Big Bombers boost; Roos gun ‘a chance’ to return, mixed news for Giants: AFL Team Tips

The bye weeks have bought time for some important stars to return just in time for the run into finals.

But it’s not all good news with some worrying absentees.

Get the latest selection and injury news ahead of Round 15 in AFL Team Tips!

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CARLTON v GEELONG

Friday June 21, 7:40pm at the MCG

Blues’ Round 13 side

B: B.Kemp, J.Weitering, L.Cowan

HB: A.Saad, M.McGovern, N.Newman

C: O.Hollands, P.Cripps – C, B.Acres

HF: Z.Williams, C.Curnow, A.Cincotta

F: E.Hollands, H.McKay, M.Owies

FOLL: T.De Koning, S.Walsh, M.Kennedy

I/C: J.Carroll, C.Durdin, L.Fogarty, J.Boyd, G.Hewett

EMG: J.Motlop, C.Marchbank, J.Binns

Team Tips: Coming off their bye and a successful first half of 2024, the Blues are straight back into the swing of things with a mouth-watering match against top four hopefuls Geelong. Orazio Fantasia, David Cuningham and Marc Pittonet are all tests for this week, but star midfielder Adam Cerra is still at least another week away. Jack Martin is back in full training but won’t be available for selection and Matthew Cottrell remains two to three weeks off with a foot issue.Jack Carroll is under a fitness cloud for the match as it is, and may also miss. Jaxon Binns is another who could come into the side, after a very strong season so far in the club’s reserves.

Cats’ Round 13 side

B: J.Henry, S.De Koning, J.Kolodjashnij

HB: M.Duncan, T.Stewart – C, O.Mullin

C: M.Blicavs, M.Holmes, J.Bowes

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

F: T.Stengle, T.Hawkins, S.Neale

FOLL: R.Stanley, T.Atkins, T.Bruhn

I/C: Z.Guthrie, M.O’Connor, J.Clark, G.Rohan, O.Dempsey

EMG: C.O’Sullivan, M.Hardie, S.Mannagh

Team Tips: Much like the Blues, the Cats are coming off their mid-season bye – although they are needing a win far more than their opponents, having lost five of their last six games. In a big boost, skipper Patrick Dangerfield will return after a conservative layoff with a hamstring injury, as will young forward Ollie Henry. Cam Guthrie continues to recover from an Achilles injury and is still a fortnight away. Zach Tuohy should return from a hip injury. Young ruck Toby Conway could also be in the frame for a recall, if his knee niggle has eased up. In their firing line to make way for the former trio could be Oisin Mullin, Mark O’Connor and potentially young gun Jhye Clark. Things could change however if they opt for a structural change with forwards Shannon Neale and Gary Rohan, with the latter named sub the last two matches.

PORT ADELAIDE v BRISBANE LIONS

Saturday June 22, 1:45pm at Adelaide Oval

Power’s Round 14 side

B: K.Farrell, E.Ratugolea, B.Zerk-Thatcher

HB: J.Burgoyne, A.Aliir, D.Houston

C: T.Boak, C.Rozee – C, W.Drew

HF: D.Byrne-Jones, T.Marshall, M.Bergman

F: Z.Butters, O.Lord, M.Georgiades

FOLL: I.Soldo, J.Horne-Francis, J.McEntee

I/C: O.Wines, D.Williams, F.Evans, J.Mead, Q.Narkle

EMG: D.Visentini, W.Lorenz, La.Jones

Team Tips: All of a sudden, Port Adelaide are in freefall mode having lost back-to-back matches and now one more loss away from slipping out of the top eight. Changes almost certainly need to be made by coach Ken Hinkley, especially with the pending inclusion of Willie Rioli back from a calf injury. Small forward Francis Evans could be the player to make way for Rioli – as could sub Quinton Narkle, although he would be unlucky given his limited time on ground. Ivan Soldo was comprehensively beaten by GWS ruck Kieran Briggs both at stoppage and around the ground, which may bring fellow recruit Jordan Sweet back into calculations at the selection table. Sweet had 15 disposals, 43 hitouts and a goal against West Adelaide in the reserves, while dropped forward Jeremy Finlayson had 25 disposals and kicked 1.3 in the Magpies’ 20-point win.

