NAB Challenge Squads – Week 2

Teamsheets have been dropped for the remaining games for round 2 of the NAB cup.

Port Adelaide v Melbourne, Saturday, February 27, 1.35pm ACDT at Playford Alive Oval

1. Travis Boak, 3. Jake Neade, 5. Matthew Broadbent, 7. Brad Ebert, 8. Hamish Hartlett, 9. Robbie Gray, 11. John Butcher, 12. Jackson Trengove, 13. Cam O’Shea, 15. Karl Amon, 16. Ollie Wines, 18. Jimmy Toumpas, 19. Matt White, 20. Chad Wingard, 21. Jared Polec, 23. Matthew Lobbe, 24. Jarman Impey, 27. Alipate Carlile, 28. Jay Schulz, 29. Jasper Pittard, 32. Dougal Howard, 33. Darcy Byrne-Jones, 36. Jack Hombsch, 37. Jesse Palmer, 39. Justin Westhoff, 40. Aaron Young, 41. Brendon Ah Chee, 42. Tom Jonas, 46. Sam Gray

Notable absentees: Tom Clurey, Charlie Dixon.

1. Jesse Hogan, 3. Christian Salem, 4. Jack Watts, 7. Jack Viney, 10. Angus Brayshaw, 11. Max Gawn, 12. Dom Tyson, 13. Clayton Oliver, 14. Lynden Dunn, 15. Billy Stretch, 16. Dean Kent, 17. Sam Frost, 20. Colin Garland, 21. Cameron Pedersen, 22. Viv Michie, 25. Tom McDonald, 28. Oscar McDonald, 29. Jayden Hunt, 30. Alex Neal-Bullen, 31. Jack Grimes, 32. Tomas Bugg, 35. Ben Kennedy, 36. Jeff Garlett, 37. Aaron vandenBerg, 39. Neville Jetta, 42. Josh Wagner, 43. James Harmes, 45. Matt Jones, 46. Dean Terlich

Notable absentees: Bernie Vince, Nathan Jones, Chris Dawes, Heritier Lumumba

FOCUS PLAYERS

First time we see dees this season, with a few of their vets out good to see what their young team can bring. Alex Neal-Bullen (MID/DEF AF $230,000 RDT $241,400) is just rookie priced, with a few betting on him having a break out. Jack Viney (MID AF $462,000 RDT $484,400 had a big preseason and could be one to step up as a POD. Can Dougal Howard (FWD AF $125,000 RDT $128,200) follow up a solid 52 in a losing team and be a cheap fwd rookie choice, and a possible replacement for a missing Monfries. Will we actually see Ollie Wines (MID AF $513,000, RDT $536,900) get a game this week?

Shags Pick

Max Gawn (RUCK AF $509,00 RDT $532,900) Ended last season in huge form, with some massive scores. Reports are that he has had a great preseason and looking to be the dees main ruck.

Richmond v Hawthorn, Saturday, February 27, 4.40pm AEDT at Holm Park Recreation Reserve

1. Nick Vlastuin, 2. Dylan Grimes, 4. Dustin Martin, 5. Brandon Ellis, 7. Ben Lennon, 8. Jack Riewoldt, 9. Trent Cotchin, 10. Shane Edwards, 11. Jake Batchelor, 14. Bachar Houli, 15. Andrew Moore, 17. Daniel Rioli, 18. Alex Rance, 20. Ivan Maric, 21. Jacob Townsend, 23. Kane Lambert, 25. Troy Chaplin, 26. Anthony Miles, 28. Taylor Hunt, 30. Reece Conca, 31. Oleg Markov, 32. Corey Ellis, 33. Kamdyn McIntosh, 34. Liam McBean, 37.Connor Menadue, 38. Steven Morris, 41. Mobior Chol, 45. Jayden Short, 46. Jason Castagna

