AFL Teams Round 2: Chopping Block - Time for West Coast to move on from veterans

Kieran Francis

AFL Teams Round 2: Chopping Block - Time for West Coast to move on from veterans image

West Coast face a tough choice at selection with multiple veterans struggling to perform in their first match.

The Magpies could look to give Reef McInnes opportunity with Ash Johnson anonymous early in the season.

Will under-pressure Bulldogs coach Luke Beveridge look to swing the axe?

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

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St Kilda vs. Collingwood teams

The Saints will be hoping to welcome back dual All Australian Jack Sinclair, who missed the opening match with a calf issue.

Small forward Lance Collard went stat-less after coming on as the sub and is likely to be the player to make way.

Liam Stocker is nursing a back injury, while Dan Butler is a test to return from an ankle problem.

The 0-2 Magpies should regain Tom Mitchell, who was rested last week, while Ash Johnson will be in the gun after another lean performance.

Reef McInnes could be given an opportunity in Collingwood's struggling forward mix.

Adelaide vs. Geelong teams

Taylor Walker was the big absentee from Adelaide's loss to Gold Coast and he is expected to have recovered from back spasms.

Darcy Fogarty is likely to retain his spot despite a goal-less game, but Chris Burgess or Lachlan Gollant will make way if Captain Walker returns.

Geelong could lose Tanner Bruhn after the midfielder suffered a foot injury against the Saints.

It's unlikely the Cats will make too many changes after getting the win at home last week.

North Melbourne vs. Fremantle teams

Disappointment for North Melbourne with promising defender Josh Goater ruled out for the season with an Achilles tear.

But the club could regain both co-skippers Luke McDonald and Jy Simpkin.

Callum-Coleman Jones could find his spot in the team in question after an anonymous game against GWS.

Fremantle has added Brennan Cox (hamstring), Oscar McDonald (knee) and Karl Worner (concussion) to their extensive injury list.

Jaeger O'Meara (knee) needs to pass a test after missing the excellent round one win against Brisbane.

In a good team performance, Justin Longmuir's omissions are likely to be minimal.

Cooper Simpson, Will Brodie and Liam Reidy were last week's emergencies.

Hawthorn vs. Melbourne teams

No new injury concerns for Hawthorn, although stars such as Will Day, Chad Wingard and Changkuoth Jiath are still in the casualty ward.

Despite the loss against Essendon, the Hawks could have won the game so it's likely Sam Mitchell will keep the faith.

Harrison Petty played three quarters in the VFL and could return to boost Melbourne's forward line.

It will be a tough choice to omit a forward for Petty however, with Ben Brown, Bailey Fritsch and Jacob van Rooyen kicking five goals between them.

Sydney vs. Essendon teams

Experienced Swans midfielders Luke Parker (arm) and Taylor Adams (knee) are still two weeks away, but Sydney are going alright without them.

Callum Mills (shoulder) won't return until the middle of the season, but Angus Sheldrick (finger) should be fit by round five.

Expect an unchanged side from John Longmire.

Essendon will need to replace luckless defender Zach Reid (hamstring) and Matt Guelfi (calf) after both got injured in the win against Hawthorn.

Harrison Jones could find himself on the outer after four disposals and no scoreboard impact.

Bulldogs vs. Gold Coast teams

Bulldogs midfielder Jack Macrae will be a certain inclusion as the side tries to bounce back from a thrashing by Melbourne.

Will Luke Beveridge swing the axe after only one game?

If so, the likes of Rory Lobb, Harvey Gallagher, Buku Khamis and Nick Coffield all struggled.

Gold Coast have the luxury of bringing their top draft pick Jed Walter through the VFL after his return from injury.

Malcolm Rosas has copped a suspension and won't be back until Round 4.

Other than Rosas, Damien Hardwick is unlikely to change a team that's 2-0 to start the season.

Richmond vs. Port Adelaide teams

Plenty of injury stress for Richmond, who improved significantly as they fell just short against Carlton.

Josh Gibcus (knee) is done for the season, while Dion Prestia (hamstring) and Tylar Young (concussion) will miss at least one match.

After being an emergency last week, defender Tom Brown is likely to play his second AFL game with both Gibcus and Young out, while Sam Banks could be the replacement for Prestia.

Jed McEntee (concussion) should be Port Adelaide's only change after a comfortable win against West Coast.

Jase Burgoyne seems like the perfect like-for-like replacement.

Suspension will keep Sam Powell-Pepper out until Round 5.

West Coast vs. GWS Giants teams

No new injury concerns for West Coast but plenty of worries as they gave up 40 scoring shots against Port Adelaide.

Only two Eagles had 20-plus disposals and it was Elliot Yeo and Jayden Hunt with 20 each.

It's selection lotto because of the Eagles' poor performances but Jack Darling and Andrew Gaff are under significant pressure to improve, with both having four disposals each.

Despite Darling and Gaff having storied careers, it might be time to move on and blood more talent.

Darcy Jones and Cooper Hamilton should be available for GWS selection after getting through a VFL practice match.

There should be minimal changes at the Giants after two wins but Toby Bedford (five disposals) will want to have more impact.

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.