AFL Shake-Ups: West Coast Eagles’ Tim Kelly Omitted, Young Guns Get Their Shot, and Gather Round Team announcements
Table of Contents
- 1. AFL Shake-Ups: West Coast Eagles’ Tim Kelly Omitted, Young Guns Get Their Shot, and Gather Round Team announcements
- 2. Eagles’ Kelly Faces Setback: Time to Reset?
- 3. Bulldogs Unleash Draftee Cooper Hynes Against Lions
- 4. Demons’ Lindsay Returns, Wardlaw Held Back
- 5. Round 5 Teams and fixture: Gather Round
- 6. ADELAIDE CROWS v GEELONG
- 7. Considering the recent shake-ups and team announcements, who do you think are the dark horses for the upcoming finals series, and why?
- 8. AFL Shake-Ups: A Conversation with Coach Alistair Clayton
By archyde.com News Team | April 4, 2025
Major roster moves are rocking the AFL as teams prepare for round 5 and the Gather Round. West Coast Eagles’ veteran Tim Kelly faces a tough setback, while rising stars like Cooper Hynes and Xavier Lindsay gear up for crucial appearances.Plus, a peek at the Adelaide Crows and Geelong Cats’ lineups.
Eagles’ Kelly Faces Setback: Time to Reset?
In a surprising turn for the West Coast Eagles,star midfielder Tim Kelly has been omitted from the lineup. This decision comes after a string of underwhelming performances from several senior players, signaling a potential shift in team strategy.
Kelly’s manager, Anthony Van Der Wielen, addressed the situation, confirming that Kelly was omitted after struggling early this year. Van Der Wielen emphasized Kelly’s determination:
“He’s obviously disappointed about that but understands the decision and knows his form hasn’t been at the level he expects of himself. He sees this as an chance to reset, build confidence, and hopefully push straight back into senior selection. Tim’s a proud player and a leader. One of the most driven and self-aware athletes I’ve worked with. he is very confident he can get back to his best form very soon.”
Anthony Van Der wielen,Tim Kelly’s Manager
This situation mirrors challenges faced by athletes across various sports. For instance, in the NFL, a quarterback might be benched to recalibrate their performance after a series of interceptions. The pressure to perform consistently at the highest level is immense, and sometimes a step back is necessary for a stronger comeback.
Bulldogs Unleash Draftee Cooper Hynes Against Lions
In a move that has Bulldogs fans buzzing, first-round draftee Cooper Hynes is set to make his debut against the Brisbane Lions. Hynes, whose father John played for Carlton, brings a stellar track record from the Dandenong Stingrays, where he showcased his scoring ability and playmaking skills.
Hynes’ impressive stats speak for themselves: 23 goals and 12 behinds last season, along with averages of 23.7 disposals,7.4 score involvements, and 4.7 clearances. These numbers highlight his potential to become a key player for the Bulldogs.
The anticipation surrounding Hynes’ debut is similar to the excitement around rookie quarterbacks entering the NFL.Teams and fans alike are eager to see if these young talents can translate their college or junior league success to the professional level.
Demons‘ Lindsay Returns, Wardlaw Held Back
Melbourne fans will be pleased to see Xavier Lindsay back in the lineup for their clash against Essendon. After an impressive debut, a knee injury sidelined Lindsay, but he’s now been cleared to play.
However, North Melbourne is taking a more cautious approach with young midfielder George Wardlaw. Despite a strong showing in the VFL, Wardlaw will be held back for “at least another week” to further build his fitness.
“We can control and monitor that a bit better, he’s such an vital player for us we want to make sure he’s not just ready to play, he’s ready to perform. We think with at least another week that will give him the best chance to do that.”
Alastair Clarkson, North melbourne Coach
This cautious approach reflects the long-term view many teams take with their young stars. Just as MLB teams carefully manage the workload of promising pitchers to prevent injuries, North Melbourne is prioritizing Wardlaw’s long-term health and performance over a rushed return.
Zane duursma,another young gun for North Melbourne,is also in contention after a solid performance in the VFL.
