AFL Team Lists Round 24: Chopping Block - Carlton's midfield squeeze, Geelong's cat cull

Kieran Francis

Bryn Wakefield

AFL Team Lists Round 24: Chopping Block - Carlton's midfield squeeze, Geelong's cat cull image

The squeeze is on for positions in Carlton's stacked midfield ahead of finals, while Geelong initiate a Cat cull with their season over.

Retiring Power skipper Tom Jonas has a contender for his position breathing down his neck.

The Sporting News has all the latest AFL team selection news.

MORE: AFL Injury List 2023: Jack Silvagni re-injures knee, Jeremy Cameron undergoes surgery

Essendon (10th) vs Collingwood (1st) teams

Essendon regained Sam Draper, Jake Stringer and Jye Caldwell last week, but after a big loss to GWS, will play its final game of the season on Friday. 

Peter Wright was held scoreless against defender Sam Taylor, while youngster Elijah Tsatas found just nine touches in the midfield. 

Dylan Shiel is a chance to return from a foot problem if the club doesn't take a cautious approach, with many Bombers players underperforming last week. 

Collingwood will be boosted by Jordan De Goey (glute) and Bobby Hill (hamstring) who return from injury. 

Utility Beau McCreery (suspension) will come out, while defender Nathan Murphy may also miss with multiple corkies.

Magpies Will Hoskin-Elliot and Jack Ginnivan haven't been at their best this season and could miss. 

- Bryn Wakefield

MORE: Nick Daicos ahead of schedule in knee rehabilitation

Hawthorn (16th) vs Fremantle (14th) teams

With both teams out of finals contention, expect a raft of changes and opportunities for players.

Hawthorn will be hoping to welcome back key midfielder Jai Newcombe (hamstring) and forward Mitch Lewis (foot).

Mature age tall Brandon Ryan could also get another crack after missing two weeks with illness.

Lloyd Meek did his chances of a recall no harm with three goals, 26 disposals, eight clearances and 41 hitouts in the VFL.

Players who could come out of the senior team include Jai Serong, Denver Grainger-Barras, Max Ramsden and Josh Ward.

Fremantle have put Jaeger O'Meara (calf) and Bailey Banfield (shoulder) on ice for the rest of the season.

Michael Walters (calf) will come in - if he passes a fitness test, while Neil Erasmus should be promoted to the starting line-up or Will Brodie could return.

Jye Amiss is expected to be fit despite a hip issue.

- Kieran Francis

North Melbourne (18th) vs Gold Coast (15th) teams

North Melbourne could keep Luke Davies-Uniacke for its final game of the season, despite the midfielder dealing with a heavily bruised toe. 

Defender Luke McDonald will miss Round 24 with hamstring surgery to come this week. 

The Kangaroos could recall medium forward Charlie Lazzaro, who had 35 disposals in a VFL loss to Richmond. 

Gold Coast will have to play its final game with Jack Lukosius (achilles), Ben King (knee), and Bailey Humphrey (finger) in a big hit to its offence. 

Key forward Chris Burgess could make his first appearance of the season after kicking eight goals in the VFL last week.

Suns midfielder Alex Davies may have done enough to earn selection with 30 disposals and 13 clearances in the reserves. 

- Bryn Wakefield

MORE: Gold Coast's playing list under Damien Hardwick: Will the Suns finally make finals?

Brisbane (2nd) vs St Kilda (6th) teams

Brisbane will lose Lincoln McCarthy to a calf strain, but will have Callum Ah Chee to select after he recovered from a bruising incident against Collingwood.

Rhys Mathieson had 37 disposals in the VFL, while fringe players Kai Lohmann, Nakia Cockatoo and Jaxon Prior could be considered.

There is unlikely to many changes at St Kilda, with Seb Ross (hamstring) the only foreseeable forced omission.

Hunter Clark should be the like-for-like replacement, while the VFL performances of Jack Billings, Ryan Byrnes and Nick Coffield will also be looked at.

- Kieran Francis

Rhys Mathieson - Brisbane
Getty Images

Geelong (11th) vs Western Bulldogs (6th) teams

It's expected to be a revolving selection door at Geelong this week, with many changes as their season is now over.

The likes of Jeremy Cameron (shoulder), Tom Hawkins (hamstring), Brad Close (ankle), Esava Ratugolea (hamstring) and Mitch Duncan (suspension) will all come out of the team.

