Adelaide will make at least two changes to its team for Sunday’s Showdown with former captain Nathan van Berlo and emerging midfielder Cam Ellis-Yolmen being dropped to the SANFL.
The extended squad of 25 includes versatile James Podsiadly, defender Sam Shaw and midfielders Jarryd Lyons, Brodie Martin and Rory Atkins.
Port Adelaide will make at least one change, with Jasper Pittard out with an injured ankle. The Power has named four new players in its extended squad, including young forward Jesse Palmer, who would make his AFL debut if he makes the cut. Port has also named Andrew Moore, Aaron Young and Nathan Krakauer in its squad to be trimmed late this afternoon.
The best and fairest player on the day will receive a one-off medal, named in honour of the late Crows coach Phil Walsh.
Across the border, Hawthorn spearhead Jarryd Roughead has returned to the Hawks’ line-up following his skin cancer scare.
Roughead underwent surgery to remove a melanoma from his bottom lip in the week leading up to Hawthorn’s round 14 AFL clash against Collingwood.
The 28-year-old sat out two games before receiving the all-clear and comes back into the side to face Sydney at ANZ Stadium on Saturday night.
He replaces Taylor Duryea as the only change to the team that thumped Fremantle by 72 points in Launceston.
The Swans lost ruckman Mike Pyke to a knee injury and defender Jeremy Laidler to an ankle injury for the grand final rematch.
Sydney made a total of four changes with Ted Richards, Craig Bird, Brandon Jack and Toby Nankervis all coming into the side.
Former North Melbourne midfielder Levi Greenwood has been named to play his first home-and-away game for Collingwood after finally overcoming the fractured ankle he suffered in the pre-season.
Marley Williams, Paul Seedsman and Ben Kennedy have also been included in the side to face West Coast.
It’s not all good news for the Pies though, with livewire forward Jamie Elliott out with a back injury.
The Eagles are in second place on the ladder after their big win over Adelaide and they named an unchanged line-up.
Dockers coach Ross Lyon reacted savagely to last week’s loss to the Hawks, dropping four players.
Paul Duffield and Zac Clarke were among those to make way for Jonathon Griffin, Matt Taberner, Cameron Sutcliffe and Hayden Crozier.
Freo host Carlton on Saturday with the Blues handing Brad Walsh his AFL debut, with Sam Docherty and Sam Rowe also earning call-ups.
Geelong have lost defender Jared Rivers to a knee injury on top of the suspension handed to skipper Joel Selwood.
The Cats recalled Shane Kersten, Mitch Duncan and Jake Kolodjashnij for their encounter with the Western Bulldogs, who regain Jordan Roughead and recall former Bomber Stewart Crameri after a spell in the VFL.
Ruckman Will Minson is out with a shoulder injury and Michael Talia has been dropped.
Gold Coast and Greater Western Sydney were both dealt injury blows ahead of their clash, with Seb Tape (hamstring), Charlie Dixon (ankle) and David Swallow (knee) out for the Suns and Dylan Shiel (knee) unavailable for the Giants. In significant team news for Sunday’s games, St Kilda have named Nick Riewoldt for their clash against Richmond.
The match will serve as a fundraiser after the sad passing of Riewoldt’s sister, Maddie, from a rare bone marrow disorder. But the Saints skipper is battling a calf injury and must prove his fitness in order to play.
The Tigers regain ruckman Ivan Maric from suspension but lose Shane Edwards to a leg injury.
Stefan Martin returns from suspension for Brisbane, who take on Melbourne at the MCG. The Demons have included former captain Jack Grimes and ruckman Mark Jamar.
The round bounces down on Friday night when the Kangaroos take on Essendon at Etihad Stadium.
North forward Aaron Black is in for the suspended Drew Petrie, while Kyle Langford replaces Alex Browne, who was concussed in a heavy tackle in the Bombers’ tight win over Melbourne.
FRIDAY, July 17
North Melbourne v Essendon at Etihad Stadium 7.50pm
Head to Head: Kangaroos 55 Bombers 96 drawn 1
Last clash: Round 7 2015 – Kangaroos 13.15 (93) bt Bombers 12.10 (82) at Etihad Stadium
Tab Sportsbet: Kangaroos $1.26 Bombers $3.85
William Hill: Kangaroos $1.27 Bombers $3.80
The Kangaroos have a chance to finally move their win-loss ledger into the positive when they face traditional rivals Essendon on Friday night. Brad Scott’s side are fresh off their best win in Melbourne this season and will hope to charge into finals contention from here but will miss suspended forward Drew Petrie. James Hird’s “Baby Bombers” won last week in the wet over the Demons, ending a five match winless streak. Without a wet track at Etihad, the step up in class should be too much for the young side.
