2015 cheat sheet
Eye on this guy: watchlist report for 26/2
Smedts, Jetta, Clurey, Brown, Tarrant on watchlists
This is a collation of the latest AFL player reports mentioning “watchlist” from the media as collated in FanFooty’s Media Street feature.
Ex-Lion signs on with Dons for NAB Challenge “We get Brent Staker back, and Luke McGuane is back from his knee troubles as well.
Lions look forward – AFL
ST KILDA has added Luke Dunstan, Tom Simpkin, Jimmy Webster and Daniel Markworth to its injury list.
Injury update: Dunstan to miss NAB 1 – St Kilda FC
West Coast ruckman Nic Naitanui will miss Friday’s AFL pre-season clash with Carlton due to a back injury, but the Eagles will welcome back a host of other stars.
Naitanui to miss clash with AFL Blues (AAP) – West Australian
The oldest player in the squad is 28-year-old Sam Dwyer , while Varcoe is the most experienced with 138 senior games to his name.
Six new faces included in squad – Collingwood FC
Nathan Brown ($146,900 def) was a late withdrawal after suffering a corked leg at training.
SuperCoach scouting report – Fox Sports
VIDEO: Sam Fisher post-intra club On Eli Templeton: Eli performance was very positive.
Richo’s Facebook chat recap – St Kilda FC
On Ahmed Saad: Saady is doing well.
Richo’s Facebook chat recap – St Kilda FC
FIGHTING fit and with no lingering effects from a neck fracture that ended his 2014 season, forward Tom Lynch can’t wait for Adelaide’s opening NAB Challenge clash against North Melbourne on Sunday.
Lynch hopes for lucky break – AFL
“It’s very disappointing but Robbie Tarrant is absolutely flying, he’s big and strong and moves really well.
Depth helps injury-hit Roos – AFL
BOOM recruit Mitch Clark will play for Geelong in Sunday’s NAB Challenge opener in Townsville but the Cats will keep a host of stars in cotton wool.
Clark to play but stars to be rested – Geelong Advertiser
” Hugh Goddard, who was pick 21 at last year’s NAB AFL Draft, played well in the intra-club, showing some size and strength in defence.
Fisher like a ‘new draftee – St Kilda FC
And his former Essendon teammate Angus Monfries will also line up in the 5.30pm clash which will kickstart the Power’s season.
No NAB but Power will unleash Paddy – NT News
SYDNEY Swans coach John Longmire has backed Lewis Jetta to rebound from a horror Grand Final performance and play a key role replacing Nick Malceski across half-back this season.
Jetta the new ‘Mal’: Longmire – AFL
First-round draft pick Blaine Boekhorst showed some positive signs and kicked a goal before courageously flying for a mark in the fourth quarter and landing on flat on his back.
Watson stars in intra-club – Carlton FC
Watson’s contribution was closely followed by teenager Clem Smith.
Waton kicks bag in scratch match – Fox Sports
While the Swans have a relatively healthy list heading into the NAB Challenge, the club has also been forced to hold back prized youngster Isaac Heeney with knee tendinitis.
Setbacks for young Swans – AFL
WHEN Kieran and Brandon Jack played together for the first time in 2013, Kieren told Sydney Swans coach John Longmire that two Jacks were better than one.
Jack strives to emulate blood brother – Fox Sports
Among the players battling for a spot is 22-year-old midfielder Aaron Young, who is looking to cement a regular place in the side on the back of an injury-free off season.
Fight for spots intensifying – Port Adelaide FC
Asked to nominate Carlton’s pre-season eyecatchers, McKay swiftly volunteered the names of Nick Graham, Patrick Cripps, Zach Tuohy, Dale Thomas, Chris Judd, Matt Kreuzer (before suffering a hairline fracture of the fifth metatarsal) and the club’s international rookie Ciaran Byrne.
McKay’s pre-season player critique: 1 – 10 – Carlton FC
DOMINANT performances from Jesse Hogan, Christian Salem and Jeff Garlett were the highlights from Melbourne’s intra-club practice match at Casey Fields on Thursday afternoon.
Hogan, Garlett shine – AFL
DOMINANT performances from Jesse Hogan, Christian Salem and Jeff Garlett were the highlights from Melbourne’s intra-club practice match at Casey Fields on Thursday afternoon.
Hogan, Garlett shine – AFL
West Coast Eagles youngster Murray Newman has put himself in the mix for a round one starting spot after an impressive pre-season that has breathed fresh life into the forward’s AFL career.
Newman puts name in the frame for round one selection – Bound For Glory News
However that’s not the case for Giants draftee Jack Steele who has already impressed co-captain Callan Ward with his work on the training track this pre-season.
Ward impressed with Giants’ man of Steele – AFL
WESTERN Bulldogs forward Jarrad Grant will welcome the challenge of being swung through midfield next season as coach Luke Beveridge implements a more unpredictable playing style.
