Clubs’ selection dilemmas with stars ready to return; Tough calls loom on veterans: Team Tips

Several AFL clubs are facing selection dilemmas with stars cleared to return to sides already humming along nicely.

For others, difficult calls may need to be made on long-serving veterans.

Get the latest AFL selection and injury news ahead of Round 3 in Team Tips!

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AFL ROUND 3 FIXTURE AND TEAMS (All times AEDT)

WESTERN BULLDOGS V BRISBANE LIONS

Thursday March 30, 7:20pm at Marvel Stadium

Dogs’ Round 2 Team

B: Duryea, Jones, Crozier

HB: Dale, Keath, Richards

C: Williams, Bontempelli, Baker

HF: Smith, Darcy, Ugle-Hagan

F: Scott, Naughton, West

FOLL: English, Liberatore, Macrae

I/C: Daniel, McLean, Bruce, Garcia

EMG: Khamis, McComb, McNeil, Sweet

Team Tips: It’s a big week at the selection table for Luke Beveridge and the Western Bulldogs after they were arguably the most disappointing team last weekend in a 51-point loss to St Kilda. Beveridge has even admitted it’ll take something “innovative” to get up for the Lions. Arthur Jones has been confirmed to make his debut and Ryan Gardner is set to return, while Adam Treloar and Rory Lobb will undergo tests. Rhylee West, Riley Garcia,Anthony Scott and Toby McLean will all feel selection pressure, depending on how many return.

Lions’ Round 2 Team

B: Starcevich, Payne, Rich

HB: McKenna, Andrews, Zorko

C: Ashcroft, Bailey, Berry

HF: Cameron, Gunston, McCluggage

F: Rayner, Daniher, Hipwood

FOLL: McInerney, Dunkley, Neale

I/C: McCarthy, Fort, Joyce, Wilmot

EMG: Robertson, Prior, Fullarton, Tunstill

Team Tips: If he’s available to return from concussion, Keidean Coleman is the only Lion who could force his way into the side after the team’s impressive win over Melbourne. With no forced changes otherwise, Darragh Joyce might be the unlucky one to come out. Rhys Mathieson impressed in the VFL, racking up 26 disposals and kicking two goals, but he’ll likely be made to further bide his time in the twos.

COLLINGWOOD V RICHMOND

Friday March 31, 7:50pm at the MCG

Pies’ Round 2 Team

B: Quaynor, Frampton, Maynard

HB: Hoskin-Elliott, Moore, Pendlebury

C: Noble, Adams, J.Daicos

HF: Sidebottom, Mihocek, Hill

F: Elliott, Cameron, N.Daicos

FOLL: McStay, De Goey, Crisp

I/C: Mitchell, Murphy, McCreery, Cox

EMG: Bianco, Ruscoe, McInnes, Carmichael

Team Tips: The in-form team of the competition and new premiership favourites, you sense Craig McRae will take the same 22 into Friday night’s blockbuster after the Magpies’ comprehensive 71-point win over Port Adelaide. Brody Mihocek suffered a dislocated finger late in the win, but there’s no indication the setback would cause him to miss time. Of course, Jack Ginnivan is available to return from his suspension, but it’s hard to see the gun small forward getting a look in and instead made to build up fitness and form in the VFL given how well the team is going. At best, Ginnivan might get a reprieve as the substitute, but that in itself would be bold considering Reef McInnes has impressed in the role and is probably unlucky not to be in the 22.

Tigers’ Round 2 Team

B: Balta, Vlastuin, Grimes

HB: Broad, Baker, D.Rioli

C: McIntosh, Prestia, Pickett

HF: Rioli, Graham, Bolton

F: Ryan, Martin, Lynch

FOLL: Nankervis, Taranto, Hopper

I/C: Riewoldt, Short, Cotchin, Young

EMG: Miller, Mansell, Clarke, Ralphsmith

Team Tips: The Tigers will be forced into multiple changes from the team that took down the Crows on the weekend amid a number of injury concerns in addition to Nathan Broad’s looming suspension. They include Jayden Short (calf) being a certain omission, while Dustin Martin (hamstring awareness) and Jacob Hopper (knee) are both in doubt in two more potential big blows. Bigoa Nyuon or Ben Miller make the most sense as a replacement for Broad, while Jack Ross should slot come into the side after picking up 28 disposals and kicking a goal in the VFL. If required, Tyler Sonsie, Hugo Ralphsmith and Rhyan Mansell would also come into mix.

