Buddy blow adds to Swans crisis; Tigers’ big-man void as Dees face dilemma: Rd 5 Team Tips

Several finals contenders will be forced to reshuffle after a number of njuries to key stars.

Plus the Demons have a much more welcomed dilemma on their hands.

Get the latest AFL selection and injury news ahead of Round 5 in Team Tips!

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AFL ROUND 5 FIXTURE AND TEAMS (All times AEST)

ADELAIDE CROWS V CARLTON

Thursday April 13, 7:40pm at Adelaide Oval

Crows’ Round 4 Team

B: Doedee, Murray, Michalanney

HB: Smith, Butts, Hinge

C: Jones, Laird, Sholl

HF: Rankine, Dawson, Keays

F: Walker, Gollant, Murphy

FOLL: O’Brien, Rachele, Soligo

I/C: Sloane, Milera, McHenry, Thilthorpe, Schoenberg (sub)

EMG: Borlase, Cook, Himmelberg

Team Tips: The Crows open Gather Round with a head full of steam after two big wins, while they suddenly have a selection headache with several players returning to the side. Darcy Fogarty should be available to return from a knee injury, while Sam Berry (rested), Luke Pedlar, Shane McAdam (both suspended) and even Patrick Parnell (concussion) should also be available. Lachlan Gollant likely makes way for Fogarty, while the likes of Lachlan Sholl and Lachlan Murphy will also face pressure to retain their spots. Matt Crouch had 37 touches in the SANFL, but you sense he’ll be remain on the outside of the senior side.

Blues’ Round 4 Team

B: Docherty, Weitering, Cowan

HB: Newman, Young, Saad

C: O’Brien, Cripps, Hollands

HF: Fisher, C.Curnow, Motlop

F: Durdin, McKay, Silvagni

FOLL: De Koning, Cerra, E.Curnow

I/C: Pittonet, McGovern, Hewett, Honey, Carroll

EMG: Plowman, Cincotta, Dow

Team Tips: There’s now good news and bad news for the Blues on the selection front, with Sam Walsh set to play his first game of 2023 in a huge boost in addition to the impending returns of Blake Acres and Matt Kennedy. However Sam Docherty is set to miss four to six weeks with a torn meniscus, and unless Harry McKay has his suspension overturned at the Tribunal, the star forward will also miss. One of Lochie O’Brien and Josh Honey could also make way. Paddy Dow had 31 disposals with two goals in the VFL to press his claim, but Michael Voss’ team is a tough side to crack into right now.

FREMANTLE DOCKERS V GOLD COAST SUNS

Friday April 14, 5:10pm at Norwood Oval

Dockers’ Round 4 Team

B: Cox, Pearce, Young

HB: Wilson, Ryan, Walker

C: Clark, Hughes, Henry

HF: Walters, Jackson, Aish

F: Schultz, Taberner, Switkowski

FOLL: Darcy, Brayshaw, O’Meara

I/C: Amiss, Serong, O’Driscoll, Banfield

EMG: Johnson, Brodie, Draper, Corbett

Team Tips: It’s back to the drawing board for Justin Longmuir and the Dockers after another disappointing loss at the hands of the Crows. Perth journalist Ryan Daniels reports Matt Taberner will miss this week with a back issue, while Nat Fyfe is no guarantee to return from a foot injury. Daniels also revealed Will Brodie, Sam Sturt and Corey Wagner have flown with the team to Adelaide, with Brodie likely to replace Taberner if Fyfe doesn’t get up. Nathan O’Driscoll, Michael Walters and Brandon Walker were all particularly quiet against Adelaide, but so were a number of Dockers across the board.

Suns’ Round 4 Team

B: Weller, Collins, Macpherson

HB: Long, Ballard, Andrew

C: Lukosius, Miller, Swallow

HF: Ainsworth, Casboult, Rosas

F: Holman, King, Hollands

FOLL: Witts, Rowell, Anderson

I/C: Humphrey, Jeffrey, Oea, Powell, Sexton

EMG: Farrar, Moyle, Tsitas

Team Tips: Stuart Dew and the Suns are also under the pump after their underwhelming start to 2023 continued in a loss to the Saints. Could Dew make a statement at selection? Charlie Constable has responded to his axing a fortnight ago with 30 and 35 touches in the VFL to stake his claim for a senior recall. Brodie McLaughlin has also been in the hot form in the twos, tallying 23 disposals and three goals on the weekend after booting six majors the week prior, while Connor Blakely (27 disposals), Caleb Graham (20 touches, 16 marks), James Tsitas (24 possessions) and Bodhi Uland (22 touches, nine marks) also impressed in the VFL. It’d leave several Suns across the board at risk of getting dropped including Ben Long, Joel Jeffrey, Malcolm Rosas, Hewago Oea and Elijah Hollands. Meanwhile Jarrod Witts should come straight back in for Ned Moyle after the big man was a late withdrawal against Kilda due to soreness. It wouldn’t be a shock to see wholesale changes.

