Clarko’s forced reshuffle; Pies boost as bottom side’s crisis hits horror new low – Team Tips

North Melbourne could have as many as four forced changes after a brutal host of setbacks.

Meanwhile the Eagles’ injury crisis has hit an alarming new low, and the Magpies are gradually getting healthy.

Get the latest AFL selection and injury news ahead of Round 8 in Team Tips!

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AFL ROUND 8 FIXTURE AND TEAMS (All times AEST)

CARLTON V BRISBANE LIONS

Friday May 5, 7:50pm at Marvel Stadium

Blues’ Round 7 Team

B: N.Newman, J.Weitering, B.Kemp

HB: S.Docherty, M.McGovern, A.Saad

C: S.Walsh, P.Cripps – C, O.Hollands

HF: E.Curnow, C.Curnow, J.Silvagni

F: C.Durdin, H.McKay, Z.Fisher

FOLL: M.Pittonet, A.Cerra, G.Hewett

I/C: Le.Young, A.Cincotta, B.Acres, J.Honey, (M.Kennedy sub)

EMG: T.De Koning, L.Fogarty, L.Cowan

TeamTips: Coming off their biggest win for the season in a 108-point win over West Coast, it’d be a surprise if Michael Voss made any changes to his 23 given how well it played. Jason Binns (26 touches, one goal) and Paddy Dow (25 disposals) continue to produce strong VFL form, while Matt Cottrell (17 touches, one goal) also played well, but it’s hard to see any getting a look in. Meanwhile Tom De Koning, who was quiet in the twos with one goal from seven touches, is also set to miss senior selection for a third-straight week due to concussion.

Lions’ Round 7 Team

B: B.Starcevich, J.Payne, K.Coleman

HB: C.McKenna, H.Andrews, D.Rich

C: D.Wilmot, Z.Bailey, H.McCluggage

HF: C.Cameron, J.Gunston, W.Ashcroft

F: D.Zorko, J.Daniher, E.Hipwood

FOLL: O.McInerney, J.Dunkley, L.Neale – C

I/C: J.Berry, L.McCarthy, C.Rayner, R.Lester, N.Answerth

EMG: N.Cockatoo, T.Fullarton, D.Joyce

Team Tips: As revealed by Chris Fagan on Fox Footy’s AFL 360, injuredveterans Dayne Zorko and Daniel Rich are set to miss multiple weeks in two forced changes for the Lions. Last week’s substitute Noah Answerth likely comes into the 22, while Darcy Gardiner is also nearing his return from an adductor setback. Nakia Cockatoo, Deven Robertson, Jaxon Prior and Rhys Mathieson are other candidates to come into the side to replace the injury voids.

RICHMOND V WEST COAST

Saturday May 6, 1:45pm at the MCG

Tigers’ Round 7 Team

B: T.Young, D.Grimes – C, N.Balta

HB: D.Rioli, N.Broad, J.Short

C: K.McIntosh, T.Taranto, T.Sonsie

HF: M.Pickett, D.Martin, L.Baker

F: S.Ryan, N.Cumberland, J.Riewoldt

FOLL: I.Soldo, J.Hopper, S.Bolton

I/C: N.Vlastuin, B.Miller, J.Ross, T.Sonsie, J.Clarke

TeamTips: It’s back to the drawing board for the Tigers after yet another disappointing loss to the Suns as their season dwindles. Dion Prestia is set to return after being managed against Gold Coast, while Maurice Rioli Jnr, Jack Graham and Josh Gibcus are likely still a few more weeks off. Tyler Sonsie and Noah Cumberland could be the most vulnerable of dropping out of the team after quiet showings. Richmond’s VFL side also had a big 73-point defeat to Gold Coast where not many players put their hands up for a recall aside from Hugo Ralphsmith (22 disposals, two goals).

