Port unchanged while Crows regain experience
Port Adelaide will take an unchanged side into its crucial home game against the powerful Western Bulldogs, while Adelaide has recalled two experienced campaigners for its tough road trip to Perth.
Scott Thompson will return to Adelaide's line-up this weekend.
The Western Bulldogs have summoned Mitch Honeychurch to replace Toby McLean (foot) for Saturday’s Adelaide Oval game against a Port side that finally has found some stability and winning form.
West Coast recalled defender Jeremy McGovern for a potential match-up against his brother, Adelaide forward Mitch McGovern, in Saturday night’s game in Perth.
The Crows included veterans Scott Thompson and David Mackay at the expense of omitted duo Wayne Milera and Ricky Henderson.
Across the border, Hawthorn ace Sam Mitchell will miss Friday night’s AFL match against Essendon due to a back injury.
Mitchell was overlooked for the Etihad Stadium fixture, and the Hawks have also lost Taylor Duryea (hip) and Jon Ceglar (suspension), while Will Langford is among the inclusions.
The Bombers made three changes with experienced top-up players James Kelly, Mark Jamar and Mathew Stokes returning for Ryan Crowley (hamstring), Mark Baguley (knee) and Anthony McDonald-Tipungwuti, who has been rested.
Meanwhile, Collingwood has again dumped out-of-sorts forward Travis Cloke for Monday’s game against Melbourne.
Cloke only returned to AFL action last week but failed to fire in a loss against Port Adelaide.
The Demons named Jack Viney for a possible return just a fortnight after breaking a knuckle.
North Melbourne regain ruckman Todd Goldstein from a one-match absence due to a knee injury for Saturday night’s game against Geelong.
The ladder-leading Roos dropped Majak Daw to make way for Goldstein and Sam Wright was ruled out with an ankle injury, with Aaron Mullett also recalled.
The Cats replaced suspended forward Tom Hawkins with Rhys Stanley.
Brisbane made three changes for their Saturday twilight home game against Fremantle with Allen Christensen (collarbone) among the exclusions.
The Dockers also made three alterations with ex-skipper Matthew Pavlich (groin), Jon Griffin (hamstring) and Michael Apeness (collarbone) all unavailable – tall ruck duo Zac Clarke and Jack Hannath, and utility Tanner Smith, were included.
St Kilda have been hit by four more injuries for Sunday’s match against Carlton, losing captain Nick Riewoldt (knee), Sean Dempster (knee), Hugh Goddard (achilles) and Paddy McCartin (concussion).
The Blues named Jack Silvagni in an extended squad – he could follow his father Stephen (312 games) and grandfather Serge (239 games) in playing for Carlton.
– with AAP
