Essendon coach Brad Scott lauded the “incredible turnaround” Anthony McDonald-Tipungwuti made to return to football this season but both had conceded it’s not enough to go on next year and the cult hero will get a farewell match against Collingwood on Friday night at the MCG.
McDonald-Tipungwuti‘s second retirement was confirmed on Thursday morning having managed just six games this season after being lured into making a comeback.
His inclusion will be among mass changes for the Bombers who had their finals chances extinguished in the 126-point smacking by GWS last week with ruckman Sam Draper and forward Jake Stringer unlikely to face the Pies after not taking part in Thursday’s final training session.
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Forward Peter Wright also did not train while Matt Guelfi will miss with a hamstring strain from last week.
But Scott said Friday night would still be a celebration for McDonald-Tipungwuti who had made a massive impact on the club.
The livewire forward retired in 2021 after battling injury and weight issues but returned for the 2023 season but Scott said another season would be a “bridge too far” and McDonald-Tipungwuti will bow out, for good, with 132 career games.
Hawthorn will be without young gun Mitch Lewis but regains Jai Newcombe for Saturday’s clash with Fremantle at the MCG.
A mid-foot sprain suffered against the Western Bulldogs keeps Lewis out of the line-up while Newcombe has recovered from the hamstring tightness that forced him to be a late withdrawal for last Sunday’s loss to Melbourne.
Mid-season draftee Brandon Ryan is available after recovering from illness, while Henry Hustwaite will hold his spot and Jai Serong has been elevated from the sub to the 22. Swingman Denver Grainger-Barras left training with a calf complaint and is set to miss.
Suns out to impress Dimma in last game | 01:12
AFL ROUND 24 TEAMS AND FIXTURE (All times AEST)
ESSENDON v COLLINGWOOD
Friday August 25, 7:50pm at the MCG
BOMBERS
tbc
MAGPIES
tbc
HAWTHORN v FREMANTLE
Saturday August 26, 1:45pm at the MCG
HAWKS
tbc
DOCKERS
tbc
NORTH MELBOURNE v GOLD COAST SUNS
Saturday August 26, 1:45pm at Blundstone Arena
KANGAROOS
tbc
SUNS
tbc
BRISBANE LIONS v ST KILDA
Saturday August 26, 4:35pm at the Gabba
LIONS
tbc
SAINTS
tbc
GEELONG CATS v WESTERN BULLDOGS
Saturday August 26, 7:25pm at GMHBA Stadium
CATS
tbc
BULLDOGS
tbc
WEST COAST EAGLES v ADELAIDE CROWS
Saturday August 26, 8:10pm at Optus Stadium
EAGLES
tbc
CROWS
tbc
PORT ADELAIDE v RICHMOND
Sunday August 27, 12:30pm at Adelaide Oval
POWER
tbc
TIGERS
tbc
SYDNEY SWANS v MELBOURNE
Sunday August 27, 3:20pm at the SCG
SWANS
tbc
DEMONS
tbc
CARLTON v GWS GIANTS
Sunday August 27, 6:10pm at Marvel Stadium
BLUES
tbc
GIANTS
tbc