Eagles’ Round 7 Team

B: S.Hurn, T.Barrass – C, A.Witherden

HB: J.Jones, J.Rotham, L.Duggan

C: L.Edwards, T.Kelly, J.Hunt

HF: G.Clark, J.Darling, J.Waterman

F: J.Culley, O.Allen, S.Petrevski-Seton

FOLL: B.Williams, R.Ginbey, A.Gaff

I/C: J.Petruccelle, X.O’Neill, L.Foley, C.West, R.Bazzo

EMG: Z.Trew, H.Barnett, C.Jamieson

Team Tips: Another team that’d probably ideally respond at selection after getting thrashed by Carlton but doesn’t have the scope to due to a lengthy injury toll. In fact, the Eagles’ list of casualties grew to an astonishing 17 after Rhett Bazzo’s concussion and Samo Petrevski-Seton’s suspension means they may have to pick every available player on their list to name a 26-man squad. It’s tough times at West Coast.

GEELONG CATS V ADELAIDE CROWS

Saturday May 6, 2:10pm at GMHBA Stadium

Cats’ Round 7 Team

B: E.Ratugolea, S.De Koning, T.Stewart

HB: J.Kolodjashnij, M.O’Connor, Z.Guthrie

C: I.Smith, T.Atkins, Z.Tuohy

HF: S.Simpson, T.Hawkins, G.Rohan

F: G.Miers, J.Cameron, B.Close

FOLL: M.Blicavs, M.Holmes, P.Dangerfield – C

I/C: J.Bowes, M.Duncan, O.Henry, J.Bews, T. Bruhn

TeamTips: The Cats will need to replace Jack Bowes and potentially Gary Rohan after the pair suffered setbacks in the win over Essendon. Tanner Bruhn impressed after coming on as the substitute to put his name, while Zach Tuohy should also return after being a late out, and the extent of Cam Guthrie’s toe injury isn’t clear. Jyhe Clark put his name up for a debut with 29 touches in the VFL, although you sense.

Crows’ Round 7 Team

B: T.Doedee, N.Murray, M.Michalanney

HB: B.Smith, J.Butts, M.Hinge

C: J.Soligo, J.Dawson – C, L.Sholl

HF: I.Rankine, C.Jones, L.Pedlar

F: T.Walker, D.Fogarty, L.Murphy

FOLL: R.O’Brien, R.Laird, B.Keays

I/C: R.Sloane, R.Thilthorpe, W.Milera, J.Rachele, H.Schoenberg

Team Tips: Matthew Nicks would have to be pleased with his side’s performance against Collingwood despite its inaccurate goalkicking proving costly. This is a well settled Crows side though with virtually no injuries, and it could well take the same 23 into a third-straight game. Sam Berry (27 touches, nine tackles, one goal) and Ned McHenry (22 disposals, 3.2) put their hands up for a recall with strong SANFL outings, but there’s no obvious omissions right now.

GOLD COAST SUNS V MELBOURNE

Saturday May 6, 4:35pm at Heritage Bank Stadium

Suns’ Round 7 Team

B: S.Lemmens, S.Collins, D.Macpherson

HB: B.Long, C.Ballard, W.Powell

C: L.Weller, B.Humphrey, D.Swallow

HF: B.Ainsworth, M.Chol, B.Ellis

F: N.Holman, B.King, J.Lukosius

FOLL: J.Witts – C, M.Rowell, N.Anderson

I/C: R.Atkins, A.Davies, B.Fiorini, A.Sexton, M.Rosas

TeamTips: Despite losing Touk Miller to injury, Gold Coast dismantled the Tigers and are suddenly back fighting for a spot in the top eight. Levi Casboult was managed and should come back in for Bailey Humphrey, while Ales Sexton and Mabior Chol were also quiet. Several Suns had big performances in the VFL too including Connor Blakely (31 touches, nine marks, nine tackles), Chris Burgess (five goals), Charlie Constable (29 disposals, one goal), James Tsitas (five goals) and Sam Flanders (30 possessions, 11 marks), with the latter the most likely to come into the senior side.

