Collingwood has been dealt another injury blow, while the Blues have options aplenty amid their host of casualties.
The Western Bulldogs and Geelong are meanwhile set for big boosts for their huge clash.
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COLLINGWOOD will need to replace Steele Sidebottom (MCL) and Jamie Elliott (shoulder) for Saturday’s away clash with the Eagles after the former suffered an MCL injury in his 300th game against North Melbourne.
The Magpies on Wednesday confirmed Sidebottom would be sidelined for 6-8 weeks and that Elliott would also miss, while, 9 News reported Darcy Moore (illness) is also in doubt after missing training on Tuesday.
Will Hoskin-Elliott impressed after coming on as the substitute, while Trent Bianco recorded 27 touches in the VFL and Finlay MacRae and Harvey Harrison should also be in the mix. Billy Frampton is also expected to be available to return from an adductor issue this week.
WEST COAST has its own forced change after Luke Edwards suffered concussion in the loss to Essendon.
Greg Clark replaced him as the substitute, while Zane Trew (30 disposals, one goal) and Callum Jamieson (22 disposals, on goal, 19-hit-outs) put their names up for selection after strong WAFL showings.
Eagles skipper Luke Shuey is also in the mix to return from injury for his first game since Round 6.
Sheed ready to line up against Pies | 01:33
CARLTON will have five forced changes for Friday night’s crucial clash with Melbourne, with George Hewett (concussion), Ollie Hollands (collarbone), Nic Newman (hamstring), Marc Pittonet (hand) and Corey Durdin (knee) all set to miss through injury.
The Blues have a host of options to earn a reprieve to the senior side from its VFL side’s 52-point win over Sydney including big performances from Zac Fisher (40 touches, one goal), Lochie O’Brien (28 disposals, two goals) and Paddy Dow (36 possessions, one goal).
In better news for the Blues though, Adam Cerra is available after his suspension was overturned at the Tribunal, while Patrick Cripps (ankle) is expected to play.
MELBOURNE has meanwhile confirmed it’ll be without Clayton Oliver for at least another week in his recovery from a hamstring issue.
The Demons will welcome back Lachie Hunter from suspension though to potentially leave the likes of Kade Chandler, Michael Hibberd, Jake Bowey and Charlie Spargo vulnerable at selection after the club’s loss to Fremantle, while Adam Tomlinson was best-on-ground for Casey with 29 touches and eight marks.
Clarkson, Fagan cleared in investigation | 00:54
AFL Media reports WESTERN BULLDOGS gun midfielder Adam Treloar is set to return from a three-week lay-off with a hamstring injury for the team’s clash with fellow finals contender Geeelong at Marvel Stadium on Saturday.
Sam Darcy (lung) and Roarke Smith (plantar fasciitis) are also set to return from their setbacks, likely through the VFL.
The CATS will need to replace Esava Ratugolea after the key defender suffered a hamstring setback against the Giants, although the Cats are set to welcome back Jack Bowes (calf) and Gary Rohan (hamstring).
Cats skipper Patrick Dangerfield (hamstring) is also a chance to make his return as he “continues to tick all the boxes,” having trained in a limited capacity this week.
“He is running the high-speed metres requires and hitting those speeds so that will be a discussion between the medical and conditioning team, the coaching group and Pat later in the week but he is getting very close to being available,” Cats footy boss Simon Lloyd said.
Coming off its big win over Brisbane, ADELAIDE is only going get stronger, set to welcome back Mitch Hinge (concussion) and Brodie Smith (concussion) for its trip to Darwin to face the Suns, while Rory Laird got off his one-match ban.
Ned McHenry was a late in for Smith against the Lions and could be one of the unlucky ones to make way along with Josh Worrell.
GOLD COAST’s side feels as settled as it’s been all season after its win over the Western Bulldogs to push into top eight contention.
Rory Atkins was subbed out during the win, while Brayden Fiorini, Malcolm Rosas and Tom Berry were also quiet.
Brandon Ellis (23 touches, two goals) and Sam Flanders (24 disposals) were among the Suns’ best in the VFL should Stuart Dew opt to make any changes.
PORT ADELAIDE skipper Tom Jonas is no guarantee to return to the s despite being cleared to return from suspension, according to assistant coach Chad Cornes.
In addition to Jonas, Todd Marshall (concussion), Travis Boak (rib) and Charlie Dixon (quad) will also be pushing to return to a Power side that won its eighth consecutive game after ousting Richmond at the MCG last weekend.
“He is available, the last game he played was one of his better games of the year,” Cornes said of Jonas.
“But in saying that the backline performed very, very well on the weekend.
“Selection is not for a couple of days time so there will be a big discussion about that.”
Swans confirm McCartin’s season is over | 00:22
For HAWTHORN, Chad Wingard is in line to return from a calf strain against the Power, while Changkuoth Jiath is set to miss again with his own calf complaint, reports AFL Media.
Ned Long produced a massive 38-disposal, 12-tackle, 12-clearance, three-goal performance him the VFL to put his name up for selection, while Josh Ward is also closing in on his return from a foot injury.
Hawks skipper James Sicily will miss the clash through suspension.
RICHMOND duo Nick Vlastuin (corked leg) and Maurice Rioli (hamstring) are both listed as tests to return for the club’s clash with GWS at Giants Stadium on Sunday.
The GIANTS will be boosted by the return of Harry Himmelberg (concussion), however Nick Haynes’ recovery from concussion has ben delayed due to an infection.
You sense GWS coach Adam Kingsley wont feel pressed to make too many more changes after the club’s upset win over Geelong.
After being a late out against West Coast, Dylan Shiel could return for ESSENDON’s clash with the Kangaroos at Marvel Stadium on Sunday, while Andrew Phillips should also come straight back in after being managed.
Nick Bryan, who came in for Shiel, and Anthony McDonald-Tipungwuti were both quiet against the Eagles as candidates to come out of the side.
Opponent NORTH MELBOURNE could turn to Darcy Tucker (31 touches, five tackles) after a strong return in the VFL in a 39-point win over Collingwood.
Tarryn Thomas (18 disposals, six tackles) should also come into calculations, while Kayne Turner booted 4.1 and Aidan Corr registered 19 touches.
Charlie Lazzaro and Phoenix Spicer had limited impact in the senior side’s loss to the Magpies, with the latter subbed out.
NOTE: The Brisbane Lions, Fremantle, St Kilda and Sydney Swans all have their bye this weekend.
