Port Adelaide has made three changes for its Territory clash with Melbourne, with Kane Cornes’ retirement and two big injuries giving chances to players with impressive SANFL form.
Star recruit Patrick Ryder is out of Saturday’s Alice Springs match because of an Achilles injury. The out-of-form Power also lost defender Jackson Trengove to an ankle injury.
Matthew Broadbent, fresh from signing a four-year contract extension, will return along with solid SANFL performers Paul Stewart and Tom Clurey.
Melbourne recalled hard-nut midfielder Jack Viney and the pacy Neville Jetta for Ben Newton and Aidan Riley.
Injury-hit Adelaide has made at late change to its team to face top-placed Fremantle at Adelaide Oval on Saturday night.
The Crows recalled Ricky Henderson from injury for Sam Kerridge, who will miss the game with an ankle problem. However, Henderson failed to train today and has been replaced by emergency Brodie Martin, who will play his first senior game this year.
The Dockers, enjoying a charmed season so far, are unchanged.
Will Minson’s successful VFL appeal means the Western Bulldogs will make six changes for their big game on Saturday against GWS.
After an exciting start to the season, the Bulldogs are trying to arrest a three-game losing streak.
They dropped Ayce Cordy, Michael Talia, Lachie Hunter and Lin Jong.
Brett Goodes also has a broken arm and forward Stewart Crameri is out because of an adductor injury.
Minson will return to the senior team for the first time since round three.
He was sent off while playing for Footscray in the VFL last Sunday after he made contact with an umpire.
Minson originally was suspended for four matches, but that was reduced on Thursday night to a reprimand and a $7500 fine.
The Bulldogs recalled Jack Macrea, Jarrad Grant, Nathan Hrovat and Lukas Webb.
Former Geelong defender Joel Hamling will make his AFL debut.
The Giants recalled Lachie Whitfield and Aiden Corr for Phil Davis (suspended) and Zac Williams.
Carlton captain Marc Murphy (calf) has joined Chris Judd (knee) and Bryce Gibbs (back) as massive losses for Friday night’s match against Sydney at the SCG.
Robert Warnock (hip) is also injured and the Blues recalled Andrew Carrazzo, Andrew Walker, Lachie Henderson and Nick Graham.
Sydney’s Daniel Robinson will come in for Jake Lloyd and make his AFL debut.
Hawthorn captain Luke Hodge returns from suspension, leading three inclusions for the Launceston game on Saturday against Gold Coast.
Daniel Howe was named for his senior debut and Taylor Duryea will also return.
The Hawks lost Grant Birchall (ankle) and Will Langford (corked calf) and dropped Matt Suckling.
Gold Goast made four changes, bringing back Steven May, Andrew Boston and Jack Martin.
Keegan Brooksby will play his first senior game.
Apart from losing Dion Prestia (knee), the Suns dropped Andrew Raines, Jack Leslie and Aaron Hall.
Richmond’s Ty Vickery (ankle) goes out for Liam McBean as the only change for the Dreamtime At The `G match on Saturday night against Essendon.
The most notable inclusions for Sunday’s squads are St Kilda captain Nick Riewoldt, North Melbourne skipper Andrew Swallow and Collingwood defender Alan Toovey.
Round 9 form guide
FRIDAY, May 29
Sydney v Carlton at SCG 7.50pm
Head to Head: Swans 88 Blues 127 drawn 6
Last clash: Round 17 2014 – Swans 18.14 (122) bt Blues 7.9 (51) at SCG
Tab Sportsbet: Swans $1.02 Blues $14.00
William Hill: Swans $1.02 Blues $14.00
After a traumatic week at Carlton, John Barker takes the reins for the first time as caretaker coach at the SCG. It’s a mystery how the Blues will be able to perform after the brutal axing of Mick Malthouse – a favourite of the players but not the board – and Barker knows it. Chris Judd, Bryce Gibbs, Michael Jamison and now captain Marc Murphy are notable absentees for the Blues due to injury, making their task nigh on impossible. The Swans enjoyed their comeback win over premiers Hawthorn last weekend and should continue their march to September in style.
