Be sure to check out today’s edition of Tuney’s Tuition!

WEST COAST v ESSENDON
West Coast
B: Matt Spangher, Darren Glass, Brett Jones
HB: Andrew Embley, Will Schofield, Beau Waters
C: Matt Rosa, Matt Priddis, Bradd Dalziell
HF: Chris Masten, Josh Kennedy, Ashton Hams
F: Dean Cox, Mitch Brown, Mark LeCras
Foll: Nic Naitanui, Daniel Kerr, Adam Selwood
I/C: Brad Ebert, Ashley Hansen, Pat McGinnity, Scott Selwood
Emg: Ben McKinley, Ashley Smith, Tom Swift

In: Hams, McGinnity
Out: Luke Shuey (knee), Tom Swift

New: Ashton Hams (South Fremantle/rookie list)

  • Ashton Hams is the main inclusion here - Hams trained really well through the pre-season as a small defender but never featured in any of the NAB games. He is a mature aged rookie and was only elevated this week. Played most of his senior footy in the WAFL and averaged 14 possessions, however won best on ground in the WAFL Grand Final with 28 disposals and 14 marks. What is especially exciting though is that over the past month in the WAFL, Hams has averaged 26 disposals and kicked a total of 8 goals playing both on a wing and in the forward line. He is definitely one to watch!
  • Luke Shuey is a big out of DT coaches - from my knowledge he wasn’t injured in last weeks game, so perhaps he picked up a niggle with training. I wouldn’t expect him to be out for too long.

Essendon
B: Henry Slattery, Tayte Pears, Dustin Fletcher
HB: Courtenay Dempsey, Cale Hooker, Nathan Lovett-Murray
C: Kyle Reimers, Jobe Watson, Jake Melksham
HF: Sam Lonergan, Scott Gumbleton, Bachar Houli
F: Jason Winderlich, Michael Hurley, David Hille
Foll: Patrick Ryder, Andrew Welsh, David Zaharakis
I/C: Mark Williams, Travis Colyer, Heath Hocking, Ricky Dyson
Emg: Alwyn Davey, Brent Prismall, Darcy Daniher

In: Hurley
Out: Brent Stanton (back)

  • Hurley is a major in for the Dons - as he showed late last year, he has major star talent. He is dirt cheap for what he can potentially offer, so watch his first two games very closely before his price rises.
  • Stanton’s injury is a major blow, and i would expect it only to be a minor one. Due to the game being played in WA, they are never going to risk a player of Stanton’s ilk.

NORTH MELBOURNE v SYDNEY SWANS
North Melbourne
B: Michael Firrito, Scott Thompson, Brady Rawlings
HB: Sam Wright, Nathan Grima, Scott McMahon
C: Daniel Wells, Brent Harvey, Ryan Bastinac
HF: Aaron Edwards, Lachie Hansen, Liam Anthony
F: Lindsay Thomas, David Hale, Ben Warren
Foll: Hamish McIntosh, Andrew Swallow, Jack Ziebell
I/C: Leigh Adams, Gavin Urquhart, Todd Goldstein, Leigh Harding
Emg: Ben Cunnington, Josh Smith, Cruize Garlett

No change

  • No changes is a good sign for the Roos, but Cunnington’s name on the emergencies list is an ominous sign after his BOG performance in the VFL on the weekend.

Sydney Swans
B: Craig Bolton, Lewis Roberts-Thomson, Tadhg Kennelly
HB: Martin Mattner, Heath Grundy, Nick Malceski
C: Jarrad McVeigh, Brett Kirk, Kieren Jack
HF: Ryan O’Keefe, Adam Goodes, Josh Kennedy
F: Jesse White, Daniel Bradshaw, Jarred Moore
Foll: Mark Seaby, Jude Bolton, Ben McGlynn
I/C: Daniel Hannebery, Lewis Jetta, Shane Mumford, Rhyce Shaw
Emg: Ted Richards, Gary Rohan, Nick Smith

No change

ADELAIDE v CARLTON
Adelaide
B: Graham Johncock, Ben Rutten, Phil Davis
HB: Michael Doughty, Simon Goodwin, Brent Reilly
C: Myke Cook, Tyson Edwards, David Mackay
HF: Chris Knights, Taylor Walker, Richard Douglas
F: Jason Porplyzia, Kurt Tippett, Brett Burton
Foll: Ivan Maric, Bernie Vince, Scott Thompson
I/C: Andrew McLeod, Patrick Dangerfield, Jared Petrenko, Chris Schmidt
Emg: Jonathon Griffin, Matthew Jaensch, Shaun McKernan

In: Johncock, Davis
Out: Nathan Bock(hamstring), Trent Hentschel (knee)

New: Phil Davis (North Adelaide)

  • Not as many exclusions as perhaps expected for Adelaide. Bock is a big loss, but Davis will be brought in as cover. He has been talked up with plenty of potential (and has been touted as the heir-apparent to Bock), however his NAB cup was less than inspiring. Rookie backs are still worth gold though so keep an eye on him.
  • Kurt Tippett being named will understandably frustrate many coaches who wanted to wait a week to trade him out. Unfortunately, unless if you are prepared to leak some cash (or gamble on him being a late withdrawal), now seems to be the time to offload him.

