AFL players in the reserves: Who's pressing their case for a senior return via VFL, WAFL or SANFL?

Aidan Cellini

AFL players in the reserves: Who's pressing their case for a senior return via VFL, WAFL or SANFL? image

With the final eight locked up after an enthralling round 23, clubs will now look to get themselves right in the pre-finals bye as we inch closer to the last day in September.

Carlton find themselves outside the eight after a devastating one-point loss to their arch rivals Collingwood.

This opened the door for the Western Bulldogs, who had one by enough against Hawthorn to secure the final spot in the eight.

Melbourne shot up to second position following a demolition of Brisbane at the Gabba on Friday night while Sydney claim third spot after surviving a scare from St Kilda.

Geelong took care of West Coast and now await the Pies for the first qualifying final.

Richmond continue on their merry way as they prepare for a clash against the Lions in a fortnight's time.

The Sporting News has all the latest news on AFL players in the reserves.

SEE YOUR TEAM: Adelaide | Brisbane | Carlton | Collingwood | Essendon | Fremantle | Geelong | Gold Coast | GWS | Hawthorn | Melbourne | North Melbourne | Port Adelaide | Richmond | St Kilda | Sydney | West Coast | Western Bulldogs

Josh Schache put his name forward to be recalled for the first final against Fremantle.

Schache kicked seven goals in a dominant display over the weekend, letting coach Luke Beveridge know of his desire to be apart of the senior side.

Josh Bruce and Jamarra Ugle-Hagan were relatively quiet in the win against Hawthorn and could make room for the in-form Schache.

Toby McLean could also be looked at to take on the Dockers and playing his second game of the year.

Battling injuries, McLean hasn't had an easy run the past two seasons but has put together a strong year in the VFL, including his efforts on the weekend.

The 2016 premiership player amassed 34 touches, nine clearances and four marks in the Dogs' big win.

Collingwood's Callum Brown has also put his hand up for a senior recall, following an impressive performance in the VFL.

Brown, who's been out of favour in 2022, gathered 36 possessions and six clearances at IKON Park.

The Pies face Geelong in the first round of the finals and hope Taylor Adams will return in two weeks time, otherwise the son-of-a-gun could be in line for his seventh match this year.

Mitch Robinson and Deven Robertson have made things difficult for Chris Fagan at the selection table for the first Elimination final against Richmond.

Robinson, who was the sub on Friday night, played in the VFL and had a day out, collecting 42 disposals and 10 clearances.

His partner-in-crime Robertson had a similar performance, kicking three goals from his 30 possessions, putting his name forward for a recall.

The Lions don't have much room for error in their 2022 pursuit of premiership glory and must be near perfect from here on in.

How AFL players performed in the VFL, SANFL and WAFL

Adelaide

  • Fischer McAsey - eight touches and three marks
  • Matt Crouch - 41 possessions, eight clearances and seven tackles
  • Jackson Hately - 26 disposals, four marks and four tackles
  • Luke Pedlar - two goals, 16 touches and eight marks
  • Billy Frampton - 32 possessions and 14 marks
  • Elliot Himmelberg - three goals, 14 disposals and eight marks
  • Lachlan Sholl - 30 touches and eight marks

Brisbane

  • Kai Lohmann - eight touches and two tackles
  • Deven Robertson - three goals, 30 possessions and six tackles
  • Mitch Robinson - 42 disposals, 10 clearances and 11 marks
  • Nakia Cockatoo - 16 touches and three marks
  • Darcy Fort - one goal, 32 hit-outs, 11 clearances and 18 possessions
  • Ryan Lester - one goal, 21 disposals and seven marks

Carlton

  • Paddy Dow - 24 touches and seven clearances
  • Tom De Koning - 14 possessions, 15 hit-outs and five marks
  • Jack Carroll - 22 disposals and six marks
  • Brodie Kemp - two goals, 16 touches and six marks
  • Lachie Plowman - 14 possessions and five marks

Collingwood

  • Trent Bianco - 20 touches and four marks
  • Callum Brown - 36 possessions, seven marks and six clearances
  • Will Kelly - 21 disposals and nine marks
  • Trey Ruscoe - 30 touches and 13 marks
  • Caleb Poulter - 26 possessions and nine marks
  • Jack Madgen - one goal, 11 disposals and four marks
  • Josh Carmichael - two goals, 20 touches and six tackles

Essendon

  • No Match

Fremantle 

  • Jye Amiss - one goal and four touches
  • Connor Blakely - 17 possessions, six tackles and three marks
  • Neil Erasmus - three goals, 23 disposals and five marks
  • Travis Colyer - eight touches and three marks
  • Liam Henry - one goal, 26 possessions and 14 marks

