AFL teams Round 3: See all the ins and outs and get the latest team news
The full teams are in for round 3, and an important Cat has made a stunning return, while Melbourne’s has lost patience with a premiership star.
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Geelong vice-captain Tom Stewart has been selected to face Gold Coast just a fortnight after suffering a grade two knee injury, while Melbourne has dumped a premiership forward for a debutant.
The Cats’ initial diagnosis was that Stewart would spend up to a month on the sidelines, but the important defender has made a stunning recovery from the blow.
Stewart, who had been named on an extended bench on Thursday night, is set to take on the Suns after banging down the door at training this week.
Geelong coach Chris Scott has opted to manage veterans Gary Rohan and Rhys Stanley for the Sunday afternoon clash, with inclusion Jon Ceglar taking the ruck reigns up against Suns skipper Jarrod Witts.
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Melbourne has dumped talls Tom McDonald and Adam Tomlinson for its hotly anticipated contest against Sydney at the MCG, replacing them with Steven May and debutant Jacob van Rooyen.
Michael Hibberd and James Jordon will play their first game of the season for the Demons.
The Swans will welcome back Lance Franklin from suspension in place of Hayden McLean (omitted).
Fremantle midfielder Will Brodie has been axed for the western derby, with the confirming young 192cm midfielder Matt Johnson will make his debut as the substitute.
Bombers set to welcome back showtime star
Jake Stringer is poised to play his first game of the Brad Scott era in Essendon’s Saturday night showpiece against St Kilda.
Stringer missed the opening round of the season due to a hamstring issue, but made a strong return through the VFL last weekend to convince Scott he was ready for AFL duties.
The forward livewire is one of two attacking additions for the Bombers, who have regained Sam Weideman after he was a late withdrawal before last week’s win over Gold Coast.
Weideman made an encouraging start to his Essendon career with two goals and 11 disposals against Hawthorn in round 1.
Brandon Zerk-Thatcher (injured) and Andrew Phillips (omitted) will miss.
The injury-ravaged Saints have included defender Jimmy Webster to replace skipper Jack Steele, who this week underwent surgery for a broken collarbone.
Meanwhile, Carlton is set to regain rugged midfielder George Hewett as it looks to continue its unbeaten start to the season in Sydney’s west on Saturday.
He replaces the injured Matt Kennedy.
ROUND 3 TEAMS
WESTERN BULLDOGS v BRISBANE LIONS
Thursday March 30, 7:20pm, Marvel Stadium
BULLDOGS
B: Bruce, Jones, Crozier
HB: Dale, Keath, Richards
C: Williams, Bontempelli, Jones
HF: Smith, Ugle-Hagan, Treloar
F: Scott, Naughton, Lobb
FOLL: English, Liberatore, Macrae
I/C: Johannisen, Garcia, Daniel, Baker
EMG: Khamis, McComb, Cleary, Sweet
IN: Jones, Treloar, Lobb, Johannisen
OUT: Darcy, West, McLean (all omitted), Duryea (illness), McComb (sub)
LIONS
B: Starcevich, Payne, Joyce
HB: McKenna, Andrews, Wilmot
C: Ashcroft, Bailey, Berry
HF: Cameron, Gunston, McCluggage
F: Zorko, Daniher, Hipwood
FOLL: McInerney, Dunkley, Neale
I/C: McCarthy, Rayner, Coleman, Fort
EMG: Cockatoo, Prior, Fullarton, Answerth
IN: Coleman