Demons’ Round 7 Team

B: J.Bowey, S.May, J.Lever

HB: A.Brayshaw, B.Fritsch, T.Rivers

C: E.Langdon, C.Oliver, T.Sparrow

HF: J.Viney, J.Schache, M.Hibberd

F: J.Jordon, J.van Rooyen, J.McVee

FOLL: M.Gawn – C, C.Petracca, K.Chandler

I/C: B.Grundy, L.Hunter, A.Neal-Bullen, K.Pickett,J.Harmes

EMG: J.Harmes, B.Laurie, T.McDonald, D.Turner

Team Tips: It feels like the same story at selection every week for Melbourne as it searches for its best forward mix. Josh Schache appears likely to come out after a quiet first game fort he club, while Jacob Van Rooyen also had limited impact. Depending on the severity of Harrison Petty’s injury, he’d come back in, while Jake Melksham booted 5.2 in the VFL and Tom McDonald had two goals from 14 disposals to give Simon Goodwin plenty to ponder. Christian Salem and Charlie Spargo are nearing rheir returns from injury, but the former will almost certainly be brought through the twos.

GWS GIANTS V WESTERN BULLDOGS

Saturday May 6, 7:30pm at Manuka Oval

Giants’ Round 7 Team

B: C.Idun, N.Haynes, I.Cumming

HB: L.Whitfield, J.Buckley, L.Ash

C: F.Callaghan, J.Kelly, H.Perryman

HF: B.Daniels, H.Himmelberg, J.Peatling

F: T.Greene – C, J.Hogan, T.Bedford

FOLL: M.Flynn, T.Green, S.Coniglio

I/C: R.Angwin, A.Cadman, C.Brown, X.O’Halloran, H.Rowston

EMG: J.Fahey, J.Riccardi, C.Fleeton

TeamTips: Adam Kingsley won’t feel pressed to make too many changed after the club’s last-gasp win over Sydney in the Battle of the Bridge. Callan Ward will walk straight back into the side, potentially at the expense of Aaron Cadman, who was subbed out against Sydney, amid a quiet couple of weeks. Jake Riccardi also put his hand up for a recall with 4.2 in the VFL, while Josh Fahey continues to press his club for a debut with 20 touches one goal in the seconds.

Bulldogs’ Round 7 Team

B: T.Duryea, L.Jones, T.O’Brien

HB: B.Dale, A.Keath, E.Richards

C: O.Baker, M.Bontempelli – C, B.Williams

HF: B.Smith, J.Ugle-Hagan, C.Weightman

F: A.Jones, A.Naughton, R.Lobb

FOLL: T.English, J.Macrae, A.Treloar

I/C: J.Johannisen, C.Daniel, A.Scott, L.McNeil, T.McLean

EMG: B.Khamis, R.West, S.Darcy

IN: B.Smith

OUT: T.McLean (omitted), T.Liberatore (injured)

Team Tips: Outside of the impending return of Tom Liberatore, the Dogs are as well settled as any side right now. Lachlan McNeil and Anthony Scott appear the most likely to drop out of the side for Liberatore, and that might well be the only change for Luke Beveridge’s side as it searches for its fifth win from its last six games.

FREMANTLE DOCKERS V HAWTHORN

Saturday May 6, 7:30pm at Optus Stadium

Dockers’ Round 7 Team

B: B.Cox, A.Pearce – C, H.Young

HB: M.Johnson, L.Ryan, J.Clark

C: J.Aish, C.Serong, E.Hughes

HF: M.Walters, L.Jackson, B.Banfield

F: S.Switkowski, J.Amiss, N.O’Driscoll

FOLL: S.Darcy, A.Brayshaw, J.O’Meara

I/C: S.Sturt, W.Brodie, B.Walker, L.Schultz,N.Erasmus

EMG: J.Corbett, C.Wagner, N.Wilson

TeamTips: The Dockers will need to replace Matthew Johnson after he copped a two-match suspension. It comes as Nat Fyfe is a chance to return for his first game since Round 1, while Michael Frederick is also listed as a test. Sam Sturt could face the axe after getting subbed out after a quiet performance, while Bailey Banfield also had limited impact. If Justin Longmuir turns to other reinforcements, Nathan Wilson looms as the frontrunner to come in after his 26 touches and one goal in the WAFL.