Geelong

  • Shaun Higgins - one goal, 20 touches and five marks
  • Quinton Narkle - 24 possessions and seven marks
  • Shannon Neale - three goals, 12 disposals and eight marks
  • Luke Dahlhaus - 31 touches and five marks

Gold Coast 

  • Jack Bowes - one goal, 31 touches, 11 tackles and 10 clearances
  • Rory Thompson - 10 possessions and three marks
  • Oleg Markov - 31 disposals and eight marks
  • Josh Corbett - one goal, nine touches and six marks
  • Jeremy Sharp - 34 possessions, eight marks and five clearances
  • James Tsitas - one goal, 25 disposals and nine clearances
  • Chris Burgess - five goals, 12 touches and five marks

GWS Giants

  • Conor Stone - 16 touches and seven marks
  • Xavier O'Halloran - 20 possessions, six tackles and seven clearances
  • Bobby Hill - nine disposals and four marks

Hawthorn

  • Jacob Koschitzke - 12 touches and five marks
  • Liam Shiels - 32 possessions, eight clearances and six tackles
  • Kyle Hartigan - 19 disposals and eight marks

Melbourne 

  • Toby Bedford - 12 touches and nine tackles
  • Bailey Laurie - 12 possessions and two clearances
  • Adam Tomlinson - 20 disposals and four marks
  • Jacob Van Rooyen - four goals, 12 touches and four marks
  • James Jordon - 27 possessions, eight tackles and five marks
  • Sam Weideman - six disposals and two marks
  • Luke Dunstan - one goal, 14 touches and three marks
  • Oscar Baker - one goal, 23 possessions and nine marks

North Melbourne

  • Atu Bosenvulagi - 15 touches and five marks
  • Josh Walker - 19 possessions and 11 marks
  • Tarryn Thomas - three goals, 22 disposals and six marks
  • Phoenix Spicer - two goals and eight touches 
  • Aaron Hall - one goal, 37 possessions and five tackles

Port Adelaide

  • Trent McKenzie - 19 touches and six marks
  • Sam Hayes - 25 hit-outs, 12 possessions and three tackles
  • Brynn Teakle - four goals, nine disposals and five marks
  • Sam Mayes - 25 touches, six clearances and five tackles

Richmond 

  • Jake Aarts - 35 touches, six clearances and five tackles
  • Ivan Soldo - one goal, 13 possessions, 37 hit-outs and eight clearances
  • Riley Collier-Dawkins - 29 disposals and four clearances
  • Hugo Ralphsmith - one goal, 27 touches and three tackles

St Kilda

  • Jack Bytel - two goals, 28 touches, 12 tackles and 12 clearances
  • Matthew Allison - one goal, 18 possessions and four marks
  • Leo Connolly - 15 disposals

Sydney

  • Hayden McLean - three goals, 15 touches and nine marks
  • Harry Cunningham - 18 possessions, six marks and five tackles
  • Braeden Campbell - 17 disposals and four tackles
  • Ben Ronke - three goals, 16 touches and five tackles
  • James Bell - two goals, 28 possessions and six marks
  • Matt Roberts - 37 disposals and eight marks
  • Joel Amartey - four goals, 16 touches and nine marks

West Coast 

  • Zane Trew - one goal, 15 touches and five tackles
  • Patrick Naish - 37 possessions, eight marks and seven tackles

Western Bulldogs

  • Josh Schache - seven goals, 24 touches and nine marks
  • Toby McLean - 34 possessions, nine clearances and four marks
  • Louis Butler - 21 disposals and six marks
  • Buku Khamis - 18 touches and seven marks
  • Anthony Scott - four goals, 25 possessions and 20 marks
  • Lachlan McNeil - one goal, 22 disposals and five marks
  • Luke Cleary - 21 touches and eight marks
  • Riley Garcia - one goal, 21 possessions and six marks
  • Alex Keath - 25 disposals and nine marks

More: Want more AFL? Watch Warriors On The Field celebrating Aboriginal Australia and its long history and association with the AFL. Streaming on AMAZON PRIME VIDEO

Aidan Cellini

Aidan Cellini Photo

Aidan has surrounded himself with all types of sport, but resonates most with AFL and basketball as he still plays both competitively. He loves being active and enjoys sharing sporting moments with friends and family.

In his spare time, Aidan likes to read biographies as well as keep active and healthy. He's also a big fan of Matthew McConaughey and Marvel movies.