Lions’ Round 14 side

B: D.Zorko, J.Payne, R.Lester

HB: D.Wilmot, H.Andrews, B.Starcevich

C: J.Fletcher, C.Rayner, J.Berry

HF: C.Cameron, E.Hipwood, H.McCluggage

F: K.Lohmann, J.Daniher, Z.Bailey

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

I/C: C.Ah Chee, L.Morris, C.McKenna, B.Reville, N.Answerth

EMG: D.Robertson, D.Fort, D.Joyce

Team Tips: The Saints scared Chris Fagan and co late last Friday night, but their turn of form continued having now lost just one of their last six games. With no injuries coming in or forcing players out from the match, changes will likely be minimal at the Lions’ den. 18-year-old key forward Luke Lloyd performed well for his three goals, 25 disposals and 14 marks against Sandringham on Saturday, but will struggle to find his way into the side for a debut with Daniher and Hipwood in form. Jarryd Lyons, Harry Sharp and Henry Smith also kicked three goals each, while Jaxon Prior and Darragh Joyce also performed strongly. Young gun Will Ashcroft could be available as early next week which is a massive boost for the Lions’ finals aspirations.

GWS GIANTS v SYDNEY SWANS

Saturday June 22, 4:35pm at ENGIE Stadium

Giants’ Round 14 side

B: C.Idun, S.Taylor, H.Himmelberg

HB: L.Whitfield, J.Buckley, N.Haynes

C: R.Angwin, T.Green, J.Kelly

HF: B.Daniels, J.Riccardi, T.Bedford

F: T.Greene – C, J.Hogan, C.Brown

FOLL: K.Briggs, F.Callaghan, C.Ward

I/C: L.Aleer, X.O’Halloran, H.Thomas, A.Cadman, T.McMullin

EMG: J.Peatling, J.Wehr, M.Gruzewski

Team Tips: Despite inaccurate kicking for goal, the Giants were able to turn their form at the right time of year – now heading into a cross-town showdown with the league’s best team in the Swans. Pacy rebounder Lachie Ash (calf) is ‘very likely’ to return, while veteran ball-winner Stephen Coniglio (shoulder) is ‘more unlikely’, per ABC Sport’s Daniel Garb on Tuesday. Emergency and unlucky omission from last weekend James Peatling was the best in the VFL side that beat Port Melbourne, kicking 2.2 from 31 disposals and 10 clearances. Wade Derksen (28 disposals, 11 intercept possessions, nine marks), Harry Rowston (27 disposals, eight inside 50’s, seven clearances), and AFL emergency Max Gruzewski (14 disposals, eight score involvements, two goals) were all among the best alongside Peatling. Defender Isaac Cumming (15 disposals, one goal) successfully made his return from a hamstring injury and may be considered an option if he and the club feel his body is ready to return to the top level. Adam Kennedy will have his first taste of football in over 14 months through the VFL this weekend, while draftee James Leake is also likely to get his first minutes in the reserves following a major quad injury. Speedster Darcy Jones is a test to progress to limited minutes in the VFL after dealing with a hamstring.

