Bombers’ club great Matthew Lloyd revealed on Footy Classified on Wednesday night that the 193-game defender was too sick to even be able to attend the club’s jumper presentation held earlier this week.“He is so sick,” Lloyd said of Hurley.“He is having a lot of hip troubles, infections, constantly being infected, he’s lost 8-10kg and may not play at all this year, or who knows in the future.“(Doctors) don’t really know how the infection came about and he’s continually having to have it drained out, cleaned out.”The 30-year-old All-Australian, who was twice hospitalised in February because of the infection, played 14 games in 2020.Essendon will open their 2021 season against Hawthorn at Marvel Stadium on Saturday and fans are bracing for a rebuild, with new club president, Paul Brasher, describing it as a development year for the Bombers.Lloyd said he expected Essendon would finish in the bottom six in 2021 and as such could understand why Brasher had used those words.“I can understand why he said it … but they’ll be a lot of senior players at the club confused because only a few years back, Dylan Shiel, Devon Smith, Jake Stringer, Adam Saad all came to the club in the hope of winning a premiership so it’s amazing how quickly things have changed,” Lloyd said. BLUES’ BIG CALL ON BETTS, TIGERS CULL CULT HERO Blues’ big call on Betts, Tigers cull cult heroCarlton fan favourite Eddie Betts and Richmond cult hero Marlion Pickett will both miss the season opener between Richmond and Carlton on Thursday night.Betts has been racing against the clock to prove his fitness after suffering a pre-season calf injury.Blues coach David Teague opted against taking a risk on the brilliant small forward and instead opted for a trio of small forwards in Lachie Fogarty, Michael Gibbons and Zac Fisher.Richmond has made two-time premiership hero Pickett one of four emergencies, meaning he could still line-up under the new 23rd man sub rule.FULL TEAMSRICHMOND v CARLTONThursday March 18, 7.25pm at the MCGTIGERSB: D.Astbury, D.Grimes, N.BaltaHB: L.Baker, N.Vlastuin, J.ShortC: D.Prestia, T.Cotchin, K.LambertHF: J.Aarts, S.Bolton, J.CastagnaF: T.Lynch, D.Martin, J.RiewoldtFOLL: T.Nankervis, K.McIntosh, J.CaddyI/C: D.Rioli, N.Broad, J.Graham, S.EdwardsEMG: M.Pickett, W.Martyn, J.Ross, M.CholBLUESB: L.Plowman, L.Jones, T.WilliamsonHB: S.Docherty, J.Weitering, A.SaadC: W.Setterfield, P.Cripps, M.MurphyHF: L.Fogarty, H.McKay, J.Newnes F: Z.Fisher, J.Silvagni, M.GibbonsFOLL: M.Pittonet, P.Dow, S.WalshI/C: S.Petrevski-Seton, L.O’Brien, L.Casboult, E.CurnowEMG: M.Cottrell, O.McDonald, L.Stocker, M.KennedyLATEST ROUND 1 TEAM WHISPERSWith start of season 2021 just hours away, this is your one-stop shop for every confirmed team selection news at your club and selection dilemmas.ADELAIDEDoes Matthew Nicks play No. 2 pick Riley Thilthorpe in Round 1? Crows fans hoping for a spark of hope will be clamouring for the club’s highest ever draft pick to play against the Cats but Adelaide coaching staff have been quick to temper expectations of the talented key forward.Looking more broadly the Crows need to get their forward line firing after it was so poor in the Community Series. Taylor Walker will play but who will join him? Billy Frampton and Darcy Fogarty failed to fire against the Power while Tom Lynch and Elliot Himmelberg played well in the SANFL.In midfield the Crows seem to be pretty settled, although fans would like to see Luke Pedlar and Sam Berry get some early games, while in defence Jordon Butts looks set to get a crack ahead of Nick Murray (ankle) and Fischer McAsey against a Cats forward line headlined by Tom Hawkins and Jeremy Cameron.Watch the 2021 Toyota AFL Premiership Season. Every match of every round Live on Kayo. New to Kayo? Try 14-Days Free Now >SuperCoach is back for 2021BRISBANECovering Cam Rayner poses a slight headache for coach Chris Fagan in what was shaping as an easy first night at the selection table before his young forward blew out his knee. Fagan does have an embarrassment of riches at his disposal. Losing Rayner is offset by being able to slot Joe Daniher straight into his forward line. He might also consider sitting Keidan Coleman on a flank, to crumb the three big forwards — Daniher, Eric Hipwood and Dan McStay. Charlie Cameron struts his stuff and Linc McCartney provides a small mobile target. Fagan would be expected leave Marcus Adams on the bench as cover for big defenders Harris Andrews and Darcy Gardiner. He might also start Jarryd Lyons and Callum Ah Chee on the pine which highlights Brisbane’s depth. Doubtful that Nakia Cockatoo gets a guernsey first-up.CARLTONCarlton coach David Teague has confirmed former Geelong midfielder Lachie Fogarty and ex-Bomber Adam Saad will make their club debuts in Thursday night’s season opener.Although, the Blues coach stopped short of confirming veteran Eddie Betts (calf) would play.