Coleman medallists Tom Hawkins and Harry McKay headline a host of big-name stars returning this weekend as part of a crucial round with key top eight ramifications.
Hawkins is back for Geelong’s must-win game against a virtually unchanged St Kilda on Saturday night, though the reigning premiers will play without a recognised ruckman with Rhys Stanley sidelined.
Gary Rohan (injured) and Brandan Parfitt (sub) join Stanley as the Cats’ other outs, while Jew Bews is also in for Chris Scott’s side.
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Carlton will officially be boosted by the return of McKay from a serious knee injury as it looks to win a ninth-straight game in the Gold Coast on Saturday and consolidate a spot in the top eight.
Sam Docherty has also been named despite battling a corked calf this week, while Lachie Fogarty (injured) and Ed Curnow (sub) come out.
The Suns have wielded the selection axe, dropping Darcy Macpherson, Jy Farrar, Sam Day and Elijah Hollands in addition to Nick Holman missing through injury, with Ben King, Brayden Fiorini and debutant Lloyd Johnston among the ins.
Adelaide and Essendon will also welcome guns in the clubs’ push to stay in the top eight hunt, with Izak Rankine, Sam Draper and Jake Stringer to return in games against Sydney and GWS respectively.
For Friday night’s top-two blockbuster between Collingwood and Brisbane, Steele Sidebottom and debutant Jakob Ryan come into the Magpies side and Jack Ginnivan has been elevated into the starting 22 for injured trio Darcy Moore, Bobby Hill and Jordan De Goey.
Keidean Coleman meanwhile returns for the Lions in place of the injured Jack Gunston.
Melbourne ruckman Brodie Grundy has held his spot for now in the club’s clash with Hawthorn on Sunday, named on an extended bench along with talls Josh Schache and Adam Tomlinson.
Saints brace for high stakes Cats clash | 00:55
AFL ROUND 23 TEAMS AND FIXTURE (All times AEST)
COLLINGWOOD v BRISBANE LIONS
Friday August 18, 7:50pm at Marvel Stadium
MAGPIES
B: J.Howe, B.Frampton, I.Quaynor
HB: B.Maynard – C, N.Murphy, J.Noble
C: O.Markov, T.Adams, J.Daicos
HF: S.Pendlebury, B.Mihocek, W.Hoskin-Elliott
F: J.Elliott, D.McStay, J.Ginnivan
FOLL: D.Cameron, J.Crisp, T.Mitchell
I/C: P.Lipinski, S.Sidebottom, J.Ryan, B.McCreery
EMG: E.Allan, R.McInnes, J.Carmichael, M.Cox
In: S.Sidebottom, J.Ryan
Out: D.Moore (Injured), B.Hill (Injured), J.De Goey (Injured)
LIONS
B: B.Starcevich, H.Andrews – C, J.Payne
HB: C.McKenna, R.Lester, D.Wilmot
C: H.McCluggage, J.Dunkley, D.Zorko
HF: C.Cameron, E.Hipwood, L.McCarthy
F: C.Rayner, J.Daniher, Z.Bailey
FOLL: O.McInerney, L.Neale, J.Berry
I/C: D.Robertson, C.Ah Chee, K.Coleman, J.Fletcher
EMG: J.Lyons, D.Gardiner, D.Fort, J.Tunstill
In: K.Coleman
Out: J.Gunston (Injured), J.Prior (Omitted)
RICHMOND v NORTH MELBOURNE
Saturday August 19, 1:45pm at the MCG
TIGERS
B: D.Grimes, N.Balta, T.Young
HB: N.Vlastuin, D.Rioli, J.Short
C: K.McIntosh, T.Taranto, J.Ross
HF: S.Bolton, L.Baker, D.Prestia
F: J.Riewoldt, D.Martin, M.Pickett
FOLL: T.Nankervis – C, T.Cotchin, J.Hopper
I/C: N.Broad, I.Soldo, T.Dow, J.Graham
EMG: J.Bauer, M.Coulthard, S.Banks, M.Rioli
In: T.Cotchin, J.Hopper
Out: J.Bauer (Omitted), M.Coulthard (Omitted), R.Mansell (Sub)