HAWTHORN V NORTH MELBOURNE

Saturday April 1, 1:45pm at University of Tasmania Stadium

Hawks’ Round 2 Team

B: Hardwick, Blanck, Impey

HB: Day, Frost, Sicily

C: Bramble, Mackenzie, Amon

HF: Worpel, Koschitzke, Maginness

F: Moore, Greene, Breust

FOLL: Reeves, Newcombe, Ward

I/C: Jiath, Nash, Macdonald, Meek

EMG: Grainger-Barras, Butler, Brockman, Scrimshaw

Team Tips: After returning from injury through the VFL last week, Harry Morrison could earn a recall to a team that got smashed by Sydney by 81 points to add some more experience. But for a team struggling so badly, there’s no obvious spots that could open up, unless Sam Mitchell opted to dump one of the two ruckmen or potentially one of Finn Maginness and Conor Nash.

Roos’ Round 2 Team

B: Goater, Logue, Corr

HB: Sheezel, McDonald, Bergman

C: Taylor, Greenwood, Scott

HF: Turner, Comben, Stephenson

F: Zurhaar, Larkey, Powell

FOLL: Goldstein, Davies-Uniacke, Simpkin

I/C: Curtis, Cunnington, Ziebell, Shiels

EMG: Phillips, Bonar, Howe, Free

Team Tips: Jy Simpkin is the only forced change for the Roos due to his suspension as they look to continue their undefeated start to the season. It could open the door for Will Phillips to get a call up for his first full senior game for the season, while Aaron Hall pressed his claim with a 37-disposal performance in the VFL. Flynn Perez (22 touches) also impressed in the twos, while Pick 4 draftee George Wardlaw (12 disposals, one goal, six tackles) also mightn’t be far off from making his debut, and Darcy Tucker should be closing in on his return from a shoulder issue, but likely through the twos.

GWS GIANTS V CARLTON

Saturday April 1, 4:35pm at Giants Stadium

Giants’ Round 2 Team

B: Idun, Taylor, Cumming

HB: Buckley, Haynes, Ash

C: Callaghan, Ward, Wehr

HF: Kennedy, Himmelberg, Lloyd

F: Greene, Hogan, Daniels

FOLL: Flynn, Green, Coniglio

I/C: Riccardi, Rowston, Peatling, Hamilton

EMG: Brown, Cadman, Stone, Keeffe

Team Tips: A brutal sling tackle to Jacob Wehr will see the wingman miss this week with a shoulder injury, but the Giants should regain Lachie Whitfield and Josh Kelly from their respective concussions as the club looks go bounce back from its loss to West Coast. Assuming Finn Callaghan’s shoulder setback sustained against the Eagles isn’t serious, Harry Rowston struggled to have an impact on debut and likely comes straight back out.

Blues’ Round 2 Team

B: Newman, Young, Cowan

HB: Docherty, Weitering, McGovern

C: Acres, Cripps, E.Curnow

HF: Martin, Fisher, Silvagni

F: Durdin, C.Curnow, McKay

FOLL: De Koning, Cerra, Kennedy

I/C: Saad, Hollands, Owies, Motlop

EMG: O’Brien, Honey, Plowman, Pittonet

Team Tips: The Blues’ 22 feels as well settled as any in the competition right now, coming off a resounding eight-point win over Geelong that probably didn’t accurately reflect Carlton’s dominance on the night. Marc Pittonet was a late in for Jack Martin, and the ruckman likely did enough to hold his spot and force the small forward out of the side or into a substitute vest. Paddy Dow (30 disposals) Jack Carroll (25 touches) and Lachie Plowman (29 disposals) all impressed in the VFL, but again, Michael Voss won’t feel inclined to make changes — and the Blues coach was very happy his side post-match.

ST KILDA V ESSENDON

Saturday April 1, 7:25pm at the MCG

Saints’ Round 2 Team

B: Battle, Howard, Wilkie

HB: Stocker, Sinclair, Wanganeen-Milera

C: Wood, Steele, Byrnes

HF: Phillipou, Hill, Owens

F: Cordy, Gresham, Caminiti

FOLL: Marshall, Crouch, Ross

I/C: Paton, Clark, Higgins, Butler

EMG: Windhager, Highmore, Peris, Campbell

Team Tips: Another week, another injury to the Saints. A broken collarbone to Jack Steele is a particularly brutal blow coming off a big win over the Bulldogs, leaving a big void in Ross Lyon’s midfield. Jack Bytel impressed in the Round 1 win over Fremantle before a knee issue sidelined him over the weekend, so he should take Steele’s place if he’s eligible to return. If not, Marcus Windhager likely gets the nod, or potentially Jimmy Webster, if he’s available to come back from a hand injury. Thomas Highmore racked up 32 disposals in the VFL, but it’s hard to see him getting the call up for the undefeated Saints.

