Hawks' Sicily looms as big threat for wounded Magpies
AFL commentator and former Magpies coach Nathan Buckley noted Harris Andrews was a major headache for Collingwood last Saturday night as the star Brisbane defender repeatedly thwarted their long kicks into attack.
Sicily can have a similar impact to Andrews at the MCG.
The loss to Brisbane cost Collingwood top spot and they only have one win from their last four games.
"They just couldn't score off their long-down-the-lines (kicks). They usually score two in three. Harris Andrews absolutely controlled that aspect of the game," Buckley told Fox Footy's On The Couch.
"If you have a player who can control that aspect against Collingwood, you're going to be well-and-truly in the match."
Despite Collingwood's form wobble, Buckley remained optimistic about their prospects.
"This Thursday night becomes crucial. The 'Pies will look pretty good in the next two weeks - I didn't pick them on the weekend," Buckley said.
"The double chance is really important. I didn't have them out as far in front as everyone said and I don't have them that far back at the moment, either."
Buckley added key defender Jeremy Howe had been a key absentee for the Magpies. He has been sidelined since round 19 with a groin injury. Howe and fellow backman Billy Frampton (calf) could return against the Hawks.
"Howe is the one, for me ... his leadership and his control of that back six is crucial," Buckley said.
"He's leading Darcy Moore in positioning. He gets across and closes off and shuts down a dangerous situation ... time for the cavalry to get back, re-set."
Earlier on Monday, Buckley said Howe was the "glue" that held the backline together.
"Darcy Moore is the captain, but he is not the glue of the back six," Buckley told SEN.
"In fact, without Jeremy Howe I think Darcy Moore is 75 per cent of the player that he has become."
James Sicily's return to form looms as a massive factor for Hawthorn in the Thursday night AFL blockbuster against Collingwood.
AFL commentator and former Magpies coach Nathan Buckley noted Harris Andrews was a major headache for Collingwood last Saturday night as the star Brisbane defender repeatedly thwarted their long kicks into attack.
Sicily can have a similar impact to Andrews at the MCG.
The loss to Brisbane cost Collingwood top spot and they only have one win from their last four games.
"They just couldn't score off their long-down-the-lines (kicks). They usually score two in three. Harris Andrews absolutely controlled that aspect of the game," Buckley told Fox Footy's On The Couch.
"If you have a player who can control that aspect against Collingwood, you're going to be well-and-truly in the match."
Despite Collingwood's form wobble, Buckley remained optimistic about their prospects.
"This Thursday night becomes crucial. The 'Pies will look pretty good in the next two weeks - I didn't pick them on the weekend," Buckley said.
"The double chance is really important. I didn't have them out as far in front as everyone said and I don't have them that far back at the moment, either."
Buckley added key defender Jeremy Howe had been a key absentee for the Magpies. He has been sidelined since round 19 with a groin injury. Howe and fellow backman Billy Frampton (calf) could return against the Hawks.
"Howe is the one, for me ... his leadership and his control of that back six is crucial," Buckley said.
"He's leading Darcy Moore in positioning. He gets across and closes off and shuts down a dangerous situation ... time for the cavalry to get back, re-set."
Earlier on Monday, Buckley said Howe was the "glue" that held the backline together.
"Darcy Moore is the captain, but he is not the glue of the back six," Buckley told SEN.
"In fact, without Jeremy Howe I think Darcy Moore is 75 per cent of the player that he has become."
James Sicily's return to form looms as a massive factor for Hawthorn in the Thursday night AFL blockbuster against Collingwood.
AFL commentator and former Magpies coach Nathan Buckley noted Harris Andrews was a major headache for Collingwood last Saturday night as the star Brisbane defender repeatedly thwarted their long kicks into attack.
Sicily can have a similar impact to Andrews at the MCG.
The loss to Brisbane cost Collingwood top spot and they only have one win from their last four games.
"They just couldn't score off their long-down-the-lines (kicks). They usually score two in three. Harris Andrews absolutely controlled that aspect of the game," Buckley told Fox Footy's On The Couch.
"If you have a player who can control that aspect against Collingwood, you're going to be well-and-truly in the match."
Despite Collingwood's form wobble, Buckley remained optimistic about their prospects.
"This Thursday night becomes crucial. The 'Pies will look pretty good in the next two weeks - I didn't pick them on the weekend," Buckley said.
"The double chance is really important. I didn't have them out as far in front as everyone said and I don't have them that far back at the moment, either."
Buckley added key defender Jeremy Howe had been a key absentee for the Magpies. He has been sidelined since round 19 with a groin injury. Howe and fellow backman Billy Frampton (calf) could return against the Hawks.
"Howe is the one, for me ... his leadership and his control of that back six is crucial," Buckley said.
"He's leading Darcy Moore in positioning. He gets across and closes off and shuts down a dangerous situation ... time for the cavalry to get back, re-set."
Earlier on Monday, Buckley said Howe was the "glue" that held the backline together.
"Darcy Moore is the captain, but he is not the glue of the back six," Buckley told SEN.
"In fact, without Jeremy Howe I think Darcy Moore is 75 per cent of the player that he has become."