Carlton
B: Simon White, Michael Jamison, Aaron Joseph
HB: Dennis Armfield, Andrew Walker, Jordan Russell
C: Bryce Gibbs, Chris Judd, Kade Simpson
HF: Mitch Robinson, Setanta O’hAilpin, Marc Murphy
F: Eddie Betts, Lachie Henderson, Chris Yarran
Foll: Matthew Kreuzer, Heath Scotland, Andrew Carrazzo
I/C: Jeff Garlett, Ryan Houlihan, Kane Lucas, Robert Warnock
Emg: Joe Anderson, Richard Hadley, Simon Wiggins

In: Judd, White, Garlett
Out: Bret Thornton , Jarrad Waite , Brock McLean (hip)

New: Simon White (Subiaco/rookie list)

  • Carlton have certainly swung the axe, chopping two of their most senior defenders in Waite and Thornton. Very surprising on each account - perhaps this isn’t the week to trade Tippett out after all!
  • Coming into the team is Chris Judd - obviously the biggest inclusion of the week! But also on the way in is another mature-aged rookie in White. White is 21 years old and won the rising star award in his WAFL team whilst playing off the half-back line. He averaged 16 disposals.

COLLINGWOOD v HAWTHORN
Collingwood
B: Alan Toovey, Simon Prestigiacomo, Tarkyn Lockyer
HB: Harry O’Brien, Nick Maxwell, Sharrod Wellingham
C: Luke Ball, Dane Swan, Heath Shaw
HF: Josh Fraser, Travis Cloke, Alan Didak
F: Paul Medhurst, Brent Macaffer, Leon Davis
Foll: Darren Jolly, Scott Pendlebury, Dale Thomas
I/C: Leigh Brown, Steele Sidebottom, Dayne Beams, Ben Johnson
Emg: Shane O’Bree, Ben Reid, John McCarthy

In: Johnson, Shaw
Out: John McCarthy, Shane O’Bree

  • It’s great to see Shaw back into the side after the one week out, however it is Johnson’s speedy return that is the most surprising!

Hawthorn
B: Brent Guerra, Stephen Gilham, Thomas Murphy
HB: Grant Birchall, Ryan Schoenmakers, Rick Ladson
C: Jordan Lewis, Sam Mitchell, Chance Bateman
HF: Michael Osborne, Jarryd Roughead, Cyril Rioli
F: Garry Moss, Carl Peterson, Campbell Brown
Foll: Brent Renouf, Luke Hodge, Xavier Ellis
I/C: Jarryd Morton, Ben Stratton, Brendan Whitecross, Clinton Young
Emg: Jarrod Kayler-Thomson, Shane Savage, Matt Suckling

In: Osborne, Young, Whitecross
Out: Lance Franklin (susp), Josh Gibson (hamstring), Matt Suckling

  • Buddy’s one week suspension was a blow to many dream teams - but at least we know it is only a week and is not caused by some ambiguous injury.
  • Clinton Young will play his first game of the year and is an absolute steal at his current price. His only issue is whether he can stay on the park - but if he can, make sure you jump on board whilst he is still cheap!
  • Worth noting is Ben Stratton’s spot in the team - he came in for his first game last week and played well at CHB. Now with Gibson’s 12 week injury, Stratton looks the one most likely to fill his shoes, meaning he will be a great cash-cow option!

BRISBANE v WESTERN BULLDOGS
Brisbane Lions
B: James Hawksley, Daniel Merrett, Travis Johnstone
HB: Luke Power, Matt Maguire, Josh Drummond
C: Andrew Raines, Simon Black, Tom Rockliff
HF: Justin Sherman, Jonathan Brown, Todd Banfield
F: Brent Staker, Brendan Fevola, James Polkinghorne
Foll: Matthew Leuenberger, Joel Patfull, Michael Rischitelli
I/C: Daniel Rich, Jared Brennan, Albert Proud, Jack Redden
Emg: Troy Selwood, Pearce Hanley, Matt Austin

In: Brennan, Proud
Out: Ashley McGrath (susp), Mitchell Clark (susp)

  • Jared Brennan is a very good inclusion, but not a surprise one as he only sat out round 3 because of suspension. Brisbane doesn’t look to be the only team Brennan comes into this week with thousands of dream teamers looking to bring him into their own sides for Riewoldt.
  • Mitch Clark goes out for one week with a suspension (as does McGrath), and Rockliff keeps his spot. Interestingly, Black has been named despite injuring himself during last week’s game.

