Adam Goodes will be sorely missed but Sydney will still be strengthened by the return of four key players as they look to snap a two-game losing streak against Adelaide on Saturday.
Big forward Kurt Tippett will face his old team for the first time since he left Adelaide at the end of the 2012 season.
Goodes has been the unwitting centre of attention all week and has chosen not to play this weekend, weighed down by relentless booing from opposition fans which he believes is racially motivated.
Co-captain Kieren Jack spoke on Thursday about how the saga had affected Goodes and his teammates “because we’re seeing a mate genuinely hurting through this”.
“We’ve lost two in a row and we need to get back and play some good footy, so I think that the best way the playing group can respond to this is by coming out and playing really well on the weekend,” he added.
That cause will be helped by the return of key forwards Lance Franklin and Kurt Tippett, fullback Ted Richards and utility Ben McGlynn, although ruckman Mike Pyke will miss the game with a knee injury.
“We have fallen short over the last couple of weeks and we need to get a lot better,” said coach John Longmire.
“We need to make sure we play a better style of footy and we are hoping that the team we have in place is able to do that.”
Adelaide’s two inclusions include All-Australian key defender Daniel Talia, who returns after illness, and midfielder Jarryd Lyons who has been in excellent SANFL form. They replace Sam Shaw, who slotted into the defence for last week’s game against the Gold Coast, and Rory Atkins, Adelaide’s starting substitute for the past two matches.
Port Adelaide have named three new players in an extended squad to play St Kilda in Adelaide on Sunday afternoon.
Defenders Jasper Pittard and Tom Jonas are back, along with small midfielder/forward Sam Gray. The squad will be cut back to a 22-man team this afternoon.
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After a horror run with hamstring injuries, midfielder Reece Conca will play his first senior match this year for Richmond on Friday night against Hawthorn.
Ruck-forward Ty Vickery also returns after serving a two-match suspension.
The Hawks have recalled three members of last year’s premiership team – Ben Stratton, Liam Shiels and Taylor Duryea – along with fullback James Frawley, who is set to get the big job on Jack Riewoldt.
Collingwood coach Nathan Buckley swung the selection axe as the Magpies look to end a five-match losing run against Melbourne on Saturday.
Forwards Jesse White and Jarryd Blair have been ever-present for the Magpies this year but they have been omitted among four changes.
Jamie Elliott is among the returnees for Collingwood, along with Taylor Adams, who has completed a two-match suspension.
But the Magpies resisted the temptation to call up swingman Ben Reid, who has seen no AFL action this year due to a series of soft-tissue problems.
Gold Coast’s threadbare midfield has taken another hit, with vice-captain Michael Rischitelli to miss Saturday’s home match against West Coast due to personal reasons.
With Gary Ablett also out with a season-ending knee injury, the Suns’ engine-room has been decimated, although they do welcome back young star Jack Martin against the high-flying Eagles.
Bottom side Brisbane will be strengthened by the return of two of their very best players, Dayne Beams and Pearce Hanley, for the daunting trip to Simonds Stadium to take on Geelong.
The Cats have made only one change, with Nakia Cockatoo in for fellow young gun Cory Gregson.
Former GWS ruckman Jonathan Giles will finally play his first senior game for Essendon, replacing Shaun McKernan, who has been dropped for Sunday’s game against the Western Bulldogs.
FRIDAY, July 31
Hawthorn v Richmond at MCG 7.50pm
Head to Head: Hawks 68 Tigers 84
Last clash: Round 6 2014 – Hawks 18.10 (118) bt Tigers 7.10 (52) at MCG
Tab Sportsbet: Hawks $1.17 Tigers $5.00
William Hill: Hawks $1.17 Tigers $5.00
After shooting themselves in the foot against Freo, the Tigers face the sternest test there is: the Hawks in full flight. Hawthorn are on an eight-game winning streak, the past three featuring reality checks to would-be contenders Fremantle and Sydney and a record-breaking belting of Carlton. And the Hawks’ four losses this season have been narrow – two, eight, 10 and four points. Richmond’s desire to match it with the big boys of the league hinges on their star midfield power – can Dustin Martin and Trent Cotchin make amends for costly late blues against the Dockers?