Key: Dyson Heppell. Essendon have anointed Heppell to lead the side for the rest of the year in Jobe Watson’s absence and he’ll need to lead by example against a strong Kangaroos midfield.
Tip: Kangaroos by 44 points
SATURDAY, July 18
Geelong v Western Bulldogs at Simonds Stadium 1.45pm
Head to Head: Cats 97 Bulldogs 55 drawn 2
Last clash: Round 16 2014 – Cats 10.9 (69) bt Bulldogs 7.14 (56) at Simonds Stadium
Tab Sportsbet: Cats $1.65 Bulldogs $2.25
William Hill: Cats $1.67 Bulldogs $2.20
It’s been a long time between drinks for the Cats, losers either side of their extraordinary 20-day break against Melbourne and North Melbourne. Conversely, the Dogs are flying with four straight victories including a 10-goal final term to beat Gold Coast last weekend. So is Geelong’s 12-year winning streak at Kardinia Park over the Bulldogs vulnerable? Very much so. Without suspended captain Joel Selwood, this is a 50-50 contest with high stakes given the Bulldogs are on the brink of returning to the finals and the Cats close to having the door shut on their September ambitions.
Key: Mark Blicavs. The runner-cum-ruck is also the Cats’ top tackler and without Selwood, will need to do it all against the AFL’s top tackling side.
Tip: Cats by 3 points
Gold Coast v Greater Western Sydney at Metricon Stadium 2.10pm
Head to Head: Suns 4 Giants 2
Last clash: Round 4 2015 – Giants 16.23 (119) bt Suns 7.11 (53) at Manuka Oval
Tab Sportsbet: Suns $1.90 Giants $1.90
William Hill: Suns $1.91 Giants $1.91
The Expansion Cup returns to the Gold Coast where GWS Giants have yet to win. With Gary Ablett again back in the Suns line-up, that streak might be continued. Rodney Eade’s side are transformed by the addition of the two-time Brownlow Medal winner, even if their dramatic fade-out in Cairns last week cost them a win over the Western Bulldogs. The Giants returned to the winners’ list last weekend through Jeremy Cameron’s boot – the youngster kicked five to help defeat St Kilda. On Saturday, a first away win in two months would help keep their finals ambitions on track.
Key: Adam Treloar. With Dylan Shiel ruled out for at least six weeks, the out-of-contract hot shot must step up in his absence.
Tip: Suns by 10 points
Collingwood v West Coast at Etihad Stadium 4.35pm
Head to Head: Magpies 22 Eagles 22 drawn 1
Last clash: Round 20 2014 – Eagles 19.12 (126) bt Magpies 10.6 (66) at Domain Stadium
Tab Sportsbet: Magpies $2.40 Eagles $1.58
William Hill: Magpies $2.15 Eagles $1.70
It’s crunch time for Collingwood, who will be sick to the gills of admirable losses. Against flag fancies Fremantle and Hawthorn and again to Port Adelaide last weekend the Magpies have fallen just short and have slipped out of the top four as a result. Against 2015 surprise packet West Coast, we could find out whether either is the real deal. The Eagles have yet to shake the tag of flat-track bullies but with this match kicking off a demanding six-week stretch, their premiership credentials will soon become clear.
Key: Travis Cloke. With the Eagles’ attack in full flight the Pies will need to kick a score themselves, making a big game from the biggest Magpie a necessity.
Tip: Magpies by 8 points
Sydney v Hawthorn at ANZ Stadium 7.20pm
Head to Head: Swans 69 Hawks 88 drawn 2
Last clash: Round 8 2015 – Swans 11.7 (73) bt Hawks 9.15 (69) at MCG
Tab Sportsbet: Swans $2.30 Hawks $1.62
William Hill: Swans $2.20 Hawks $1.67
The Hawks have lift-off in season 2015 after crushing league leaders Fremantle, but can they back up against fierce rivals Sydney on Saturday night? To do so would cement them as premiership favourites – even if they are yet to go above fourth place in a stop-start season. Against the Swans, the Hawks will miss Buddy-stopper James Frawley, who has an impressive record on Lance Franklin. With six wins in a row, it feels like the Hawks have all the momentum and Alastair Clarkson will be keen to keep the ball rolling to gatecrash the top two.
