AFL round 3 teams: Bailey Smith, Jake Stringer to play, Harry McKay misses due to personal reasons

Bailey Smith has been named for Geelong’s preliminary final rematch against Brisbane Lions, while GWS will unleash Jake Stringer without a VFL stint. See full round 3 teams here.

Hawthorn has named Luke Breust for the huge Saturday night game against the Giants, coming in for Connor Macdonald.

The silky half forward suffered a low-grade syndesmosis injury early in the win over Carlton, and was ruled out for about 2-3 weeks.

Breust will play his first game of the season, having booted three late goals to drag Box Hill to a round 1 victory over Carlton’s reserves.

SCROLL DOWN TO SEE THE FULL ROUND 3 TEAMS

Meanwhile, the Giants have named Jake Stringer for his first game for the club, with GWS also bringing back Jesse Hogan and Kieran Briggs for the clash.

Veteran Bulldog Liam Jones will return for Friday night’s game against Carlton, with James O’Donnell also returning from injury.

The pair of key defenders will match up against a Charlie Curnow-led Blues forward line that is missing Harry McKay, who will not return for the clash.

Taylor Duryea has been managed, while Arthur Jones was dropped.

Bailey Smith will be back for Geelong’s clash with Brisbane Lions after a calf issue. Picture: Michael Klein

Jake Stringer will play his first game for GWS against Hawthorn.

Jordan Boyd will play his first game for Carlton for the year after starring in the VFL last week, while Francis Evans has also been recalled.

Lucas Camporeale and Cooper Lord have been omitted for what is shaping to be a must-win clash for Michael Voss’ side.

The Lions have brought in Charlie Cameron and Kai Lohmann for what is shaping to be a game played in heavy rain, with Connor McKenna and Will McLachlan omitted.

Steven May headlines the inclusions for Melbourne’s match against Gold Coast, with the veteran defender one of five ins for the match.

Aidan Johnson returns after serving his one-match suspension, while Jack Billings, Jake Melksham and Harvey Langford have been recalled.

Pretty excited to see Jake Stringer debut today (this weekend) 🍊 pic.twitter.com/XqViELURjh

— GWS GIANTS (@GWSGIANTS) March 27, 2025

Matt Jefferson and Charlie Spargo have been left out through injury, while Taj Woewodin, Daniel Turner and Blake Howes have been dropped.

Gold Coast will bring in Mac Andrew, Sam Flanders and Jed Walter for the Suns’ only game at the MCG, with Charlie Ballard and Ben Ainsworth missing with injury.

Alex Sexton was omitted for the clash.

Richmond has brought back Tom Lynch after the veteran served a one-match suspension in round 2, with his replacement Liam Fawcett making way.

Tyler Sonsie comes in for Sam Banks for the match against St Kilda.

St Kilda will hand a debut to Tobie Travaglia, a top-10 draftee from last season.

He made an impression in the VFL last week, collecting 25 disposals and booting a goal.

Cooper Sharman also comes in, with Liam Stocker and Hunter Clark both missing through injury.

Tobie Travaglia is set to debut for St Kilda. Picture: Michael Klein

SUNDAY SQUADS

North Melbourne will travel to Adelaide with a very similar squad to last week, with no forced changes confirmed yet after a 59-point victory over Melbourne.

Riley Hardeman, Fin Maley and Kallan Dawson have joined the extended squad, with all named on the bench.

Adelaide is also set to go in unchanged, adding Billy Dowling, Luke Nankervis and Toby Murray into the squad.

Fremantle will be without Brandon Walker, who was sidelined with a significant shoulder injury, but could potentially hand a debut to Isaiah Dudley, who was picked up in the SSP period.

Dudley has been named on the extended bench, along with Liam Reidy, Karl Worner and James Aish.

Meanwhile, West Coast has left out Jack Petruccelle for the Derby, with Jack Graham, Matt Flynn, Bo Allan and Jack Williams named in the squad.

It would be a debut for Allan if he is selected, having missed round 1 through illness.

Jack Graham is the only one of the potential inclusions named on the field, with the rest named on the extended bench.

VOSS PROVIDES UPDATE AFTER SPEARHEAD RULED OUT

— Chris Cavanagh

Carlton has been dealt a blow ahead of Friday night’s crunch clash with the Western Bulldogs, with key forward Harry McKay being ruled out.

McKay has taken leave from the Blues over the past week for personal reasons.

He returned to the club on Wednesday and trained with teammates, but Carlton said in a statement on Thursday that the 27-year-old’s “wellbeing remains a focus as he continues to work through a personal matter”.

Harry McKay will miss the Bulldogs clash. Picture: Robert Cianflone/Getty Images

The statement added that McKay’s availability for a round 4 match against Collingwood next Thursday would “be determined next week”.

Carlton coach Michael Voss said McKay was “doing okay”.

“He was dealing with a few things during the week, took some time away from the club but felt best that he doesn’t play this week,” Voss said.

“We’ll give him the space he needs to work through a few things and not necessarily put a timeframe on it but hopefully will be back soon.

“He was back at the club on Wednesday. (He) needed a few days away and used the opportunity to create a bit of space, and we respect his privacy and we get on with things as a team.

“It’s always the player over performance in terms of being able to look after the person first, and that’s the position we’ve taken. He’ll get the support he needs at the club, we’ll wrap our arms around him as I hope the whole football industry does.”

McKay had been a late out for last week’s match against Hawthorn, with the Blues noting at the time that he was set to miss that match “due to illness”.

He had kicked one goal from 14 disposals and seven marks in the club’s round 1 loss to Richmond.

Carlton is one of five winless teams entering round 3, with the Bulldogs holding a 1-1 record.

Originally published as AFL round 3 teams: Bailey Smith, Jake Stringer to play, Harry McKay misses due to personal reasons