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News.com.au
an hour ago
- News.com.au
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The Age
3 hours ago
- The Age
Yet to sign: All 220 out-of-contract players in the AFL named
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Melbourne must be getting nervous about McVee, who looked poised to re-sign mid-season, but is now a chance to depart. Both Western Australian clubs are keen on him, but they are not alone. Premiership forward Spargo has become a fringe member, but his skill set, particularly his kicking inside 50, is still valuable. Culley has put himself in a good spot to continue with his showing at the weekend. Verrall, Campbell and Fullarton offer ruck depth behind Max Gawn, but none is especially appealing. North Melbourne (13) Zac Banch, Miller Bergman, Callum Coleman-Jones, Kallan Dawson, Eddie Ford, Cooper Harvey, Finnbar Maley, Geordie Payne, Will Phillips, Brynn Teakle, Cooper Trembath, Darcy Tucker. Aidan Corr met a contract trigger that locked in his spot for next year, but Phillips will be looking for a new home, with West Coast among the clubs that have monitored him. Harvey has been made to wait but has been deserving of an offer based on his recent form, while Maley is a fan favourite who has shown promise with his strong marking. Tucker is fit again after a back issue, but that ailment did not help his chances. Coleman-Jones has had no luck with injury, but he has endured a disappointing four-year stretch at Arden Street since crossing from Richmond. Fellow big man Teakle has performed well in Tristan Xerri's absence but is no certainty to earn another contract. Port Adelaide (13) Tom Anastasopoulos, Benny Barrett, Ryan Burton, Lachlan Charleson, Tom Cochrane, Jeremy Finlayson, Hugh Jackson, Mani Liddy, Will Lorenz, Jed McEntee, Jacob Moss, Dylan Williams, Burton is touch-and-go to continue at Alberton, with a decision not expected to be made until after the season. There is rival interest in the defender, and he should be playing somewhere in the AFL in 2026, but there is a fair bit still to play out. Lorenz showed enough glimpses against Geelong to get another season, but the end is nigh for Williams, who seems unlikely to score a new deal. Finlayson has enjoyed a solid career across two clubs, and will bank on the Power still seeing value in his versatility and height despite playing more SANFL than AFL games this year. Richmond (13) Jacob Bauer, Jacob Blight, Mate Colina, Thomson Dow, Campbell Gray, Oliver Hayes-Brown, Jacob Koschitzke, Tom Lynch, Kamdyn McIntosh, Dion Prestia, Kaleb Smith, Tyler Sonsie, Tylar Young. Loading Lynch will go around again in 2026 after cooling his jets on the sidelines for five matches, but Dow lives on the fringes, while Sonsie has improved enough in the back half of the season to cement a spot, and Young has made an impression in defence. Blight has shown promising glimpses, too. Prestia and McIntosh sit in the wait-and-see category reserved for popular veterans, although coach Adem Yze gave the former a glowing endorsement a few weeks back. Prestia has played nine consecutive matches in a welcome patch of continuity free of injury. Hayes-Brown has significantly out-performed fellow ruckman Colina in the VFL, and looks a promising longer-term option once captain Toby Nankervis retires. St Kilda (15) Harry Boyd, Ryan Byrnes, Jack Carroll, Zaine Cordy, Max Heath, Dougal Howard, Zak Jones, Isaac Keeler, Angus McLennan, Liam O'Connell, Arie Schoenmaker, Liam Stocker, Nasiah Wanganeen-Milera, Jimmy Webster, Marcus Windhager. The Saints always make their players wait, but in some cases this season, the players are returning the favour. Most noticeable has been Wanganeen-Milera's decision, but Windhager is also unlikely to sign soon, with a bunch of clubs, including Sydney, very interested in the durable midfielder. The Saints' out-of-contract veterans have been given a chance to show their wares, but are not exactly demanding new deals. Keeler is a project player and back-up ruckman Boyd will need to see where the cards fall. Stocker looks like he is going to have to live on one-year deals for the rest of his days, but has previously said he enjoyed that pressure. Sydney (11) Jack Buller, Robbie Fox, Aaron Francis, Joel Hamling, Indhi Kirk, Peter Ladhams, Blake Leidler, Jake Lloyd, Caleb Mitchell, Ben Paton, Dane Rampe. Ladhams has established himself as Brodie Grundy's back-up, and has a two-year offer to continue, but negotiations are ongoing. Veteran defender Lloyd also has a one-year offer in front of him, but coach Dean Cox said a decision on Rampe's future was still to be determined. Buller has enjoyed some solid games late in the season, which could help his cause, while Fox, Francis and Hamling may be competing for contracts with list spots at a premium – but it may depend on what the Swans decide on Rampe. West Coast (12) Oscar Allen, Rhett Bazzo, Malakai Champion, Campbell Chesser, Tom Cole, Jamie Cripps, Jayden Hunt, Callum Jamieson, Coen Livingstone, Jacob Newton, Jack Petruccelle, Loch Rawlinson. Cripps has a one-year offer in front of him, so he will extend his career into 2026. There is more doubt about speedster Petruccelle, who has struggled for opportunities under Andrew McQualter, but Victorian clubs have expressed interest in him. Allen is virtually certain to join Brisbane as a free agent, which will be a blow to the Eagles but should deliver decent compensation. Chesser was excellent in his first game for the season and is attracting interest elsewhere as a first-round pick who has had an up-and-down career so far. Western Bulldogs (12) Oskar Baker, Nick Coffield, Taylor Duryea, Jason Johannisen, Arthur Jones, Liam Jones, Tom Liberatore, Caleb Poulter, Anthony Scott, Michael Sellwood, Adam Treloar. Liberatore will stay on another one-year deal, and Arthur Jones has an offer to remain at the Kennel. Small forwards are hot property, so he may not rush to re-sign. Treloar's injury concerns mean he is yet to re-sign, but it would be a shock if he was not on the list next season. Baker has been in and out of the team but is too good to play VFL. Duryea and Liam Jones are nearing the end, while ex-Saint Coffield is touch and go after limited opportunities at AFL level.