RICHMOND V SYDNEY SWANS

Friday April 14, 8:10pm at Adelaide Oval

Tigers’ Round 4 team

B: Balta, Young, Grimes

HB: Baker, Vlastuin, D.Rioli

C: McIntosh, Prestia, Pickett

HF: Bolton, Graham, Mansell

F: Ryan, Martin, Lynch

FOLL: Nankervis, Taranto, Hopper

I/C: Sonsie, Ralphsmith, Clarke, Cumberland, Cotchin

EMG: Miller, M.Rioli, Ross

Team Tips: Two big injury blows to Tom Lynch and Toby Nankervis leave key voids at the Tigers, while Jack Graham suffered hamstring setback, too. Jack Riewoldt and Trent Cotchin should come straight back in, while Jayden Short is still at least another week away with a calf issue.Richmond is likely to turn to Ben Miller, who had 14 disposals, one goal and 32 hit-outs in the VFL,for ruck/key forward support alongside Samson Ryan.

Swans’ Round 4 team

B: Campbell, Rampe, T.McCartin

HB: Florent, Lloyd, Blakey

C: Stephens, Mills, McInerney

HF: Cunningham, McDonald, Hayward

F: Heeney, Franklin, Papley

FOLL: Ladhams, Parker, Rowbottom

I/C: P.McCartin, Warner, Gulden, Amartey, Fox

EMG: McLean, Sheldrick, McAndrew

Team Tips: John Longmire will need to rejig his defence after another devastating concussion to Paddy McCartin alongside younger brother Tom McCartin suffering the same injury. Meanwhile Lance Franklin has also been ruled out in a third cruel blow. With Sam Reid sidelined for the next several weeks, Robbie Fox should get the call-up, while it could force Joel Amartey to swing into the backline create an opening for Hayden McLean to return. It could also open the door for rugby union convert and ruckman Lachlan McAndrew to come in for his AFL debut. The Swans have also confirmed Ryan Clarke is expected to be available this week.

BRISBANE LIONS V NORTH MELBOURNE

Saturday April 15, 1:10pm at Adelaide Hills

Lions’ Round 4 team

B: Starcevich, Payne, Joyce

HB: McKenna, Andrews, Wilmot

C: Ashcroft, Bailey, Berry

HF: Cameron, Gunston, McCluggage

F: Zorko, Daniher, Hipwood

FOLL: McInerney, Dunkley, Neale

I/C: McCarthy, Rayner, Coleman, Prior

EMG: Robertson, Cockatoo, Sharp, Fort

Team Tips: Coming off a big win over Collingwood, don’t expect many changes for Brisbane bar the return of Daniel Rich, while Darcy Gardiner will make his comeback via the VFL, according to AFL Media’s Michael Whiting.Rich could replace Darragh Joyce, Jaxon Prior orDarcy Wilmot if another player isn’t managed. Jarryd Lyons (37 touches, one goal), Noah Answerth (32 disposals, one goal), Darcy Fort (19 possessions, three majors) and Rhys Mathieson (35 touches) all had big VFL performance, but likely remain on the outer for now.

Kangaroos’ Round 4 team

B: Taylor, Bonar, Corr

HB: Ziebell, McDonald, Scott

C: Powell, Cunnington, Tucker

HF: Stephenson, Comben, Sheezel

F: Zurhaar, Larkey, Curtis

FOLL: Goldstein, Davies-Uniacke, Simpkin

I/C: Taylor, Shiels, Turner, Phillips, Howe, Greenwood

EMG: Archer, Goater

Team Tips: The Roos could be boosted by the return of Ben McKay against Brisbane, with Channel 7’s Mitch Cleary reporting the star defender is in the frame. Miller Bergman should also reclaim his place in the senior side after being a late out in the team’s Good Friday loss to Carlton. It was an overall promising performance from North though where Alastair Clarkson won’t feel inclined to make too many changes otherwise. Daniel Howe and Aiden Bonar loom as the most likely to come out, while Flynn Perez put his name forward for senior selection with 25 touches in the VFL.