KANGAROOS
B: A.Corr, B.McKay, L.McDonald
HB: J.Ziebell, T.Thomas, D.Tucker
C: D.Howe, L.Davies-Uniacke, B.Scott
HF: K.Turner, H.Sheezel, C.Taylor
F: E.Ford, N.Larkey, P.Curtis
FOLL: T.Xerri, W.Phillips, J.Simpkin – C
I/C: H.Greenwood, T.Goldstein, J.Goater, T.Powell
EMG: J.Archer, C.Lazzaro, F.Perez, B.Drury
In: D.Howe, W.Phillips, H.Greenwood, T.Powell
Out: J.Archer (Omitted), C.Lazzaro (Omitted), J.Stephenson (Injured), B.Cunnington (Retired), G.Wardlaw (Managed)
GOLD COAST SUNS v CARLTON
Saturday August 19, 2:10pm at Heritage Bank Stadium
SUNS
B: C.Ballard, S.Collins, M.Andrew
HB: N.Anderson, R.Atkins, B.Ellis
C: L.Johnston, S.Flanders, B.Fiorini
HF: M.Rosas, J.Lukosius, B.Ainsworth
F: C.Budarick, B.King, L.Casboult
FOLL: J.Witts – C, M.Rowell, T.Miller
I/C: A.Sexton, B.Humphrey, S.Lemmens, D.Swallow
EMG: S.Day, B.Long, D.Macpherson, J.Tsitas
In: L.Johnston, B.Fiorini, C.Budarick, B.King, A.Sexton
Out: D.Macpherson (Omitted), J.Farrar (Omitted), S.Day (Omitted), E.Hollands (Omitted), N.Holman (Injured), J.Tsitas (Sub)
BLUES
B: B.Kemp, J.Weitering, N.Newman
HB: A.Cincotta, C.Marchbank, A.Saad
C: O.Hollands, P.Cripps – C, S.Docherty
HF: J.Martin, T.De Koning, D.Cuningham
F: J.Motlop, C.Curnow, M.Owies
FOLL: M.Pittonet, G.Hewett, B.Acres
I/C: Z.Fisher, P.Dow, M.Cottrell, H.McKay
EMG: J.Silvagni, E.Curnow, J.Boyd, J.Honey
In: H.McKay
Out: L.Fogarty (Injured), E.Curnow (Sub)
GWS GIANTS v ESSENDON
Saturday August 19, 4:35pm at Giants Stadium
GIANTS
B: J.Buckley, S.Taylor, C.Idun
HB: L.Ash, H.Himmelberg, L.Whitfield
C: J.Kelly, T.Green, J.Fahey
HF: T.Bedford, J.Riccardi, B.Daniels
F: D.Lloyd, J.Hogan, T.Greene – C
FOLL: K.Briggs, C.Ward, S.Coniglio
I/C: I.Cumming, H.Perryman, L.Keeffe, C.Brown
EMG: T.McMullin, J.Wehr, R.Angwin, M.Flynn
In: T.Bedford, B.Daniels
Out: N.Haynes (Illness), T.McMullin (Sub), J.Wehr (Sub)
BOMBERS
B: N.Hind, B.Zerk-Thatcher, D.Heppell
HB: M.Redman, J.Laverde, A.McGrath
C: E.Tsatas, A.Perkins, N.Martin
HF: S.Durham, K.Langford, N.Cox
F: A.Phillips, P.Wright, B.Hobbs
FOLL: S.Draper, D.Parish, Z.Merrett – C
I/C: J.Stringer, J.Kelly, M.Guelfi, J.Menzie
EMG: J.Caldwell, W.Snelling, W.Setterfield, K.Baldwin
In: S.Draper, J.Stringer
Out: N.Bryan (Omitted), W.Snelling (Sub), K.Baldwin (Omitted)
ST KILDA v GEELONG
Saturday August 19, 7:25pm at Marvel Stadium
SAINTS
B: J.Battle, C.Wilkie, J.Webster
HB: Z.Cordy, J.Sinclair, N.Wanganeen-Milera
C: M.Windhager, S.Ross, M.Wood
HF: J.Gresham, B.Hill, M.Owens
F: M.King, T.Membrey, J.Higgins
FOLL: R.Marshall, J.Steele – C, B.Crouch
I/C: L.Stocker, D.Butler, M.Phillipou, C.Sharman
EMG: N.Coffield, H.Clark, R.Byrnes, J.Billings
In: None
Out: H.Clark (Sub)
CATS
B: T.Stewart, S.De Koning, J.Kolodjashnij
HB: Z.Guthrie, E.Ratugolea, M.Duncan
C: M.Holmes, T.Bruhn, I.Smith
HF: B.Close, J.Cameron, M.O’Connor
F: T.Stengle, T.Hawkins, G.Miers
FOLL: S.Neale, P.Dangerfield – C, T.Atkins
I/C: J.Bews, Z.Tuohy, J.Bowes, O.Henry
EMG: B.Parfitt, T.Conway, O.Mullin, S.Menegola
In: T.Hawkins, J.Bews
Out: G.Rohan (Injured), R.Stanley (Injured), B.Parfitt (Sub)
ADELAIDE CROWS v SYDNEY SWANS
Saturday August 19, 7:40pm at Adelaide Oval
CROWS
B: B.Smith, J.Borlase, M.Keane
HB: M.Michalanney, J.Worrell, W.Milera
C: J.Soligo, J.Dawson – C, M.Hinge
