AFL Track Watch: Clubs confirm injury setbacks while recent draftees catch the eye

A month remains before certain preseason practice match hit-outs, so players and clubs are working harder in the weight room.

 

At Collingwood, there is fierce competition for positions, and the Tigers and Bulldogs have provided clarification on some injury news.

YOUNG PIES PUSHING ROUND 1 CASE

A number of Collingwood players who were not selected for the senior team early in the season, along with a few new players, are still putting in their applications.

 

Monday saw the majority of the team that won the premiership heading out onto Olympic Park Oval for training; the main long-term injury concern for the club is Dan McStay (ACL).

 

Jack Crisp, Brody Mihocek, Jamie Elliott, and Charlie Dean are the four players

who were absent due to Covid; however, they are anticipated to rejoin the team

the following week. Brayden Maynard (shoulder) and Josh Daicos (foot) are

almost ready to return to full contact training.

two premierships Tew Jiath, who was selected by Collingwood with Pick 37 in the previous draft, particularly pleased Kangaroo and Fox Footy pundit David King.

 

“My god Jiath does some incredible things with his movement and creativity, even though he might benefit from one or two more preseasons,” King posted on X.

 

Along with Bobby Hill and Beau McCreery, who both “looked terrific” on

the track, King also acquired Joe Richards, a 2022 draft pick.

 

Reporter for 7 News Melbourne Theo Doropoulos observed the Magpies’

practise and commented that Finlay Macrae, a fringe player, “caught the eye.”

Doropoulos told SEN Afternoons, “He almost got the three votes I’d say (as best on at training).”

 

“Perhaps he can find a way to break into that Collingwood midfield.”

 

“It makes you wonder if he could make this season his own because he played a little behind the ball today.”

 

Reef McInnes and Ash Johnson, according to AFL Media, have “made strong impressions” in the last few weeks

while the Magpies’ match committee searches for McStay’s replacement.