Co-captain Jy Simpkin will need to prove his fitness at training on Thursday if he’s to return to the side that will face Melbourne on Saturday night.
Co-captain Jy Simpkin will need to prove his fitness at training on Thursday if he’s to return to the side that will face Melbourne on Saturday night.
After a stellar performance against the Eagles in Round 13, the midfielder was a late withdrawal prior to Sunday’s game against Collingwood due to a low-grade hamstring strain.
“(My hamstring is) feeling pretty good, fingers crossed I can keep ticking boxes,” Simpkin told reporters on Tuesday.
Key defender Griffin Logue is available but will make his return from an ACL injury via the VFL, so the Roos will need to look elsewhere to replace the suspended Kallan Dawson.
Toby Pink has been used as a forward lately but could find himself down back to fill the Dawson-sized hole, while Bigoa Nyuon is a potential inclusion having been named available despite missing the reserves’ win over Collingwood due to a hip complaint.
Miller Bergman made his return from hamstring injury through the VFL and racked up 21 disposals. He and Riley Hardeman are smaller defensive options that could be considered by senior coach Alastair Clarkson and the match committee.
Colby McKercher is another rebounding defender set to return to action having overcome bone stress in his foot. The draftee hasn’t featured since earning a Rising Star nod in Round 9 but had played every game in the senior side up until that point.
A host of Roos impressed at the AIA Centre last Sunday morning and have also pressed their claims for recalls.
Charlie Lazzaro notched 31 disposals while Dylan Stephens booted two goals from his 32 touches.
Zane Duursma was perhaps the pick of the bunch though from an AFL perspective, finishing with 25 disposals, three majors, and four clearances.
Three goals from 21 possessions could earn Cooper Harvey his season debut, while Hugh Greenwood’s (21 disposals, 14 clearances) efforts at the contest will also have him in the frame.