Hawks’ Round 7 Team

B: J.Impey, S.Frost, J.Sicily – C

HB: C.Jiath, B.Hardwick, J.Weddle

C: K.Amon, J.Ward, C.Nash

HF: H.Morrison, M.Ramsden, L.Breust

F: C.Wingard, M.Lewis, D.Moore

FOLL: N.Reeves, J.Newcombe, J.Worpel

I/C: S.Mitchell, T.Brockman, W.Day, F.Greene, J.Scrimshaw

EMG: C.Macdonald, C.Mackenzie, D.Grainger-Barras

Team Tips: The plucky Hawks were brave against the Bulldogs and outplayed Luke Beveridge’s side throughout key stages of the first half, so Sam Mitchell should be happy enough with his 23. Hawthorn looks much stronger in attack with Mitch Lewis in there after he got through his first game back from injury. You sense Conor Macdonald (29 disposals, one goal), and Cam Mackenzie (28 touches) won’t stay outside the senior team for long after strong VFL performances, with first gamer Max Ramsden as well as Sheamus Mitchell and Tyler Brockman all relatively quiet against the Dogs.

PORT ADELAIDE V ESSENDON

Sunday May 7, 1:10pm at Adelaide Oval

Power’s Round 7 Team

B: A.Aliir, T.McKenzie, D.Williams

HB: M.Bergman, J.Burgoyne, D.Houston

C: T.Boak, J.Horne-Francis, X.Duursma

HF: J.McEntee, D.Byrne-Jones, S.Powell-Pepper

F: J.Finlayson, B.Teakle, O.Lord

FOLL: C.Dixon, W.Drew, C.Rozee

I/C: R.Burton, O.Wines – C, Z.Butters, J.Rioli, R.Bonner

EMG: F.Evans, J.Mead, L.Jones

TeamTips: The Power are up and about as they look to win a fifth-straight game, with Xavier Duursma’s knee setback the only forced change for Ken Hinkley’s team. Todd Marshall should walk straight back in from his concussion, while Tom Jonas is eligible to return from suspension. Ollie Lord is the other player most likely to make way.

Bombers’ Round 7 Team

B: J.Kelly, B.Zerk-Thatcher, J.Ridley

HB: A.McGrath, M.Redman, K.Langford

C: S.Durham, D.Parish, N.Martin

HF: D.Shiel, S.Weideman, J.Caldwell

F: A.Perkins, J.Stringer, B.Hobbs

FOLL: S.Draper, Z.Merrett – C, W.Setterfield

I/C: N.Hind, A.Phillips, M.D’Ambrosio, A.McDonald-Tipungwuti, W. Snelling

Team Tips: The Bombers managed Dyson Heppell and Jye Menzie for the loss to Geelong and should bring both players back in amid a two-game losing streak. Anthony McDonald-Tipungwuti would seem likely to come out of the side after an indifferent return, while Massimo D’Ambrosio probably gets squeezed out too. Alwyn Davey Jnr could also come into the mix after a week off.