Notable absentees: Brett Deledio, Tyrone Vickery, Shaun Grigg, Ben Griffiths

3. Jordan Lewis, 4. Billy Hartung, 6. Josh Gibson, 7. Ben McEvoy, 8. Taylor Duryea, 9. Shaun Burgoyne, 10. Bradley Hill, 11. Brendan Whitecross, 12. James Frawley, 13. Jonathan O’Rourke, 14. Grant Birchall, 17. Angus Litherland, 20. Dallas Willsmore, 21. James Sicily, 23. Tim O’Brien, 24. Ben Stratton, 25. Ryan Schoenmakers, 26. Liam Shiels, 28. Paul Puopolo, 30. Kaiden Brand, 32. Jack Fitzpatrick, 33. Cyril Rioli, 36. Kieran Lovell, 37. Blake Hardwick, 41. Daniel Howe, 42. Teia Miles, 43. Marc Pittonet, 45. Jermaine Miller-Lewis, 46. Lachlan Langford, 47. Shem-Kalvin Tatupu

Notable absentees: Luke Hodge, Sam Mitchell, Jack Gunston, Luke Breust

FOCUS PLAYERS

We get to see Trent Cotchin (MID AF $506,000 RDT $530,000) run out for the first time. Can richmond rookies Connor Menadue (FWD/MID AF $138,000 RDT $170,400) , follow up on a solid 59 from last week. If Jordan Lewis (MID) scores another big tonne surely he will make it into many teams, and Grant Birchall (DEF) looked very impressive as a linking player for the hawks.

Shags Pick

Daniel Howe (DEF AF $265,000 RDT $271,300) had a big week in round 1 NAB, if he follows up and makes the team round 1 season proper, you simply cannot ignore.

Carlton v Essendon, Sunday, February 28, 2.05pm AEDT at Ikon Park

2. Jack Silvagni, 4. Bryce Gibbs, 7. Dylan Buckley, 10. Harry McKay, 12. Blaine Boekhorst, 13. Jed Lamb, 14. Liam Jones, 15. Sam Docherty, 17. Sam Rowe, 22. Jason Tutt, 23. Jacob Weitering, 24. Mark Whiley, 25. Clem Smith, 28. David Cuningham, 30. Charlie Curnow, 31. Matthew Dick, 32. Nick Graham, 33. Andrejs Everitt, 34. Andrew Phillips, 35. Ed Curnow, 37. Daniel Gorringe, 38. Ciaran Byrne, 40. Michael Jamison, 41. Levi Casboult, 42. Zach Tuohy, 45. Andrew Gallucci, 46. Matthew Wright, 47. Jesse Glass-McCasker, 48. Matt Korcheck

Notable absentees: Marc Murphy, Matthew Kreuzer, Patrick Cripps, Andrew Walker

3. Darcy Parish, 6. Joe Daniher, 7. Zach Merrett, 8. Martin Gleeson, 9. Brendon Goddard, 11. David Zaharakis, 12. Mark Baguley, 14. Jason Ashby, 15. Courtenay Dempsey, 17. Adam Cooney, 19. Shaun Edwards, 20. Jackson Merrett, 24. Craig Bird, 28. Mitch Brown, 30. Kyle Langford, 33. Jayden Laverde, 34. Jake Long, 36. Michael Hartley, 38. Nick Kommer, 41. Will Hams, 42. James Gwilt, 43. Anthony McDonald-Tipungwuti, 44. Shaun McKernan, 45. Conor McKenna, 51. Ryan Crowley, 52. Jonathan Simpkin, 54. Sam Grimley, 56. Sam Michael

Notable absentees: Mathew Stokes, James Kelly, Matthew Leuenberger, Patrick Ambrose