Key: Richmond’s back six. Can Alex Rance, Troy Chaplin and co hold a Hawk attack headlined by Luke Breust, Jack Gunston and Jarryd Roughead – all top 15 on the goalkickers’ list.
Tip: Hawks by 26 points
SATURDAY, Aug 1
Geelong v Brisbane at Simonds Stadium 1.45pm
Head to Head: Cats 24 Lions 18 Drawn 1
Last clash: Round 23 2014 – Cats 21.17 (143) bt Lions 12.9 (81) at Simonds Stadium
Tab Sportsbet: Cats $1.11 Lions $6.75
William Hill: Cats $1.11 Lions $6.75
For Geelong, ninth and just a win shy of seventh spot, defeat against the hapless Lions would be a calamity. Brisbane’s deficiencies are plain: they’re the lowest scorers in the league and only Carlton have conceded more points. Geelong’s slick ball use – ranked fifth for disposal efficiency – will be telling as they make the most of their home-ground advantage. Should be a perfect tune-up for the Cats for demanding fixtures against Sydney and Hawthorn.
Key: Powerhouse forward Tom Hawkins looms as the man most likely to kick a bag of goals, with Geelong’s classy midfield expected to offer a steady supply of chances.
Tip: Cats by 63 points
Collingwood v Melbourne at MCG 2.10pm
Head to Head: Magpies 146 Demons 79 Drawn 5
Last clash: Round 10 2015 – Magpies 17.8 (110) bt Demons 13.7 (85) at MCG
Tab Sportsbet: Magpies $1.31 Demons $3.45
William Hill: Magpies $1.30 Demons $3.50
The Colliwobbles have struck early again, with the Magpies in the midst of a five-game losing slump which has tipped them to 11th spot. Collingwood haven’t scored 100 points in any of the losses but surely Nathan Buckley’s troops have enough class to account for the Demons, whose season of promise has delivered just five wins. Melbourne’s troubles start at the start: they’re ranked last for centre clearances, despite rucks Max Gawn and Jake Spencer giving solid enough hit-out service.
Key: Can the Demons stop Scott Pendlebury getting his season-average 29 touches at 76 per cent disposal efficiency? The Magpie captain’s drive around the packs is a potential game-breaker.
Tip: Magpies by 33 points
Sydney v Adelaide at SCG 4.35pm
Head to Head: Swans 13 Crows 22
Last clash: Round 3 2014 – Swans 21.8 (134) bt Crows 9.17 (71) at Adelaide Oval
Tab Sportsbet: Swans $1.42 Crows $2.85
William Hill: Swans $1.45 Crows $2.75
Sydney, without Adam Goodes, are in dire need of a win after being thumped by Hawthorn and West Coast in the past fortnight. While pundits are too wise to write off the Swans, their premiership credentials have taken a battering ahead of a fixture against a Crows outfit seemingly settling again after the death of coach Phil Walsh. Adelaide (seventh) have banked consecutive wins, yet teams are circling for their top-eight spot. The Swans welcome back four key players, including big forwards Lance Franklin and Kurt Tippett
Key: Who wins a brutal midfield battle. The duels between Sydney’s Josh Kennedy and Dan Hannebery versus Adelaide’s Patrick Dangerfield and Scott Thompson will decide the contest.
Tip: Swans by 15 points
Carlton v North Melbourne at Etihad Stadium 7.20pm
Head to Head: Blues 97 Kangaroos 54
Last clash: Round 18 2014 – Blues 16.13 (109) bt Kangaroos 13.8 (86) at Etihad Stadium
Tab Sportsbet: Blues $5.50 Kangaroos $1.15
William Hill: Blues $5.50 Kangaroos $1.15
The Kangas have snuck into eighth after three wins on the trot, and will fancy their chances of staying there with a win against the Blues, who were woeful last start in a record loss to Hawthorn. Carlton’s response to such a humiliation may well be telling for interim coach John Barker’s chances of landing the full-time job: can he get them to show some ticker, or will their season slip away entirely? With the worst defence in the competition, Barker is battling. North forward Jarrad Waite plays the 200th game of a hot-and-cold career.