Key: Sam Mitchell. The four-time club champion has spent a week in the spotlight for the wrong reasons but is averaging 30 possessions a game in another dominant season.
Tip: Hawthorn by 6 points
Fremantle v Carlton at Domain Stadium 7.40pm
Head to Head: Dockers 16 Blues 12
Last clash: Round 19 2014 – Dockers 12.11 (83) bt Blues 11.12 (78) at Domain Stadium
Tab Sportsbet: Dockers $1.10 Blues $7.00
William Hill: Dockers $1.10 Blues $7.00
First against 16th has an ominous feel, particularly with Carlton losing reigning best and fairest Bryce Gibbs for the season. But Fremantle haven’t looked like convincing league leaders in recent weeks, getting trounced by Hawthorn last week and struggling to wins over Brisbane, Collingwood and Gold Coast. It was Lachie Neale’s late goal that won this fixture for the Dockers last year but in an otherwise tight AFL round, this looks an obvious mismatch.
Key: Marc Murphy. The Blues skipper will need to put in a huge effort without Bryce Gibbs against a Dockers midfield packed with performers.
Tip: Dockers by 42 points
SUNDAY, July 19
Melbourne v Brisbane Lions at MCG 1.10pm
Head to Head: Demons 9 Lions 15
Last clash: Round 19 2014 – Lions 11.8 (74) bt Demons 6.15 (51) at Etihad Stadium
Tab Sportsbet: Demons $1.58 Lions $2.40
William Hill: Demons $1.60 Lions $2.35
Another week when previously unloved Melbourne are favourites but Paul Roos will be hoping for a different result to the shocking nine-point loss at the hands of Essendon when they play Brisbane on Sunday. If the Demons are to continue their upwards trajectory, this is exactly the sort of match they need to win. The Lions are limping along with seven straight losses but have Tom Rockliff, Pearce Hanley and Stefan Martin available again and if they can handle the drop in temperature when they travel south to Melbourne, will be every chance at the MCG.
Key: Jesse Hogan and Chris Dawes. The Demons lacked a goalkicker last week and at least one of this pair needs to provide a focal point if Melbourne is to get back on the winners list.
Tip: Demons by 22 points
Port Adelaide v Adelaide at Adelaide Oval 3.20pm
Head to Head: Power 21 Crows 17
Last clash: Round 5 2015 – Power 18.7 (115) bt Crows 13.13 (91) at Adelaide Oval
Tab Sportsbet: Power $1.60 Crows $2.35
William Hill: Power $1.62 Crows $2.30
Adelaide will make an emotional AFL return in their home town in what is certain to be the most emotional Showdown since Port Adelaide’s introduction to the league. The Crows are playing at Adelaide Oval for the first time since coach Phil Walsh’s death, reframing the league’s fiercest local derby as a uniting moment. As a football match, it seems almost trivial to consider finals hopes but both teams desperately need a win. At 6-8 in the win-loss, Port Adelaide can’t afford another slip up while the Crows’ own finals hopes have suffered through inconsistency.
Key: Taylor Walker. The Crows captain will set the tone for his side and will be sure to do so well.
Tip: Power by 14 points
St Kilda v Richmond at Etihad Stadium 4.40pm
Head to Head: Saints 69 Tigers 107 drawn 3
Last clash: Round 22 2014 – Tigers 15.8 (98) bt Saints 10.12 (72) at MCG
Tab Sportsbet: Saints $3.40 Tigers $1.32
William Hill: Saints $3.15 Tigers $1.35
Another emotional scene is certain at Etihad Stadium when the teams of the two Riewoldts, Saint Nick and Tiger Jack, play off in “Maddie’s Match” in tribute to Nick’s sister who died from bone marrow failure. In recent matches between the two sides, it’s Jack who has tasted more success, with 41 goals from 11 matches; his best return against any club. The Etihad Stadium match is a must-win if Richmond are to continue their finals march, with Fremantle and Hawthorn waiting ominously in the next fortnight.
Key: Who else but Nick Riewoldt. If the inspirational St Kilda leader can get up for “Maddie’s Match” then his teammates are likely to feel the difference.
Tip: Tigers by 25 points
– with AAP