FOCUS PLAYERS

Pretty much everyone in the Bombers team. Mitch Brown (DEF/FWD AF $194,000 RDT $121,300) rookie priced defender, Bombers are short of defenders, good JS, what more needs to be said? Zach Merrett (MID/FWD AF $501,00 RDT $524,800 already shows signs of a strong DT game, could rise in stocks with Bombers depleted midfield. Ryan Crowley MID AF $226,00 RDT $312,100 is an interesting one, with reports he won’t tag and will play more forward (DPP status round 6?). Jonathan Simpkin (FWD/MID AF $226,00 RDT $275,200 is another top up player everyone will want to watch. Popular rookies to look at are Nick Kommer (FWD) Anthony McDonald-Tipungwuti (DEF/FWD), Jake Long (MID/FWD). Also will Goddard (MID) and Zaharakis (MID) benefit hugely from more mid time, or go worse without the missing bombers.
over at Blues, many want to see more from Bryce Gibbs (MID) than his last weeks showing. Another strong performance by Nick Graham (MID) might make him a midprice option. Need to check Matthew Wright (MID/FWD) role again, and whether rookies Jed Lamb (FWD) or Ciaran Byrne (DEF) can do enough to break into the Carlton firsts lineup.

Shags Pick

Craig Bird (FWD/MID AF $321,000 RDT $343,500) an awful lot of preseason hype about Bird, mid priced, could get mid time. Already in many forward lines. The NAB cup performances may make or break this.

Fremantle v Adelaide, Sunday, February 28, 1.40pm AWST at Sounness Park

3. Zac Dawson, 5. Garrick Ibbotson, 6. Danyle Pearce, 7. Nat Fyfe, 8. Nick Suban, 9. Matt de Boer, 10. Michael Walters, 11. Tommy Sheridan, 12. Jonathon Griffin, 13. Tendai Mzungu, 14. Lachie Weller, 15. Ethan Hughes, 17. Hayden Crozier, 19. Connor Blakely, 20. Matt Taberner, 21. Michael Barlow, 23. Chris Mayne, 26. Ed Langdon, 27. Lachie Neale, 28. Brady Grey, 29. Matthew Pavlich, 31. Aaron Sandilands, 32. Stephen Hill, 33. Cameron Sutcliffe, 36. Alex Silvagni, 37. Michael Johnson, 38. Jack Hannath, 40. Sam Collins, 46. Clancee Pearce

Notable absentees: David Mundy, Hayden Ballantyne, Harley Bennell, Zac Clarke

4. Josh Jenkins, 6. Jake Lever, 7. Nathan van Berlo, 8. Mitch Grigg, 9. Rory Sloane, 11. Paul Seedsman, 14. David Mackay, 15. Kyle Hartigan, 16. Luke Brown, 17. Curtly Hampton, 21. Rory Atkins, 25. Kyle Cheney, 26. Richard Douglas, 27. Tom Lynch, 28. Cam Ellis-Yolmen, 29. Rory Laird, 30. Wayne Milera, 31. Jarryd Lyons, 32. Troy Menzel, 33. Brodie Smith, 34. Sam Shaw, 35. Harrison Wigg, 36. Dean Gore, 38. Harry Dear, 40. Luke Lowden, 41. Mitch McGovern, 43. Reilly O’Brien, 44. Matt Crouch, 47. Jake Kelly

Notable absentees: Eddie Betts, Brad Crouch, Sam Jacobs, Scott Thompson

FOCUS PLAYERS

Lachie Neale (MID) and Michael Barlow (MID/FWD) will further cement themselves if they have another good game. Matt Crouch (MID) in the shadow of his older brother, is looking like a solid POD himself. Wayne Milera (FWD AF $199,000 RDT $179,800) showed some class with 42 from 65% time on ground. Hopefully see more of him this week.

Shags Pick

Dean Gore (MID AF $125,000 RDT $128,200) scored a solid 78 last week, albeit against a very young WCE team. It will be good to see how he goes against a stronger freo opposition.

Geelong v Collingwood
Friday, February 26, 7.10pm AEDT at Simonds Stadium

Cats vs Pies teamssheets are up. Notable absentees from cats are Jimmy Bartel, Joel Selwood, Scott Selwood, Mitch Clark, whilst for pies they are Scott Pendlebury, Travis Cloke, Adam Treloar, Jamie Elliott. Everyone will want to see Dangerfield in the cats uniform, and there are a whole raft of premium options and rookies on show.