Swans’ Round 14 side

B: D.Rampe – C, T.McCartin, L.Melican

HB: O.Florent, H.Cunningham, N.Blakey

C: J.Lloyd, Ch.Warner, E.Gulden

HF: J.McInerney, L.McDonald, T.Adams

F: T.Papley, J.Amartey, W.Hayward

FOLL: B.Grundy, I.Heeney, J.Rowbottom

I/C: M.Roberts, J.Jordon, H.McLean, S.Wicks, B.Campbell

EMG: C.Cleary, R.Fox, P.Ladhams

Team Tips: The Swans went in unchanged last week against the Crows, and could very well do the same this weekend against the Giants. The main question will be around skipper Callum Mills, who could return as early as this weekend from a long stint on the sidelines – although one would assume he comes back through the VFL. Recruit Joel Hamling again put his hand up to make his club debut with four goals again on the weekend, backing up his five and three-goal performances in the fortnight prior. Should they turn to him, Sam Wicks would be the most likely player to make way after a quiet performance. Defender Aaron Francis was also among the best players with Hamling, registering 25 disposals, 12 intercept possessions and 10 marks in their 27-point win over Footscray.

MELBOURNE v NORTH MELBOURNE

Saturday June 22, 7:30pm at the MCG

Demons’ Round 13 side

B: J. Bowey, S. May, T. Rivers

HB: C. Salem, T. McDonald, J. McVee

C: E. Langdon, C. Oliver, C. Windsor

HF: K. Pickett, B. Fritsch, H. Petty

F: K. Chandler, J. van Rooyen, A. Neal-Bullen

FOLL: M. Gawn, J. Viney, C. Petracca

I/C: J. Billings, B. Laurie, B. Howes, T. Sparrow, D. Turner

EMG: K.Brown, T. Woewodin, B.Brown

Team Tips: The biggest question marks hanging over Melbourne’s head this week are whether or not Simon Goodwin pursues with Harrison Petty, and who replaces Christian Petracca. King’s Birthday sub Jack Billings was inefficient with ball in hand, and perhaps vulnerable if Goodwin swings the axe further. Surprise omission from the match Adam Tomlinson could be the first man called back if more defensive power is required, or if Jake Lever doesn’t pull up well enough for a return from his minor knee surgery. Koltyn Tholstrup headed into the club bye with plenty of form, kicking 1.2 from 29 disposals and 12 score involvements against the Pies on June 9. It remains to be seen as to why recruit Tom Fullarton – despite his seeming dominance in the VFL – hasn’t been picked this year, as he continues to look a viable option as Petty’s replacement up forward. Shane McAdam kicked four goals in response to his axing, and could also make a return.

Kangaroos’ Round 14 side

B: A.Corr, C.Comben, K.Dawson

HB: Z.Fisher, H.Sheezel, L.McDonald – C

C: D.Tucker, L.Davies-Uniacke, B.Scott

HF: T.Powell, T.Pink, C.Taylor

F: P.Curtis, N.Larkey, C.Zurhaar

FOLL: T.Xerri, G.Wardlaw, W.Phillips

I/C: L.Shiels, T.Pink, J.Archer, E.Ford, J.Stephenson

EMG: R.Harderman, C.Lazzaro

Team Tips: After a controversial and heartbreaking one-point loss on Sunday, the Kangaroos will know they have it in them to topple a side with greater experience and credentials. The Roos will be bolstered by the return of young gun Colby McKercher, who has been dealing with a foot injury. After being withdrawn pre-game on Sunday, captain Jy Simpkin (hamstring)is ‘a chance’ to face the Demons this Saturday, having already ran to test his hammy. He’ll have a final fitness test on Thursday to determine his availability. Sunday’s late Simpkin replacement, Will Phillips, was valiant in his performance tagging Nick Daicos, and deserves to keep his spot on effort alone. Defender Kallan Dawson will miss one week for his elbow on Jack Crisp. Jackson Archer was beaten throughout the clash with Collingwood and may benefit from a spell in the VFL. Fringe winger Dylan Stephens (32 disposals, two goals, high draft pick Zane Duursma (25 disposals, three goals) and father-son Cooper Harvey (21 disposals, three goals) were the best for North against Collingwood’s reserves on Sunday. Meanwhile, Griffin Logue will make his return from an ACL injury via the VFL this weekend.