Western Bulldogs
B: Jarrod Harbrow, Brian Lake, Dale Morris
HB: Ryan Hargrave, Tom Williams, Lindsay Gilbee
C: Brodie Moles, Matthew Boyd, Ryan Griffen
HF: Robert Murphy, Mitch Hahn, Shaun Higgins
F: Daniel Giansiracusa, Barry Hall, Josh Hill
Foll: Ben Hudson, Adam Cooney, Daniel Cross
I/C: Dylan Addison, Nathan Eagleton, Andrejs Everitt, Will Minson
Emg: Jarrad Grant, Brad Johnson, Jordan Roughead

In: Addison, Eagleton
Out: Jason Akermanis (hamstring), Liam Picken (ankle)

  • The main story here is Brad Johnson’s continued exclusion from the team - not that they wouldn’t want him there, but it seems he is taking a very long time to recover from his ‘minor’ injury. Brodie Moles keeps his spot, as does Will Minson (possible late withdrawal for Roughead??)

RICHMOND v MELBOURNE
Richmond
B: Shane Edwards, Alex Rance, Matthew Dea
HB: Mitch Farmer, Kelvin Moore, Matt White
C: Dustin Martin, Brett Deledio, Trent Cotchin
HF: Troy Taylor, Jack Riewoldt, Mitch Morton
F: Ben Nason, Jayden Post, Richard Tambling
Foll: Troy Simmonds, Daniel Jackson, Shane Tuck
I/C (from): Tyrone Vickery, David Astbury, Jake King, Graham Polak, Robin Nahas, Tom Hislop, Andrew Collins

In: Polak, Hislop, Nahas, Collins, Farmer, King, Taylor, Astbury, Dea
Out: Chris Newman (leg), Luke McGuane (club susp), Dean Polo (club susp), Relton Roberts, Daniel Connors (club susp), Ben Cousins (club susp)

New: Troy Taylor (South Alice Springs/NT Thunder), Matthew Dea (North Ballarat), David Astbury (North Ballarat)

  • A statement has been made at Punt Road with six players dropped from the squad - Newman is out injured, Relton Roberts has been dropped (*sigh*) and all of Cousins, Polo, McGuane (one week each) and Connors (eight weeks) are out with suspensions.
  • Three possible debuts for the Tigers; Matthew Dea is an extremely fit medium sized forward who averaged 10 disposals through the TAC Cup - perhaps not enough to consider him for dream team, but he does seem like a likely player.
  • Troy Taylor is an indigenous medium forward, capable of the freakish. He looks very capable and only slid down the draft due to his personal history of violence. Will be an interesting player to watch, but his junior stats are not amazing, nor is the fact he is currently facing court regarding bashing allegations.
  • David Astbury looks a very likely key-position forward, but the issue with his is his size - whilst standing at 195cm, he weighs in at only 81kg. Will be a good player, but is likely to take time - especially for DT purposes.

Melbourne
B: James McDonald, Matthew Warnock, James Frawley
HB: Cameron Bruce, Colin Garland, Lynden Dunn
C: Jack Trengove, Aaron Davey, Clint Bartram
HF: Brad Green, Ricky Petterd, Nathan Jones
F: Colin Sylvia, Matthew Bate, Rohan Bail
Foll: Mark Jamar, Jack Grimes, Brent Moloney
I/C (from): Joel MacDonald, Jordie McKenzie, Tom Scully, Jamie Bennell. Michael Newton, Kyle Cheney, Jake Spencer

In: Sylvia, Cheney, Spencer
Out: -

  • Sylvia’s inclusion is a very exciting one - look for him to jump straight into it. I would still be a little worried he could be a late withdrawal like last week, but i’m of the belief he will play.