Bombers’ Round 2 Team

B: Redman, Ridley, Zerk-Thatcher

HB: Kelly, Laverde, McGrath

C: Heppell, Setterfield, Shiel

HF: Durham, Jones, Caldwell

F: Davey Jnr, Weideman, Perkins

FOLL: Draper, Merrett, Parish

I/C: Langford, Phillips, Martin, Menzie

EMG: Snelling, Baldwin, Guelfi, D’Ambrosio

Team Tips: The Bombers will also be looking to stay undefeated in Saturday night’s clash, but unlike the Saints, should only get stronger from a personnel perspective. Sam Weideman should be available to return, likely at the expense of Massimo D’Ambrosio or Dyson Heppell. Meanwhile in the VFL, Nick Hind (41 disposals, 11 marks), Ben Hobbs (34 touches, 10 marks, two goals) and Jake Stringer (22 disposals), one goal) all produced big performances to give Brad Scott plenty to ponder. Brandon Zerk-Thatcher suffered an ankle injury late in the win over Gold Coast, but the setback isn’t considered serious.

PORT ADELAIDE V ADELAIDE CROWS

Saturday April 1, 7:30pm at Adelaide Oval

Power’s Round 2 Team

B: Burton, Jonas, Burgoyne

HB: Byrne-Jones, Aliir, Houston

C: Bergman, Drew, Duursma

HF: Georgiades, Marshall, Rozee

F: Butters, Dixon, Powell-Pepper

FOLL: Lycett, Wines, Horne-Francis

I/C: Farrell, Fantasia, Rioli, Jones

EMG: Boak, Clurey, Bonner, Teakle

Team Tips: The Power were brought back down to earth against Collingwood, and will now be without Ryan Burton for two weeks due to a dangerous sling tackle on Jamie Elliott ahead of their Showdown clash against the Crows. Port will be hoping Trent McKenzie is free to return from an ankle issue, and if not, it’ll likely call on Tom Clurey to provide some needed height down back. Travis Boak should come into the 22 after being the substitute last week, likely for Jase Burgoyne or Lachie Jones.

Crows’ Round 2 Team

B: Doedee, Murray, Michalanney

HB: Smith, Dawson, Hinge

C: Soligo, Laird, Sholl

HF: Rachele, Pedlar, Keays

F: Walker, Fogarty, Rankine

FOLL: O’Brien, Sloane, Berry

I/C: Himmelberg, Schoenberg, Murphy, Parnell

EMG: Butts, Thilthorpe, McHenry, Jones

Team Tips: Patrick Parnell will miss due to a concussion sustained in the tackle from Nathan Broad in Adelaide’s 32-point loss to Richmond. Wayne Milera, who Parnell was originally a late in for, should reclaim his spot in the 22, but Jordon Butts will also be in the mix. Lachlan Murphy and Harry Schoenberg were both quiet in the team’s 32-point loss to Richmond and could get sent back to the SANFL in favour of Ned McHenry or Chayce Jones.

GOLD COAST SUNS V GEELONG CATS

Sunday April 2, 2:10pm at Heritage Bank Stadium

Suns’ Round 2 Team

B: Weller, Collins, Macpherson

HB: Long, Ballard, Constable

C: Lukosius, Miller, Swallow

HF: Ainsworth, Casboult, Jeffrey

F: Holman, King, Flanders

FOLL: Witts, Rowell, Anderson

I/C: Fiorini, Rosas, Hollands, Uwland

EMG: Blakely, Chol, Farrar, Sexton

Team Tips: The only forced change for the winless Suns from their loss to Essendon is Charlie Ballard, assuming he doesn’t get his one-match ban overturned. If the key defender misses, Jy Farrar is the best like-for-like replacement. Elsewhere, Mabior Chol responded to his dumping with three goals in the VFL, while Rory Atkins (25 disposals), Jed Anderson (21 touches, six tackles) and Alex Davies (20 possessions, one goal) also impressed, and Wil Powell got through his return from a hamstring injury. Bodhi Uwland, Nick Holman and Brayden Fiorini were all quiet against the Bombers and could face the selection axe. Sean Lemmens is also closing in on his return from a calf issue, but likely comes through the VFL.