OUT: Rich (injured), Robertson (sub)
COLLINGWOOD v RICHMOND
Friday March 31, 7:50pm, MCG
MAGPIES
B: N.Murphy, B.Frampton, B.Maynard
HB: J.Noble, D.Moore, S.Pendlebury
C: S.Sidebottom, T.Mitchell, J.Daicos
HF: B.Mihocek, D.Cameron, D.McStay
F: B.Hill, J.Elliott, J.De Goey
FOLL: A.Johnson, T.Adams, N.Daicos
I/C: I.Quaynor, J.Crisp, B.McCreery, W.Hoskin-Elliott
EMG: T.Bianco, T.Wilson, R.McInnes, J.Carmichael
IN: A.Johnson
OUT: R.McInnes (sub), M.Cox (ribs)
TIGERS
B: N.Balta, D.Grimes, T.Young
HB: L.Baker, N.Vlastuin, D.Rioli
C: K.McIntosh, D.Prestia, M.Pickett
HF: M.Rioli, J.Graham, R.Mansell
F: S.Ryan, S.Bolton, T.Lynch
FOLL: T.Nankervis, T.Taranto, T.Cotchin
I/C: J.Riewoldt, H.Ralphsmith, J.Clarke, J.Ross
EMG: T.Dow, B.Miller, N.Cumberland, T.Sonsie
IN: H.Ralphsmith, J.Clarke, J.Ross
OUT: N.Broad (suspension), J.Hopper (knee), J.Short (calf), D.Martin (managed)
HAWTHORN v NORTH MELBOURNE
Saturday April 1, 1:45pm, UTAS Stadium
HAWKS
B: C.Jiath, S.Frost, J.Scrimshaw
HB: J.Impey, J.Sicily, B.Hardwick
C: H.Morrison, C.Mackenzie, K.Amon
HF: T.Brockman, F.Greene, J.Worpel
F: D.Moore, L.Meek, L.Breust
FOLL: N.Reeves, W.Day, F.Maginness
I/C: J.Newcombe, C.Nash, J.Ward, C.Macdonald
EMG: S.Butler, J.Blanck, J.Koschitzke, L.Bramble
IN: J.Scrimshaw, H.Morrison, T.Brockman
OUT: J.Blanck (omitted), L.Bramble (omitted), J.Koschitzke (omitted), S.Butler (sub)
KANGAROOS
B: J.Ziebell, G.Logue, A.Corr
HB: J.Goater, L.McDonald, M.Bergman
C: T.Powell, L.Shiels, C.Taylor
HF: J.Stephenson, C.Comben, P.Curtis
F: C.Zurhaar, N.Larkey, H.Greenwood
FOLL: T.Goldstein, L.Davies-Uniacke, B.Scott
I/C: K.Turner, B.Cunnington, H.Sheezel, W.Phillips
EMG: D.Howe, D.Tucker, F.Perez, H.Free
IN: W.Phillips
OUT: J.Simpkin (suspension), D.Howe (sub)
GWS GIANTS v CARLTON
Saturday April 1, 4:35pm, Giants Stadium
GIANTS
B: C.Idun, S.Taylor, I.Cumming
HB: L.Whitfield, N.Haynes, L.Ash
C: F.Callaghan, J.Kelly, C.Hamilton
HF: J.Peatling, H.Himmelberg, D.Lloyd
F: T.Greene - C, J.Hogan, B.Daniels
FOLL: M.Flynn, T.Green, S.Coniglio
I/C: J.Riccardi, H.Rowston, C.Ward, J.Buckley
EMG: C.Stone, A.Cadman, R.Angwin, A.Kennedy
IN: L.Whitfield, J.Kelly
OUT: J.Wehr (shoulder), A.Kennedy (omitted), C.Stone (sub)
BLUES
B: M.McGovern, J.Weitering, N.Newman
HB: S.Docherty, Le. Young, A.Saad
C: E.Curnow, P.Cripps, B.Acres
HF: M.Owies, H.McKay, J.Silvagni
F: C.Durdin, C.Curnow, Z.Fisher
FOLL: T.De Koning, A.Cerra, G.Hewett
I/C: L.Cowan, O.Hollands, M.Pittonet, J.Motlop
EMG: L.Plowman, J.Honey, P.Dow, L.O’Brien
IN: G.Hewett
OUT: M.Kennedy (calf), L.O’Brien (sub)
ST KILDA v ESSENDON
Saturday April 1, 7:25pm, MCG
SAINTS
B: J.Battle, D.Howard, C.Wilkie
HB: L.Stocker, J.Sinclair, N.Wanganeen-Milera
C: M.Wood, M.Windhager, R.Byrnes
HF: M.Phillipou, B.Hill, J.Higgins
F: Z.Cordy, J.Gresham, A.Caminiti
FOLL: R.Marshall, B.Crouch, S.Ross
I/C: J.Webster, H.Clark, M.Owens, D.Butler
EMG: B.Paton, J.Bytel, C.Sharman, T.Campbell
IN: J.Webster
OUT: J.Steele (collarbone), B.Paton (omitted)
BOMBERS
B: M.Redman, J.Ridley, M.D’Ambrosio
HB: J.Kelly, J.Laverde, A.McGrath
C: D.Heppell, W.Setterfield, D.Shiel
HF: A.Davey Jnr, H.Jones, K.Langford
F: J.Stringer, S.Weideman, A.Perkins
FOLL: S.Draper, Z.Merrett, D.Parish
I/C: J.Caldwell, S.Durham, N.Martin, J.Menzie
EMG: W.Snelling, N.Hind, K.Baldwin, A.Phillips
IN: J.Stringer, S.Weideman
OUT: B.Zerk-Thatcher (ankle), A.Phillips (omitted), M.Guelfi (sub)
