Patrick Cripps on the ‘ace’ up Carlton Blues’ sleeve

He skilled alone for a lot of January throughout his interval away, returning to full coaching on the finish of that month.

The AFL has been aiding Melbourne and Oliver in serving to the celebrity and premiership midfielder cope with his points.

Oliver, who’s contracted for one more seven seasons (together with 2024) on near $7 million and is likely one of the most embellished gamers in Melbourne historical past, had been probably on the buying and selling block in October, when the Demons explored the potential for buying and selling him to a different membership, in what was extensively considered as an try and get him to enhance his behaviours and requirements.

Golf equipment, together with Adelaide, had proven curiosity in buying Oliver earlier than the Demons closed down the prospect of a commerce.

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When Oliver took go away from Melbourne’s pre-Christmas coaching camp at Lorne, Melbourne soccer boss Alan Richardson stated they had been supporting Oliver and “handle his program in a method that prioritises his well being and wellbeing”.

Oliver was taken to hospital after a seizure in October, had minor knee surgical procedure in post-season and needed to face courtroom earlier this month for driving whereas his licence was suspended on account of medical recommendation after his seizure.

Having endured a difficult low season coping with Oliver’s points and the provisional suspension of Joel Smith, who’s being investigated by Sport Integrity Australia following a game-day constructive check for cocaine late final season, the Demons had an encouraging pre-season efficiency in opposition to Carlton on Wednesday night, by which they moved the ball effectively and used Christian Salem and Tom Sparrow in midfield roles that gave the workforce a unique look.

Teenager Caleb Windsor additionally demonstrated his abilities, booting two targets and making a case for inclusion in opposition to Sydney for what’s already a sold-out first recreation of the AFL season on Thursday night time on the SCG.

‘That’s undoubtedly an ace card’: Cripps says McKay can push into ruck

Jon Pierik

Skipper Patrick Cripps says Carlton have an “ace” up their sleeve to unlock Harry McKay, coming because the Blues maintain a detailed watch on a handful of injured gamers heading into their season-opener in opposition to Brisbane subsequent Friday night time.

Jack Martin has been dominated out of the Lions’ conflict, with soccer division chief Brad Lloyd declaring the dynamic half-forward gained’t be out there for as much as three weeks, whereas Sam Walsh’s bid to show he has overcome a again situation will grow to be clearer at an open coaching session on Sunday, and an additional hit out on Tuesday.

Jesse Motlop (toe), Corey Durdin (hamstring) and Matt Owies (calf) are additionally being monitored, however former Essendon and Port Adelaide speedster Orazio Fantasia is in line to debut for his new membership.

The Blues had been overwhelmed by 38 factors of their group cup conflict on Wednesday, however the type of McKay was encouraging. The 2021 Coleman medallist, bedding down a revised run-up when kicking for purpose, booted three targets and had 18 disposals and 10 marks, whereas additionally spending time within the ruck after Marc Pittonet was rested at half-time.

Cripps stated McKay might count on to spend key minutes within the ruck this season, significantly if Pittonet or Tom De Koning had been unavailable.

“It’s simply one other layer. It’s about including strings to your bow. What it does is, if he’s getting locked down as a key ahead, he can go within the ruck and roam round. A bit like Charlie [Curnow], he has a large tank as effectively,” Cripps stated.

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“We’ve two guys who’re large, nice marks who can transfer across the floor. That’s undoubtedly an ace card now we have received up our sleeve.”

The season-long absence of an injured Jack Silvagni additionally means McKay is probably going for use extra in spells on the ball.

Curnow was additionally spectacular in opposition to the Demons, the 2022-23 Coleman medallist – the primary Blue to say the honour in back-to-back seasons – booting three targets.

Cripps stated Curnow had accomplished a robust pre-season.

“For him, he has two full years of footy which is fairly outstanding when you consider what he has executed,” Cripps stated.

“Similar to anybody, he can have learnt quite a bit from final yr, however I feel his skill, he can beat you in so some ways, Charlie, I feel what he does is particular. His marking skill is freakish but additionally what’s under-rated is his tank, he can take you up and down the bottom.

“He’s one man you watch prepare and you might be simply amazed on the issues he does.”

The Blues will take a conservative strategy with Walsh, significantly as he had again surgical procedure final yr. The star midfielder has been a modified program, however Cripps stated he was pushing to face the Lions in a preliminary-final rematch on the Gabba.

“He’s again operating in the mean time. I don’t know precisely when he’s going to play, however I wouldn’t be shocked if he performs spherical zero,” Cripps stated.

“Final time when he had the surgical procedure was very completely different. When he performs, he’ll dominate like he all the time does. He’s a freak, so I’ve no considerations about him.”

Swans hopeful Adams can be match for AFL opener

AAP

Sydney have despatched Taylor Adams for scans on his knee after he was injured in the Swans’ apply recreation in opposition to Brisbane on Thursday night time.

Adams was on account of bear the scans late on Friday afternoon however the Swans had been assured after the Lions’ match he could be out there to face Melbourne within the season-opener subsequent week.

The membership is predicted to situation an replace on his availability and that of former skipper Luke Parker on Saturday.

Parker noticed a specialist on Friday after present process surgical procedure final Friday to restore a damaged arm sustained in match simulation in opposition to Larger Western Sydney final week.

Adams had impressed in his first hit-out within the purple and white on Thursday, earlier than a deal with from Brisbane’s Cam Rayner despatched him to floor within the third quarter at Blacktown Worldwide Sportspark.

The previous Collingwood participant instantly grabbed his left knee and was dominated out of the remainder of the AFL group collection match with a gentle medial ligament pressure.

The Swans went on to endure an 8.8 (56) to 12.9 (81) loss to the Lions of their closing gown rehearsal.

Sydney assistant coach Jarrad McVeigh was optimistic Adams wouldn’t be out of motion.

“He received a knock to his knee so we performed that conservatively,” McVeigh stated after the sport.

“He’s nonetheless clearly an opportunity for subsequent week.”

Already pushed again on account of sweltering climate situations, the match was delayed one other half-hour after the western Sydney venue, maybe taking a leaf out of the Gabba’s e book, was plunged into darkness by an influence outage.

The Lions confirmed no indicators of a hangover from final yr’s grand closing loss to Collingwood.

With the Lions close to full power, it was Brisbane’s standard stars – Dayne Zorko (two targets, 20 disposals), Lachie Neale (22 disposals, eight clearances), Keidean Coleman (19 disposals) and Hugh McCluggage (31) – who fired the guests to dominance.

Zorko stole the present early. The veteran midfielder, coming into his thirteenth season nonetheless chasing an elusive premiership, flashed the identical grit as his 23-year-old debutant self with a cultured purpose within the opening 30 seconds.

Brisbane had no scarcity of firepower with eight completely different goalkickers, as Lincoln McCarthy kicked three targets and Eric Hipwood two.

Although all eyes had been on Adams in his unofficial Swans debut, it was former Demon James Jordon who performed the most effective out of the brand new recruits.

The 22-year-old had 31 disposals and 4 clearances, numbers rivalling these of powerhouse midfielder Errol Gulden (24 disposals, two clearances, one purpose).