AFL team news, whispers, updates for Round 13, 2023

The first 2023 mid-season draftee could play this weekend, just over one week after he was given an AFL lifeline.

Plus more mass changes loom at West Coast, while Essendon is pondering a tall set-up.

Get all the latest Round 13 selection news and updates in AFL Team Whispers!

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The WESTERN BULLDOGS could turn to their most recent recruit for Friday night’s highly-anticipated clash with Port Adelaide.

Defender Ed Richards will be sidelined for the next four to six weeks after sustaining a hamstring injury in the loss to Geelong, with the Bulldogs targeting a Round 16 return.

The Bulldogs could turn to any of Laitham Vandermeer, Hayden Crozier or Luke Cleary to replace Richards, with the trio being on the cusp of the best 22 for most of the season. Key defender Alex Keath, who’s been playing in the VFL in recent weeks, could be a taller option to help the Dogs combat Port Adelaide’s key position threats.

But Richards’ injury also potentially paves the way for mid-season draft acquisition Caleb Poulter to play his first game for the Dogs.

After playing 13 games in two seasons for Collingwood, Poulter linked up with the Bulldogs’ VFL team Footscray for the 2023 season, averaging 18.1 disposals and 6.3 marks. And last week he was upgraded to the club’s AFL list.

PORT ADELAIDE is set to be boosted by the returns of veteran duo Travis Boak and Charlie Dixon for Friday night’s clash against the Western Bulldogs.

Boak (ribs) and Dixon (quad) will need to prove their fitness at the Power’s man training session on Wednesday, but the club is adamant the duo have more realistic chances of playing this week than they had last week.

Whether Power skipper Tom Jonas comes back into the side following his rare SANFL appearance last week, though, remains unclear.

Jonas missed the Power’s Round 11 win over Richmond due to suspension but returned via the Port Magpies last week, with the Power suggesting the defender needed some match fitness at SANFL level.

WEST COAST will have to make five forced changes for Saturday’s match against Adelaide.

The Eagles will lose Shannon Hurn (hamstring), Connor West (knee), Callum Jamieson (hip), Elijah Hewett (concussion) due to injury, while Liam Duggan will also miss after copping a one-match ban from the MRO.

Reigning best and fairest Tom Barrass (hip flexor) also won’t return, with a quad injury that kept him out of Saturday’s clash against Collingwood to keep him sidelined for another week.

But in better news, Luke Shuey (ankle/hamstring), Jack Darling (broken arm), Samo Petrevski-Seton (quad) and Luke Edwards (concussion) are all chances to be available to face the Crows.

Elsewhere, Greg Clark could be elevated into the starting 22 after starting as the sub last weekend, while Campbell Chesser pressed for an AFL re-call, finishing with 19 disposals and four tackles in the WAFL.

ADELAIDE will have to find a replacement for veteran defender Tom Doedee, who’ll miss this week’s clash with West Coast – and the rest of this season – after it was confirmed he’d ruptured his ACL.

Josh Worrell, who was omitted for last week’s loss to the Suns, would be a strong chance to come into the side after his SANFL performance (22 disposals, 8 rebound 50s, 6 marks).

Ned McHenry, who was subbed in for Doedee, and Brayden Cook would also be in the mix, while Harry Schoenberg (2.1, 26 disposals, 11 tackles, 7 clearances) put his hand up with a strong SANFL outing.

ESSENDON could unleash reigning best and fairest Peter Wright for the first time this season for Sunday night’s clash against Carlton.

Bombers coach Brad Scott on Sunday indicated Wright, who’s been sidelined with a shoulder injury this year, was available for selection last week, but added the work of Sam Weideman and Kyle Langford was strong enough to keep the tall forward out.

But Scott didn’t rule out playing all three players in the same forward line against Carlton.

Midfielder Dylan Shiel could miss against the Blues after being subbed out against North Melbourne with a foot injury. If so, Massimo D’Ambrosio, who was subbed in for Shiel and kicked the match-winning goal against North, could come straight into the starting 22. But Tex Wanganeen (2.2, 20 disposals), Anthony McDonald-Tipungwuti (15 disposals, 7 tackles and 2 goals), Jake Kelly (24 disposals and 10 marks) and Nik Cox (21 disposals and 9 marks) would all be in contention after strong VFL outings.