ESSENDON V MELBOURNE

Saturday April 15, 4:10pm at Adelaide Oval

Bombers’ Round 4 team

B: Redman, Zerk-Thatcher, Ridley

HB: Kelly, Laverde, McGrath

C: Durham, Parish, Martin

HF: Langford, Stringer, Setterfield

F: Caldwell, Weideman, Perkins

FOLL: Draper, Merrett, Shiel

I/C: Jones, Davey Jnr, Phillips, Menzie, Heppell

EMG: D’Ambrosio, Snelling, Hind

Team Tips: Sam Weideman (concussion)is the only forced change for the Bombers from their big win over GWS. It could pave the way for Patrick Voss to come in to make his AFL debut after another impressive VFL showing that could’ve been massive, kicking 1.4. Will Snelling (25 touches, two goals) and Ben Hobbs (27 disposals, one goal) also put in big performances in the twos, but there’s not many openings to the senior team right now that sits in the top four. Dyson Heppell could also come back into the 22 after the surprising move to make him substitute against the Giants.

Demons’ Round 4 team

B: Lever, May, Hibberd

HB: Sparrow, Petty, McVee

C: Brayshaw, Oliver, Hunter

HF: Langdon, Fritch, Bowey

F: Spargo, van Rooyen, Neal-Bullen

FOLL: Grundy, Viney, Petracca

I/C: Rivers, McDonald, Dunstan, Pickett, Chandler, Jordon

EMG: Melksham, Tomlinson, Dunstan,

Team Tips: The most pressing selection issue facing Melbourne is what it does with its key forward stocks if Ben Brown is free to return from injury. Tom McDonald fired against West Coast with four goals, while Jacob Van Rooyen followed on from his impressive debut with two majors. It creates a big dilemma for Simon Goodwin — although a wanted dilemma of that — where the Dees would have to either dump one of the talls or potentially Michael Hibberd and restructure. Bailey Laurie had 35 touches and one goal in the VFL, but has no obvious avenue to return to the team.

PORT ADELAIDE V WESTERN BULLDOGS

Saturday April 15, 7:50pm at Adelaide Oval

Power’s Round 4 team

B: Aliir, Jonas, McKenzie

HB: Farrell, Bergman, Houston

C: Boak, Drew, Duursma

HF: Rozee, Mead, Powell-Pepper

F: Rioli, Marshall, Dixon

FOLL: Lycett, Wines, Butters

I/C: Williams, Horne-Francis, McEntee, Finlayson, Byrne-Jones

EMG: Clurey, Lord, Jones

Team Tips: It’s very possible Port goes into its matchup with the Bulldogs unchanged after its thrilling win over Sydney and with a near full clean bill of health. Riley Bonner (25 touches, one goal) and Trent Dumont (22 disposals, nine tackles) impressed in the SANFL, but Ken Hinkley’s side appears to be settled.

Bulldogs’ Round 4 team

B: Bruce, Jones, Crozier

HB: Dale, Keath, Richards

C: Baker, Bontempelli, Macrae

HF: Smith, Ugle-Hagan, Jones

F: Scott, Naughton, Lobb

FOLL: English, Liberatore, Treloar

I/C: Johannisen, Daniel, Williams, McComb, Hannan

EMG: Khamis, Sweet, McNeil,

Team Tips: Luke Beveridge will likely need to find replacements for Hayden Crozier and Alex Keath after the pair were both struck down by injury against Richmond, while Anthony Scott could be in some doubt due to a knee knock. The Dogs’ VFL side had a bye on the weekend, but the likes of Mitch Hannan, who was subbed against the Tigers, Tim O’Brien, Taylor Duryea and Buku Khamis should all be in the frame to fill the defensive voids.

GEELONG CATS V WEST COAST EAGLES

Sunday April 16, 1:10pm at Adelaide Oval

Cats’ Round 4 team

B: O’Connor, Ratugolea, Tuohy

HB: Kolodjashnij, Stewart, Z.Guthrie

C: Smith, Blicavs, Holmes

HF: Stengle, Hawkins, Close

F: Miers, Cameron, Atkins

FOLL: Stanley, C.Guthrie, Dangerfield

I/C: Bews, Bowes, Rohan, Duncan

EMG: Henry, Parfitt, Bruhn, Ceglar

Team Tips: The Cats have a few things to ponder despite recording their first win of the season in Easter Monday’s 82-point thrashing of Hawthorn. Jed Bews (concussion) will come out of the side, while Gary Rohan faces a nervous wait from the MRO for a sling tackle on Changkuoth Jiath. Sam De Koning should slot back into the team from his own concussion, while Tanner Bruhn responded to his axing with 34 touches in the VFL. But it’s most likely Ollie Henry regains his place in the 22 after impressing against the Hawks after coming on as the substitute at half-time with 2.3.

