Collingwood is finally back near full health, Geelong calls in the kids for a crunch clash with a reinforced Essendon, and the hot Lions and Dogs regain stars. Round 16 teams!
The Pies have welcomed back a whopping five ins for their clash against Gold Coast, with Jordan de Goey, Scott Pendlebury, Brody Mihocek, Oleg Markov and Joe Richards all returning from injury.
Conversely, Lachie Schultz (illness) has been deemed underdone for the match, while Charlie Dean, Finlay Macrae, Reef McInnes and Tew Jiath have been forced to made way for the quintet.
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As for the Suns, they welcome back Ben King and Nick Holman in place of an injured Brandon Ellis and omitted Jake Rogers.
As flagged by Adam Kingsley on Thursday morning, the Giants will take Stephen Coniglio, Harry Perryman and Isaac Cumming on board for their flight to Adelaide, with the latter playing his first game at the top level this season.
James Peatling, Ryan Angwin and Xavier O’Halloran were all omitted in their place.
The Crows will welcome back the all-important Taylor Walker from a back injury, while Matthew Nicks has reverted back to Reilly O’Brien as the preferred ruck over 28-year-old Kieran Strachan.
Elliott Himmelberg was also included, with James Borlase and Harry Schoenberg will join Strachan in the SANFL this weekend.
Giants CEO tees off on Victorian bias | 02:41
Chris Scott has pulled the trigger on youth at the Cattery for this Saturday night against Essendon, handing mature-aged 2023 draftee Lawson Humphries his first AFL game.
Shannon Neale and Mitch Knevitt come into the side alongside Humphries, with Knevitt playing his first game since Round 2.
Tom Hawkins’ foot issue is well-documented, with Ollie Henry also to miss the clash through injury.
As for brother Brad Scott at the Bombers, Todd Goldstein and Jade Gresham return to the senior side after missing last week’s match against West Coast.
Despite his two goals as Goldstein’s replacement on Sunday, Nate Caddy has been dropped alongside sub Jye Menzie.
All-Australian Caleb Daniel has once again been dropped from Luke Beveridge’s Bulldogs side, in another twist for his longevity at the club.
Buku Khamis and Anthony Scott have also been sent back to the reserves, making way for tall forwards Aaron Naughton and Sam Darcy – as well as Oskar Baker.
Intriguingly, Rory Lobb has kept his spot in the side despite questions over whether Beveridge can keep four key forwards in his best 23.
Marcus Bontempelli has also been named, but will no doubt still be a close watch given his back spasms at training on Wednesday.
Their opponents the Kangaroos have made just the one change, with George Wardlaw’s concussion at training on Thursday forcing him out of the side – replaced by Kallan Dawson.
Grimes’ season over after surgery | 00:22
Earlier on Thursday evening, Richmond announced a debut for mature recruit Jacob Blight, just 32 days after being taken with Pick 2 in the mid-season draft.
Key forward Tom Lynch is the only confirmed out for the Tigers with a hamstring issue.
Meanwhile, the Blues look set to welcome back Adam Cerra in place of Corey Durdin (omitted) on Sunday afternoon.
Brisbane named Will Ashcroft for his first game back from an ACL tear suffered last year, with opponents Melbourne regaining star backman Jake Lever while naming Andy Moniz-Wakefield for his AFL debut.
