Missing in action: Who's not getting a game?Jennifer Phelan
afl.com.au
Jul 11, 2018 WITH just seven rounds remaining before the finals, our reporters look at the players who are yet to appear at senior level for your team in 2018.
RICHMONDLiam Baker: Small rookie forward who has put together three strong weeks in the VFL. May be a chance for an AFL debut in the coming weeks, with Dan Butler's injury opening up a spot.
Noah Balta: Second-round draft pick from last year who has developed in the VFL this season, both in defence and up forward. Has impressed with his athletic ability through stints in the ruck but needs to work on his contested marking.
Mabior Chol: Played up forward with spells through the ruck before he broke his foot at training in late May. Underwent surgery and is expected to be out for two months.
Callum Coleman-Jones: Has been given chance to shine in the ruck with when Ivan Soldo and Mabior Chol have been out and has impressed at times. Has kicked two bags of three and has been in the best three times in his first season.
Nathan Drummond: Returned from his second knee reconstruction in VFL round one and played four games before suffering a hamstring injury. Came back in early June in good form, but is out again with another strain and will miss a couple more.
Derek Eggmolesse-Smith: Mildura product from the Tigers' Next Generation Academy program hasn't played at any level in 2018, but is ramping up training after suffering a stress fracture in his lower leg. Is expected to play before the end of the season.
Oleg Markov: Half-back/winger who played seven AFL games last year has endured an interrupted year at VFL level. Had a quad injury in the early rounds, and is now out with a medial ligament sprain in his knee. Is inching closer to a VFL return.
Ben Miller: Has been quietly developing down back after arriving at the club via the fourth round last year. The tall West Australian utility has been doing a good job alongside fellow draftee Ryan Garthwaite, who debuted in round 13.
Patrick Naish: A 2018 debut is not out of the question for the father-son draftee, with coach Damien Hardwick last week saying the 19-year-old probably wasn't as far away from it as he thought he was. A half-back who can break the lines and find the goals.
Ivan Soldo: Has been waiting in the wings for his opportunity after playing seven games last year. Has battled a few minor ailments, but has been named emergency 12 times as Toby Nankervis' regular understudy. Has been in decent form.
Tyson Stengle: Is equal sixth on the VFL goalkicking ladder with 20, having kicked at least one in every game so far. Can be hard to stop in attack when on song, but has the tendency to not get a huge amount of the ball.
http://www.afl.com.au/news/2018-07-11/missing-in-action-whos-not-getting-a-game-for-your-club