1. Rhys Stanley, 4. Andrew Mackie, 5. Nakia Cockatoo, 6. Lincoln McCarthy, 7. Harry Taylor, 8. Jake Kolodjashnij, 9. Zac Smith, 10. Daniel Menzel, 11. Darcy Lang, 18. Josh Cowan, 21. Jordan Murdoch, 22. Mitch Duncan, 23. Josh Caddy, 24. Jed Bews, 25. Lachie Henderson, 26. Tom Hawkins, 27. Sam Menegola, 28. Cory Gregson, 29. Cameron Guthrie, 30. Nathan Vardy, 32. Steven Motlop, 33. George Horlin-Smith, 35. Patrick Dangerfield, 36. Tom Ruggles, 37. Michael Luxford, 39. Shane Kersten, 40. Jackson Thurlow, 44. Corey Enright, 46. Mark Blicavs

1. Alex Fasolo, 2. Jordan de Goey, 3. Brent Macaffer, 4. Brodie Grundy, 9. Jesse White, 11. Jarryd Blair, 13. Taylor Adams, 14. James Aish, 15. Jarrod Witts, 16. Nathan Brown, 17. Jonathon Marsh, 18. Travis Varcoe, 19. Levi Greenwood, 21. Tom Phillips, 22. Steele Sidebottom, 25. Jack Crisp, 28. Ben Sinclair, 29. Tim Broomhead, 30. Darcy Moore, 31. Jackson Ramsay, 34. Alan Toovey, 36. Dane Swan, 37. Brayden Maynard, 40. Josh Smith, 41. Tim Golds, 43. Adam Oxley, 44. Corey Gault, 45. Jack Frost, 46. Mason Cox

Rookies (Rookie priced)

Cats – Michael Luxford (FWD), Tom Ruggles (DEF), Sam Menegola (MID), Josh Cowan (DEF), Nakia Cockatoo (FWD).
Pies – Mason Cox (FWD/RUCK), Jack Frost (DEF), Corey Gault (FWD), Tim Golds (DEF), Josh Smith (MID), Tom Phillips (FWD/MID).

FOCUS PLAYERS

Patrick Dangerfield (MID AF $589,000 RDT $616,400) is the most obvious one. You would have to not know anything about AFL to NOT be curious about his role at the Cats, which is likely get the ball lots and kick goals. Mitch Duncan (MID RDT $462,700 AF $442,000) has some attention, but concern of role with bolstered cats mids. I’ve heard great things about rookie Sam Menegola (MID AF $127,00 RDT $121,300) down at the cats. Almost everyone will be watching Mark Blicavs (RUCK) with Zac Smith (RUCK) joining the team and Nathan Vardy (FWD/RUCK) getting a run. In the pies team, many have James Aish (DEF AF $293,000 RDT $307,200 ) as a solid mid price defence option at a new club. Dane Swan (MID) is a usual favourite, reportedly spending more time in forward, which actually could be a good thing earning him a possible DPP fwd status after week 6. Macaffer (MID AF $199,00 RDT $214,300) coming back from serious injury is an expensive rookie priced option with pretty good JS (hes in leadership group) and a proven track record. Tom Phillips (FWD AF $125,000 RDT $121,300 is a forward rookie option in a few preseason teams.
Brodie Grundy (RUCK) is a clear ruck option and Taylor Adams (MID) had an amazing break out year in 2015, and Levi Greenwood (MID) is in after a horrid run with injuries.
Last word for my lad Josh Cowan (DEF AF $130,000 RDT $161,700) local Daylesford boy like myself, coming back from an absolute horrible injury in his 1st game last year, and genuinely DT rookie option to boot.

Shags Pick

Steele Sidebottom (MID AF $565,000 RDT $591,300) was on everyones list last years preseason, but he had a very injury interrupted 2015. He seems to have flown somewhat under peoples radar this year, but the guy is a gun, and guns like steele dont usually stay down for long.

