Talking Points
Rising fast: form report for 18/2
Boekhorst, Close, Apeness show rookie form
This is a collation of the latest AFL player injury reports from the media as collated in FanFooty’s Media Street feature.
SAM Blease is desperate to make the most of his second chance to play at the highest level.
I feel like I’ve got a lot of AFL footy ahead of me – Geelong FC
” Westhoff joined fellow Tanunda native Sam Colquhoun and teammate Tom Clurey at Tanunda Primary School on Monday as part of the club’s Community Camp in South Australia’s Barossa Valley.
Westhoff set to roam – AFL
” 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
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.
Seb the next Lenny Saints are banking on it
Ross on horse for Lenny – AFL
CLEM Smith and Blaine Boekhorst are leading the charge of Carlton’s 2014 draftees pushing to play in the NAB Challenge after impressive pre-seasons, Blues football manager Andrew McKay says.
Boekhorst, Smith in the mix – AFL
CLEM Smith and Blaine Boekhorst are leading the charge of Carlton’s 2014 draftees pushing to play in the NAB Challenge after impressive pre-seasons, Blues football manager Andrew McKay says.
Boekhorst, Smith in the mix – AFL
The man to get first crack at filling the giant void left by the recently retired Brown is Michael Close.
Close the new Lion King – Fox Sports
While Walsh needs to refit Adelaide’s back six — with veteran full back Ben Rutten’s retirement exposing the Crows to major challenges in covering tall forwards — the more likely candidates for new defensive roles at West Lakes are Ricky Henderson and van Berlo.
Delaying rookie elevation keeps Phils options open – Adelaide Advertiser
van Berlo back to HBF? – Adelaide Advertiser
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
BEAU Waters’ long-awaited return to AFL football has been delayed further after West Coast coach Adam Simpson revealed the veteran was continuing to be plagued by ongoing shoulder issues.
Waters’ shoulder a burden – AFL
HERITIER Lumumba is likely to play in a variety of roles at Melbourne including through the midfield, Demons coach Paul Roos says.
Lumumba set to be a utility: Roos – Melbourne FC
Former Geelong midfielder Taylor Hunt has made an impressive transition into life at his new football home at Richmond.
Happy with Hunt – Richmond FC
Fremantle player Colin Sylvia will train with partner WAFL club Peel Thunder after it was determined he was not meeting the physical requirements for AFL football.
Sylvia to train with Peel Thunder – Fremantle 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
ADELAIDE midfielder Brad Crouch is ready to deliver on his enormous promise after finally enjoying an injury-free summer.
Red-hot summer has Brad primed – Adelaide Advertiser
But Jack Martin is also one of the best.
Martin hype begins again as Suns let talent loose – Gold Coast Suns 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
But it was away from the football field as an unsuspecting Jarryd Lyons slept that the Crows midfielder suffered the most bizarre, painful and potentially serious ailment of his career.
Lyons biting back – Adelaide FC
" The Blues are likely to have plenty of height inside 50, with Casboult expected to feature alongside recruit Liam Jones and Lachie Henderson, the latter needing to work on his consistency, having finished goalless in seven matches last season.
Carlton’s Levi Casboult hopes to get a kick along – Sydney Morning Herald
Dustin Martin will be challenged to take his midfield game to a new level in 2015, Richmond coach Damien Hardwick says.
Martins midfield mission – Richmond 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
RICHMOND forward Ben Griffiths is training for a new role up the ground in 2015 as he looks to build on the most encouraging period of his short career.
Tall Tiger trimming down for new aerobic role – AFL
Sam Durdin has a simple message driving him through pre-season: “expect to play”.
Expect to play – North Melbourne 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
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
CHAMPION Fremantle ruckman Aaron Sandilands has survived a summer back injury scare and is ready to resume full training this week.
Sandi lifts tempo after minor back scare – Fox Sports
ST KILDA wingman Jack Newnes is on a mission to add size to his frame between now and round one to help him compete as an inside midfielder.
Saint bulking up for 2015 – AFL
NIC NAITANUI says he’s determined to silence his critics, with the West Coast ruckman declaring he’s ready to “prove a point” next season.
Nic Nat’s ‘point to prove – 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