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BRENDON Goddard is ready to fire against Carlton but Dyson Heppell is racing the clock to recover from a broken hand.
Goddard missed Essendon’s midweek training session but coach Mark Thompson revealed today he stayed home with a virus and had fully recovered.
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Heppell is another story.
The star midfielder broke his hand at training a week ago and suffered swelling and bruising in the following days. He trained today wearing a protective glove and completed the full session, but the metal plate and screws inserted by the surgeon would face a much bigger test once the real stuff starts.
And if they are damaged it could set Heppell’s recovery back by months.
Essendon training at Tullamarine.
Dyson Heppell trains today with his left hand protected by a glove. Picture: Colleen Petch Source: News Corp Australia
Before training Thompson was asked if he was confident Heppell would line up against the Blues.
“Not confident ... he’s got to get through the session, he’s got to be able to train, catch the ball and take a hit, otherwise I think the doctors would declare him not available,” Thompson said.
“He would be playing right now definitely if his hand hadn’t swollen but at this stage, as we speak right now, he’s got to get through the session.”
If Heppell withdraws, Jake Melksham is waiting in the wings and shapes as the obvious replacement.
The Blues have an injury worry of their own — Marc Murphy must be in some doubt after being knocked out in Adelaide last week.
There could be a late change at Melbourne with Neville Jetta every chance to pull out with a thigh injury. Cam Pedersen was unlucky to be dropped and could earn a reprieve.
Out west Fremantle is confident skipper Matthew Pavlich has recovered from the quad issue that forced him to pull out at the last minute before the Dockers’ win against Brisbane last week.
Marc Murphy is taken from the field after being concussed against Port Adelaide.
Marc Murphy is taken from the field after being concussed against Port Adelaide. Source: Getty Images
MONEY MATTERS
Suggest you focus your attention on the colts and have a look at the Rising Star award, where the outrageously talented Marcus Bontempelli has been an odds-on favourite for two months.
He may well get the money, but Brisbane’s Lewis Taylor as an each-way mark of $5 appeals as extremely good value given the consistency of his year.
VESTED INTEREST
Our tip for the starting sub for every team in Round 23.
HAWTHORN — Jonathan Simpkin has a habit, but he is due for a full game. Angus Litherland or Taylor Duryea fit the bill.
COLLINGWOOD — First-gamer Corey Gault is not a sub type, leaving Paul Seedsman.
CARLTON — Brock McLean or Dennis Armfield are repeat offenders, while Patrick Cripps could come into the side if Marc Murphy is not fit.
ESSENDON — Marty Gleeson might be the next Corey Enright, but for now, he’ll be lucky to avoid the sub vest. Jake Melksham could come in if Dyson Heppell’s hand isn’t right.
FREMANTLE — Hayden Crozier is our tip by process of elimination.
PORT ADELAIDE — Andrew ‘Gimme’ Moore or Kane Mitchell if Matt White’s groin forces him out.
SYDNEY — Jake Lloyd and Shane Biggs’ strong form will force Dean Towers into the vest.
RICHMOND — Nathan Gordon will take Ben Lennon’s place.
GEELONG — Billie Smedts or Lincoln McCarthy.
BRISBANE — It’s between first-gamer Jordan Bourke or Zac O’Brien.
NORTH MELBOURNE — Leigh Adams and Aaron Mullett are fighting for a finals spot.
MELBOURNE — Aidan Riley or Matt Jones.
GOLD COAST — Timmy Sumner or Alex Sexton.
WEST COAST — Ash Smith and Dom Sheed made the flight east and make sense.
ADELAIDE — It’s a raffle with extended squads. Mitch Grigg or Sam Kerridge.
ST KILDA — Brodie Murdoch.
WESTERN BULLDOGS — Boy, will we miss Gia. Nathan Hrovat has a sniff.
GWS GIANTS — First-gamer Cam McCarthy should he play.
SUPERCOACH ALERT
THE honeymoon is over for SuperCoach owners with versatile Brisbane ruckman Stefan Martin engaged in Grand Finals this week.
Martin has been one of the best performing big men in the game, averaging 121 in his past five outings.
But the return of Lions No.1 Matthew Leuenberger this week could spell trouble for the former Melbourne utility.
SuperCoach squads with Martin and two other active ruckmen this week should consider playing the emergency loophole.
How does it work? Make your third ruckman (ONLY if he plays before Martin’s Lions @7.40pm Saturday) an emergency and be prepared to swap out the Lion.
If the likes of Cameron Wood (emg) or Sam Naismith (emg) scores 80+, take Martin off the field and replace them with a Jason Holmes or Max King type.
Anything below 80, leave as is and roll the dice on Martin to score well despite Leuenberger’s return.
Stefan Martin (right) competes with Magpie Jarrod Witts. Picture: Michael Klein
Stefan Martin (right) competes with Magpie Jarrod Witts. Picture: Michael Klein Source: News Corp Australia
ON NOTICE
There are a number of players fighting for their chance to play finals, starting with Hawthorn tonight where Taylor Duryea, Jonathan Simpkin, Matt Spangher and Jon Ceglar are all under pressure for their spots.
It’s the same situation at Geelong where one of Mitch Brown or Josh Walker has the opportunity to grab a spot alongside Tom Hawkins up forward, while Lincoln McCarthy or Billie Smedts could remain in the side with a blinder.
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