Key: Sam Rowe. The most likely man to mark Lance Franklin, who was goalless last weekend but will be eyeing a bag on Friday night.
Tip: Swans by 88 points
SATURDAY, May 30
Hawthorn v Gold Coast at Aurora Stadium 1.45pm
Head to Head: Hawks 6 Suns 0
Last clash: Round 15 2014 – Hawks 17.14 (116) bt Suns 10.3 (63) at Aurora Stadium
Tab Sportsbet: Hawks $1.01 Suns $17.00
William Hill: Hawks $1.02 Suns $14.00
Hell hath no fury like an Alastair Clarkson-coached Hawthorn team scorned, which should spell doom for Gold Coast this weekend. The Hawks (4-4) have rebounded from each loss this season with brutality and will aim to give their percentage another nudge upwards after their tight grand final rematch last Saturday. The Suns (1-7) have never beaten Hawthorn and making matters worse is the return of Luke Hodge after suspension. While Rodney Eade’s side have lost Dion Prestia, some relief comes with the return of Steven May and Jack Martin.
Key: Jarryd Roughead. The forward loves it in Launceston and if used as a focal point for the Hawks attack, could outscore them on his own.
Tip: Hawks by 55 points
Melbourne v Port Adelaide at Traeger Park 2.10pm
Head to Head: Demons 11 Power 17
Last clash: Round 18 2014 – Power 10.12 (72) bt Demons 10.9 (69) at Adelaide Oval
Tab Sportsbet: Demons $3.35 Power $1.33
William Hill: Demons $3.20 Power $1.35
The Demons are as high as a kite after their biggest win under Paul Roos last weekend and have the chance to win their first back-to-back games in five years against Port Adelaide on Saturday. Unfortunately for Melbourne, it won’t be at the MCG where their wins have come this season but at Alice Springs’ Traeger Park. Jack Viney and Neville Jetta return for the Demons against a Power side low on confidence, while the Power have lost Patrick Ryder to an Achilles injury. Port look a shadow of the side that Ken Hinkley took to a preliminary final after consecutive losses to West Coast, Brisbane and Richmond.
Key: Jesse Hogan. Rarely can a 20-year-old have been so important to an AFL side but Melbourne look a dangerous prospect with the ball heading in his direction.
Tip: Demons by 10 points
Western Bulldogs v Greater Western Sydney at Etihad Stadium 4.35pm
Head to Head: Bulldogs 3 Giants 1
Last clash: Round 23 2014 – Giants 18.7 (115) bt Bulldogs 15.19 (109) at Etihad Stadium
Tab Sportsbet: Bulldogs $2.45 Giants $1.55
William Hill: Bulldogs $2.45 Giants $1.55
The two clubs involved in 2014’s biggest off-season trade collide on Saturday but the players involved are unlikely to face off. Bulldogs coach Luke Beveridge says Tom Boyd is in need of a rest after his slow start to the season, but former Bulldog captain Ryan Griffen will play against his old side. Even though Griffen has yet to hit his best in GWS colours, the expansion side looks like the winner in that arrangement after soaring into the league’s top four with three straight wins. The Bulldogs have lost their last three.
Key: Shane Mumford. The combative ruckman should have a day out against the threadbare Bulldogs’ ruck division.
Tip: Giants by 11 points
Richmond v Essendon at MCG 7.20pm
Head to Head: Tigers 87 Bombers 104 drawn 4
Last clash: Round 20 2014 – Tigers 14.11 (95) bt Bombers 11.11 (77) at MCG
Tab Sportsbet: Tigers $1.75 Bombers $2.10
William Hill: Tigers $1.74 Bombers $2.10
Dustin Fletcher’s 400th AFL game will be celebrated alongside the the indigenous stars of the competition at the 11th Dreamtime at the `G match between Richmond and Essendon (both 4-4). Both head into the grand occasion after arresting slumps. The Tigers were on the brink of a crisis before beating Collingwood and Port Adelaide while Essendon’s 58-point belting of Brisbane was close to their best football all season. For the Bombers, it’s all about Fletcher who becomes just the third man in AFL/VFL history to notch up 400 matches.