Round 5 Teams and fixture: Gather Round
Here’s a look at the confirmed teams for Round 5 (Gather Round), with more announcements to come:
ADELAIDE CROWS v GEELONG
Thursday April 10, 7:40pm at Adelaide Oval
| ADELAIDE CROWS | GEELONG CATS |
|---|---|
| B: M.Hinge, J.Worrell,R.Laird | B: C.O’Sullivan, S.De Koning, M.Blicavs |
| HB: W.Milera, M.Keane, M.Michalanney | HB: L.Humphries, T.Stewart, Z.Guthrie |
| C: I.Cumming, J.Dawson – C, L.Sholl | C: B.Smith, P.Dangerfield – C, O.Dempsey |
| HF: B.Keays, R.Thilthorpe, I.Rankine | HF: B.Close, S.Mannagh, G.Miers |
| F: D.Fogarty, T.walker, A.Neal-Bullen | F: S.Neale, J.Cameron, T.stengle |
| FOLL: R.O’Brien, J.Soligo, J.Peatling | FOLL: R.Stanley,M.Holmes, T.Atkins |
| I/C: D.Curtin, S.Draper,Z.Taylor, M.Crouch, L.Nankervis | I/C: M.Knevitt, O.Henry, J.Bowes, O.Mullin, M.O’Connor |
| EMG: S.Berry, J.Borlase, L.Pedlar | EMG: T.Clohesy, M.Duncan, O.Wiltshire |
| In: Z.Taylor, M.Crouch | In: M.Blicavs, M.Knevitt |
| Out: J.Borlase (Omitted), L.Murphy (Omitted) | Out: J.Henry (Injured), T.Clohesy (Omitted) |
COLLINGWOOD v SYDNEY SWANS – Friday April 11, 7:40pm at Adelaide Oval – TBA Thursday evening
NORTH MELBOURNE v GOLD COAST SUNS – Saturday April 12, 12:35pm at Barossa Park – TBA Thursday evening
CARLTON v WEST COAST EAGLES – Saturday April 12, 1:20pm at Adelaide Oval – TBA Thursday evening
WESTERN BULLDOGS v BRISBANE LIONS – Saturday April 12, 4:15pm at Norwood Oval – TBA Thursday evening
MELBOURNE v ESSENDON – Saturday April 12, 7:35pm at Adelaide oval – TBA Thursday evening
RICHMOND v FREMANTLE – Sunday April 13, 12:35pm at Barossa Park – TBA Thursday evening
ST KILDA v GWS GIANTS – Sunday April 13, 3:20pm at Norwood Oval – TBA Thursday evening
PORT ADELAIDE v HAWTHORN – Sunday April 13, 7:20pm at Adelaide Oval – TBA Thursday evening
Considering the recent shake-ups and team announcements, who do you think are the dark horses for the upcoming finals series, and why?
AFL Shake-Ups: A Conversation with Coach Alistair Clayton
Welcome too Archyde Sports. Today, we have coach Alistair Clayton joining us to discuss the latest AFL news, including some surprising team selections and the upcoming Gather Round.
Coach Clayton, thanks for joining us. Let’s dive right in. The biggest news seems to be Tim Kelly’s omission from the West Coast Eagles. What’s your take on this bold move?
It’s certainly a shock, but not entirely unexpected. Kelly is a top-tier player, but sometiems a reset is necessary. From the facts we have available, it sounds like a form dip necessitated this decision.It’s a tough call on the team, but could be exactly what Kelly needs. This is about giving him space to regain his top shape and ensuring the team is working at its best.
Exactly. His manager, Anthony Van Der Wielen, mentioned this is a chance for Kelly to reset. it truly seems he understands and accepts the team’s choice, correct?
That’s right. From all accounts, Kelly is taking this as a challenge. He’s a driven player, and I suspect we’ll see him back in the lineup sooner rather than later, motivated to prove himself. Omissions like this can be a powerful motivator.
Moving on,let’s talk about some fresh faces. Cooper Hynes is set to debut for the Bulldogs. Impressive stats,the son of a former player. What are your expectations?
Hynes has a lot of potential. His junior stats are outstanding,and it’s always exciting to see new talent. Though, the AFL is a bigger test. It will be fascinating to see how he adapts to the professional style of play. The Bulldogs clearly see something special in him, and I, for one, am eager to see if he can maintain his form.
Meanwhile,Xavier Lindsay is back for melbourne. Though, North Melbourne is being cautious with George Wardlaw. What’s the strategy behind this approach?
It’s a smart move. Wardlaw is clearly a high-potential player, and North Melbourne is rightly prioritizing his long-term development. Preventing burn-out and injuries for young talent is key.By allowing him more time to build up fitness and confidence, they are increasing the chances of him being a consistent performer for the club. Alistair Clarkson’s insights highlight how valuable player management is.
Gather Round is just around the corner.Which team matchups are you most looking forward to?
The Adelaide Crows versus Geelong Cats game is always a spectacle. With the confirmed teams announced, it’s looking like a great game of football. I also think the carlton versus West Coast Eagles, will be captivating, especially with the Eagles looking to bounce back after their selection decisions. It’s a great prospect to watch some top-tier AFL games.
Coach, thank you for sharing your insights.It’s clear that this AFL season is full of surprises and new opportunities for both established players and rising stars.Considering the recent shake-ups and team announcements, who do you think are the dark horses for the upcoming finals series, and why?
