AFL 2022: Ins, outs and selection news for Crows and Power

Port Adelaide coach Ken Hinkley will miss his side’s crunch clash with Melbourne in Alice Springs as the Alberton club reveals what measures it has in place to limit the Covid spread.

Scott Lycett requires a second surgery on his troublesome shoulder. Picture: AFL Photos/Getty Images

Port Adelaide is hopeful players and coaches won’t join senior coach Ken Hinkley in testing positive to Covid as the AFL told clubs that they should be diligent as a new wave of the virus threatens to seriously impact the rest of the home and away season and finals.

Hinkley will miss the Power’s huge clash against Melbourne in Alice Springs after testing positive to Covid.

Hinkley started to have mild symptoms on Thursday afternoon.

Power general manager football Chris Davies said Hinkley would still be connected to the coaches box on game day, with forwards coach Nathan Bassett to run things on game day.

Davies said the Power were hopeful that Hinkley wouldn’t be joined by others in testing positive to the virus.

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Ken Hinkley will not coach the Power this week. Picture: Getty Images

“We’ve done really well to manage this from a playing and coaching perspective,” he said.

“Ken is the latest person to go down but touch wood we haven’t had any issues of it going through the club at one point in time.

“We are mindful of the potential of it so that’s why we have been really diligent in terms of mask wearing, social distancing, all those things that we’ve had to get used to over the past couple of years.”

Davies said Hinkley testing positive wouldn’t change too much at Alberton, because the Power were already taking measures to try and limit any infection.

“We’ve maintained masks inside, we still change in different areas of the facility, and meetings wise if we have meetings they are done with all the guys in masks and generally at a reasonable distance,” he said.

Players and footy department staff are tested two to three times a week.

Hinkley testing positive comes after Brisbane was hit hard by Covid last week, and St Kilda and the Western Bulldogs this week.

Players are starting to get infected with Covid for a second time with positive cases spiking in the community.

Davies said it could impact the business end of the season.

“I think there is a level of concern. There’s no doubt that the AFL has heightened their concern over the last 24 hours or so,” he said.

Hinkley testing positive comes after Brisbane was hit hard by Covid last week, and St Kilda and the Western Bulldogs this week.

“Their messaging to the clubs was to make sure that you are retouching on the diligence required by the playing and coaching groups

“We’ve done really well throughout the last two and a half years but there’s no doubt that we are giving our players a message to be extra cautious over the next few weeks.

“Clearly we don’t have any room for error in getting our best team out there.”

Essendon lost defender Mason Redman to health and safety protocols for last week’s clash with Brisbane, but has not experienced any further spread of Covid this week.

“We’ve sort of spoken about it about the risk or the elevated risk in the community,” Bombers coach Ben Rutten said.

“It‘s Covid but it’s also other sorts of bugs and stuff going around. I think it’s difficult to avoid at the moment, but we’ve spoken about how we can look after our hygiene, be as careful as we can and limit the risks not only for each other, but limit the risk for the rest of the playing group and the staff internally.

“We haven‘t ramped up too many other protocols just yet. We’ve been pretty fortunate with Redman’s case there hasn’t been any further transmission.”

AXE FALLS ON CROWS MIDS AS PORT PONDERS CHANGES

Adelaide has dropped Matt Crouch and Jackson Hately as the Crows take “a different look at the dynamic of the midfield” against Collingwood.

While Port Adelaide could go in unchanged for its huge clash against reigning premiers Melbourne in Alice Springs.

The Crows midfield, and whether it is damaging enough, was a key criticism of Adelaide’s woeful loss to Hawthorn last time out.

Rory Laird, Ben Keays and Crouch all got a significant amount of the ball against the Hawks but had little impact with it.

Matt Crouch has been dropped. Picture: Michael Willson/AFL Photos via Getty Images

As has Jackson Hately. Picture: Dylan Burns/AFL Photos via Getty Images

Crouch was set to play in the state league last week before an injury to Shane McAdam and now has been dropped for the third time this season despite a 28-disposal game against the Hawks.

