Pre-season Notes – Week 12

Every week of the pre-season, we will post our take on any news that comes through. We’ll get sucked in by who’s burning up the track, getting more midfield time and those who are locks even though we are weeks away from locking our teams in. This is anything goes and we’ll be updating the rolling blog regularly. Come back, have a read and get involved in the discussion in the comments.

Click here for details on creating your pre-season Fantasy Classic team and join the discussion.

LAST UPDATE: Wednesday 25 January, 2017.

Fantasy is open

In case you missed it, AFL Fantasy is open for 2017!

#AFLFantasy kicks off for season 2017.

MORE: https://t.co/9gMY5i0iE3 ? pic.twitter.com/erTTtFLGx7

— AFL Fantasy (@AFLFantasy) January 24, 2017

Bombers high risk of soft tissue injuries

Essendon are aware that their returning players are a high risk of soft tissue injuries as their workloads are managed. Jobe Watson was unmissable in match simulation as he looks set to spend more time closer to goal.

“He’s been pushing forward – we had a little bit of match play today and he kicked a couple of goals,” performance coach Hayden Skipworth said after the two-hour session.

“He’s impacting in the midfield and forward at the moment and he’s in a really good headspace as well.”

Andrew McGrath could play round one.

“There’s no pressure on him to play round one, we’re just slowly building him into the program as well trying to limit his risk of injury,” Skipworth said.

“He’ll be right around (the mark for) selection round one, that’s for sure.

“I’m working on – run and carry off half-back" Watch Jacko talk about his new move to the backline: https://t.co/rwdQNwQQS7#DonTheSash pic.twitter.com/iExtftYVRo

— Essendon FC (@EssendonFC) January 25, 2017

Injury updates

• Swans defender Jeremy Laidler will miss up to six weeks after surgery on his left elbow. Luke Parker had an operation to fix a PCL problem he picked up in the preliminary final. He is “not too far away from joining introductory skills” while Lance Franklin is being “reintroduced into skills” after his shoulder but is a non-contact player when participating in main group drills.
• For West Coast, Liam Duggan has a hamstring issue. Nathan Vardy is being managed following a knock to his medial ligament in his knee. Elliot Yeo has a calf issue. Vardy and Yeo are sidelined from contact work but have joined in on running and skills.
• Roos are hopeful that Majak Daw and Ben Brown will be available for the pre-season competition. They are also being cautious with Todd Goldstein – being managed through sessions.
• Brad Crouch injured his hamstring for a third time a couple of weeks ago. The Crows say he will be right for the JLT Community Series. Scott Thompson has a sore shoulder and is on a lighter load.
• On light duties recovering from a stress fracture in his back, Patrick Cripps is expected to be fit for round one.

Marc Murphy ready to go

Carlton captain, and mid-priced Fantasy bargain Marc Murphy (MID, $482,000) has missed just one training session in the last three months and is ready and raring to go. He’s keen to get back to his best – and we all know what that is in Fantasy… 111.4 average from 22 games in 2011. A high 90s average would be great. Look out for Roy’s Deck of DT on him tomorrow.

“I’m 29, but feel like I’m 22 at the moment, and I’m really excited to get stuck into these pre-season games in four weeks’ time,” he said.

Lycett to return early in the season

Adam Simpson said at his presser today (see below) that Scott Lycett will return in the early part of the year, maybe not round one, but pretty close to it. Cross off Giles/Vardy… and also think about drafting Lycett late. Could be a good pick up!

Atley for more midfield time

Nick Bowen is reporting that Shaun Atley (DEF, $356K) will move into the midfield this season. He has trained with the midfield group all pre-season and impressed on a wing in a full ground trial match. Note that he hasn’t scored a Fantasy ton in his five year career. Also impressing in the intra-club match was Ryan Clarke (MID/FWD, $293K) – among others.

Todd Goldstein was in the group that trained away from the players involved in the game.

Essendon intra-club match

From all reports, Jobe Watson ran through the midfield racking up plenty of clearances. Looks as though this will be his predominant role, despite talk of forward time. Zach Merrett and Dyson Heppell were also busy. Cale Hooker missed with hamstring tightness while Joe Daniher and Tom Bellchambers are managing knees. Michael Hartley hurt his hamstring in the game.

Bennell hungrier than ever

Harley Bennell is building up his fitness since heading to Germany about his calf. While he is yet to join the main group, the Dockers say he will play a great deal of footy this season.

Follow @WarnieDT