Cats’ Round 2 Team

B: O’Connor, De Koning, Tuohy

HB: Smith, Ratugolea, Z.Guthrie

C: Bruhn, Bowes, Holmes

HF: Stengle, Cameron, Close

F: O.Henry, Hawkins, Rohan

FOLL: Stanley, C.Guthrie, Dangerfield

I/C: Bews, Blicavs, Atkins, Miers

EMG: Whyte, Simpson, Ceglar, Parfitt

Team Tips: Coming off a second-straight loss, the undermanned Cats are likely to be without their injured guns for a few more weeks outside of potentially Jake Kolodjashnij (concussion). They could however call on Sam Simpson (19 disposals, one goal), Brandon Parfitt (23 touches) and Oliver Dempsey (three goals) after solid displays in the VFL, although no Cats in the seconds are exactly banging the door down to earn a senior call up. Tanner Bruhn was quiet in last Thursday’s loss to Carlton, so it wouldn’t be a huge shock if he got the axe.

MELBOURNE V SYDNEY SWANS

Sunday April 2, 3:20pm at the MCG

Demons’ Round 2 Team

B: Rivers, May, Bowey

HB: Lever, Petty, Harmes

C: Brayshaw, Oliver, Langdon

HF: Neal-Bullen, McDonald, Viney

F: Fritsch, Gawn, Spargo

FOLL: Grundy, Hunter, Petracca

I/C: Sparrow, Chandler, McVee, Brown

EMG: Melksham, Tomlinson, Smith, Jordon

Team Tips: If Steven May is fit, he comes back into the side straight away. Harrison Petty looked really shaky against the Lions, but Simon Goodwin could keep the faith, with he and Adam Tomlinson vying for that spot. Max Gawn’s (knee) absence means there’s room for another tall to come in, so Jacob Van Rooyen has to be a chance given how bullish the Dees are on him. Tom McDonald has also been poor, but much depends on how patient Goodwin is.

Swans’ Round 2 Team

B: T.McCartin, Rampe, P.McCartin

HB: Florent, Lloyd, Blakey

C: Stephens, Parker, McInerney

HF: Heeney, Hayward, Cunningham

F: Papley, McLean, McDonald

FOLL: Ladhams, Ch.Warner, Mills

I/C: Campbell, Gulden, Rowbottom, Amartey

EMG: Roberts, McAndrew, Sheldrick, Co.Warner

Team Tips: John Longmire will have a selection headache with Lance Franklin free to play after his suspension but the combo of Logan McDonald and Joel Amartey working together brilliantly on Sunday. Hayden McLean is likely the one who makes way for Buddy. Matty Roberts could do with a proper run in the twos.

FREMANTLE V WEST COAST EAGLES

Sunday April 2, 5:20pm at Optus Stadium

Dockers’ Round 2 Team

B: Cox, Pearce, Chapman

HB: Hughes, Ryan, Wilson

C: Clark, Brodie, Aish

HF: O’Meara, Jackson, Frederick

F: Schultz, Fyfe, Taberner

FOLL: Darcy, Brayshaw, Serong

I/C: Banfield, Switkowski, Henry, Young

EMG: Walters, Amiss, Johnson, Treacy

Team Tips: The big question mark is whether Nat Fyfe (foot) will be deemed fit to play for Sunday’s derby. Fyfe was initially expected to miss at least a couple of weeks with a foot injury, but football boss Peter Bell has since said the dual Brownlow medallist could still front up in Round 3. Michael Walters came on as a sub against North Melbourne and should line up in the starting 22. Neil Erasmus is waiting in the wings, as is Josh Treacy. Matt Taberner struggled once again.

Eagles’ Round 2 Team

B: Hurn, Barrass, Cole

HB: Duggan, McGovern, Witherden

C: Gaff, Shuey, Ginbey

HF: Chesser, Darling, Cripps

F: Ryan, Allen, Long

FOLL: Williams, Sheed, Kelly

I/C: Waterman, Hunt, Jones, Petrevski-Seton

EMG: Hewett, O’Neill, Clark, Jamieson

Team Tips: Campbell Chesser has struggled so far, so Adam Simpson will have a tough call to make after just two rounds. Brady Hough could come in as his replacement, or Elliot Yeo (calf) if he’s deemed fit to return. Much also depends on whether Nic Naitanui (Achilles) is available. If he is, Bailey Williams likely comes out of the side. Andrew Gaff has been just going, so there’s another tough call facing Simpson.