CARLTON could be without No. 1 ruck Marc Pittonet and utility Jack Silvagni for Sunday’s clash against Essendon.

Silvagni (hip) and Pittonet (hand) will face fitness tests later in the week to determine whether they’ll play on Sunday night.

After being the sub against the Dees, Paddy Dow might get a call up into the starting 22, although Jaxon Binns continues to push for an AFL debut. He had 35 disposals and nine marks in the Blues’ most recent VFL clash. He’s had 28 or more disposals in seven of his past eight VFL matches.

The Blues won’t regain George Hewett, who’ll be given further time to progress through concussion protocols.

SYDNEY could be boosted by the return of two key-position players for Thursday night’s match against St Kilda.

Swans co-captain Dane Rampe, who hasn’t played since Round 4 due to a neck injury, is considered highly likely to face the Saints – although he’ll need to receive a “final tick” from club medical staff on Wednesday, coach John Longmire said.

And key forward Joel Amartey is a chance to return after being sidelined with a hamstring injury since Round 5.

“Joel has trained fully over the past two weeks and will be assessed for a return to match play this weekend,” Swans head of physiotherapy and medical services Damian Raper said.

Longmire earlier this week told RSN Breakfast that Tom McCartin was “doing more in the training sense” but definitely would not figure against the Saints, with Lewis Melican and Aaron Francis set to again occupy the key defensive posts.

He said the absence of Callum Mills and Luke Parker due to injury and suspension respectively would cause a significant shuffle for the Swans’ on-ball division.

The Swans’ VFL side also had a bye last weekend, but the likes of Dylan Stephens (34 touches, one goal) and Angus Sheldrick (34 disposals) had big showings in the twos the week prior and could also come into the senior selection frame.

ST KILDA Rising Star contender Mitch Owens looks set to return against Sydney on Thursday.

Teammate Callum Wilkie this week said Owens was not suffering any “residual effects” after a horror head knock against the Giants in Round 10

“I think we probably missed (Owens) a bit … he’s a 20-year-old, it’s hard to say that we’re missing a 20-year-old, but with how much spark, energy and effort he brings … we’re keen for him to come back into the side,” Wilkie said.

Owens could be the replacement for Hunter Clark, who’ll miss several weeks after suffering a knee injury in the Saints’ loss to Hawthorn before their bye. Alternatively, Marcus Windhager (38 touches, one goal in the VFL a fortnight ago) or Tim Membrey could come in, while Cooper Sharman is an option to be elevated from the sub role into the starting 22.

MELBOURNE is set to receive a double boost for its King’s Birthday blockbuster against premiership favourites Collingwood, with champion midfielder Clayton Oliver and star defender Michael Hibberd both in line to return.

Oliver has missed the past two games due to a hamstring injury, while Hibberd was rested this week and sat out the Demons’ 17-point win over Carlton on Friday night.

“He’s giving himself more than a chance,” Demons coach Simon Goodwin said with a smile when asked about Oliver on Friday night.

“He was giving himself a chance for this week so he’s circled it (the Collingwood game).

“He’s got 10 days to get himself right. He’ll be playing.

“‘Hibbo’ will be back. He was managed tonight, so he gets a bit more rest. Getting a bit old in his legs, old ‘Hibbo’, so he needs a bit of rest every now and then.

“He’s going well, he’s playing his best footy right now, and he’s been looking after himself and managing his body and we’re going to do that through the whole year with him.”

Oliver and Hibberd could be straight swaps for defender Jake Bowey (concussion) and midfielder James Harmes (concussion).

COLLINGWOOD will need to find a replacement for the suspended Jordan De Goey, while Beau McCreery and Will Hoskin-Elliott (both ankle issues) are in doubt to face Melbourne.

But the Pies could regain forward duo Jamie Elliott and Dan McStay, as well as midfielder Patrick Lipinski from injury.

Given McStay, who hasn’t played since Round 5, and Lipinski, who hasn’t played all season, have missed so much time, Elliott looms as the only walk-up inclusion should he be deemed fit to play.

Players to have strong VFL performances last week included Will Kelly (22 disposals, 9 marks), Tom Wilson (24), Trey Ruscoe (23), Finlay Macrae (25), Reef McInnes (2.3 from 12 disposals) and Trent Bianco (24).

BRISBANE is set to be boosted by the return of key defender Jack Payne, who missed the Lions’ last-start loss to Adelaide because of concussion.

