AFL 2021 Chopping Block: How will Geelong and Brisbane deal with shock losses?

Kieran Francis

AFL 2021 Chopping Block: How will Geelong and Brisbane deal with shock losses? image

Now that each AFL team has a form line after round one, players will be hoping to keep their place in the side for the next match.

Which players are under threat to retain their spot in the team for round two?

Sporting News looks at who could be facing the axe and why they are on the chopping block.

Adelaide

Possible axeings: Sam Berry, Will Hamill, Shane McAdam.

Injuries to Jake Kelly, Mitch Hinge and Luke Brown during the famous Geelong win means these players are more likely to survive the chop.

However, with Matt Crouch coming back into the side either this week or next week, the trio have to be on notice to perform stronger against the Swans.

McAdam has more runs on the board - with his impressive season last year, but Berry and Hamill need to contribute to the game more.

 

Brisbane

Possible axeings: Charlie Cameron, Hugh McCluggage, Mitch Robinson, Tom Fullarton.

A shock loss to Sydney puts several Lions on notice, with reports in the media that coach Chris Fagan is considering dropping a high profile player such as Cameron or McCluggage to shake up his team.

Ten disposals for Mitch Robinson is simply not good enough and young tall Tom Fullarton could be replaced like-for-like by Connor Ballenden.

 

Carlton

Possible axeings: Lochie O'Brien

Despite not winning against Richmond, the Blues put in a solid performance with most players providing a contribution.

O'Brien, who only managed nine disposals against the Tigers, seems most at threat with Zac Williams to come back into the team from suspension.

Expect the injured Jack Silvagni to be replaced by Oscar McDonald, who impressed when thrown forward as the medical sub in the second half.

 

Collingwood

Possible axeings: Trey Ruscoe, Oliver Henry, Brayden Sier, Will Hoskin-Elliott

With Steele Sidebottom to return to the senior lineup, plus Chris Mayne and Levi Greenwood closing in on come backs, several Collingwood players will be looking over their shoulders.

Hoskin-Elliott has been struggling with his form in the forward line for a while, and he failed to have a shot on goal against the Bulldogs.

Sier's nine disposals is just simply not enough for a midfielder, while youngsters Ruscoe and Henry need to keep developing their games.

#will hoskin-elliott

Essendon

Possible axeings: Ned Cahill

Jake Stringer's impending return from injury will mean a Bomber will have to come out of the team, while Archie Perkins and Alec Waterman could also push for senior selection.

Despite giving up a 40-point lead to the Hawks, no Bombers really struggled, but Cahill could find himself under threat come selection time.

Big money recruits Dylan Shiel and Devon Smith are safe for the moment but will both want to significantly lift their output going forward.

 

Fremantle

Possible axeings: Blake Acres, Liam Henry, Stefan Giro.

With an already busy treatment room, Fremantle saw further injuries to Alex Pearce and Joel Hamling - an unfortunate happening that could save players being dropped this week.

Acres will be disappointed by only picking up 12 disposals, while Giro and Henry failed to have much impact on the match, managing one tackle between them.

 

Geelong

Possible axeings: Gary Rohan, Josh Jenkins, Zach Guthrie.

 

A shock loss to Adelaide could see Chris Scott shake up the Cats lineup, but with the suspension of Patrick Dangerfield, the selection committee will likely go against wholesale changes.

Both Rohan and Jenkins struggled to contribute to Geelong's dysfunctional forward line and could be used as an example by their coach.

Jack Henry and Zach Tuohy look to be automatic ins after playing minutes in the VFL, while Darcy Fort could be the ideal replacement for Jenkins.

 

Gold Coast

Possible axeings: Nick Holman.

The Suns battled valiantly and even led early in the last quarter against the Eagles before succumbing to the more experienced team.

Matt Rowell will need to be replaced after his injury but after an even team performance, most Suns should be safe from the axe, with Nick Holman perhaps the most disappointed by his effort.

Hugh Greenwood won't want to have many more games where he only collects 10 disposals.

Matt Rowell Gold Coast Suns

GWS

Possible axeings: Sam Reid, Tanner Bruhn, Connor Idun, Jack Buckley.

