Ginnivan to return via VFL; Mihocek in doubt for Tigers blockbuster
Collingwood forward Jack Ginnivan will need to regain match fitness and touch through the VFL, having served a two-match ban for taking an illicit drug, but injury has left teammate Brody Mihocek in doubt for Friday night’s blockbuster against Richmond.
After a strong training session in the wet on Wednesday, Magpies coach Craig McRae confirmed Ginnivan will make his return in the VFL against Port Melbourne at ETU Stadium on Saturday night. While Ginnivan booted 40 goals in 23 matches last year, the unbeaten Magpies had 14 goal kickers against Port Adelaide last weekend, with fellow small forward Bobby Hill among that group.
However, McRae gave Ginnivan hope of a swift return, pointing to a short turnaround before the Easter Thursday clash against the Brisbane Lions.
Jack Ginnivan has been overlooked for an immediate senior recall, and will make his return from suspension through the VFL.Credit:AAP
“He will play VFL … he will get a chance to get some game time and make himself available. We have a five-six day break after that heading up to Brisbane. We will assess it post game,” McRae said.
“Jack has done everything he can do in terms of what he can control. He has trained really well for a couple of weeks … looks ready to play, and has to go out and perform on a different level. We ask all of our VFL players to play above the level – it’s no different for Jack. I look forward to hearing how he goes.”
However, Mihocek’s slower than expected recovery from the dislocated finger he suffered against the Power has the under-rated forward in doubt to face the Tigers.
“It’s a watch-this-space, actually. We were hoping he would be a little bit more advanced than where he is at the moment. He is going to have to improve a little bit to be available,” McRae said.
“There is a little bit of splitting of the skin there, and had stitches required for that. He is not ruled out, but he is going to have to improve a little bit in the next 48 hours.”
Mihocek is one of the Magpies’ key marking targets inside 50, having booted a team-high 41 goals last season. He has five this season, including a team-high three against the Power. If he is deemed unfit, Ash Johnson, having impressed in the VFL, will be under consideration for a call-up.
The eye-catching play between Pendlebury and Daicos.Credit:Twitter / Fox Footy
Nick Daicos burned off a close tag by half-time against the Power, and finished best afield with 32 touches and two goals, including a stunning give-and-go with Scott Pendlebury. Daicos had 25 disposals when he last met the Tigers in round eight last year, the Tigers winning by 27 points.
McRae brushed aside questions Daicos, in only his second season, could soon be the best player in the league, but agreed another tag may come the way of the dashing half back who can shake off an opponent by being used in what McRae said were “four or five different positions”.
“I would still tag him, but I don’t know how. A week is a long time in football, but he is a very good player,” McRae said.
Midfield extractor Tom Mitchell is nursing a minor back issue but will line up against the Tigers.
McRae said Billy Frampton or Darcy Moore would likely have the job on star Tigers forward Tom Lynch, who booted six goals against the Magpies last season.
The Magpies have won admirers with their fast-paced, direct and attacking style, but McRae said they would be ready to adjust to what may be wet and cold conditions on Friday night, with showers predicted.
“I think when you watch us play, there is an element of ‘just make it up’ and there is some system attached to it, too. There is not just one way of scoring. We are a territory team. Whatever way we can get territory, we will take it. If it’s wet, we might have to kick it off the ground a bit more,” McRae said.
‘It’s the nature of the losses’: Beveridge surprised at bad start but backs Bulldogs to rebound
Roy Ward
Western Bulldogs coach Luke Beveridge has seen his side rise from tough spots before and he expects the same thing to happen despite his side’s 0-2 season to 2023.
Beveridge refused to engage with personal criticism of his coaching performance on Wednesday and he said he disagreed with those questioning the overall fitness of his players.
While Beveridge declined to speak about the selection of his side, due to scheduling his press conference on Wednesday morning ahead of the team being named, he did declare young forward Jamarra Ugle-Hagan would play after being racially abused by a crowd member during last Saturday night’s loss to St Kilda.
Bulldogs coach Luke Beveridge.Credit:AFL Photos
“Striking the balance between making sure boys have clarity tomorrow night and understanding the pressing need to give a really strong account of ourselves,” Beveridge said.
“It’s more the nature of the losses that has got everyone up in arms.
“As much as it has surprised us to a significant degree, we’ve been here before where we have had a little trough and come out of it pretty quickly. I’m really confident that is going to happen.
“There is defending as a team and the pressure aspect of the game that hasn’t been where it needs to be. We’ve identified that, recognised that and worked on it but in a short turnaround you can’t do too much on it.”
The Bulldogs face another stern test when they play Brisbane Lions at Marvel Stadium on Thursday and the Lions include former 2022 best and fairest winner Josh Dunkley.
Beveridge said his side had too much to work on to start any “by-play” around Dunkley and he also said he believed preseason comments by the player comparing how the two club’s fitness regimes differ had been taken out of contest.
“There is too much for us to get right for this to be this by-play or side aspect of Josh,” Beveridge said.
“He had a pretty good game last week and he has some pretty influential teammates around him. We need to get our stuff right and Josh will just be another Brisbane player.
“Quite simply, all Josh meant was that we include all our running in ball drills and Brisbane do more interval running without the balls. I think he was taken out of context as he knows how hard we work in our preseasons. None of us were concerned about that.”
Beveridge said he disagreed with those who claimed his side isn’t fit enough but he said playing taller, younger forwards at times made them vulnerable to having teams run clear of them.
“I don’t believe so. No,” Beveridge said.
“But at times, depending on who is available, you can get more vulnerable than other weeks so we work through that week to week at match committee and that has been a key consideration this week.
A couple of our big forwards are brand new to the game, not just as players but young athletes.
“Can we buffer that with our other personnel? That is a consideration. It’s not the tall-small thing, it’s the speed endurance part of the game. It’s nothing to do with the size of the player.”
Ugle-Hagan spent Monday away from the club but had returned and presented debutante Arthur Jones with his jumper on Wednesday.
“Marra is a strong indigenous man who will take this in his stride as he will absolutely take it in his stride and feel he has to represent and show the way,” Beveridge said.
“I’m looking forward to having him as part of the team tomorrow night.
“He is fine. Very appreciative of all the support. He’s ready to go.”
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