AFL round 10: All the latest team news from across the competition
A five-day break and a trip to the Top End has prompted Hawthorn to make mass changes for its clash against Gold Coast. But one of the stars of their 2024 finals run is finally back in action.
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A five-day break and a trip to the Top End has prompted Hawthorn to make mass changes for its clash against Gold Coast.
The Hawks are coming off a three-game winning streak, but have chosen to rest three senior players for the top four clash against the Suns.
Veteran Jack Gunston, who is in fine goalkicking form in 2025, will be managed alongside star ruck Lloyd Meek and defender Jarman Impey, who is expecting the birth of his child.
Henry Hustwaite has been omitted for the clash after a poor game against Melbourne where he was subbed out at half time, and Luke Breust will miss through injury.
Defender Tom Barrass will make his return after being managed against Melbourne, while ruck Ned Reeves and key forward Calsher Dear will make their season debuts.
Dear has been eased back into football in 2025 after a pre-season stress fracture in his back, but after three VFL games he has been deemed fit to play.
Midfielder Cam Mackenzie will also make his return after a hand fracture, and defender Jack Scrimshaw comes back in after being sidelined with his second concussion of the season.
Gold Coast has made two changes of its own, bringing in ruck Ned Moyle for a season debut.
Surprisingly, he will play alongside Jarrod Witts, who has not been managed for the clash despite Moyle’s inclusion.
The pair of rucks have played just one game alongside Witts, which he was subbed out of in his worst rating performance of his career.
Veteran David Swallow will also come into the senior side for his second senior game of the season.
Young midfield duo Jake Rogers (ankle) and Will Graham (shoulder) will both miss through injuries sustained against the Western Bulldogs.
Neither of the Academy products have a timeline yet on their respective injuries, with both sent to consult with a specialist to determine the best course of action.
KEY SAINT SET FOR EXTENDED SIDELINE STINT WITH HAMSTRING COMPLAINT
- Lauren Wood
St Kilda’s defensive stocks have been hit with a hammer blow with defender Dougal Howard to be sidelined for at least six weeks with a hamstring injury.
This masthead can reveal that Howard, 29, suffered the injury in the Saints’ Friday night loss to Carlton with scans unmasking a major issue that has cost the key defender up to the next two months of football.
Saints football boss David Misson described the news as “really disappointing news for Dougal”, particularly given he hadn’t played until Round 8 after pre-season shoulder surgery.
“He’d worked incredibly hard to get his body right after a long rehab from shoulder surgery, so to cop a hamstring injury in the final two minutes of the game is extremely unfortunate,” Misson said.
“While it’s definitely a frustrating setback, we know Dougal will approach this rehab block with the same level of professionalism and intent he’s shown throughout his career.”
Forward Mason Wood is in contention to play after exiting the concussion protocols while Dan Butler is a test to face West Coast on Sunday after battling an Achilles issue.
Originally published as AFL round 10: All the latest team news from across the competition
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