AFL 2023: All the latest pre-season news
While Sam Durham starred, another Dons mid-season draftee also shapes as a potential gem. And his impressive display could earn him a round 1 berth.
The Bombers’ pre-season preparations continued on Thursday, with some exciting faces re-emerging on the track much to the delight of Essendon fans. Check out the biggest news from the track at Tullamarine.
WHO ARE THE 2023 IMPROVERS?
Speaking of cult heroes, Sam Draper is moving with a swagger in his step after a super summer and ready to take the leap as one of the competition’s premier ruckmen.
Will Setterfield and Jye Caldwell add to midfield depth and the ex-Blues midfielder kicked a raking goal before being mobbed by his new teammates.
With Matt Guelfi not certain for round 1 given a calf complaint, look for SANFL 2022 mid-season recruit Jye Menzie to build on two senior games last year as another Dons mid-season draft success story.
He was a starting member of the Dons front six alongside Stringer, Weideman, Wright, McDonald-Tipungwuti and Davey — and easily found space in a three-goal display.
Like Durham, Nic Martin has had a flawless summer after his fifth-placing in last year’s Rising Star and should believe he can be on the podium in the Crichton Medal after his eighth placing in 2022.
The AFL is certain to introduce four regular-season field umpires but only three were on display at the Hangar.
STARS OUT ON TRACK
Essendon’s star attacking trio of Jake Stringer, Peter Wright and Sam Weideman are on track to take on Gold Coast next week after finally shrugging off worrying injury concerns.
The new-look Dons forward line featuring ex-Demons top-10 pick Weideman as a key target on Thursday took part in a four-quarter scratch match at Essendon airport.
In a Probables v Possibles team that trio of forwards played together alongside Alwyn Davey, Anthony McDonald-Tipungwuti and the emerging Jye Menzies in the side wearing black jumpers.
It was a welcome return to real match practice for Stringer (back), Wright (calf) and Weideman (quad) and an indication that if they are not yet fully fit they should still be fit for a round 1 clash against arch rival Essendon barring setbacks.
The trio both lasted only three quarters before running laps and while Stringer looked short of a gallop Wright looks to have taken up where he left off last year.
For Essendon fans it will again be a case of waiting for Stringer to build into the season.
He was almost unsighted as a forward apart from a quicksilver handball assist to Zach Merrett to set up a goalsquare major but was more industrious when thrown into the centre square.
FLASHES OF BRILLIANCE
Davey flashed in and out early and while McDonald-Tipungwuti will have the same fitness battle as Stringer, his best is still off-the-charts-good,
Twice he flashed from nowhere to lay crunching run-down tackles and he kicked two goals including a clever crumbing goal from a bouncing snap on a tight angle in the second quarter.
The Dons will hope McDonald-Tipungwuti and Davey can form a formidable duo with their high pressure and goal nous, with McDonald-Tipungwuti’s return to AFL to be one of the season’s most interesting narratives.
BATTLE FOR POSITIONS
While many of the possibles team will likely still secure round 1 berths, Essendon captain Dyson Heppell spent the first half in the red Possibles team, often manned up against 2022 improver Sam Durham.
While it was only a scratch match Durham has had a spectacular summer and will put pressure on the likes of Heppell, tasked with a move to the wing this year.
The shaggy-haired running machine worked hard to defend across half back on Thursday and soared for the two best pack marks of the game surging into attack.
Brad Scott is going to love coaching this kid and for the fans he has cult hero written all over him.
Heppell believes he has had his best pre-season in three seasons but the back six looks set — Jake Kelly, Jordan Ridley, Brandon Zerk-Thatcher, Mason Redman, Jayden Laverde and Andy McGrath.
Nick Hind is also in that mix after an interrupted summer, so Heppell will need to find a spot further afield and keep on performing if he isn’t to be scrutinised for his spot in the team.
KEY TARGET BACK AND FIRING
Harrison Jones is ready for a bounce-back season after only 10 games last year and while he didn’t clunk his marks in the swirling conditions he consistently threw himself at ball and man.
He was crunched in the final moments in a jarring tackle but recovered, while Patrick Voss was the only other injury concern with medicos rushing to check on his knee.
He seemed to walk it off as the final siren sounded and Dons fears eased.
Those still to return to full training include Ben Hobbs (calf), Matt Guelfi (calf), Nik Cox (foot), Zach Reid (foot) and James Stewart (plantar fascia).
DEES’ 11TH-HOUR RECRUIT, WHERE’S MAX’S PARTNER IN CRIME?
Harper Sercombe
The Dees have their eyes on round 1 after what would’ve been a long pre-season following a finals series exit in straight sets last year.
