t done a lot on the track so far this week and will have a last hit-out on Saturday morning.
Carlton insist he will be right to play.
The gun halfback did as he pleased in the win over the Suns last Saturday night, racking up 30 disposals and laid nine tackles.
He is a key pillar for the emerging Blues, averaging 28.2 disposals per game — the ranked only behind skipper Marc Murphy at the club.
Late on Friday the Blues announced two changes to their squad, with Zac Fisher (Achilles) and David Cuningham (adductor) replaced by Simon White and Liam Sumner.
GWS GIANTS surprised many by selecting star midfielder Josh Kelly last night, but it didn’t last long. He withdrew from the team today, replaced by Daniel Lloyd.
GOLD Coast dropped a bombshell on Friday with news Gary Ablett will miss what should have been his 300th career game on Sunday.
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Ablett suffered a calf injury against the Blues and failed a fitness test at training on Friday and will miss the clash with St Kilda at Etihad Stadium on Sunday.
Whether the superstar will miss more than one game is unclear.
FREMANTLE also shocked with news Brownlow medallist Nat Fyfe will miss his side’s clash with Geelong.
Fyfe had originally been named in the Dockers’ extended squad for the clash against Geelong but was pulled out on Friday afternoon.
Fremantle believe it should only be a one-week injury.
“The medical advice was that Nat be ruled out this week,” football boss Chris Bond said.
“We will monitor Nat throughout next week before making a final decision but we believe he will be right to play in the St Kilda game.”
Fyfe is yet to recapture his best form so far this season after returning from a broken leg.
WHAT is going on with Scott Selwood?
In an interview on Monday Selwood all but ruled himself out of this week’s clash with Fremantle.
“I got a little tear in my hamstring,” Selwood told K-Rock radio.
“I got pretty good scan results to say it’s not too bad and hopefully I won’t miss too much footy.”
By not miss too much footy, did he really mean any footy?
Selwood has been named in Geelong’s side to take on the Dockers, with the club set to give him until the last minute to prove his fitness.
He has been named on the extended bench along with potential replacement George Horlin-Smith.
Geelong coach Chris Scott said Selwood would be given every chance to play.
“Selwood is well and truly still in the frame given we’ve got so long to go,” Scott said, referring to the Cats’ 10-day break.
“I understand why he’d be pessimistic and we’re certainly not saying he is going to play, but we just haven’t got to the point where we’ve ruled him out. I think it’s fair to say that he has improved over the last couple of days.”
The Cats were one of several clubs to make a late change on Friday. Lachie Henderson (groin) is out, replaced by Jackson Thurlow in the 25-man squad.
NORTH Melbourne ruckman Todd Goldstein is also in doubt after stopping training on Thursday to have his lower back worked on by trainers.
Goldstein spent a short amount of time away from the main group before finishing the session.
Interestingly, the Kangaroos have selected Majak Daw for his second game of the year.
North Melbourne coach Brad Scott said Daw would need to fit in with what the team needed.
“He’s a versatile player who arguably his best position is the ruck,” Scott said.
“(He) kicked four goals last week as a key forward, again it’s not just where his best position is it’s how he fits in with the others. He gives us certainly something to think about.”
IS Toby Nankervis in danger of missing for the Tigers?
The club has recalled veteran ruckman Ivan Maric for its clash with Carlton. Maric hasn’t played since Round 15 last year, but may be looked at as cover for Nankervis, who has shouldered the ruck load single-handed all season and has been showing signs of tiring in recent weeks.
The Tigers have already made one change to their 25-man squad, with Anthony Miles replacing Ben Lennon.
PORT Adelaide has also sprung a late change for its clash with Collingwood.
The Power has lost rebounding defender Matthew Broadbent with an ankle injury suffered in a training run on Friday.
He will be replaced in the side by speedster Matt White.
It is not clear how long Broadbent will be out. He will have his ankle reassessed by the club next week.
SUPERCOACH ALERT
With so many big names already confirmed out or under injury clouds, we thought it best to write up some late SuperCoach advice here .
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