“Fogarty will play and he’s been really good for us,” Teague said.“His (Fogarty) pressure and the way to hold balance and give some really good system ahead of the ball and on ball has been really good for us.”He was not so bullish on Betts, who was on the track at Ikon Park on Wednesday morning in a bid to face the Tigers.“He’s doing well,” Teague said.“He’s put his hand up and he’s trained hard.“We’ll have to have a look at our mix again and we’ll see who’s pulled up today and we’ll finalise it after today’s run.”The Blues also expected talls Levi Casboult and Harry McKay to play.COLLINGWOODNathan Buckley says Oliver Henry is close to selection but the match committee is to decide on Monday night about whether he makes the grade.Steele Sidebottom is out until Round 2 but Taylor Adams and Brody Mihocek will return for the clash against the Bulldogs, which means someone will make way.Mason Cox showed he should play Round 1 with a strong AAMI Series display, so does Darcy Cameron get pushed out for Mihocek?Will Kelly is out with a collarbone injury, so Mihocek‘s return is all the more important.ESSENDON The Ben Rutten era will kick-start with a new-look Essendon line-up against the Hawks on Saturday, but a decision on who makes the final cut won’t be settled until after Thursday’s final session.Last year’s No. 8 pick Nik Cox and 2019 pick Harrison Jones are right in the mix to make their debuts, while Archie Perkins remains a chance too.Zach Reid is progressing well and could be seen at senior level in the first month of footy.Time has run out for Patrick Ambrose (foot) and David Zaharakis (knee) as far as Round 1 goes, while it is highly likely Jake Stringer (Achilles) will also be on the sidelines.Peter Wright, Jye Caldwell and Nick Hind look set to take on the Hawks in their first official games in Essendon coloursFREMANTLEWho is going to provide the height up forward for the Dockers?Fremantle have considered shifting one of their tall defenders forward, with Alex Pearce a potential option to provide some height up there. But Dockers coach Justin Longmuir said they don’t want to take a “short-term” approach in replacing Lobb in the forward line.Where the Dockers play Nat Fyfe as well will be fascinating, following his dominant game in the Community Series, after he spent a lot of time forward in 2020.GEELONGAn already deep backline is bursting at the seams now that one-time pressure forward Tom Atkins appears to have snatched a half-back spot. Jed Bews, Mark O’Connor, Jack Henry and Jake Kolodjashnij can’t all play, on top of Atkins. It helps that Zach Tuohy has gone forward and Jordan Clark is playing on a wing now. The forward structure will be interesting, too, with Jeremy Cameron arriving to form a destructive duo with Tom Hawkins. The Cats were comfortable using Hawkins as the solo ‘tall’ in attack in the latter stages of last year, leaving Esava Ratugolea out and using mid-sized Gary Rohan as another target. Ratugolea (leg fracture) will miss the early rounds, and it would be a change in philosophy for Geelong to also play Josh Jenkins, especially since Rhys Stanley (concussion) will be fit. However, it depends on what Chris Scott’s back-up ruck plans are.GOLD COASTCoach Stuart Dew will have no hesitation starting star youngster Matt Rowell after he missed the last 12 games of the 2020 season. Rowell has passed all tests pre-season and could even start in the centre square against the Eagles on Sunday. Excitement machine Izak Rankine is also expected to be cleared after missing the Community Series match with an ankle injury. But captain Jarrod Witts will miss his support of back-up ruckman Zac Smith who will miss most of the year with an ACL injury. Don’t expect to see high draft pick Elijah Hollands in the early rounds as he completes his rehab from a knee injury. GWS