AFL ROUND 16 TEAMS AND FIXTURE
BRISBANE LIONS v MELBOURNE
Friday June 28, 7.40pm at The Gabba
LIONS
B: D.Zorko, D.Joyce, R.Lester
HB: C.McKenna, H.Andrews, B.Starcevich
C: J.Fletcher, C.Rayner, J.Berry
HF: C.Cameron, E.Hipwood, H.McCluggage
F: C.Ah Chee, J.Daniher, L.Morris
FOLL: O.McInerney, J.Dunkley, L.Neale – C
I/C: K.Lohmann, W.Ashcroft, Z.Bailey, B.Reville, D.Wilmot
EMG: D.Robertson, D.Fort, S.Brain
IN: D.Joyce, W.Ashcroft
OUT: J.Payne (Injured), S.Brain (Omitted)
DEMONS
B: J.Lever, S.May, J.McVee
HB: J.Bowey, A.Tomlinson, T.Rivers
C: A.Neal-Bullen, C.Windsor, K.Tholstrup
HF: K.Chandler, H.Petty, E.Langdon
F: K.Pickett, B.Fritsch, J.van Rooyen
FOLL: M.Gawn – C, J.Viney, C.Oliver
I/C: T.McDonald, T.Sparrow, D.Turner, T.Woewodin, A.Moniz-Wakefield
EMG: B.Laurie, M.Jefferson, K.Brown
IN: J.Lever, T.Woewodin, A.Moniz-Wakefield
OUT: C.Salem (Injured), K.Brown (Omitted), B.Howes (Omitted)
NORTH MELBOURNE v WESTERN BULLDOGS
Saturday June 29, 1.45pm at Marvel Stadium
KANGAROOS
B: A.Corr, C.Comben, T.Pink
HB: J.Archer, H.Sheezel, L.McDonald – C
C: D.Tucker, L.Davies-Uniacke, B.Scott
HF: T.Powell, B.Teakle, E.Ford
F: P.Curtis, N.Larkey, C.Zurhaar
FOLL: T.Xerri, L.Shiels, J.Simpkin
I/C: C.Taylor, D.Stephens, Z.Fisher, W.Phillips, K.Dawson
EMG: R.Hardeman, T.Sellers, R.Hansen Jr
IN: K.Dawson
OUT: G.Wardlaw (Concussion protocols)
BULLDOGS
B: T.Duryea, L.Jones, B.Williams
HB: L.Bramble, J.O’Donnell, B.Dale
C: H.Gallagher, A.Treloar, R.Sanders
HF: C.Weightman, A.Naughton, J.Macrae
F: J.Ugle-Hagan, M.Bontempelli – C, R.West
FOLL: T.English, E.Richards, T.Liberatore
I/C: O.Baker, S.Darcy, J.Freijah, R.Lobb, L.Vandermeer
EMG: C.Daniel, B.Khamis, A.Scott
IN: A.Naughton, O.Baker, S.Darcy
OUT: B.Khamis (Omitted), C.Daniel (Omitted), A.Scott (Omitted)
SYDNEY SWANS v FREMANTLE
Saturday June 29, 1.45pm at the SCG
SWANS
B: D.Rampe – C, T.McCartin, L.Melican
HB: O.Florent, H.Cunningham, N.Blakey
C: J.McInerney, Ch.Warner, E.Gulden
HF: H.McLean, L.McDonald, T.Adams
F: T.Papley, J.Amartey, W.Hayward
FOLL: B.Grundy, I.Heeney, J.Rowbottom
I/C: J.Lloyd, B.Campbell, S.Wicks, J.Jordon, C.Cleary
EMG: R.Fox, L.McAndrew, A.Francis
No changes
DOCKERS
B: H.Chapman, J.Draper, H.Davies
HB: C.Wagner, L.Ryan, J.Clark
C: J.Sharp, N.Fyfe, H.Young
HF: S.Sturt, L.Jackson, M.Frederick
F: J.Treacy, J.Amiss, S.Switkowski
FOLL: S.Darcy, C.Serong, A.Brayshaw – C
I/C: B.Banfield, M.Johnson, J.O’Meara, J.Aish, B.Walker
EMG: N.Erasmus, P.Voss, E.Hughes
IN: J.Draper, B.Walker
OUT: A.Pearce (Injured), K.Worner (Omitted)
GOLD COAST SUNS v COLLINGWOOD