Several fringe Cats will be selected, with possibilities including Toby Conway, Sam Simpson, Mitch Knevitt and Ollie Dempsey.

Geelong will also be hoping Cam Guthrie can return after playing limited VFL minutes last week and Rhys Stanley (adductor) passes a fitness test.

Tom Liberatore (concussion) will return for the Bulldogs in the do-or-die clash, with Jack Macrae going into concussion protocols himself.

Several Bulldogs in the VFL could step up, including Hayden Crozier, Toby McLean, Luke Cleary and Buku Khamis.

Luke Beveridge will be hoping Jason Johannisen passes a fitness test on his calf.

Taylor Duryea (suspension) will come out, while Anthony Scott, Bailey Williams and Oskar Baker will be under the microscope at selection.

- Kieran Francis

West Coast Eagles (17th) vs Adelaide (13th) teams

West Coast should bring retiring greats Luke Shuey and Shannon Hurn back into the mix, while Elliot Yeo (hamstring) will miss with another injury.

It was a strong team performance by West Coast last week, with the side potentially losing out on projected No.1 pick Harley Reid after a win. 

Defender Jeremy McGovern could be one to leave the side, with the Eagles set to take a cautious approach with the 31-year-old's swollen ankle. 

Adelaide will lose Shane McAdam (cheekbone) and is hopeful that Rory Sloane will be fit to play after an eye concern. 

Promising forward Riley Thilthorpe has struggled in recent weeks for Adelaide, and may be struggling for fitness, while midfielder Harry Schoenberg hasn't been able to impact the contest as he'd like. 

Crows Lachlan Gollant (three goals) and Lachie Sholl (29 disposals, one goal) were impressive in the SANFL and could earn a final-round callup.

- Bryn Wakefield

MORE: Adelaide vs Sydney: Gillon McLachlan admits AFL umpire howler, controversial result set to stand

Port Adelaide (3rd) vs Richmond (12th) teams

Port Adelaide's side is nearing full strength ahead of finals, with a number of players needing to solidify their spots in Round 24. 

Retiring skipper Tom Jonas will need to impress, with Trent McKenzie (knee) in the frame for an early finals return. 

Ruckman Sam Hayes could face selection pressure from Dante Visentini who returns this week, and veteran Scott Lycett who should be fit for a Qualifying Final. 

Richmond's Trent Cotchin and Jack Riewoldt will depart the team, having played their final AFL games at home last week. 

Forward Marlion Pickett was substituted out of the game, and could be overlooked for selection in favour of Maurice Rioli

Tiger Rhyan Mansell (19 disposals, one goal) should come in for Cotchin, while tall Jacob Bauer is likely to get the nod after a four-goal VFL showing. 

- Bryn Wakefield

Sydney (7th) vs Melbourne (4th) teams

Sydney will be sweating on the fitness of Tom Papley (hamstring), who was subbed out against Adelaide, while Joel Amartey (hamstring) needs to pass a test.

If Amartey comes in it will likely be the expense of Aaron Francis, while if Papley is out, Corey Warner is a chance to figure in the squad.

It will be interesting to see if Melbourne risk Bailey Fritsch (foot) now that he is fit again, while Tom McDonald kicked three goals in the VFL to loom as a finals wilcard.

Sub Josh Schache could come out of the squad, while Adam Tomlinson and Kade Chandler will also have their positions looked at.

- Kieran Francis

Carlton (5th) vs GWS (8th) teams

Midfield trio Sam Walsh, Adam Cerra, and Matthew Kennedy are expected to return alongside Mitch McGovern for Carlton. 

With the form of George Hewett, however, Kennedy may struggle to reinsert himself in the AFL side. 

Skipper Patrick Cripps (14 disposals) was quiet last week and could be rested, while Ed Curnow and Paddy Dow will also find their spots tested. 

Returning Giant Nick Haynes could push youngster Toby McMullin (five disposals, one goal) out of the side, while Finn Callaghan is also a chance at selection. 

After thrashing the Bombers by 126 points, GWS should be comfortable with its side heading into a possible finals appearance. 

- Bryn Wakefield

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.

Bryn Wakefield

Bryn Wakefield Photo
Bryn is a content producer for Sporting News, covering AFL and Australian Rules Football. Based in Adelaide, South Australia, he has thrived in the passionate sporting city, desperate for ultimate success despite its underdog tag.