However, Brisbane will be without suspended veteran Dayne Zorko for its clash against Hawthorn.

Deven Robertson, who laid a whopping 21 tackles to go with 25 disposals and five clearances in his most recent VFL outing, looms as the favourite to replace Zorko, while Jarryd Lyons, Kai Lohmann and Nakia Cockatoo would also be in contention.

In defence, the Lions could play all three of Payne, Darcy Gardiner and Harris Andrews in the same side. That means a brutal selection call looms on Brisbane’s backline, with veteran Ryan Lester most likely to be dropped despite showing solid form in the Lions’ past five matches.

Fellow defender Noah Answerth (concussion) should also be available for selection.

HAWTHORN skipper James Sicily will return to face Brisbane after serving his suspension, but star forward Chad Wingard is likely to play for the Hawks’ VFL side.

Despite being in the mix to return from a calf issue that’s sidelined him since Round 9, Wingard this weekend is set to return to the field for Box Hill, according to the club, as all parties continue to take a conservative approach.

Seamus Mitchell would be a strong chance to come straight back into the side after being a late withdrawal from the clash against Port Adelaide due to illness. Whether he comes straight back in for late inclusion Bailey Macdonald though remains uncertain, with the debutant providing ample run and drive.

The Hawks could also be tempted to drop one of Lloyd Meek or Jacob Koschitzke – more likely Meek considering he was tactically subbed out midway through the second quarter – to provide more run against the Lions. Cam Mackenzie would be a strong chance to be elevated into the starting 22, while Harry Morrison (31 disposals, 13 marks), Cooper Stephens (2.1, 25 disposals, 8 tackles, 6 clearances) and Josh Ward (21 disposals, 6 tackles, 3 clearances) would all be contenders after strong VFL outings.

NORTH MELBOURNE will have to find replacements for skipper Jy Simpkin and midfield bull Hugh Greenwood, who’ll both miss Sunday’s game against the Giants with concussion.

The Kangaroos could turn back to experienced duo Daniel Howe (30 disposals, 6 tackles, 5 marks) and Ben Cunnington (23 disposals, 7 tackles) after their strong VFL outings, but Charlie Lazzaro (25 disposals, 1 goal) and Paul Curtis (2 goals) should also come into calculations.

GIANTS star forward Brent Daniels will miss the clash with North Melbourne after he suffered a hamstring strain in the team’s narrow loss to Richmond.

While Daniels will miss, key defender Nick Haynes should be ready to come back into the side after progressing through concussion protocols over the past fortnight.

Cameron Fleeton (31 disposals) and Harry Rowston (26 touches) will also be in the mix after promising VFL performances, while Josh Fahey would be a strong chance to be elevated from sub into the starting 22.

FREMANTLE will be without midfielder Jaeger O’Meara (suspension) and in-form ruck Sean Darcy (injury) for Saturday night’s match against Richmond.

Darcy suffered a moderate grade hamstring strain against Melbourne before Freo’s bye, with the club hopeful he’ll miss just one match.

With Luke Jackson to be the No. 1 ruck, the Dockers could bring in another big body, such as Sebit Kuek or Josh Corbett, and ask Josh Treacy to be a second ruck if they wanted to stretch the Tigers. Kuek has been Peel‘s leading goalkicker in the WAFL this season, booting 13.7 from eight games.

Alternatively, the Dockers could bring in mature-aged ruckman Liam Reidy, who’s been Peel Thunder’s No. 1 ruck this season.

Or the Dockers could go smaller — and fresh off signing a two-year deal, veteran Michael Walters (calf) will have to get through training later this week to face the Tigers.

As for who replaces O’Meara, Will Brodie put his hand up in the WAFL with 30 disposals, while fellow first-round draftees Neil Erasmus and Liam Henry would also be in the mix.

RICHMOND could be boosted by the return of defender Nick Vlastuin for Saturday’s clash with Fremantle.

Vlastuin, who’s missed the past two weeks with a corked leg, could replace Dylan Grimes, who’s in some doubt with a shoulder injury. But if the latter is fit, Tylar Young could come out of the side for Vlastuin.

Maurice Rioli Jnr would also be a chance to return, but it wouldn’t be a surprise to see him come back through the VFL first after a lengthy sideline stint due to a hamstring issue.

— with NCA NewsWire