GEELONG CATS v PORT ADELAIDE
Geelong Cats
B: Josh Hunt, Tom Lonergan, Darren Milburn
HB: Corey Enright, Harry Taylor, Andrew Mackie
C: James Kelly, Cameron Ling, Joel Corey
HF: Tom Hawkins, James Podsiadly, Paul Chapman
F: Steve Johnson, Cameron Mooney, Shannon Byrnes
Foll: Mark Blake, Joel Selwood, Gary Ablett
I/C (from): Simon Hogan, Ryan Gamble, Nathan Djerrkura, David Wojcinski, Brad Ottens, Mitch Duncan, Jimmy Bartel

In: Mooney, Milburn, Ottens, Hogan
Out: Dawson Simpson

  • Geelong welcome back a few old faces missing from last week’s loss to Freo - Ottens, Mooney and Milburn. Also, it is great to see Podsiadly has kept his spot in the team, despite both Mooney and Hawkins being named.

Port Adelaide
B: Jacob Surjan, Alipate Carlile, Troy Chaplin
HB: Nathan Krakouer, Chad Cornes, Steven Salopek
C: Danyle Pearce, Domenic Cassisi, Jason Davenport
HF: Matt Thomas, Warren Tredrea, David Rodan
F: Cameron Hitchcock, Brett Ebert, Justin Westhoff
Foll: Dean Brogan, Travis Boak, Kane Cornes
I/C (from): Jackson Trengove, Daniel Stewart, Robbie Gray, Nick Salter, Tom Logan, Mitch Banner, Matthew Lobbe

In: Brogan, Gray, Lobbe, Rodan, Salter, D. Stewart
Out: Cameron Cloke, Jay Schulz (knee), Paul Stewart (hip)

New: Matthew Lobbe (Eastern)

  • Finally, Robbie Gray looks to be getting a game - we will know for sure tomorrow night when the final teams are named, but from all reports he trained well and deserves his spot. I think Port will be very excited about his much needed inclusion into their midfield this week.
  • Matthew Lobbe, if he plays, will be backup ruckman to Brogan. Lobbe isn’t a huge ball-winner, but at the very least he will provide some relief to Brogan who already seems to be struggling with the sole-ruck position in the team.

ST KILDA v FREMANTLE
St Kilda
B: James Gwilt, Zac Dawson, Sam Gilbert
HB: Steven Baker, Sam Fisher, Brendon Goddard
C: Leigh Montagna, Clinton Jones, Nick Dal Santo
HF: Andrew McQualter, Jason Blake, Adam Schneider
F: Jarryn Geary, Michael Gardiner, Stephen Milne
Foll: Steven King, Jason Gram, Lenny Hayes
I/C (from): David Armitage, Raphael Clarke, Robert Eddy, Brett Peake, Farren Ray, Rhys Stanley, Jack Steven

In: Clarke, Eddy, Steven, Stanley
Out: Nick Riewoldt (hamstring)

New: Rhys Stanley

  • Jack Steven and Rhys Stanley are two of the possible inclusions into the Saint’s 22 for the weekend. The are both very exciting young players - if Steven gets a game, it will be only the second of his career, but if Stanley gets the gig it will be his first. Stanley is a very tall ruckman/forward, capable of taking a huge pack mark. He is extremely athletic and is capable of chasing down much smaller players with his great speed for his height. Whilst he doesn’t get a lot of possessions, he will win his DT points through marks, tackles and goals. Unfortunately though, i would be surprised if he were chosen as a member of the final team.

Fremantle
B: Jay van Berlo, Chris Tarrant, Adam McPhee
HB: Greg Broughton, Luke McPharlin, Roger Hayden
C: Anthony Morabito, David Mundy, Paul Hasleby
HF: Michael Johnson, Matthew Pavlich, Stephen Hill
F: Des Headland, Chris Mayne, Hayden Ballantyne
Foll: Aaron Sandilands, Michael Barlow, Paul Duffield
I/C (from): Matthew de Boer, Ryan Crowley, Dylan Roberton, Steven Dodd, Alex Silvagni, Clancee Pearce, Rhys Palmer

In: Palmer, Pearce, Roberton, Tarrant
Out: Nick Suban (ankle)

New: Dylan Roberton (Dandenong)

  • Two very big ins for Fremantle; Chris Tarrant will be a welcome inclusion to their backline, and Palmer will come in for his first game of the year after rupturing his ACL early last year. Palmer is at a very low price due to his 2009 injury, so it will definitely be worth monitoring his form over the next couple of weeks.
  • Another possible inclusion for Freo is first-gamer Dylan Roberton. Roberton is a medium ball-winning defender - he averaged 18 disposals and 5 marks per game for the Stingrays last year. However, through the NAB cup he showed he is not quite up to the pace of AFL, averaging just 35 DT points per game. But, just as most Freo youngsters seem to do, he will likely progress his game very quickly, being given every opportunity to do so.