AFL Teams Chopping Block: Dahlhaus facing axe with Geelong set to welcome back stars

Kieran Francis

AFL Teams Chopping Block: Dahlhaus facing axe with Geelong set to welcome back stars image

Geelong small forward Luke Dahlhaus could see his position in the team come under threat as the Cats get set to welcome back a plethora of star players for Thursday night's match against Port Adelaide.

Patrick Dangerfield, Mitch Duncan, Cam Guthrie, Mark Blicavs and Mark O'Connor are in the frame for selection after injury layoffs, with several players to be squeezed out of the 22.

Dahlhaus will be heading the list of candidates discussed for omission, having only managed to average 11 disposals a game this season - the lowest amount in any season of his 204-game career.

The 28-year-old has only kicked four goals in 10 games also, in a role which sees him positioned in the forward half of the ground.

Fringe utility Zach Guthrie will also likely make way, while the selection of previous medical sub Jordan Clark will also be in doubt.

Potential Supercoach rookie bubble boy Max Holmes looms as the most unlucky Cat and will be hoping that his 15 possessions against Collingwood last week will be enough to avoid being cut from the team.

Geelong's opponent Port Adelaide will have a forced withdrawal in the injured Orazio Fantasia, with Hamish Hartlett one of the likely contenders to come into the lineup.

Injury-ravaged Fremantle could bring in several debutants for their match against Gold Coast, among a bevy of forced changes through injury and suspension.

With Nat Fyfe, Sean Darcy, Nathan Wilson, Brennan Cox, Griffin Logue and Mitch Crowden all likely to be forced changes, the Dockers could use the opportunity to hand debuts to Joel Western and Luke Valente, while Reece Conca, Lloyd Meek and Stefan Giro should get recalls.

The Suns are set to welcome back key trio Matt Rowell, Jack Bowes and Sam Day, with Chris Burgess and Malcolm Rosas the players who could make way.

Richmond might give Supercoach favourite Riley Collier-Dawkins a spell, with the young midfielder only having 58 percent game time and nine touches against Essendon.

Kane Lambert and Patrick Naish are two players who could come into the Tigers team if they pass fitness tests.

Ladder leaders Melbourne might switch up struggling Sam Weideman with star recruit Ben Brown as they attempt to get the right mix in their forward line ahead of the Queens Birthday clash against Collingwood

Despite the Demons' brilliant performances, Weideman has struggled to have an impact, kicking three goals in his four matches.

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.