Dockers Confirm Rookie Ruffles In

Fremantle have confirmed they will give $86k rookie forward Tim Ruffles his AFL debut this weekend against Adelaide at AAMI Stadium.

While fellow rookie forwards Hayden Ballentyne and Liam Jurrah are attracting plenty of DT interest, Ruffles' progress should be monitored.

"He’s been playing really well at WAFL level for a month now, so it gives us the opportunity at selection to put his name forward and play him," Dockers coach Mark Harvey said.

Harvey also confirmed he wouldn't be resting popular young duo Nick Suban ($179k def) or Stephen Hill ($230k def).

The Dockers boss also admitted $361k gun forward Matthew Pavlich wouldn't be returning this week from a calf injury despite some speculation to the contrary.

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Crows Dilemma As Goodwin Fit

Adelaide have a selection table drama after $336k skipper Simon Goodwin declared himself fit after a couple of weeks out with a knee problem.

The difficulty for selection at West Lakes is that Brett Burton, Taylor Walker and Brent Reilly all performed well in the SANFL last week and are pressing their case for an AFL callup.

Returning to Goodwin, Crows assistant coach Mark Bickley said, “Simon’s had a few weeks on the sidelines now, so we really wanted to see how he touched the ball and he was pretty good today.

“He’s the captain of our club and he was in good form before he went out of the side, so he’s a very strong possibility to play.”

Bickley added about $374k fwd Burton, "You might’ve thought Brett was going to come back pretty rusty and that it would take a couple of weeks for him to get back into it, but on the strength of his performance last week he’s a genuine candidate.”

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Around The Grounds

• Star Fremantle $361k forward Matt Pavlich could make an early return from a calf injury. It is believed the Docker is recovering well from the minor calf strain which he strained against Collingwood in Round 13 and he may be a chance to face Adelaide this weekend.

• Essendon's $378k midfielder Jobe Watson may not be ready to make an early return from an ankle injury this Saturday against Sydney. Bombers coach Matthew Knights said, "Jobe isn't guaranteed for this week. He would have to train on Friday as we haven't got a session on Thursday." Knights did indicate Mark McVeigh, and possibly Michael Hurley, would probably come in.
  

• Carlton coach Brett Ratten says star midfield duo Heath Scotland ($339k) and Nick Stevens ($332k) are no guarantees for an AFL recall this week after good games in the VFL. Ratten said, "They are in the mix. They’re quality players but we just went with a different team structure [last week]. We’ll have to see how we go at the selection table.” Ratten also revealed Paul Bower was close to an early return after a knee injury.
  

• North Melbourne's luckless $309k midfielder Daniel Wells continues to have a bad run with injuries after cutting himself in training. Wells sustained a five-centimetre wound to his leg in gym training and the problem will set back his progress a couple more weeks.
  

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DreamTeam Update: Tribunal

Just two cases for the tribunal to look through this with, and both were unsuccessful.

Port Adelaide defender Troy Chaplin copped two weeks from the tribunal for his hit on Brisbane's Daniel Rich. Chaplin will miss Port's matches against Melbourne and West Coast.

North Melbourne defender Daniel Pratt received a week's suspension for striking Sydney's Nick Malceski and will miss the Kangas' next match against Hawthorn.

There were a number of other charges, but early pleas were taken including Colin Sylvia (3 weeks), Jared Brennan (1 week) and Mark Austin (1 week).

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Stevie Johnson Still A Doubt

Geelong's popular $405k forward Stevie Johnson remains in doubt for the Cats' upcoming Round 15 clash with Brisbane at the GABBA.

Johnson, who is owned by almost 74,000 DT coaches, was a late withdrawal for Geelong's last match against St Kilda with a hip problem.

Geelong coach Mark Thompson said, "Stevie (Johnson) he’s a chance to play but we’re not guaranteed he’ll play.”

Thompson admitted there were also doubts on $264k defender Harry Taylor (concussion) and $290k defender Darren Milburn (ankle) along with Cameron Ling (knee) and David Wojcinski (calf).

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Cox & Kerr Doubtful

West Coast's popular $436k ruckman Dean Cox is in doubt again for the Eagles upcoming match with St Kilda due to a lingering groin problem.

Cox is one of DreamTeam's most popular players, owned by just over 98,000 DT coaches, but he's been frustrating them having missed the last 2 weeks.

The big ruckman did have a virus over the weekend but was back training lightly on Tuesday.

Nevertheless he is still doubtful to be fit for the Saints game at Subiaco on Sunday afternoon.

Fellow Eagle Daniel Kerr ($240k midfielder) is also doubtful as he battles general soreness.

West Coast coach John Worsfold said about Kerr on Tuesday, "He won't do a lot today, and we'll see how he is on Thursday."

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Around The Grounds

• Brisbane's popular $327k defender Josh Drummond has been listed by the club as doubtful for the Lions' Round 15 clash with Geelong. Drummond has been frustrating DT coaches for weeks with a lingering calf problem. Almost 27,000 DT coaches still own Drummond and they'll have a tough decision to make if he isn't picked this week.
  

• Geelong's $329k ruckman Brad Ottens has had another setback in his recovery from a long-term knee injury. Cats coach Mark Thompson said, “He’s hit a bit of a wall and he can’t improve. He’s still two or three weeks away.”

• Fremantle have confirmed defender Michael Johnson will miss a further 4-6 weeks with an ankle injury. Dockers footy manager Chris Bond said, “Michael had surgery on the cartilage in his right ankle and as a result will not be available for the next four to six weeks.”

• Impressive young Bulldogs $184k midfielder Sam Reid is in doubt for his side's clash with Collingwood next weekend. Reid has a sore adductor and hasn't trained since Saturday's win over Hawthorn.

• Sydney veteran forward Barry Hall has retired today, effective immediately. So if you still own $266k Hall, trade him.
  

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888 Australia

Gday folks, just a brief shoutout on this Tuesday morning to the kind people at 888 Australia, which is one of the best places around for online footy betting, poker and games.

Alot of us DT coaches fancy our AFL knowledge and 888 caters for that with their footy betting and there's also alot more fun to be had, so check out their site on http://au.888.com and see what they offer.

There are many hot bonuses and attractive deals on offer. Plus there's also an extensive sport section packed with a lot of fresh sport content maintained weekly, so there's a big cheers to them.

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