Hately joins him after 18 disposals against the Hawks, while James Rowe has also been dropped.

Crows head of football Adam Kelly said the changes were made to introduce a different dynamic in the midfield.

“We are taking a different look at the dynamic of the midfield and we have decided to make a change,” he said.

“It is a tough call as Matt was very solid last week and Jacko has played some good footy at AFL level across the past 11 games.

“The same can be said for Rowey and he has certainly improved in his second season.

“We have strong player availability at the moment and a SANFL team that is performing well so there is competition for spots.”

Shane McAdam returns after shaking off an ankle injury suffered in Round 15 against North Melbourne and is joined by Mitch Hinge and Lachlan Murphy.

Hinge missed last week through Covid-19 protocols.

Over at Alberton the Power are could have an unchanged 22 to take on the Demons.

Riley Bonner and Trent McKenzie have been named on an extended bench after recovering from a facial fracture and a non-Covid illness respectively.

Riley Bonner Picture: Mark Brake/Getty Images)

Bonner is still in some doubt because of the facial injury.

Steven Motlop and Xavier Duursma are also on the interchange after strong showings in the SANFL.

Father-son Jase Burgoyne and Jackson Mead, Miles Bergman and Mitch Georgiades are also on the interchange – which will be cut down on Friday afternoon.

Scott Lycett won’t play against the Demons after signs of infection were discovered in the ruckman’s shoulder earlier this week.

It means Lycett will have to have more surgery, but could be back in two to three weeks.

ADELAIDE v COLLINGWOOD

Saturday 1.10pm, Adelaide Oval

CROWS

B: T.Doedee, J.Butts, W.Hamill

HB: B.Smith, N.Murray, J.Dawson

C: M.Hinge, R.Laird, C.Jones

HF: S.McAdam, D.Fogarty, J.Soligo

F: N.McHenry, T.Walker, L.Murphy

FOLL: R.O’Brien, S.Berry, B.Keays

INT: R.Thilthorpe, H.Schoenberg, W.Milera, P.Parnell

EMERG: B.Davis, E.Himmelberg, J.Rowe, J.Hately

In: M.Hinge, S.McAdam, L.Murphy

Out: J.Hately (Omitted), J.Rowe (Omitted), M.Crouch (Omitted), B.Davis (Medi-Sub)

PIES

B: N.Murphy, J.Howe, D.Moore

HB: S.Pendlebury, B.Maynard, T.Bianco

C: J.Daicos, J.Crisp, J.Noble

HF: J.Elliott, M.Cox, B.Mihocek

F: B.McCreery, P.Lipinski, W.Hoskin-Elliott

FOLL: D.Cameron, S.Sidebottom, N.Daicos

INT: J.Carmichael, A.Johnson, J.Ginnivan, T.Ruscoe

EMERG: O.Henry, F.Macrae, W.Kelly, C.Poulter

In: D.Moore, T.Bianco, A.Johnson

Out: O.Henry (Omitted), T.Adams (Injured), T.Brown (Medi-Sub), I.Quaynor (HS Protocol)

MELBOURNE v PORT ADELAIDE

Sunday 3:20pm, TIO Traeger Park

DEMONS

B: Hibberd, May, Tomlinson

HB: Harmes, Lever, Salem

C: Brayshaw, Petracca, Langdon

HF: Sparrow, Gawn, Neal-Bullen

F: Fritsch, Brown, Spargo

FOLL: Jackson, Viney, Pickett

I/C (from): Bedford, Melksham, Jordon, Rivers, Weideman, Dunstan, Hunt, Chandler

IN: Tomlinson, Melksham, Rivers, Dunstan, Weideman, Chandler

OUT: Petty (HS Protocol), Oliver (injured), Bowey (omitted)

POWER

B: Burton, Jonas, Clurey

HB: Byrne-Jones, Aliir, Houston

C: Amon, Drew, Farrell

HF: Butters, Marshall, Rozee

F: Gray, Dixon, Powell-Pepper

FOLL: Finlayson, Wines, Boak

I/C (from): Motlop, Duursma, McKenzie, Bergman, Georgiades, Bonner, Burgoyne, Mead

IN: Motlop, Duursma, McKenzie, Bonner

OUT: McEntee (omitted)

Second surgery shock for luckless Port ruckman

— Matt Turner

Port Adelaide ruckman Scott Lycett is set for a second surgery on his shoulder as the Power prepares to face Melbourne’s twin towers, Max Gawn and Luke Jackson, without him.