Key: North’s rampant ruckman Todd Goldstein will dish up some gold-plated service, but can Carlton’s midfield brigade find a way to somehow break even at ground level?
Tip: Kangaroos by 66 points
Gold Coast v West Coast at Metricon Stadium 7.20pm
Head to Head: Suns 0 Eagles 6
Last clash: Round 7 2015 – Eagles 21.9 (135) bt Suns 6.7 (43) at Domain Stadium
Tab Sportsbet: Suns $7.00 Eagles $1.10
William Hill: Suns $7.00 Eagles $1.10
A meeting of the season’s great surprises. West Coast’s rise to second has been sudden and spectacular – the same could be said of Gold Coast’s fall. The Suns, with two wins and without captain Gary Ablett (knee) for the rest of the season, have been savaged by injury and will field an inexperienced outfit against the finals-bound Eagles. West Coast’s skilled ball use is becoming a trademark – they have made the fewest clangers of any club, while the Suns have made the most.
Key: For the Suns to have any chance, tall attacking duo Charlie Dixon and Tom Lynch must fire. They threatened last week, with seven goals between them, and will stretch West Coast’s injury-hit defence.
Tip: Eagles by 45 points
SUNDAY, Aug 2
Port Adelaide v St Kilda at Adelaide Oval 1.10pm
Head to Head: Power 15 Saints 10
Last clash: Round 12 2014 – Power 19.15 (129) bt Saints 9.5 (59) at Adelaide Oval
Tab Sportsbet: Power $1.25 Saints $3.95
William Hill: Power $1.25 Saints $4.00
Port, in 12th spot and two wins outside the eight, can’t afford any further slip-ups. The Power are the top-ranked clearance club yet will find space hard to come by against the emerging Saints, who are the fourth-best tackling side despite their inexperience. Much will rely on the midfield tussles, with St Kilda coach Alan Richardson trying to devise tactics to stifle the influence of Port stars Travis Boak, Robbie Gray and Ollie Wines.
Key: Can St Kilda’s revelation Josh Bruce continue his breakout season? The sharpshooter has kicked 41.16 for the season, – fifth on the goalkicking table.
Tip: Power by 34 points
Essendon v Western Bulldogs at Etihad Stadium 3.20pm
Head to Head: Bombers 94 Bulldogs 60 Drawn 2
Last clash: Round 18 2014 – Bombers 15.11 (101) bt Bulldogs 14.10 (94) at Etihad Stadium
Tab Sportsbet: Bombers $2.85 Bulldogs $1.45
William Hill: Bombers $3.00 Bulldogs $1.40
A victory will edge the Bulldogs closer to sealing a finals berth first up under new coach Luke Beveridge, a remarkable achievement. In the run to the finals, the Dogs face only one side currently above them on the ladder. The Bombers (14th, five wins) are seemingly treading water until an inevitable end. With Essendon captain Jobe Watson missing, expect the Dogs, ranked third for winning contested possessions, to dominate around the packs.
Key: Bomber Jake Carlile kicked eight goals in a win against the Bulldogs last time. Will he be cast as a forward again on his return from injury?
Tip: Bulldogs by 39 points
Fremantle v Greater Western Sydney at Domain Stadium 4.40pm
Head to Head: Dockers 3 Giants 0
Last clash: Round 17 2014 – Dockers 21.10 (136) bt Giants 9.6 (60) at Domain Stadium
Tab Sportsbet: Dockers $1.19 Giants $4.75
William Hill: Dockers $1.20 Giants $4.60
Can the Giants recover from sliding to ninth on the ladder and claim their biggest scalp yet? GWS and coach Leon Cameron face a defining month ahead, playing the league-leading Dockers, Essendon, Port then Sydney. No such worries for Fremantle, whose last trip to this ground resulted in a 76-point victory.
Key: For the Giants to prosper, they need one man to fire: key attacker Jeremy Cameron, who has built another stellar season to sit second on the most goals list.
Tip: Dockers by 12 points
– with AAP
