There is mixed news at Princes Park, as the midfield cavalry arrives, another star has gone down with injury.
Meanwhile, the Dockers have flown in reinforcements and the Kangaroos are set for a defensive boost.
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‘Ruck craft’ sees Bucks & Gaz tee off | 03:32
Adelaide is hopeful spearhead Darcy Fogarty can pass a fitness test to determine if the key forward will feature in the Gather Round opener against Carton on Thursday night.
Fogarty has missed the past two weeks after injuring his knee against Richmond but senior coach Matthew Nicks said the 23-year-old had “progressed really well” and “has ticked all the boxes too this point”.
Luke Pedlar and Shane McAdam have served their respective suspensions and are both available for selection while midfielder Sam Berry is in the mix to return after being managed for the win over Fremantle.
The cavalry is arriving for Carlton which means the selection squeeze is on at Princes Park. Sam Walsh is set to play his first game of 2023 in a huge boost for the unbeaten Blues. He will be joined by Matthew Kennedy and Blake Acres who return from injury and suspension respectively.
Harry McKay will also take his place after beating his one match suspension at the tribunal.
Carlton needs to find a replacement for All-Australian defender Sam Docherty who will miss four to six weeks with a torn meniscus. SPP recruit Alex Cincotta was the carryover emergency last week and is firming for a debut as the like for like option off halfback.
Fremantle has flown in reinforcements as key forward Matt Taberner has returned to Western Australia with a back injury. Four-game forward Sam Sturt looks a likely option to replace him. Corey Wagner and Will Brodie were the other players flown in as Justin Longmuir looks to inject life into his team after a stuttering start to the season.
Nat Fyfe, meanwhile, has been ruled out for another week as the club remains cautious with the dual Brownlow Medallist. Michael Fredrick is expected to return after missing last week with an eye injury.
Buddy to miss Swans’ clash with Tigers | 00:30
Gold Coast look set to be without their captain and starting ruckman Jarrod Witts for a second straight week. Witts was a late withdrawal against St Kilda and reportedly missed the Suns main session on Wednesday.
Veteran Brandon Ellis is likely to play his first game of the season after a successful return in the VFL last week.
Senior coach Stuart Dew also flagged that Sean Lemmens and Mabior Chol are in the mix for a recall after good form at VFL level.
Ben McKay has been declared available for selection in a much-needed boost for North Melbourne. Griffin Logue has served his one week ban and will join McKay in bolstering the Kangaroo’s defence.
Nick Larkey is a watch – and – wait to see how he gets through main training on Thursday after his knock early in the game on Friday. Callum Coleman-Jones is a potential replacement if the forward doesn’t come up.
Daniel Rich is in the frame to return for Brisbane after training fully on Wednesday. The important defender has missed the past two weeks with a quad injury.
Ben Brown is set to return for Melbourne after a back injury kept him out of the win against West Coast, leaving Coach Simon Goodwin with a “welcome selection headache”.
Michael Hibberd has been ruled out after being subbed off with an Achilles complaint during last week’s win over West Coast and star defender Jake Lever is facing a fitness test as he manages an ankle injury. Young midfielder Bailey Laurie has put his hand up for another crack at senior football after a prolific display in the VFL for Casey (35 disposals)
Essendon will need to make at least one change for their clash with Melbourne with Sam Weideman to miss the match against his former side due to concussion.
Ben Hobbs (27 disposals, nine clearances, seven tackles and a goal) and Will Snelling (28 disposals, nine tackles and two goals) put their best feet forward again in the VFL for a recall. In form forward Patrick Voss remains thereabouts for a senior debut despite kicking 1.4 on the weekend in the VFL.
Meek avoids ban for kneeing Blicavs | 00:52
Port Adelaide will be bolstered by the return of running defender Ryan Burton after serving his two game suspension.
Forward Orazio Fantasia won’t return after suffering another injury setback mid-week which will see the 27 -year- old sidelined for a further month.
The Bulldogs will likely need to make two forced changes for their game against Port Adelaide. Alex Keath will miss with concussion while Hayden Crozier is in significant doubt after hurting his back.
In better news for the Dogs, livewire Cody Weightman is set to play his first game for the season. Ryan Gardner is in the frame to fill a key post down back after two weeks in the VFL.
Geelong should regain premiership defender Sam De Koning after the young star missed the Easter Monday clash through concussion. Jed Bews will miss the clash with the Eagles after entering the concussion protocols.
The undermanned Eagles will be boosted by the potential return of midfielder Dom Sheed while Alex Witherden and Harry Edwards are also in line to return.
Number one draft pick Aaron Cadman continues to edge closer to a senior debut for the Giants after being the travelling emergency last week. Senior coach Adam Kingsley said that Cadman and Josh Fahey “will be discussed” as the pair continue to mount strong cases at VFL level.
Jack Bytel will need to be replaced after injuring his ankle in the win over the Gold Coast. But St Kilda could receive a welcome boost at selection with Tim Membrey moving closer to play his first game of the season.
The forward has missed the opening month of the season with a knee injury but will be available for selection if he passes a fitness test at training later in the week.
“Should Tim tick all the boxes this week, he’ll definitely be a talking point at the selection table,” Acting GM of Football David Mission said.
Crisp free to play after issuing apology | 01:23