GIANTSCoach Leon Cameron has already confirmed that Matt Flynn (ankle) will lead the Giants’ ruck division in Round 1, with Braydon Preuss (shoulder) facing another three-plus months out. Like Flynn, prized draftee Tanner Bruhn will make his AFL debut against St Kilda on Sunday. Jesse Hogan (quadriceps), Jake Riccardi (ankle) and Daniel Lloyd (quadriceps) are out and Brent Daniels (hamstring) is also set to miss, leaving some unknowns about the club’s forward plans. Harry Himmelberg and Jeremy Finlayson are likely to be marking targets, and Toby Greene will be as important as ever. Bobby Hill could come into contention, but Bruhn and Matt de Boer may fill the other small forward slots. Versatile trio Connor Idun, Jack Buckley and Phil Davis are potential forward options but will probably be elsewhere, while Cameron floated the possibility of playing ruckman Kieren Briggs. If Davis (knee) is deemed fit, where he’s played could impact on key defender Lachie Keeffe (ankle). Callan Ward and Isaac Cumming will fill defensive slots as well.HAWTHORNHawthorn veteran Shaun Burgoyne is set to continue his remarkable career against Essendon on Saturday night as he edges closer to becoming only the fifth player in AFL history to reach the 400-game milestone.Despite some uncertainty over his position on the list last year given the club’s list profile, the 38-year-old will be named to take on the Bombers at Marvel Stadium.While he agreed to a one-year deal last September, as well as a role with Hawthorn’s Indigenous program that will ultimately turn into an ongoing off-field position, Burgoyne said at the time he didn’t want to be gifted games to get to 400.“Anything’s possible, (but) it’s still a long way to go,” Burgoyne said of the potential milestone last year.“It’s a number I can’t hide away from because it’s so close. “But I’ll get to that number if I’m able to do everything right and I’m able to play good footy, and if I don’t, then I don’t and I end up with whatever games I end up retiring on. “But I’ll be happy.”The Hawks have been pleased with Burgoyne’s form during the preseason, with coach Alastair Clarkson certain to name him in the team alongside up to three potential debutants half his age.Jacob Koschitzke, 20, impressed with a six-goal haul against North Melbourne in the AAMI Community Series clash. Last year’s draftees Tyler Brockman and Connor Downie, both 18, are also in the mix.Meanwhile, Kyle Hartigan played 90 per cent match time in the Kangaroos win and looks to be the Round 1 key back, while Changkuoth Jiath seems set to occupy the rebounding role after a sparkling display. MELBOURNEDoes Majak Daw come straight in for Round 1? It would be a bold, gutsy move given he has been only officially on the list for a week and has had a limited pre-season. Although, he kicked four goals in a VFL practice match last week to put his name forward. His versatility would be very attractive to coach Simon Goodwin. While he has had the most success as a defender, he has the capability of playing as a forward or even as a ruckman. The Demons are undermanned up forward heading into Round 1. Could he be their smoky?NORTH MELBOURNEWhere do they play Jaidyn Stephenson? All summer the former Magpie has been touted as a midfielder/winger, but a few seasons back he booted 38 goals in his debut season. He won the Rising Star as a deep forward and has played his best football forward of centre. We’d love to see him go forward. Otherwise, the Roos’ biggest issue is getting as many of their best 22 on the park in Round 1 as possible given their spate of recent injuries. In a huge blow, it appears star Ben Cunnington (concussion) will miss the Roos’ season opener with a question mark over defender Robbie Tarrant and Jared Polec. It is a huge ask for the Roos in Round 1 against the highly rated Power.PORT ADELAIDEThe Power’s depth is strong so it will have some difficult decisions to make.In defence particularly, there will be some long discussions about who to choose.If Hamish Hartlett (hamstring) is passed fit, does he prevent Miles Bergman from making his debut?Does Lachie Jones play his first game? If so, at whose expense? Will Riley Bonner get selected as a wingman after a strong pre-season?Is there room for Kane Farrell? The absences of Connor Rozee (foot) and Sam Powell-Pepper (broken hand/personal leave) might