Saturday June 29, 4.35pm at People First Stadium
SUNS
B: S.Collins, M.Andrew, C.Ballard
HB: S.Flanders, W.Powell, B.Uwland
C: W.Graham, T.Miller – C, S.Clohesy
HF: D.Swallow, S.Day, T.Berry
F: B.Long, B.King, J.Lukosius
FOLL: J.Witts, N.Anderson, M.Rowell
I/C: N.Holman, A.Sexton, B.Ainsworth, B.Humphrey, J.Jeffrey
EMG: B.Fiorini, S.Lemmens, D.Macpherson
IN: B.King, N.Holman
OUT: J.Rogers (Omitted), B.Ellis (Injured)
MAGPIES
B: B.Maynard, D.Moore – C, O.Markov
HB: W.Hoskin-Elliott, J.Howe, J.Noble
C: S.Sidebottom, S.Pendlebury, J.Daicos
HF: B.Hill, B.Mihocek, N.Daicos
F: B.McCreery, P.Lipinski, B.Frampton
FOLL: D.Cameron, J.Crisp, J.De Goey
I/C: I.Quaynor, N.Kreuger, J.Richards, L.Sullivan, H.Harrison
EMG: F.Macrae, T.Jiath, C.Dean
IN: O.Markov, S.Pendlebury, B.Mihocek, J.De Goey, J.Richards
OUT: C.Dean (Omitted), F.Macrae (Omitted), L.Schultz (Illness), R.McInnes (Omitted), T.Jiath (Omitted)
ADELAIDE CROWS v GWS GIANTS
Saturday June 29, 7.30pm at Adelaide Oval
CROWS
B: N.Murray, J.Butts, M.Hinge
HB: M.Michalanney, M.Keane, L.Nankervis
C: C.Jones, J.Dawson – C, L.Sholl
HF: B.Cook, D.Fogarty, J.Rachele
F: I.Rankine, T.Walker, B.Keays
FOLL: R.O’Brien, R.Laird, S.Berry
I/C: J.Soligo, B.Dowling, W.Hamill, L.Murphy, E.Himmelberg
EMG: Z.Taylor, L.Gollant, J.Borlase
IN: T.Walker, R.O’Brien, E.Himmelberg
OUT: J.Borlase (Omitted), K.Strachan (Omitted), H.Schoenberg (Omitted)
GIANTS
B: C.Idun, J.Buckley, H.Himmelberg
HB: L.Whitfield, L.Aleer, L.Ash
C: H.Perryman, T.Green, F.Callaghan
HF: B.Daniels, J.Riccardi, C.Brown
F: T.Greene – C, J.Hogan, T.Bedford
FOLL: K.Briggs, S.Coniglio, J.Kelly
I/C: C.Ward, T.McMullin, H.Thomas, M.Gruzewski, I.Cumming
EMG: R.Angwin, X.O’Halloran, J.Peatling
IN: H.Perryman, S.Coniglio, I.Cumming
OUT: J.Peatling (Omitted), R.Angwin (Omitted), X.O’Halloran (Omitted)
GEELONG v ESSENDON
Saturday June 29, 7.30pm at the MCG
CATS
B: J.Henry, S.De Koning, J.Kolodjashnij
HB: L.Humphries, T.Stewart, Z.Guthrie
C: Z.Tuohy, M.Holmes, O.Dempsey
HF: B.Close, J.Cameron, G.Miers
F: T.Stengle, S.Neale, G.Rohan
FOLL: M.Blicavs, P.Dangerfield – C, T.Atkins
I/C: J.Bowes, J.Clark, M.Duncan, M.Knevitt, M.O’Connor
EMG: R.Stanley, B.Parfitt, C.O’Sullivan
IN: L.Humphries, S.Neale, M.Knevitt
OUT: T.Hawkins (Injured), O.Henry (Injured), O.Mullin (Omitted)
BOMBERS
B: J.Ridley, B.McKay, J.Laverde
HB: N.Martin, M.Redman, A.McGrath
C: X.Duursma, S.Durham, A.Perkins
HF: M.Guelfi, H.Jones, N.Hind
F: J.Stringer, P.Wright, K.Langford
FOLL: T.Goldstein, J.Caldwell, Z.Merrett – C
I/C: S.Draper, J.Gresham, N.Cox, D.Heppell, J.Kelly
