AFL Teams Round 17: Chopping Block - Essendon fringe players to pay price

Kieran Francis

AFL Teams Round 17: Chopping Block - Essendon fringe players to pay price image

Essendon's fringe players will be looking over their shoulder at selection with two midfielders pushing for senior recalls.

GWS should see plenty of changes as Leon Cameron tries to arrest their form slump.

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

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Collingwood vs. Essendon teams

A battered Collingwood outfit have lost Beau McCreery (calf) for six weeks, while Brayden Maynard and Josh Daicos (both corked legs) face tests.

John Noble (concussion) will also miss at least a week.

Small forward Lachie Schultz is a lock to return from illness, while AFL/VFL yo-yos Finlay Macrae and Jack Bytel were Collingwood's best in the VFL.

Changes are likely at Essendon after getting embarrassed by Geelong last Saturday night.

Elijah Tsatas had 38 disposals in the VFL, while Dylan Shiel could be recalled after gathering 33 possessions.

Nik Cox and Jye Menzie will be the players most nervous at selection, while Harrison Jones was also given a touch-up by Ollie Dempsey.

North Melbourne vs. Gold Coast teams

North Melbourne should include young gun Colby McKercher after he dominated the VFL for a third straight game.

Charlie Lazzaro has also been building a compelling case with impressive midfield performances.

Zac Fisher (foot) is facing a fitness test, while sub Dylan Stephens is the prime candidate to be axed.

Jarrod Witts has fractured his back with Gold Coast a certainty to recall impressive back-up ruck Ned Moyle.

The Suns will be unlikely to make too many changes to a winning team but David Swallow, Bailey Humphrey and Tom Berry were ineffectual against Collingwood.

Port Adelaide vs. Western Bulldogs teams

Willie Rioli (illness) will be a welcome return for Port Adelaide's forward line, while Lachie Jones (knee) and Jase Burgoyne (hamstring) could return if they pass tests.

Young talent Logan Evans and Will Lorenz would likely be the players squeezed out, and Darcy Byrne-Jones has had a poor few weeks.

The Western Bulldogs are unlikely to make too many changes, but Taylor Duryea (foot) is facing a fitness test.

Plenty of players are performing well in the VFL however, including Riley Garcia, Caleb Daniel, Nick Coffield, James Harmes and Jedd Busslinger.

Geelong vs. Hawthorn teams

Ollie Henry will return for Geelong after missing the Essendon game with positions tight after a good team performance.

Shaun Mannagh kicked six goals in the VFL, while Brandan Parfitt was also solid.

Jhye Clark and Mitch Knevitt had quiet games and would be the most likely candidates to be axed.

Question linger over the fitness of Hawthorn captain James Sicily (shoulder) with a test to be held later in the week.

Mitch Lewis has got through two games in the VFL and could be brought in for talented forward Calsher Dear.

Luke Breust is also available but it's difficult to see who else could be dropped after an even team performance.

GWS vs. Carlton teams

Selection should be brutal as Adam Kingsley tries to get GWS out of a form slump.

Players that could be axed include Max Gruzewski, Toby McMullin and Harvey Thomas.

Callum Brown had no impact either but has a few extra credits in the bank.

James Peatling locked in his senior recall with 35 disposals, seven clearances and a goal.

Xavier O'Halloran showed effort as well with 14 tackles among his 27 disposals.

Small forwards Darcy Jones and Phoenix Gothard were both lively with two goals, while Aaron Cadman kicked five in a commanding display.

Carlton will regain Tom De Koning (soreness) but will he come in for Marc Pittonet or replace him?

Matthew Kennedy (MCL) is facing a test, with Jesse Motlop or Jack Carroll the possible replacements if he doesn't get up.

Fremantle vs. Richmond teams

After a ripping win over Sydney, the Dockers could regain Brennan Cox after he got through another WAFL game, while Michael Walters faces a test.

Justin Longmuir is likely to reward the players that got the job done but Hugh Davies could be unlucky if Cox is fit.

Richmond are likely to be without Dustin Martin (back), who was a chance to be rested for the West Australian trip regardless.

Thomson Dow was the best midfielder at VFL level, while Steely Green (five goals) might have done enough to replace a quiet Seth Campbell.

Melbourne vs. West Coast teams

Melbourne could welcome back both Christian Salem and Jake Bowey, with both dealing with minor injuries.

Harrison Petty is also under an injury cloud after rolling his ankle against Brisbane.

Young talent Kynan Brown and Taj Woewodin will be looking over their shoulders if Salem or Bowey get up.

West Coast will test three important players for fitness - Jeremy McGovern (thumb), Jake Waterman (leg) and Matthew Flynn (ankle).

This could save several players on the chopping block including Ryan Maric, Campbell Chesser and Tyler Brockman.

St Kilda vs. Sydney teams

St Kilda will lose Max King (knee) for the rest of the season as their 2024 campaign continues to decline.

Tim Membrey would be the safe replacement in attack but tall forward Isaac Keeler or ruck-forward Max Heath could make their debuts.

Mattaes Phillipou was dominant in the VFL and will likely be recalled, while Dougal Howard should come in for Anthony Caminiti (ankle).

Liam Stocker and Zak Jones should be in the selection mix also.

Sydney have lost Harry Cunningham (hamstring), which should pave the way for Matt Roberts to return to the half-back line.

Sub Caidyn Cleary might find himself on the outer after having no impact after his introduction.

Brisbane Lions vs. Adelaide teams

It's hard to see too many changes for Brisbane, although sub Jaspa Fletcher impressed and could be elevated to the starting 22.

Logan Morris had a poor game against Melbourne but might have enough credits in the bank to stay in the team.

Jack Payne (foot) faces a fitness test with Darragh Joyce keeping his full-back position warm at the moment.

Adelaide secured a great win over GWS but still look set to make selection changes.

Riley Thilthorpe (three goals) impressed in the SANFL and could return after an extended injury absence for Elliott Himmelberg.

Brayden Cook also had a quiet game in the ones and could be replaced by Lachlan Gollant, who kicked four in the SANFL.

Chayce Jones was a late withdrawal last week and will also be a chance to get straight back in.

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.