AFL Team Lists Round 15: Chopping Block - St Kilda sharpens the axe

Kieran Francis

AFL Team Lists Round 15: Chopping Block - St Kilda sharpens the axe image

St Kilda boss Ross Lyon could sharpen the axe on a key defender for Friday night's match against Brisbane after keeping unforced changes to a minimum this season.

The Swans are hoping to welcome back a key trio, while Stuart Dew could swing the changes on the Gold Coast after a horror defeat.

The Sporting News has all the latest selection news.

MORE: AFL Injury List 2023

Geelong vs Melbourne teams

Patrick Dangerfield is a key omission for the Cats after the rib/lung injury suffered against Port Adelaide.

Tanner Bruhn and Oisin Mullin will be available for selection, while Rhys Stanley just needs to pass a test.

Demons bull Clayton Oliver still has significant hoops to jump through to be passed fit from his hamstring/infection issue.

Jake Bowey has exited concussion protocols, while Harrison Petty faces a test on the foot injury that has sidelined him for the past six weeks.

St Kilda vs Brisbane teams

There could be several changes at the Saints as they attempt to steady their rollercoaster of a season.

Dougal Howard struggled and was substituted against Richmond, with Cooper Sharman or Tom Highmore possible defensive reinforcements against Brisbane's talls.

Ryan Byrnes could find his selection in doubt after a quiet few games, with both Ben Paton and Jack Bytel pushing to be in the senior side.

Jack Billings, Zak Jones and Dan McKenzie are all tests to play VFL this week after recovering from injury.

Hugh McCluggage will be a welcome return for the Lions from concussion protocols, but Dayne Zorko will need to pass his calf test with flying colours to be selected.

Jarryd Lyons continues to bang the door down through his VFL efforts, while Tom Fullarton could replace Darcy Fort after kicking 2.3 in the seconds.

Sydney vs West Coast teams

The Swans will be hoping to welcome back a key trio facing tests in Lance Franklin, Isaac Heeney and Tom McCartin.

Callum Mills is still listed as a week away but there are murmurings he could be close.

Sam Wicks is a definite omission after copping a two-week ban for a hit on Ryan Lester, while Jack Buller looked overawed on debut.

Despite a horrific injury list there is not much respite for the Eagles, with only Elijah Hewett emerging from concussion protocols.

Jake Waterman is the latest addition to the treatment table after suffering an infection, with his return date unknown.

The Eagles WAFL side had a bye on the weekend so no players were able to put their foot forward for selection.

Lance Franklin
Getty Images

Fremantle vs Essendon teams

A struggling Dockers outfit will be keen to welcome back ruckman Sean Darcy, but the big man needs to get through a few fitness hoops fit.

James Aish is a test to return from concussion protocols as is Michael Frederick from an ankle issue.

Will Brodie could be brought in to boost the midfield, while Corey Wagner has been solid in the WAFL.

There is uncertainty around the return dates of Essendon stars Sam Draper (hip) and Dylan Shiel (foot), but Darcy Parish (calf) is likely to come straight into the team.

Both Essendon's senior and VFL teams had the bye last round.

Collingwood vs Adelaide teams

Both Collingwood and Adelaide are coming off the bye and appear to have limited team changes in the offing.

The Magpies could welcome back Jamie Elliott (shoulder), if he passes a fitness test, but Steele Sidebottom and Jeremy Howe remain a week off at least.

Adelaide have one of the healthiest injury lists in the competition, with only three players out, but Tom Doedee was added to it through the bye after suffering a torn ACL.

Harry Schoenberg has been dominating in the SANFL but he isn't really a like-for-like replacement for Doedee.

Gold Coast vs Hawthorn team

The axe could swing at Gold Coast after a terrible loss to Carlton, but Joel Jeffrey is a confirmed out for 6-8 weeks with a stress reaction in his foot.

Tom Berry, Malcolm Rosas, Ben Long and Alex Davies all struggled to have an impact on the match.

Lachie Weller is a chance to return from knee injury, while Sam Flanders kicked two goals and had 44 touches in the VFL.

Brandon Ellis, Elijah Hollands, James Tsitas, Connor Blakely and Brodie McLaughlin also performed strongly in the twos.

Hawthorn are coming off the bye but have Sam Frost (foot) and Changkuoth Jiath (calf) listed as tests.

James Sicily is out until round 18 through suspension due to his McCluggage tackle.

Kieran Francis

Kieran Francis Photo

Kieran Francis is a senior editor at The Sporting News based in Melbourne, Australia. He started at Sportal.com.au before being a part of the transition to Sporting News in 2015. Just prior to the 2018 World Cup, he was appointed chief editor of Goal.com in Australia. He has now returned to The Sporting News where his passions lay in football, AFL, poker and cricket - when he is not on holiday.