AFL 2024 Late Mail: Injury and selection news, SuperCoach whispers for round 18

Get the latest on Max Gawn’s chances of playing this week, the North Melbourne SuperCoach star missing from training and exclusive Champion Data numbers for round 19.

Max Gawn is giving himself every chance of a remarkable return against Fremantle on Sunday.

The Melbourne captain was in a moon boot for a week after suffering a chipped fibula, and Demon doctors predicted he would be sidelined until at least round 20.

But after removing the moon boot on Monday he has upped his running over the course of this week and could be selected to face the Dockers if he proves his fitness on Thursday.

“He’s pushing hard to play, he’s giving himself every opportunity,” Melbourne assistant coach Troy Chaplin told TAB Radio on Thursday morning.

“He’s tracking ahead of schedule, but we’ll only play him if he’s 100 per cent ready to go.”

Scroll down for more teams news plus rookie and captain advice for round 19

Earlier, Melbourne high performance boss Selwyn Griffith said Gawn had “progressed well” and would be assessed at training on Thursday.

“(Gawn) got back into running earlier this week, and we’ll look to integrate him into training as long as he recovers well from that run,” Griffith said.

“Then a decision on his availability will be made following that training session later in the week.”

Don’t discount Max Gawn’s powers of recovery. Picture: Graham Denholm/AFL Photos/via Getty Images

One player on high alert for a possible Gawn return is former teammate Luke Jackson, who is set to partner Sean Darcy, who is due to return from concussion, in the ruck on Sunday.

“We just want to keep building the chemistry between us and working well together. It’ll be a big challenge whoever we come up against,” Jackson said this week.

“I’m not 100 per cent sure (if Darcy will play) but he’s looking pretty good at the moment. It’ll be good to have him back out there. Fingers crossed he’s ready to go.”

TRACK WATCH: ROOS YOUNG GUN IN DOUBT

Fox Footy reporter Drew Jones dropped a SuperCoach bombshell on Thursday, sending Colby McKercher’s 37,000 owners into panic mode.

Jones tweeted: “Colby McKercher missed today’s main session for North Melbourne – he’ll train Saturday to determine his availability against Carlton. Club says he was sore after Swans game.”

McKercher has scored 134 and 79 in his two games since returning from seven weeks out with a foot injury. He played two VFL matches to prepare for his AFL return, an indication North Melbourne is unlikely to take any chances with their No.2 draft pick.

Jones was also at Sam Mitchell’s press conference for more SuperCoach intel.

Sam Mitchell says Finn Maginness is in the mix to face Collingwood, but no guarantees given about his inclusion. Mentioned he’s being trying to get Finn in for a while. Daicos tag looms if he gets the nod @FOXFOOTY@FOXSportsNews#AFL

— Drew Jones (@DrewJonesFOX) July 18, 2024

Maginness held Daicos to just five disposals and 41 SuperCoach points in round 21 last year.

There is also a watch on in-form Bomber Jye Caldwell, who was spotted training away from the main group this week.

His name did not appear on Essendon’s injury list.

Magpie Nathan Kreuger could be a bigger worry – he was missing from Collingwood training on Thursday morning as Dan McStay firms for a return from a knee injury.

Jye Caldwell is being managed and trained separately from the main group. pic.twitter.com/HAmX98tXOI

— The Caddy Shack (@CharlieDons) July 16, 2024

ROTTEN LUCK FOR PHILLIPOU

St Kilda young gun Mattaes Phillipou has been sidelined just as he started to establish himself in the Saints’ midfield, with scans revealing a hip injury which could keep him out for up to a month.

St Kilda football boss David Misson said it was a “disappointing setback” for the 19-year-old.

“We’re confident he will attack this period of rehab with that same level of professionalism which will hopefully see him play again this year,” Misson said.

NO McGOVERN RETURN IN SIGHT

Jeremy McGovern was listed as one week on West Coast’s injury list last week, but that may have been very optimistic.

The key defender suffered a fractured rib and punctured lung and had to drive across the Nullarbor last week after being unable to fly home.

He took part in some light training on Tuesday.

“Gov from a couple of weeks ago with his ribs, he’s back running, which is really good, joining in some lower-level drills and got up to some speed today,” high performance manager Mat Inness told the Eagles website.

“He won’t play this week; he needs another week at least.”

McGovern is in more than 12,000 SuperCoach teams and has averaged 107.7 points in defence this year.

Meanwhile, Gold Coast captain Jarrod Witts will be tested as he attempts to return from a fractured vertebrae against GWS and in-form ruckman Kieren Briggs at Engie Stadium on Saturday.