Lycett had been in line to return against the Demons in Alice Springs on Sunday for his first AFL match since round 4, but on Wednesday he was ruled out and had his comeback delayed by at least another fortnight.

The 29-year-old saw a surgeon after feeling sore in his shoulder, which he dislocated in April and had an operation on.

Lycett told Channel 9 there was no infection but he would need a clean-out.

The Power veteran, who made his comeback in the SANFL last weekend, said he was relieved because he thought his season might be over.

His absence for Sunday’s crunch clash means Port Adelaide seems likely to use forwards Jeremy Finlayson and Charlie Dixon in the ruck again.

The duo has filled the void in four of the Power’s past five matches.

Scott Lycett requires a second surgery on his troublesome shoulder. Picture: AFL Photos/Getty Images

Connor Rozee said while missing Lycett had been a big challenge for the club’s midfield this year, Finlayson and Dixon provided something different.

“We would love to have him (Lycett) back but we have been playing with Jeremy and Charlie for a few weeks now, so we’ve become a bit more normalised to that game plan,” Rozee said.

“They give us … speed on ground and almost play as an extra midfielder.

“We probably lose a bit in actual ruck craft.

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“This week will be a big challenge.

“Max has been a great player and Jeremy and Charlie will have their hands full.”

The Power enters the match against the second-placed Demons in 12th spot on the ladder with an 8-8 record.

Rozee is in scintillating form, collecting 32 votes from his past four games to now rank eighth in the AFL Coaches’ Association Champion Player of the Year Award

Connor Rozee is in a rich vein of form for Port. Picture: Getty Images

He is looking forward to going up against the Demons’ star-studded engine room, led by Gawn and Christian Petracca.

Clayton Oliver will be missing with a fractured thumb.

“I haven’t played through the midfield to a big extent in the previous times we’ve played them,” Rozee said.

“They’re obviously one of the best midfields in the competition and have been for a few years.”

The Melbourne game starts a tricky month that will determine the Power’s finals fate.

After the Demons are matches against Geelong (home), Collingwood (MCG) and Richmond (home).

“We’ve got a tough run home so we need to win most of the games,” Rozee said.

Inside tough feedback that sparked Rozee revelation

– Matt Turner

While Port Adelaide was searching for answers on how to turn around its horror start to the season, the team’s leadership group and coaches challenged Connor Rozee.

They urged him to play tougher, stay in contests longer, improve his efforts without the ball and become more of a leader.

Rozee’s form had been down, much like the team’s.

The Power knew if he could address those areas of his game, it would benefit both him and the side.

Fast-forward to round 17, Rozee is playing the best football of his career.

And he has helped to keep Port Adelaide within reach of making the finals.

Saturday night might have been his most influential game since being drafted with pick 5 in 2018.

He registered a game-high 154 ranking points, kicked four goals, gathered 24 disposals, had four clearances and laid five tackles in a brilliant performance as the Power thumped GWS GWS by 55 points at home.

Connor Rozee was challenged by the coaching group and teammates. Picture: James Elsby/AFL Photos via Getty Images

Fox Footy’s Leigh Montagna said Rozee had been one of the best players in the competition over the past two months and a big reason for Port Adelaide climbing the ladder.

Power captain Tom Jonas said the 22-year-old had become a handful for the opposition and had stepped up for the team.

“He got challenged early in the year to be a leader and play consistent, tough footy,” Jonas told News Corp.

“Staying in the contest, staying stronger and being tougher for longer.

“There’s no shortage of talent.

“To his credit, he’s taken the feedback on board and he’s really emerged as one of the key young leaders in our group, both on the field and off the field.