Eagles’ Round 4 team

B: Cole, Barrass, Duggan

HB: Jones, Hurn, Hunt

C: Hough, Yeo, Gaff

HF: West, Darling, Clark

F: Long, Allen, Waterman

FOLL: Williams, Ginbey, Kelly

I/C: Hewett, Petrevski-Seton, Edwards, Culley, Rotham

EMG: O’Neill, Foley, Culley

Team Tips: The undermanned Eagles got through their 63-point loss to Melbourne unscathed, while Adam Simpson was hopeful post-match that Alex Witherden and Harry Edwards could return from injury. That could put the likes of Brady Hough, Elijah Hewett, Connor West, Tom Cole and Jai Culley at risk of dropping out after struggling to have an impact against the Demons. Elliot Yeo was managed in his first game back from injury, but should get a full game this week.

GWS GIANTS V HAWTHORN

Sunday April 16, 3:20pm at Norwood Oval

Giants’ Round 4 team

B: Idun, Taylor, Cumming

HB: Whitfield, Buckley, Ash

C: Callaghan, Rowston, Kelly

HF: Lloyd, Himmelberg, Ward

F: Greene, Hogan, Daniels

FOLL: Flynn, Green, Coniglio

I/C: Riccardi, Haynes, Peatling, Kennedy, Hamilton

EMG: Fahey, Cadman, Stone,

Team Tips: There’s plenty for the Giants to ponder after they fell to 1-3 in a loss to the Bombers where Adam Kingsley got as animated as we’ve seen him at three-quarter time. Josh Fahey put his name forward again for an AFL debut with 33 disposals and eight marks in the VFL, while Kieran Briggs (24 touches, 27 hit-outs) and Xavier O’Halloran (22 disposals, one goal) could also come into the mix. And could this finally be the week we see No. 1 pick Aaron Cadman make his debut? Adam Kennedy, Connor Stone, Harry Rowston and Jake Riccardi were all quiet against the Bombers and could face the selection axe.

Hawks’ Round 4 team

B: Frost, Sicily, Jiath

HB: Scrimshaw, Hardwick, Impey

C: Amon, Newcombe, Morrison

HF: Macdonald, Breust, Moore

F: Brockman, Meek, Greene

FOLL: Reeves, Day, Nash

I/C: Ward, Mackenzie, Worpel, Maginness, Wingard

EMG: Bramble, Koschitzke, Weddle

Team Tips: After a promising first half against the Cats, the Hawks capitulated badly and will now weigh up potential changes. Tyler Brockman was subbed out with injury and should be replaced by Chad Wingard, who was substitute. Will Day could face MRO scrutiny for a dangerous tackle on Brad Close, which would be an unfortunate setback in the young Hawk’s breakout season. Connor Nash played on after a head clash, but could also be under an injury cloud. Lachlan Bramble had 30 touches in the VFL to put his name up for a recall, while Max Lynch racked up 19 touches, two goals and 34-hit-outs.

COLLINGWOOD V ST KILDA

Sunday April 16, 4:50pm at Adelaide Oval

Magpies’ Round 4 team

B: Murphy, Frampton, Maynard

HB: Crisp, Moore, Quaynor

C: Hill, N.Daicos, J.Daicos

HF: Sidebottom, Mihocek, De Goey

F: McCreery, McStay, Elliott

FOLL: Johnson, Mitchell, Adams

I/C: Noble, Pendlebury, McInnes, Hoskin-Elliott, Markov

EMG: Wilson, Allan, Macrae,

Team Tips: While the Pies are coming off their first loss of the season, don’t expect a big response at selection for one of the most settled teams in the league, assuming Jack Crisp isn’t suspended. Finlay Macrae (23 disposals, five tackles, one goal), Ed Allan (20 touches) and Trey Ruscoe (21 possessions) all played well in the VFL, but you sense Collingwood will want to stick with Reef McInnes for his height already being without its two first-choice ruckmen. Jack Ginnivan should also continue to ply his trade in the twos, with two goals from as many matches.

Saints’ Round 4 team

B: Battle, Howard, Wilkie

HB: Stocker, Sinclair, Wanganeen-Milera

C: Wood, Ross, Byrnes

HF: Butler, Hill, Higgins

F: Owens, Gresham, Caminiti

FOLL: Marshall, Crouch, Phillipou

I/C: Clark, Windhager, Cordy, Paton, Bytel

EMG: Highmore, Campbell, Peris

Team Tips: If ain’t broke, don’t fix it. St Kilda is the last team remaining in the AFL to have won every game, and a very well settled 22 along with it. So don’t expect Ross Lyon to make any changes, with the only concern an ankle setback to Jack Bytel, who was substitute. If required, Cooper Sharman appears the most likely replacement.