HF: B.Keays, D.Fogarty, S.McAdam
F: L.Murphy, T.Walker, I.Rankine
FOLL: R.O’Brien, R.Laird, M.Crouch
I/C: R.Thilthorpe, H.Schoenberg, R.Sloane, J.Rachele
EMG: L.Nankervis, B.Cook, L.Gollant, L.Pedlar
In: I.Rankine
Out: L.Pedlar (Omitted), L.Nankervis (Omitted)
SWANS
B: T.McCartin, D.Rampe – C, R.Fox
HB: N.Blakey, H.Cunningham, J.Lloyd
C: B.Campbell, J.Rowbottom, E.Gulden
HF: S.Wicks, H.McLean, T.Papley
F: W.Hayward, L.McDonald, I.Heeney
FOLL: T.Hickey, C.Mills, L.Parker
I/C: O.Florent, J.Buller, D.Stephens, Ch.Warner
EMG: R.Clarke, A.Francis, L.Melican, M.Roberts
In: D.Rampe, B.Campbell, J.Buller
Out: A.Francis (Omitted), M.Roberts (Omitted), J.Amartey (Injured), R.Clarke (Sub)
WESTERN BULLDOGS v WEST COAST EAGLES
Sunday August 20, 1:10pm at Marvel Stadium
BULLDOGS
B: A.Keath, L.Jones, T.Duryea
HB: B.Dale, J.O’Donnell, E.Richards
C: J.Macrae, B.Smith, B.Williams
HF: C.Weightman, A.Naughton, C.Daniel
F: R.Lobb, J.Ugle-Hagan, R.West
FOLL: T.English, A.Treloar, M.Bontempelli – C
I/C (FROM): O.Baker, L.Cleary, A.Jones, L.McNeil, C.Poulter, A.Scott, J.Sweet, L.Vandermeer
In: L.Cleary, L.McNeil, A.Scott, J.Sweet
Out: T.Liberatore (Injured)
EAGLES
B: T.Cole, J.McGovern – C, A.Witherden
HB: E.Yeo, J.Rotham, L.Duggan
C: A.Gaff, T.Kelly, J.Hunt
HF: C.Chesser, J.Darling, N.Long
F: J.Cripps, O.Allen, R.Maric
FOLL: B.Williams, L.Edwards, E.Hewett
I/C (FROM): S.Petrevski-Seton, J.Petruccelle, X.O’Neill, Z.Trew, L.Foley, J.Jones, J.Williams, C.Jamieson
In: R.Maric, J.Petruccelle, Z.Trew, C.Jamieson
Out: G.Clark (Suspension)
MELBOURNE v HAWTHORN
Sunday August 20, 3:20pm at the MCG
DEMONS
B: J.Bowey, S.May, T.Rivers
HB: J.McVee, J.Smith, J.Lever
C: C.Salem, J.Viney, E.Langdon
HF: T.Sparrow, J.Melksham, A.Neal-Bullen
F: K.Pickett, J.van Rooyen, L.Hunter
FOLL: M.Gawn – C, C.Oliver, C.Petracca
I/C (FROM): B.Grundy, C.Spargo, A.Brayshaw, B.Laurie, J.Schache, A.Tomlinson, J.Jordon, K.Chandler
In: C.Spargo, B.Laurie, A.Tomlinson, J.Schache
Out: M.Hibberd (Sub)
HAWKS
B: B.Hardwick, J.Blanck, J.Impey
HB: J.Sicily – C, J.Scrimshaw, H.Morrison
C: K.Amon, J.Newcombe, J.Weddle
HF: W.Day, L.Breust, J.Ward
F: D.Moore, J.Koschitzke, F.Maginness
FOLL: N.Reeves, C.Nash, J.Worpel
I/C (FROM): T.Brockman, J.Serong, B.Ryan, M.Ramsden, D.Grainger-Barras, H.Hustwaite, C.Macdonald, N.Long
In: T.Brockman, J.Serong, B.Ryan, M.Ramsden, H.Hustwaite, N.Long
Out: C.Wingard (Injured), M.Lewis (Injured), B.Macdonald (Sub)
FREMANTLE v PORT ADELAIDE
Sunday August 20, 4:40pm at Optus Stadium
DOCKERS
B: B.Cox, A.Pearce – C, C.Wagner
HB: J.Clark, L.Ryan, H.Young
C: L.Henry, M.Johnson, J.Aish
HF: S.Switkowski, J.Treacy, L.Schultz
F: M.Frederick, J.Amiss, S.Sturt
FOLL: L.Jackson, C.Serong, A.Brayshaw
I/C (FROM): N.Erasmus, N.Wilson, T.Emmett, K.Worner, J.Corbett, T.Colyer, J.O’Meara, B.Banfield
In: N.Wilson, T.Emmett, T.Colyer, B.Banfield
Out: M.Walters (Injured)
POWER
B: D.Williams, A.Aliir, D.Houston
HB: K.Farrell, T.Jonas – C, R.Burton
C: Z.Butters, W.Drew, X.Duursma
HF: W.Rioli, T.Marshall, J.McEntee
F: D.Byrne-Jones, J.Finlayson, S.Powell-Pepper
FOLL: S.Hayes, O.Wines, C.Rozee
I/C (FROM): T.Boak, J.Mead, J.Horne-Francis, L.Jones, H.Jackson, M.Bergman, F.Evans, O.Lord
In: T.Boak, J.Mead, H.Jackson
Out: None
