AFL round 11 team news: Full line-ups revealed, Lachie Hunter returns for Melbourne

Lachie Hunter’s VFL stint is over after being called on for Sunday’s clash with St Kilda, while a young Bomber is edging closer to a debut. FULL TEAM NEWS.

MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - MAY 12: Finlay Macrae of the Magpies celebrates a goal during the 2024 AFL Round 09 match between the Collingwood Magpies and the West Coast Eagles at Marvel Stadium on May 12, 2024 in Melbourne,

Forgotten premiership-winning wingman Lachie Hunter will return for Melbourne on Sunday against St Kilda after the longest VFL stint of his career.

Hunter, whose pre-season was derailed by a persistent calf issue, will face the Saints in the MCG clash after spending five weeks at Casey to regain match fitness.

Fellow wingman Ed Langdon will also play after returning home from his sister’s overseas wedding, with Blake Howes and recruit Jack Billings both dropped from the Demons’ 23 for the first time this season.

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The Saints brought back managed duo Seb Ross and Liam Stocker along with Jack Higgins (suspension), with Ben Paton and Zak Jones dropped.

Gangly key forward Brandon Ryan will make his Brisbane debut against his former club after a whirlwind 12 months since he was selected by Hawthorn in last year’s mid-season draft.

Lachie Hunter is back in Melbourne’s team. Picture: Steve Bell/Getty Images

The 26-year-old, who played three games for the Hawks and kicked a three-goal bag in their upset late season victory over Collingwood, was traded to the Lions along with picks 39 and 54 in exchange for Jack Gunston, picks 47 and 61 in the final hours of the trade period.

Star half-forward Zac Bailey was also a confirmed starter for Brisbane following an ankle injury, while the Hawks regained crucial defensive duo James Sicily and Jack Scrimshaw.

Their inclusions left no room for last week’s debutant Ethan Phillips, who was dropped despite recording a game-high eight intercept possessions in a confident performance.

Essendon withdrew Ben Hobbs from its side for Saturday night’s Dreamtime game against Richmond, with Elijah Tsatas earning an eleventh-hour reprieve after he was originally dropped.

Archie Roberts is edging closer to a debut. Picture: Daniel Pockett/Getty Images

Untried rebounding defender Archie Roberts was added to the Bombers’ emergencies, with the club not providing further details of what it said was a calf injury to Hobbs.

GWS was forced to do the same with former captain Callan Ward (illness) ahead of its trip to Geelong, with Jacob Wehr coming into the side as Ward’s replacement.

West Coast’s chances of a second consecutive win against Adelaide away were boosted by the return of star midfielder Elliot Yeo from a groin injury.

Originally published as AFL round 11 team news: Full line-ups revealed, Lachie Hunter returns for Melbourne