Changes At Windy Hill

Essendon coach Matthew Knights has revealed a couple of senior Bombers are in the mix to return for Friday's AFL match against Melbourne.

Knights claimed $255k veteran defender Dustin Fletcher (leg), $396k midfielder Jason Winderlich (ankle) and $338k club stalwart Andrew Welsh (leg) were close to returning after injuries.

"All will play on Friday night, pending today's (Tuesday's) training session," Knights admitted, including $306k youngster Kyle Reimers who returned in Round 11 after injury.

Knights added, "Fletcher will come in, it's been seven weeks now for Dustin, he's had a good three or four weeks on the training track, so he'll come into the side.

"We're looking to bring Andrew Welsh back in, which has been a marvellous comeback.

"Jason's (Winderlich) first major training session is today – if he gets through he'll come back into the 22."

And in more positive news, the Bombers coach also revealed $214k midfielder Henry Slattery was close to a return but perhaps doubtful for Friday's game after a hamstring problem.

"Slattery would have to really impress me today to come into the team," Knights said.

In other injury news, Essendon also made it known big $222k ruckman Jason Laycock will miss the rest of the season with the foot injury he's been battling.

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DreamTeam Update: Tribunal Pleas

The AFL tribunal will not meet this week after no charges from the weekend where serious enough to warrant it.

Richmond's Jack Riewoldt was up for a striking charge on West Coast's Daniel Kerr, but the $278k Tiger forward opted to accept a reprimand.

Thus Riewoldt is free to play next week and the AFL tribunal is free to enjoy a night off.

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Judd Good To Go

DreamTeam coaches can breathe a big sigh of relief after Carlton confirmed star midfielder Chris Judd would be fine to face Essendon next round.

Judd sustained a broken nose in Friday night's loss against St Kilda and underwent surgery on Saturday.

But the former Eagle returned to training on Monday and is ready to go.

Carlton football manager Steven Icke said, "We were a bit surprised he came out and trained, but such is the quality and professionalism of the player that nothing should surprise. He trained well."

In other injury news at Carlton, Simon Wiggins will be available for the Bombers game after shaking off a hamstring problem, along with Bret Thornton who was a late withdrawal on Friday.

Carlton also revealed ruckman Robbie Warnock was a fortnight away from a VFL return, while Andrew Walker was a month off.

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Ziebell Out For Two Months... Sell!

Super North Melbourne rookie forward/midfielder Jack Ziebell will be out of action for between 6-10 weeks after breaking his leg in Sunday's game against Adelaide.

The Kangaroos confirmed in a statement on Monday night, Ziebell had a fractured fibula meaning he'll be out for about 2 months.

Almost 90,000 DT coaches own Ziebell but that diagnosis means it is time to sell the young star.

Ziebell scored 23 against the Crows, meaning his value will drop $26k and thus his sale price will be $246k which is still quite handy.

In other North Melbourne injury news, the Kangaroos rated forward Lindsay Thomas will face 2-3 weeks on the sidelines after straining his hamstring late against Adelaide.

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Pies Pair Injured

Collingwood forward duo Sean Rusling and Brent Macaffer were injured in the reserves on the weekend against Werribee and are awaiting results of scans.

Rusling, making his comeback from a fractured cheekbone, injured his thigh, while Macaffer went down with a knee injury.

Collingwood footy manager Geoff Walsh said about $184k forward Rusling, “It’s in his hip, thigh or buttock, somewhere in that region. We’ll get a scan just to verify what the actual cause of the problem is."

Walsh also spoke about $125k forward Macaffer saying, "We don’t think there’s any major structural damage, but his knee’s swollen a little bit, so we’ll see what the scan shows."

Good news out of the match, was forward Paul Medhurst got through the game and is a chance for next weekend's AFL match against Sydney, while veteran Anthony Rocca also played.

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MRP Update: Riewoldt Worry

There's not alot of news from the AFL match review panel, which I guess is good news.

Young Richmond forward Jack Riewoldt is the only concern, with a charge of striking West Coast's Daniel Kerr. Riewoldt can get a reprimand for the charge with an early plea, otherwise he risks a one-match ban.

Elsewhere Richmond teammate Tom Hislop had his charge for contact with Kerr thrown out.

Also Jack Ziebell's report for a hit on Adelaide's Brent Reilly was tossed out too.

Carlton's Kade Simpson was assessed for a rough tackle on St Kilda's Brendon Goddard but no further action will be taken there either.

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DT Round 12 (Split-Round) Movers & Shakers

As per usual, we'll do this week's edition chronologically, but with only five of the eight matches played it'll be a shorter segment today. Also cos the new DT prices aren't officially in, these are estimates from fanfooty.com.au but typically they'll be spot on.

For St Kilda, midfielder Nick Dal Santo's value is soaring following a score of 111 which takes him up $17.5k to $385k. Probably not the time to sign him unless you've got cash to burn.

On the other hand, popular DT defender Brendon Goddard's price is sliding and he'll get cheaper next round at least, despite also posting 111 against the Blues. Goddard is down $9.5k to $406k and has a breakeven of 161 for Round 13. This could be your best chance to get Goddard at a reasonable price.

For Carlton, the midfield brigade of Chris Judd, Marc Murphy, Bryce Gibbs and Kade Simpson will all slip in value a bit this week so if you want to sign any of them, get in soon.

Also young forward Jeff Garlett is still edging his value up slowly despite a score of 18 against the Saints, up $5k to $171k with a low breakeven next round.