With only a month until the new season, training is heating up as competition for a spot in the senior side becomes fierce.
We were at Gosch’s Paddock today for another edition of track watch.
RAUCOUS RECEPTION
Demons’ training began with a loud uproar as Melbourne finalised its list for the 2023 season with VAFA key defender Kye Turner.
The former Sandringham Dragon has been training with the Demons throughout the summer and was signed just hours before the pre-season supplemental selection period closed.
Turner, 21, secured his spot on the Dees’ list over Trent Burgoyne, the son of Port Adelaide champion Peter Burgoyne.
Turner played two VFL games for Frankston last year averaging 11.5 disposals and three marks, while also winning a premiership with Old Haileybury in B-Grade VAFA.
BIG MAN MANAGED
Prized off-season recruit Brodie Grundy was not seen at Gosch’s Paddock for Wednesday’s training.
Grundy is currently being managed and is expected to be back to full training on Friday.
The highly anticipated ruck duo of skipper Max Gawn and Grundy is must watch in 2023. The six-time All-Australian Gawn has been training in a variety of positions throughout the summer. However, he is expected to play the more attacking role of the two.
REHAB GROUP
Key forward Ben Brown was one of four Demons training away from the main group as he continues to recover from knee surgery.
Melbourne’s 2022 leading goal scorer Bayley Fritsch was also on a modified program and did no kicking or running. The 25-year-old spent the majority of Wednesday’s training on an exercise bike.
Jake Melksham had discussions with medical staff about his left ankle and took part in some fitness training with Brown and 19-year-old Taj Woewodin. All three players were on modified programs.
Defender Christian Salem was absent as he deals with his thyroid issue, which is expected to delay his start to the season.
FORWARD LINE GELS
Melbourne’s forward line is in for a freshen up for the 2023 season with the return of veteran Tom McDonald and introduction of 19-year-old Jacob Van Rooyen.
McDonald was unable to return to AFL football last year after suffering a Lisfranc injury. The 30-year-old key forward has impressed throughout pre-season.
Van Rooyen couldn’t make his way into the Demons’ best 22 last season, but is now poised for a round 1 debut. Off the back of a 36-goal season for Casey and an exceptional summer the young forward is looking like a dangerous goal scoring option.
Both McDonald and Van Rooyen were impressive during match simulation. McDonald stood out with his ability to cover the field and provide a constant target to teammates up the ground. Van Rooyen used his strong overhead capabilities and athleticism at ground level to provide a valuable target up forward.
Alongside out-of-contract small forward Kysaiah Pickett, who has looked threatening throughout the summer, Melbourne have many options in attack.
THREE SUNS BOLTING FOR ROUND 1, KING’S INJURY CONCERN
Jon Ralph
Gold Coast star Ben King is closing in on a March 4 return from his ACL rupture, as top-10 pick Bailey Humphrey continues his strong audition for a round 1 debut.
The Suns have been thrilled with King’s recovery from a knee reconstruction, but are aware there is no need to rush his return to competitive football.
He continues to be integrated into drills at a Suns team that now has much more depth after the strong performances of Levi Casboult and Mabior Chol last year.
King will miss the club’s first pre-season hitout against a real rival when the Suns take on Essendon on February 23.
But a clash with GWS Giants at Blacktown on March 4 is his expected return date.
That would give him nearly 13 months from his injury before he tests his repaired ligament in competitive action.
Former Geelong midfielder Charlie Constable has been impressive in a defensive role for the Suns, with midfielder Sam Flanders also pushing to break into Stuart Dew’s side.
Newly re-signed midfielder Matt Rowell said King was looking impressive in training as he neared a return date.
King and Rowell have played only a dozen games together across three years after King’s ACL tear and Rowell’s knee and shoulder issues.
“It’s been great to see him get out into training and into more drills,” Rowell said.
“I am just really excited to see him back out there.
“Since I have been on the Gold Coast I haven’t been able to play with him much because I was injured a bit and then he has got injured so I am really excited for him to get back.
“Coming out of stoppage and seeing him and kicking it to him will be pretty cool. I am good friends with him and he’s worked so hard since he’s done his knee. I am really looking forward to him getting back playing.”
Rowell believes the new-look Suns forward line without Adelaide-bound Izak Rankine but with the returning King will be even more dynamic than when he went down with injury.
“We have got a pretty dangerous forward line, it’s a good mix of talls and smalls. Even our forward line with Kingy and Marbs (Mabior Chol) is really dangerous at ground level.
“If we can get it in our forward line and keep it in there it will go a long way to winning games.”
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