Greater Western Sydney v Western Bulldogs
Thursday, 25 February, 7.10pm AEDT at StarTrack Oval (Canberra)

Week two of the NAB cup and we get to see another two teams for the first time this year. The Doggies take on the Giants at Startrack oval in Canberra. Dogs name new recruits Jed Adcock and Matt Suckling, but still resting Tom Liberatore. Giants named a very young team with many stars like Toby Greene, Callan Ward, Devon Smith, Heath Shaw, Ryan Griffen and new recruit Steve Johnson missing.

1. Phil Davis, 2. Jacob Hopper, 3. Stephen Coniglio, 5. Dylan Shiel, 6. Lachie Whitfield, 7. Rhys Palmer, 9. Tom Scully, 11. Jack Steele, 12. Jonathon Patton , 14. Jarrod Pickett, 15. Matthew Kennedy, 16. Nathan Wilson, 20. Adam Tomlinson, 21. Matt Buntine, 22. Josh Kelly, 24. Joel Patfull, 26. Dawson Simpson, 27. Harrison Himmelberg, 28. Jake Barrett, 29. Zac Williams,, 31. Jeremy Finlayson, 33. Will Hoskin-Elliott, 34. Caleb Marchbank, 35. Aidan Corr, 36. James Stewart, 37. Rory Lobb, 40. Adam Kennedy, 42. Pat McKenna, 50. Sam J. Reid

1. Matthew Suckling, 2. Robert Murphy, 3. Mitch Wallis, 4. Marcus Bontempelli, 5. Matthew Boyd, 6. Luke Dahlhaus, 7. Lachie Hunter, 9. Jake Stringer, 10. Easton Wood, 11. Jack Macrae, 13. Nathan Hrovat, 15. Tom Campbell, 16. Toby McLean, 19. Lukas Webb, 22. Mitch Honeychurch, 23. Jordan Roughead, 24. Shane Biggs, 25. Koby Stevens, 26. Declan Hamilton, 27. Will Minson, 29. Tory Dickson, 31. Bailey Dale, 32. Kieran Collins, 33. Marcus Adams, 35. Caleb Daniel, 38. Dale Morris, 39. Jason Johannisen, 42. Liam Picken, 44. Jed Adcock

Rookies (Rookie priced)

Giants – Sam J. Reid (MID/FWD), Pat McKenna (FWD), Aidan Corr (DEF), Caleb Marchbank (DEF), Jeremy Finlayson (DEF), Jake Barrett (MID), Harrison Himmelberg (FWD), Matthew Kennedy (MID), Jarrod Pickett (FWD), Jonathon Patton (FWD), Jacob Hopper (MID).
Dogs – Marcus Adams (DEF/FWD), Kieran Collins (DEF), Bailey Dale (FWD/MID), Declan Hamilton (FWD/MID).

FOCUS PLAYERS

As stated in the preamble it will be interesting to see the role and position of new recruits Matthew Suckling (DEF/FWD AF $444,000 RDT $464,900) and Jed Adcock (FWD/DEF AF $342,000 RDT $357,700).
Lachie Hunter (MID AF $433,000 RDT $453,600) had a very strong finish to the 2015 season which was noticed by a few, and could be a good midpriced POD. Will be good to see veteran Matthew Boyd will continue to be the Dreamteam royalty that he is, and if Jack Macrae and Luke Dahlhaus keeps their strong form. For the giants, they have named a very young side so watch their rookies & keep a sneaky eye on Josh Kelly (MID AF $406,00 RDT $424,800). Rookie Harrison Himmelberg is one to keep an eye on as a possible replacement for the missing Cam McCarthy, and good to see big man Jonathon Patton back, who is still (just) rookie priced.

Shags Pick

Going to go a bit left field on this one. Everyone down at the Dogs have been raving about Libbas return to form, but just quietly just below another has been tearing up the track in Mitch Wallis (MID AF $495,000 RDT $518,700) who was impressive last year and could follow up his break out year in 2015. Very much a smokey.

New Teamsheets to be listed as them come to hand.