SuperCoach AFL 2024: Late mail, selection whispers and all the round 3 news

A Marcus Bontempelli injury scare, an updated return date for Freo ruckman, Jack Steele hit by illness and all the SuperCoach news you need to know this week.

Fremantle won’t rush Sean Darcy back.

Footage of Darcy running this week fuelled speculation he could return to senior action as early as round 4 after having a knee arthroscope on the eve of round 1.

Dockers football boss Joe Brierty gave an update on the ruckman’s recovery on SEN Perth on Wednesday.

“Sean is progressing well. At this time he’s probably a couple of weeks away from being back available for footy,” Brierty said.

“He had his first on-field run the other day. He pulled up well, so now he’s transitioned into our football program and he’ll need a couple of weeks to build from there.”

Later on the Dockers website high performance manager Phil Merrimen said Darcy was “two to three weeks away”.

In Darcy’s absence Luke Jackson has dominated as the Dockers’ No.1 ruckman, scoring 113 and 178 SuperCoach points in the opening two rounds. How Justin Longmuire juggles his two big men when Darcy returns will be a huge watch for Jackson’s 71,000 owners.

Good to see the big fella back out there!

Take all the time you need.. 😂#SuperCoach#AFLFantasyhttps://t.co/3CGDcyLxMx

— eno🃏 (@enoFTTV) March 25, 2024

Sean Darcy is recovering from a knee clean-out. Picture: Will Russell/AFL Photos via Getty Images

Merriman said Nat Fyfe was “ready to go” after being subbed out as a management move at three-quarter time in round 2.

Meanwhile, Brierty revealed defender Heath Chapman is back in full training and will play some minutes in the WAFL next weekend.

BONT GOOD TO GO

Marcus Bontempelli sent a scare through the SuperCoach world when he got up gingerly following a crunching tackle from Touk Miller in Ballarat last weekend.

Bontempelli played out the game – scoring 136 SuperCoach points – and has pulled up well in the days since, according to Fox Sports’ Drew Jones.

Dogs saying Marcus Bontempelli’s ankle is fine after tweaking it in Ballarat last weekend. Will train tomorrow ahead of the clash with the Eagles on Sunday @FOXFOOTY@FOXSportsNews#afl

— Drew Jones (@DrewJonesFOX) March 27, 2024

Bontempelli is a strong captaincy candidate in SuperCoach this week with recent scores against the Eagles of 162 last year and 145 in 2021.

TRACK WATCH

TAYLOR Adams is close to a return from a knee injury. The Swans recruit is pushing for selection against Richmond on Sunday but coach John Longmire conceded on Wednesday he was “doubtful”.

“I think we’ve got to be mindful that he probably needs to do more from a training perspective to feel good about himself,” Longmire said.

The absence of Adams, Luke Parker and Callum Mills has allowed Isaac Heeney to shine in the Sydney midfield.

JACK Steele didn’t train with the main group on Thursday due to illness, according to the AFL website. But the St Kilda captain is expected to take his place in the side against Essendon.

Coach Ross Lyon said on Thursday that Anthony Caminiti will replace injured wingman Mason Wood.

Sam Berry is in almost 14,000 SuperCoach teams. Picture: Matt Roberts/AFL Photos/via Getty Images

SAM Berry trained with the ‘B’ team at Crows training early in the week, placing him under a selection cloud for Friday night’s clash against Fremantle. The tough midfielder was subbed out of last week’s loss to Geelong.

PATRICK Dangerfield is set to miss Geelong’s next two matches with a hamstring injury.

His absence could hand more responsibility to popular rookie picks Jhye Clark and Sean Mannagh – but Dan Batten at the Geelong Advertiser reports Jack Bowes and Tom Atkins will return from injury on Easter Monday.

Tanner Bruhn (foot) faces a fitness test but the Cats are optimistic he will be available for selection.

FORMER Sun Elijah Hollands will make his Carlton debut on Good Friday against North Melbourne. The Blues will also welcome back Jacob Weitering while coach Michael Voss says star midfielder Sam Walsh is making good progress in his recovery from a back injury.

THE big news from Wednesday night’s team announcements for the Easter Thursday Brisbane vs Collingwood blockbuster was the Lions dropping midfield veteran Jarryd Lyons.

Lyons features in more than 16,000 SuperCoach teams after a strong start the season – scoring 106 and 81 at a bargain price of $258,00. Coach Chris Fagan clearly doesn’t play SuperCoach, ignoring Lyons’ Break Even of -41 when deciding who to take out of the team to make way for returning Brownlow medallist Lachie Neale.

Originally published as SuperCoach AFL 2024: Late mail, selection whispers and all the round 3 news