West Coast and Essendon have already unveiled their teams for tonight’s clash in Perth, but there’s a few interesting ins and outs coming up as other clubs name their squads for the remaining AFL games in the last of the bye rounds.
Big ‘two-metre' Peter Wright will finally get his 2018 debut and not a moment too soon as Gold Coast’s season stands on the edge of the abyss. Wright’s return can only help take the pressure off Tom Lynch, with the co-captain carrying the Suns’ forward line by himself so far this year.
But just as Gold Coast bolsters its goalkicking stocks, opponent Hawthorn will bring back key defender James Frawley after he was a late out with a migraine last week.
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Sunday’s ‘blockbuster’ between Collingwood and Carlton is the kind of contest where an upset can happen so the Pies won’t want to be taking the down-and-out Blues too lightly.
Daniel Wells is out, probably for the year, so Nathan Buckley will bring back Sam Murray to get some line-breaking pace back in the side.
WATCH: Is this the moment the bump died?
— Sporting News Australia (@sportingnewsau) April 13, 2018
Sam Murray was penalised for what looked to be a fair contest tonight.https://t.co/gek5BtPzXP #AFL #AFLCrowsPies pic.twitter.com/9svcRGbuIA
Regular emergency Brayden Sier is also a chance after another good VFL outing and could take the place of veteran Levi Greenwood who, against Carlton, doesn’t have any obvious tagging target.
The Blues can’t go unchanged after their woeful game against Fremantle, and will bring Matthew Kennedy in to get another chance at delivering on his pre-season promise. Kennedy’s ex-GWS teammate Jarrod Pickett could also come in to try and add a little excitement to an otherwise underwhelming forward line.
New Blue Jarrod Pickett turns on the jets and sets it up perfectly. #JLTSeries pic.twitter.com/W4uWF9iomN
— AFL (@AFL) March 4, 2017
Speaking of the Giants – those too good to be snatched up a second time by Stephen Silvagni – Stephen Coniglio will return to face Brisbane, and big Dawson Simpson will get another ‘we’ve got no choice’ call-up with Rory Lobb out due to a minor spinal fracture.
In other selection moves, Marcus Bontempelli will be right to play for the Western Bulldogs and out-of-favour Josh Dunkley will come in to help cover hamstrung duo Easton Wood and Jack Macrae. Jed Anderson is back for North Melbourne as they get tested by Jarrad Waite’s absence. And number three draft pick Dom Tyson will come in to further strengthen Melbourne’s midfield against an in-form and unchanged Port Adelaide line-up.