New tricks for Dog – AFL
ST KILDA defender Nathan Wright is pushing to prove his fitness ahead of the Saints’ opening NAB Challenge match as he eyes a full-time role across half-back this season.
Wright to attack – AFL
Sydney Swan Gary Rohan says his right leg is finally pain-free nearly three years after it was severely broken in a collision with North Melbourne’s Lindsay Thomas.
Rohan ready to rebound – Sydney Swans FC
” Duffield is a secure member of the Dockers crucial defensive division but expects genuine threats from rising key backliner Alex Pearce and highly popular big man Alex Silvagni to stale claims for regular appearances backward of centre.
Duffy determined to take Freo to AFL finals – Adelaide Advertiser
FORGOTTEN Geelong midfielder Josh Cowan is on track to play in the NAB Challenge series, ending his heartbreaking football hiatus.
Forgotten Cat needs a slice of luck – Geelong Advertiser
AT CERTAIN points in games last year, young Cat Darcy Lang’s mind began to wander.
Lang winning mind games – AFL
ST KILDA will hand youngsters Seb Ross and Luke Dunstan more prominent midfield roles this season as the club prepares for life without departed champion Lenny Hayes.Ross on horse for Lenny – AFL
EMERGING midfielder Cameron Guthrie is set to become a much more attacking weapon in Geelong’s midfield set-up this season.
Guthrie to be set free – Geelong FC
AFTER playing just six AFL games last season, Billie Smedts has been one of the standout performers on the training track during the summer.
Determined Smedts ready for big crack – Geelong FC
Chris Knights has emerged from a seemingly never-ending tunnel of darkness that had totally derailed his league playing career at Richmond.
Dark Knights over – Richmond FC
Third year Bomber Jackson Merrett has worked hard on improving his endurance and physicality to increase his ability to play through the midfield.
Merrett increases endurance – Essendon FC
GREATER Western Sydney has rubbished claims star recruit Ryan Griffen has been hampered by a back complaint this pre-season.
Griffen good to go – AFL
Speedster Shaun Atley is aiming to spend more time further up the field this year to complement his position across half-back.
Atley spreads his wings – North Melbourne FC
He’s played in just about every position on the ground during his time at the Gold Coast SUNS, but in 2015, fans can expect to see Danny Stanley spend a vast amount of time roaming across half-forward.
Versatile Stanley moving forward – Gold Coast Suns FC
GEELONG fans can breathe a sigh of relief with superstar Steve Johnson back running on his injured right foot and set to complete a bonus week of pre-season training.
Stevie J getting back on his feet – Fox Sports
GEELONG midfielder Josh Caddy is constantly envious listening to his premiership teammates reminisce about their past successes.
Caddy hungry for a flag – AFL
Recruit Kyle Langford is determined to have an impact during his first season in the red and black setting his sights on playing senior football in 2015.
Langford determined to make a mark – Essendon FC
Fremantle forward Michael Apeness hopes a full pre-season will help him out in his second season of AFL.
Full pre-season has Apeness primed – Fremantle FC
” In a further boost for the club, young midfielder Will Hams also took part in his first session after overcoming an ongoing hip complaint.
Browne returns to training – Essendon FC
SWANS forward Lance Franklin, Kurt Tippett and Adam Goodes are ready to hit the ground running in their quest to overcome grand final embarrassment, with the trio well ahead of where they were this time last year.
Big Swans looking to make their mark – Fox Sports
Jeremy Cameron is out of contract at seasons end.
Camerons career nearly cut short – Fox Sports
” Gritty midfield all-rounder Mark Hutchings is another Eagle headed for a late start to the home-and-away season.
Darling, Selwood set to miss Round 1 – Fox Sports
IT WASN’T Kane Cornes’ pet event, nor was it a race, but when Karl Amon worked past him on a Dubai training run in November it was a signal: the youngster was making his move.
Amon makes his move – AFL
“The other guy is Reilly O’Brien who has rucked quite well the last couple of match simulations we’ve had.
Jacobs, Mackay suffer pre-season setbacks – Fox Sports
JACKSON Trengove’s pain at being ruled out until round one with a shoulder injury is shaping to be Port Adelaide defender Tom Clurey’s gain.
Trengove’s pain, Tom’s gain – AFL
WESTERN Bulldogs recruit Caleb Daniel continues to impress during pre-season training as he eyes a spot in the senior line-up.
Daniel, Stringer impressing Dogs – Fox Sports
” Particularly impressive has been the pre-season efforts of midfielder Lin Jong, who King says is making the most of his opportunity following an impressive VFL finals series, alongside Brett Goodes and Nathan Hrovat, who King also identified as having notable influence on the track over the summer.
Coaches pleased with progress – Western Bulldogs FC
Meanwhile, first-round draft pick Taylor Garner has progressed to high intensity straight-line running following hip surgery.
Your club’s returners – AFL