COLLINGWOOD V SYDNEY SWANS

Sunday May 7, 3:20pm at the MCG

Magpies’ Round 7 Team

B: I.Quaynor, D.Moore – C, B.Maynard

HB: W.Hoskin-Elliott, N.Murphy, J.Crisp

C: J.Noble, J.De Goey, J.Daicos

HF: B.Hill, B.Mihocek, J.Elliott

F: B.McCreery, A.Johnson, N.Kreuger

FOLL: B.Frampton, T.Adams, N.Daicos

I/C: T.Mitchell, S.Sidebottom, J.Ginnivan, O.Markov, W.Kelly

TeamTips: The injury hits keep coming for the ladder-leading Magpies after Nathan Kreuger got struck down with a rib issue against Adelaide. If Mason Cox is right to go, he’ll come back in and split ruck duties with Billy Frampton. Meanwhile Scott Pendlebury is also set to come back in, and assuming Craig McRae doesn’t opt to rest one of his other veterans after a tough run, Oleg Markov or Jack Ginnivan likely come out. There’ll also be a watch on Nathan Murphy after he copped a big knock late in the win over the Crows.

Swans’ Round 7 Team

B: B.Campbell, T.McCartin, H.Cunningham

HB: O.Florent, J.Lloyd, N.Blakey

C: L.Parker – C, C.Mills, R.Clarke

HF: E.Gulden, W.Hayward, A.Francis

F: I.Heeney, L.Franklin, T.Papley

FOLL: P.Ladhams, J.Rowbottom, Ch.Warner

I/C: D.Stephens, A.Sheldrick, L.McDonald, H.McLean, M. Sheather

EMG: W.Gould, Co.Warner, J.McInerney, L.McAndrew

Team Tips: Robbie Fox will be available to return providing he passes any remaining concussion protocols. Tom Hickey is ready to go, so John Longmire will have to consider whether he keeps Peter Ladhams in the side despite an improved performance on the weekend. Justin McInerney was ‘omitted’ last week, but was then taken out of the emergencies due to injury. There was no VFL for the Swans last week to gauge the form of possible inclusions.

NORTH MELBOURNE V ST KILDA

Sunday May 7, 4:40pm at Marvel Stadium

Kangaroos’ Round 7 Team

B: G.Logue, B.McKay, J.Ziebell

HB: L.McDonald, A.Hall, H.Sheezel

C: C.Taylor, T.Powell, L.Shiels

HF: P.Curtis, C.Comben, J.Stephenson

F: J.Simpkin – C, N.Larkey, C.Coleman-Jones

FOLL: T.Goldstein, L.Davies-Uniacke, C.Zurhaar

I/C: A.Corr, B.Cunnington, B.Scott, K.Turner, D.Howe

EMG: D.Tucker, W.Phillips, H.Greenwood

TeamTips: There’ll be some forced moves at selection after injuries added to North Melbourne’s pain in a thumping loss to Melbourne. Charlie Comben, Callum Coleman-Jones and Tom Powell have all been ruled out for at least a week, with Comben set for a long stint on the sidelines with a fibula fracture. Jack Ziebell returned to the field after some plantar fascia soreness, but is a test for this week against St Kilda. George Wardlaw was pushing for a senior debut but suffered a knee knock in the reserves, which means his first AFL appearance will have to wait at least another week. Luke Davies-Uniacke was withdrawn from the squad last week with some heel soreness and will be assessed ahead of full training on Thursday.

Saints’ Round 7 Team

B: J.Battle, D.Howard, C.Wilkie

HB: L.Stocker, J.Sinclair, N.Wanganeen-Milera

C: M.Wood, S.Ross, R.Byrnes

HF: M.Phillipou, B.Hill, J.Higgins

F: M.Owens, Z.Cordy, T.Membrey

FOLL: R.Marshall, B.Crouch, J.Steele – C

I/C: J.Gresham, H.Clark, D.Butler, B.Paton, M.Windhager

EMG: J.Bytel, C.Sharman, T.Campbell

Team Tips: Zak Jones remains on the sidelines and will likely return via the VFL. The Saints didn’t play in the VFL over the weekend, but Jack Billings kicked three goals in Round 5 and is pressing his case for a return. Jack Bytel looked a class above last week too with 39 disposals and nine clearances, so the option is there for a senior recall after St Kilda’s second loss of the season.