Critical Western Bulldogs duo Adam Treloar (calf) and Aaron Naughton (concussion) will also face fitness tests ahead of the trip to face Geelong.

FANTASY FREAKO’S ROOKIE FORMGUIDE

Several rookies stood up in a time of need in round 18 as SuperCoaches were scurrying for bench coverage, led by Billy Dowling’s 101 points. He stepped in for the suspended Isaac Heeney with 56 points to his name at three-quarter time – then piled on 45 in the final term from 10 disposals and one goal. He saved plenty with that score.

Also in the same game, Mattaes Phillipou helped himself to 101 points from 20 disposals, nine tackles and one goal. The emerging Saint will be sidelined for the next four weeks though with a hip injury, so it’s a cruel blow for his new owners.

Shaun Mannagh was solid with 75 points against the Magpies after booting the first goal of the game, again pushing up to stoppage to finish with 14 disposals and six score involvements.

But it was teammate Lawson Humphries that stole the show with 108 points. His ball use was elite – hitting the target with 22 of 23 disposals – also having 13 uncontested marks, 18 uncontested possessions and 344 metres gained. Can you still pick him up after a hefty price rise? Yes!

Like Dowling/Mannagh ahead of last round, having adequate bench cover will be invaluable in the run home. As we saw last week when Adam Treloar was a late out just 20 minutes before the opening bounce, SuperCoaches with Humphrey/Dowling as an emergency would have been more than happy with their scores as coverage.

Zane Trew has a key role in the Eagles midfield. Picture: Daniel Carson/AFL Photos via Getty Images

Zac Taylor stepped up in his third game for the Crows. Picture: Tom Huntley

Looking at potential recruits for Round 19, Zane Trew looks set to play as a centre bounce midfielder for the remainder of the season after attending 15 centre bounces last week. He looked right at home in that role with 21 disposals, nine contested possessions, five clearances, two score assists and eight tackles. The Eagles will be looking to get as many games into their kids as possible in the run home and Trew could be a beneficiary.

Zac Taylor played his first full match of the season and was one of Adelaide’s best in the win over St Kilda – finishing with 18 disposals, 12 contested possessions, eight tackles and a team-high eight clearances. Taylor attended five centre bounces and played 68 per cent of game time in the midfield and 32 per cent up forward. A midfielder-only in SuperCoach, he won’t be leaving that Adelaide team anytime soon.

If you’re in the market for a defender then Joe Fonti is a name to look at, but you’re probably better off spending a bit more and getting Humphries instead as you would be more than comfortable fielding the young Cat.

No debutants have been announced at the time of writing but no doubt we’ll see a few fresh faces in the run home.

As always, trade wisely (for those with trades left) and best of luck for the upcoming round!

Champion Data’s top rookie picks for round 19.

CAPTAINS CORNER

There is one clear standout when picking a captain this week based on current form, and form against their round 19 opponent.

Zak Butters has a three-round average of 131, and he loves playing Richmond. His past two scores against the Tigers are 175 (in round 2 this year) and 158. To top it off, the Tigers concede more points to opposition midfielders this season than any other team.

If you don’t have Butters or are looking for another captain or vice-captain, there are some other great options in round 19.

You can’t go wrong with Lachie Neale based on his recent form. He has a three-round average of 145.3 and he holds no fears about playing the Swans, even though the stats say they are the second-hardest team for midfielders to score against this year – Neale’s past two scores against them are 144 and 187. And he averages 130 at the Gabba this year.

Champion Data’s top captain picks for round 19.

If you like a Friday night VC, there are two clear standouts. Zach Merrett has been hot and cold lately – his past four scores are 135, 78, 145, 82 – but he averages 129 in his past three against the Crows, who are the third-easiest team for midfielders to score against in 2024.

It would take some guts, but Jordan Dawson scored 168 against the Bombers in round 6, and 127 and 97 last year.

We can’t leave Marcus Bontempelli out of the equation despite two relatively subdued weeks by his standards. Expect a bounce back this week against the Cats – he averages 133 in his past three, including a 146 at GMHBA Stadium last year.

It feels strange to not talk about Nick Daicos or Luke Ryan, but two left-field options could deliver big time based on round 19 match-ups. Richmond gives up bulk points to opposition defenders and Dan Houston could also farm the kick-ins for Port Adelaide on Saturday night with Kane Farrell set to miss.

Meanwhile, Tim English faces a Geelong team using Sam De Koning in the ruck. Solo rucks are averaging 140 points a game against the Cats since round 15.

Al Paton’s top 3 captains:

1. Zak Butters

2. Marcus Bontempelli

3. Lachie Neale

Originally published as AFL 2024 Late Mail: Injury and selection news, SuperCoach whispers for round 18