“When you’re 0-2, 0-3, 0-4 or 0-5, you’re looking at where you can get improvement from.

“He wasn’t the only one who had to have a look at how they were going, it was club wide.”

Rozee had a big game against the Giants. Picture: Sarah Reed/AFL Photos via Getty Images

Rozee’s performance against the Giants featured tough moments that had not always been part of his package.

There was his chase-down tackle on Lachie Ash that led to a holding-the-ball free kick and him kicking a goal.

He also went hard at a 50-50 ball on the wing, bumped into Isaac Cumming and came off second-best, but he did not hesitate as the contest beckoned and bounced back from a heavy hit.

In the first four rounds of the season, Rozee averaged 2.3 tackles and 12.25 pressure points per game.

The North Adelaide product is averaging 3.7 tackles and 19.08 pressure points since.

“He’s a terrific young person and he wants to feel team success,” Jonas said.

“He’s getting his fulfilment from the team going well and playing well is a by-product of that.

“He appreciated that the best way for him was for the entire team to go well and if you invest in the group, he’s essentially investing in himself.

“His hunt for the ball and the man has been right up there with Peps (Sam Powell-Pepper).

“He’s become one of those ones that sets the standard in that space.”

Jonas said Rozee was dynamic when he had the footy.

“He’s so powerful through the hips, able to break tackles, is using the ball well and has the ability to get forward and be damaging on the scoreboard,” he said.

Rozee burst into the AFL in 2019, finishing runner-up to Sam Walsh in the Rising Star Award, leading the Power’s goalkicking with 29 from 22 matches and finishing fourth in the club’s best-and-fairest.

Connor Rozee celebrates a goal back in 2019. Picture: AAP Image/David Mariuz

His 2020 campaign was quieter and a foot injury held him back to start last year.

If his speed, evasiveness and running power are any evidence, he looks to be in top condition right now.

“He had some challenges … and that requires resilience and strong character to play through that,” Jonas said.

“Certainly feeling fresh and being able to train every week makes a big difference.”

Mainly a small forward in his first three seasons, Rozee’s midfield move is paying dividends.

The switch has been close to permanent since halftime against Carlton in round 5.

Rozee had only attended seven centre bounces for the season until that point, but went into the middle during the last two terms and sparked the Power’s charge from 49 points down to lose by three.

Since then, his CBA numbers have been: 19, nine, 16, 16, eight, 10, 15, 18, 24, 19 and 10.

Rozee went into Saturday night’s game as the No. 3 rated midfielder/forward in the competition since Round 6, according to Fox Footy.

“If you look at the pathway for most midfielders, it’s starting halfback or half-forward and learning the game, putting on some muscle and then moving into the midfield after that,” Jonas said.

“That’s always been on the agenda for blokes like Buttsy (Zak Butters), Roze and Duurs (Xavier Duursma).

“They’ve got some incredible assets that are going to make us a better team so we want to get them around the ball as much as possible.”

Tom Jonas is happy with Rozee’s form. Picture: Sarah Reed/AFL Photos via Getty Images

Power coach Ken Hinkley said Rozee was building a strong season.

“We think he’s an exceptionally talented young person who’s a great team player,” Hinkley said.

“He’d have to be one of the key midfielders in the competition right now and I hope that is the case because that’ll bring more growth for him because he’ll get more attention.”

Montagna said everyone knew Rozee had the potential to be a star.

“Now we’re seeing it – and we’re seeing it week in, week out, which is the most important thing,” he said.

“He’s now playing much more time in the centre bounce, he’s hitting the scoreboard, he’s winning clearance and contest, using that speed.

“If he can continue to kick goals and win balls in the middle of the ground, gee whiz, he’s going to be potent for the remainder of the season.”

As Montagna pointed out and Jonas alluded to, Rozee’s rise has boosted Port Adelaide’s form as it moves to within one win and 7.8 per cent of the top eight.

If the Power is to feature in September, you suspect Rozee will continue playing a huge role in the remaining six games.

Originally published as AFL 2022: Ins, outs and selection news for Crows and Power