Key: Jobe Watson. The Bombers have the worst clearance record in the AFL and need improvement if they are to contend for finals. Watson can drive that.
Tip: Tigers by 22 points
Adelaide v Fremantle at Adelaide Oval 7.40pm
Head to Head: Crows 19 Dockers 14
Last clash: Round 12 2014 – Dockers 12.18 (90) bt Crows 7.8 (50) at Domain Stadium
Tab Sportsbet: Crows $3.55 Dockers $1.30
William Hill: Crows $3.50 Dockers $1.30
The rampant Dockers already have their best start to an AFL season and head to Adelaide Oval in search of the club’s best ever streak of nine wins. There they face Adelaide which has fallen off the early pace after a string of serious injuries. But to stop Fremantle they must stop Nat Fyfe, whose form has been so impressive one bookmaker has chosen to pay out bets for the Brownlow Medal. After round eight. In Patrick Dangerfield, Adelaide has a midfielder that on his day can match Fyfe but with Rory Sloane and others out, he may lack support.
Key: Taylor Walker. Fremantle’s grip on top spot has been built on a tough as nails defence. If the Crows skipper can impose himself on the contest, the Crows have a chance.
Tip: Dockers by 2 points
SUNDAY, May 31
Brisbane Lions v St Kilda at Gabba 1.10pm
Head to Head: Lions 16 Saints 11
Last clash: Round 6 2014 – Lions 12.10 (82) bt Saints 11.13 (79) at Westpac Regional Stadium
Tab Sportsbet: Lions $1.55 Saints $2.45
William Hill: Lions $1.58 Saints $2.35
While they’re beset by injuries, Brisbane have another good chance to climb the AFL ladder with the visit of St Kilda on Sunday. Young forward Daniel McStay is the latest to be sidelined from Justin Leppitsch’s side, with 12 others already ruled out. The Saints by contrast are a picture of health and will regain captain Nick Riewoldt after his concussion for the trip north. Still, St Kilda has a poor record at the Gabba and leads the competition in clangers, making this a good chance for Brisbane to regain momentum.
Key: Tom Rockliff. The Lions captain showed his fitness with 27 disposals and 10 tackles in their loss to the Bombers last week and looks ready to roar once more.
Tip: Lions by 11 points
Collingwood v North Melbourne at MCG 3.20pm
Head to Head: Magpies 104 Kangaroos 50 drawn 2
Last clash: Round 5 2014 – Magpies 13.15 (93) bt Kangaroos 8.10 (58) at MCG
Tab Sportsbet: Magpies $2.10 Kangaroos $1.70
William Hill: Magpies $2.15 Kangaroos $1.70
Collingwood have impressed in their start to the season but only on Sunday play their first top-four side from last year in North Melbourne, who have not convinced this season. Without captain Andrew Swallow, the Kangaroos fell apart against Fremantle and he is a touch and go proposition this week. North have lost to the good sides and beaten lesser teams this season, making Sunday’s match a fascinating one. Into which bracket do Collingwood fit? Nathan Buckley has them hungry – the Magpies are the AFL’s top contested ball side – but will they handle the jump up in class?
Key: Jack Ziebell. The Kangaroos are at their best when Ziebell sees plenty of the footy.
Tip: Kangaroos by 9 points
West Coast v Geelong at Domain Stadium 4.40pm
Head to Head: Eagles 23 Cats 23 drawn 1
Last clash: Round 4 2014 – Cats 16.11 (107) bt Eagles 4.8 (32) at Simonds Stadium
Tab Sportsbet: Eagles $1.40 Cats $3.00
William Hill: Eagles $1.38 Cats $3.05
The high-flying Eagles close out the round with the visit of Geelong and will be confident of keeping their 100 per cent home record against interstate clubs. Adam Simpson has masterminded West Coast to five straight wins and while he loses Elliot Yeo to suspension, could regain Mark Hutchings and Matt Rosa. The Cats have a strong record against the Eagles, winning nine of the last 11, but continue on with a patched-up side missing so many from their dominant era.
Key: Joel Selwood. Always important for Geelong but needs to lift his young midfield against an Eagles’ engine-room who have exceeded expectations this year.
Tip: Eagles by 33 points