For the Western Bulldogs, if you wanted young midfielder Callan Ward it seems you've missed your chance after he posted 118 to fly $31k up to $276k. He'll soar next round too.

Adam Cooney and Shaun Higgins are on the rise too, with the latter one of this year most popular DT players, up $14k this weekend to $347 which is about $135k for the season. Alleged 'swine-flu-patient' Jason Akermanis is down $23k despite a 90, and he'll probably drop again next round so if you want to trade him in, you know what to do.

For Port Adelaide, midfielder Kane Cornes continues to be the Power's best up $18k to $388k this round after a big 130.

Also if you want a quick cash cow, check out defender Jacob Surjan who scored 77 to go up $30k to $239k with a breakeven of minus 25 next round.

For Richmond, midfielder Ben Cousins was close to best on gronud on the weekend yet his value drops $8k to an affordable $311k following a score of 86. He could be worth it.

Sticking with the Tigers, if you haven't sold Alex Rance already, you need to as his score of 48 means he drops $6k to $180k.

For West Coast, good news for almost 12,000 DT coaches is young midfielder Tom Swift burst his bubble scoring a 35 in his 3rd game taking his value up $18k to $104k. With a breakeven of minus 11 next round, he'll be soaring for a bit.

Also with the Eagles, popular DT ruckman Dean Cox's price slides small $3k after a 98 but he's still very expensive, while Matt Priddis's cheap days are almost over after a 136 which takes him up $4k to $382k with a low breakeven next round.

For the Brisbane Lions, midfielder Luke Power is going through the roof following a 154 which takes him up $25k to $378k with a tiny breakeven next round.

Young forward/defender Lachie Henderson is doing good stuff for 6,000 DT coaches with a score of 59 taking him up another $20k to $183k. Also super-rookie Daniel Rich has broken the $300k barrier with a 74 taking him up $11k.

For Hawthorn, Lance Franklin and Luke Hodge still represent great value despite the fact Buddy scored only 32 on the weekend. They'll turn it around soon, so with Franklin down $20k to $287k and Hodge down $11k at $296k, if you don't have them get on them, seriously.

Young midfielder Beau Muston is winning lots of DT admirers after a 52 took him up $24k to $186k, while forward/defender Ryan Schoenmakers is slowly taking his value up too with a 49 moving him up $7k to $115k.

For Adelaide, Scott Thompson's up $20k after a 119 taking him to $406k, while Chris Knights is sliding down $6.5k to $355k after a score of 49.

For North Melbourne, all the talk is Nathan Grima who soars an incredible $50k this week after a score of 90 took him to $185k. His breakeven next round is minus 71, so that's a cash cow right there.

Actually there is also some talk about Jack Ziebell too, as it seems his season is over after a nasty leg injury. That injury meant he only scored 23 on the weekend, seeing his price drop a cruel $26k to $246k. His 87 thousand-odd DT coaches will be selling him anyway.

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News From The Reserves

- We'll start with the VFL, where like the AFL there wasn't a full round of fixtures played.

Anyway, Werribee Tigers defeated Collingwood reserves with Kangaroos pair Leigh Adams (just back from injury) and Todd Goldstein pressing their case for senior selection after star performances.

For the Pies, Anthony Rocca was back but had just 8 possessions and booted the one goal. 2008 DT sensation Paul Medhurst (a $324k forward) played half a game and did okay. Ruck Cameron Wood put himself into senior's frame after a couple of goals up forward. Bad news was Sean Rusling (on his comeback game) and Brent Macaffer were injured in the match with thigh and knee problems respectively.

Elsewhere North Ballarat got the better of Frankston with Michael Wundke (who was picked in the Kanga's 25 this weekend) booting 3 goals while youngster Liam Anthony impressed again enhancing his case for a run in the AFL with North Melbourne.

And Carlton's Brad Fisher pushed his claims for a senior recall after he booted 6 goals for the Northern Bullants as they beat Casey.

- In the WAFL, West Coast's Brent Staker returned from a hand injury to collect 16 possessions and have a pretty 'handy' game as East Fremantle beat Peel. The $245k midfield/forward will surely play for the seniors next round having not played since Round 6.

Another Eagle, $220k forward Ash Hansen, played for Swan Districts as they lost to Subiaco, but Hansen struggled booting no goals and four behinds.

Dockers pair Ryan Murphy and Daniel Gilmore did well for South Fremantle as they thrashed West Perth. Murphy, a $173k forward, booted 4 goals for the Bulldogs, while midfield/ruck Gilmore (who hasn't played AFL since Round 4) collected 34 possessions in the guts.

Also Fremantle rookie forward Tim Ruffles ($86k) booted 5 goals for Perth as they beat East Perth.

- In the SANFL, young Adelaide Crows ruckman Shaun McKernan continues to press for an AFL debut after a decent game for South Adelaide Panthers as they lost narrowly to Norwood. In the reserves, another Crow, Will Young, made his comeback from an ankle injury for the Panthers.

Crows' pair Phil Davis and Nick Gill were instrumental in North Adelaide's big win over Sturt. Gill grabbed 20 possessions with 10 marks and a goal.

Another Crow, big man James Sellar, claimed 20 hitouts and collected 10 possessions in Glenelg's victory over West Adelaide.

- In the QAFL, 2008 DT must-have Bradd Dalziell was back playing putting in a good performance as the Lions reserves lost to Labrador. Midfield rookie Jack Redden, who was in Brisbane's selected 25 for the weekend, put in another good game too, along with youngsters Matt Austin and Daniel Dzufer.

- In the Canberra AFL, there was a bye for Sydney's reserves.

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