EMG: B.Hobbs, N.Caddy, J.Menzie
IN: T.Goldstein, J.Gresham
OUT: J.Menzie (Omitted), N.Caddy (Omitted)
ST KILDA v PORT ADELAIDE
Sunday June 30, 1.10pm at Marvel Stadium
SAINTS
B: J.Battle, C.Wilkie, A.Schoenmaker
HB: R.Bonner, N.Wanganeen-Milera, J.Sinclair
C: B.Hill, M.Windhager, M.Wood
HF: D.Butler, L.Henry, M.Owens
F: J.Higgins, M.King, A.Caminiti
FOLL: R.Marshall, J.Steele – C, H.Clark
I/C (FROM): Z.Jones, S.Ross, R.Byrnes, P.Dow, D.Wilson, T.Campbell, C.Sharman
IN: N.Wanganeen-Milera, R.Byrnes, J.Webster, C.Sharman
OUT: Z.Cordy (Omitted)
POWER
B: K.Farrell, B.Zerk-Thatcher, M.Bergman
HB: L.Evans, A.Aliir, D.Houston
C: T.Boak, C.Rozee – C, W.Drew
HF: D.Byrne-Jones, T.Marshall, W.Rioli
F: Z.Butters, O.Lord, M.Georgiades
FOLL: J.Sweet, J.Horne-Francis, J.Mead
I/C (FROM): O.Wines, J.Finlayson, W.Lorenz, Q.Narkle, D.Williams, D.Visentini, J.Sinn
IN: T.Boak, W.Rioli, W.Lorenz, D.Williams, La.Jones, D.Visentini
OUT: E.Ratugolea (Injured), J.Burgoyne (Injured), J.McEntee (Omitted)
RICHMOND v CARLTON
Sunday June 30, 3.20pm at the MCG
TIGERS
B: B.Miller, N.Broad, N.Balta
HB: N.Vlastuin, T.Brown, D.Rioli
C: H.Ralphsmith, L.Baker, K.McIntosh
HF: R.Mansell, J.Graham, S.Campbell
F: S.Bolton, D.Martin, J.Koschitzke
FOLL: T.Nankervis – C, T.Taranto, J.Hopper
I/C (FROM): T.Sonsie, N.Cumberland, K.McAuliffe, T.Dow, J.Short, S.Banks, K.Smith
IN: J.Hopper, J.Blight, S.Banks, K.Smith
OUT: T.Lynch (Injured)
BLUES
B: L.Cowan, J.Weitering, J.Boyd
HB: A.Saad, M.McGovern, N.Newman
C: O.Hollands, P.Cripps – C, B.Acres
HF: L.Fogarty, H.McKay, Z.Williams
F: E.Hollands, C.Curnow, M.Owies
FOLL: T.De Koning, S.Walsh, A.Cerra
I/C (FROM): B.Kemp, M.Kennedy, A.Cincotta, O.Fantasia, G.Hewett, J.Motlop, M.Pittonet
IN: A.Cerra, C.Marchbank, J.Motlop, M.Pittonet
OUT: C.Durdin (Omitted)
WEST COAST EAGLES v HAWTHORN
Sunday June 30, 4.40pm at Optus Stadium
EAGLES
B: J.Rotham, T.Barrass, T.Cole
HB: L.Duggan – C, J.McGovern, B.Hough
C: C.Chesser, T.Kelly, R.Ginbey
HF: T.Brockman, J.Waterman, J.Cripps
F: L.Ryan, O.Allen, J.Darling
FOLL: M.Flynn, E.Yeo, H.Reid
I/C (FROM): A.Gaff, J.Hunt, A.Witherden, J.Jones, B.Williams, H.Edwards, J.Hutchinson
IN: T.Kelly, H.Reid, A.Gaff, H.Edwards
OUT: J.Petruccelle (Injured)
HAWKS
B: J.Impey, S.Frost, J.Scrimshaw
HB: K.Amon, J.Sicily – C, W.Day
C: H.Morrison, J.Worpel, D.Moore
HF: M.D’Ambrosio, J.Gunston, C.Dear
F: J.Ginnivan, M.Chol, B.Hardwick
FOLL: L.Meek, J.Newcombe, C.Jiath
I/C (FROM): J.Weddle, J.Ward, C.Nash, F.Maginness, C.Mackenzie, C.Macdonald, J.Serong
IN: H.Morrison, J.Ward, F.Maginness, J.Serong
OUT: L.Breust (Managed)