Several Giants struggled to make their mark in the wet against the Saints, with Reid struggling to handle St Kilda's small forwards and pick 12 Tanner Bruhn barely touching the ball in the first half before improving in the second stanza.

Jack Buckley didn't get enough ball playing through the wing area and Idun looked shaky when the ball hit the ground in the Giants defence.

However, Leon Cameron might opt to give the nucleus of the GWS team against the Saints another crack - as they really should have won that game.

 

Hawthorn

Possible axeings: Jacob Koschitzke.

A famous Hawthorn victory will likely mean not too many changes, but first-gamer Koschitzke struggled to get the ball in his hands in the forward line.

Both Mitch Lewis and Conor Nash impressed in the VFL practice match, meaning Alastair Clarkson could swing a like-for-like change for 'Kosi'.

Expect Clarkson to reward the majority of the best 22 for their stunning 40-point comeback.

 

Melbourne

Possible axeings: Tom Sparrow, Jayden Hunt.

With Todd Viney, Michael Hibberd and Jack Viney close to senior selection, Sparrow and Hunt were the players that contributed least to the win against the Dockers.

There seems likely to be an unlucky Demons player if the aforementioned trio all return on Saturday night against St Kilda.

 

North Melbourne

Possible axeings: Nick Larkey, Aiden Bonar.

How will David Noble react to the thrashing at the hands of Port? Will he back the players in or swing wholesale changes as early as round two?

Larkey failed to hit the scoreboard at all in his key forward post, while Bonar just didn't really have an impact on the game.

Jed Anderson, Taylor Garner and Aaron Hall could all be available for selection this week if they pass injury tests.

jed anderson

Port Adelaide

Possible axeings: None

The well-oiled Port Adelaide machine produced a team effort to thrash the Kangaroos in Melbourne.

Riley Bonner will be out from the next game because of injury but you should see Ken Hinkley retain almost the same team for round two against Essendon.

 

Richmond

Possible axeings: None

Another team to not expect many omissions from, especially with Nick Vlastuin likely to be out through injury.

Riley Collier-Dawkins could be the replacement for Vlastuin, with Damien Hardwick shuffling around the Richmond half-backs.

 

St Kilda

Possible axeings: Dan McKenzie, Paul Hunter.

Someone has to come out for Zak Jones and Max King, with McKenzie and Hunter the most likely options.

McKenzie performed admirably on the wing but should see his spot vanish with Jones coming back, while Hunter struggled against GWS debutant ruckman Matthew Flynn.

The strong impact Shaun McKernan had in the ruck during the last quarter should see him retained, while Hunter will likely be the player squeezed out for King.

 

Sydney

Possible axeings: Hayden McLean, Harry Cunningham.

The Swans won't be looking to make many changes after a huge upset win against Brisbane, but there must be space made for the returning Buddy Franklin.

McLean seems the most likely to make way for the big Buddy, while Cunningham will be keen to have more impact on the upcoming match against Adelaide.

 

West Coast

Possible axeings: Jack Petruccelle, Nathan Vardy.

Petruccelle just couldn't find his way into the game in his forward line role and only laid one tackle as a pressure forward.

Vardy only managed 52 per cent game time in a sign he may be struggling with injury, but his presence in the team allowed Oscar Allen to stay forward and kick four goals.

Jarrod Brander and Alex Witherden could come into the team if Adam Simpson wants to make changes, while Isiah Winder seems the most likely type to replace Petruccelle.

 

Western Bulldogs

Possible axeings: Lachlan McNeil

First game rookie McNeil would be the most likely axeing, as he turned the ball a few times while also struggling to come to terms with the pace of the game.

Jason Johannisen would loom as the most likely replacement, but Jamarra Ugle-Hagan is demanding selection in the Bulldogs forward line.

However, Josh Bruce - the most likely player to be dropped for Ugle-Hagan - is safe after putting in a decent performance against the Magpies.

Jamarra Ugle-Hagan Bulldogs

Kieran Francis

Kieran Francis Photo

Kieran Francis is a senior editor at The Sporting News based in Melbourne, Australia. He started at Sportal.com.au before being a part of the transition to Sporting News in 2015. Just prior to the 2018 World Cup, he was appointed chief editor of Goal.com in Australia. He has now returned to The Sporting News where his passions lay in football, AFL, poker and cricket - when he is not on holiday.