open the door for one to be chosen.Also in the midfield, Willem Drew looks to be putting pressure on Tom Rockliff, while Jackson Mead seems to be in the mix but more likely an emergency.The biggest question in attack is: which talls will partner Charlie Dixon?Todd Marshall (cheek) is available and he seems likely to get the nod ahead of Mitch Georgiades. RICHMONDThe 2020 premiership side looks set to be rolled out again in Round 1, with possibly only one or two exceptions.Veteran defender Bachar Houli — who is still returning to fitness after a calf injury — will miss the season-opener against Carlton, while it appears the Tigers are still weighing up Marlion Pickett’s spot after he played in a VFL practice match against Essendon last Friday night. Grand Final emergencies Jake Aarts and Josh Caddy are seen as possible inclusions, but Pickett’s ability to play a similar role across half-back to Houli helps his chance of staying in the side.Hugo Ralphsmith has also impressed over the off-season and is a player who could fill Houli’s role, as could Derek Eggmolesse-Smith. ST KILDAThe big question mark is who replaces James Frawley in the backline, after the recruit suffered a serious hamstring injury in the AAMI Community Series.Jake Carlisle has been fit but has been playing in VFL scratch matches, with the Saints favouring Frawley in the key defensive post.However, he could get a lucky look-in on the back of Frawley’s injury.Mature-age draftee Thomas Highmore is another potential option after doing some nice things in the Saints’ two warm-up matches, with Darragh Joyce another possibility.With key forward Max King (concussion) also forced out of the side, the door could also open for former North Melbourne forward Mason Wood at the other end of the ground. SYDNEYSydney’s top three draftees from last year — Logan McDonald, Braeden Campbell and Errol Gulden — will all make their AFL debut on Saturday night. That solves part of the forward puzzle, with Sam Reid likely to serve as the back-up ruckman to Tom Hickey. Callum Sinclair is set to miss out, while Lance Franklin (calf) is still at least a week away. There is still some intrigue around what the Swans do in the midfield, where Callum Mills is primed to finally move into. Chad Warner — a pre-season standout — Nick Blakey and George Hewett are jockeying to join Josh Kennedy, Luke Parker, James Rowbottom and Ollie Florent in the centre. Highly rated pair Dylan Stephens (concussion) and Justin McInerney (back) will rejoin that battle in the coming weeks, but will start at reserves level after interrupted pre-seasons.WEST COASTYoungster Xavier O’Neill looks to be front of the queue to replace injured captain Luke Shuey, while Zane Trew is likely to be in the mix to join an engine room also missing Elliot Yeo (osteitis pubis).Alex Witherden’s selection may hinge on where Liam Duggan plays.If Duggan moves up the ground, as he has during pre-season and late last campaign, it will likely provide an opportunity for ex-Brisbane half-back Witherden.Who plays from West Coast’s contingent of small forwards is another key selection question?WESTERN BULLDOGSTwo state league bolters will debut on the big stage on Friday night after Western Bulldogs named Anthony Scott and Lachlan McNeil for their first AFL games. Scott, the Dogs’ 2019 VFL best and fairest, has been rewarded for a standout pre-season where he excelled as a small defender. McNeil, a small forward who was taken from the SANFL at pick 11 in last year’s rookie draft, caught the eye in a recent trial game against Hawthorn. While he was quieter against Melbourne in the Bulldogs’ official pre-season game, the 19-year-old did enough to convince coach Luke Beveridge he was ready to take on Collingwood. The Dogs also confirmed Adam Treloar and Stefan Martin would play their first games for the club after being traded to Whitten Oval during the off-season. The questions left are whether JJ has done enough? And can Easton Wood prove his fitness in time?Jason Johannisen missed selection in the Dogs’ AAMI Community Series game against Melbourne, playing in the VFL practice match instead.The loss of Hayden Crozier for up to two months opens the door for a defender.Easton Wood is aiming to overcome the hamstring complaint that halted his pre-season.



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