PORT ADELAIDE v ADELAIDE CROWS
Saturday April 1, 7:30pm, Adelaide Oval
POWER
B: R.Bonner, T.Jonas, T.Clurey
HB: D.Byrne-Jones, A.Aliir, D.Houston
C: M.Bergman, W.Drew, X.Duursma
HF: J.Finlayson, T.Marshall, C.Rozee
F: Z.Butters, C.Dixon, S.Powell-Pepper
FOLL: S.Lycett, O.Wines, J.Horne-Francis
I/C: K.Farrell, T.Boak, J.Rioli, L.Jones
EMG: O.Fantasia, B.Teakle, J.Burgoyne, J.Mead
IN: R.Bonner, T.Clurey, J.Finlayson
OUT: O.Fantasia (omitted), M.Georgiades (omitted), J.Burgoyne (omitted), R.Burton (suspension)
CROWS
B: T.Doedee, N.Murray, M.Michalanney
HB: B.Smith, J.Dawson - C, M.Hinge
C: B.Keays, R.Laird, L.Sholl
HF: J.Rachele, L.Pedlar, J.Soligo
F: T.Walker, L.Gollant, I.Rankine
FOLL: R.O’Brien, R.Sloane, S.Berry
I/C: J.Butts, W.Milera, L.Murphy, R.Thilthorpe
EMG: W.Hamill, C.Jones, E.Himmelberg, N.McHenry
IN: L.Gollant, J.Butts, W.Milera
OUT: E.Himmelberg (omitted), H.Schoenberg (omitted), D.Fogarty (knee), P.Parnell (concussion)
GOLD COAST SUNS v GEELONG
Sunday April 2, 2:10pm, Heritage Bank Stadium
SUNS
B: L.Weller, S.Collins, D.Macpherson
HB: B.Long, C.Ballard, J.Farrar
C: J.Lukosius, T.Miller, D.Swallow
HF: B.Ainsworth, L.Casboult, M.Rosas
F: N.Holman, B.King, E.Hollands
FOLL: J.Witts, M.Rowell, N.Anderson
I/C (FROM): T.Berry, M.Chol, C.Constable, S.Flanders, J.Jeffrey, H.Oea, W.Powell, A.Sexton
IN: J.Farrar, T.Berry, M.Chol, H.Oea, W.Powell
OUT: B.Uwland (omitted), B.Fiorini (omitted)
CATS
B: J.Bews, S.De Koning, Z.Tuohy
HB: E.Ratugolea, T.Stewart Z.Guthrie
C: I.Smith, T.Bruhn, M.Holmes
HF: T.Stengle, J.Cameron, B.Close
F: G.Miers, T.Hawkins, G.Rohan
FOLL: J.Ceglar, C.Guthrie, P.Dangerfield
INT: O.Henry, T.Stewart, M.O’Connor, M.Holmes, J.Bowes
EMERG: J.Kolodjashnij, G.Rohan J.Ceglar, C.Whyte
IN: T.Stewart, J.Ceglar
OUT: G.Rohan (managed), R.Stanley (managed), Whyte (sub)
MELBOURNE v SYDNEY SWANS
Sunday April 2, 3:20pm, MCG
DEMONS
B: T.Rivers, S.May, J.Lever
HB: K.Chandler, H.Petty, L.Hunter
C: J.Jordon, C.Oliver, E.Langdon
HF: T.Sparrow, B.Fritsch, A.Brayshaw
F: A.Neal-Bullen, B.Brown, C.Spargo
FOLL: B.Grundy, C.Petracca, J.Viney
INT: J.van Rooyen, M.Hibberd, J.Bowey, J.McVee
EMERG: B.Laurie, L.Dunstan, J.Melksham, T.McDonald
IN: S.May, J.Jordon, J.van Rooyen, M.Hibberd
OUT: A.Tomlinson (omitted), T.McDonald (omitted), M.Gawn (knee), J.Harmes (personal reason), Melsham (sub)
SWANS
B: T.McCartin, D.Rampe, P.McCartin
HB: O.Florent, J.Lloyd, N.Blakey
C: E.Gulden, L.Parker, D.Stephens
HF: I.Heeney, W.Hayward, J.Amartey
F: T.Papley, L.Franklin, L.McDonald
FOLL: P.Ladhams, J.Rowbottom, C.Mills
INT: H.Cunningham, C.Warner, B.Campbell, J.McInerney
EMERG: H.McLean, M.Roberts, H.Hall-Kahan, A.Sheldrick
IN: L.Franklin
OUT: McLean (omitted), Roberts (sub)
FREMANTLE v WEST COAST EAGLES
Sunday April 2, 5:20pm, Optus Stadium
DOCKERS
B: B.Cox, A.Pearce, H.Young
HB: H.Chapman, L.Ryan, N.Wilson
C: J.Clark, J.O’Meara, J.Aish
HF: M.Walters, L.Jackson, M.Frederick
F: L.Schultz, J.Amiss, M.Taberner
FOLL: S.Darcy, A.Brayshaw, C.Serong
INT: J.Amiss, E.Hughes, L.Henry, , B.Banfield, N.O’Driscoll, M.Johnson, B.Walker
EMERG: W.Brodie, B.Banfield, M.Johnson, B.Walker
IN: N.O’Driscoll
OUT: W.Brodie, B.Banfield (both omitted)
EAGLES
B: S.Hurn, T.Barrass, L.Duggan
HB: T.Cole, J.McGovern, J.Hunt
C: D.Sheed, T.Kelly, A.Gaff
HF: N.Long, J.Darling, J.Cripps
F: L.Ryan, O.Allen, J.Waterman
FOLL: B.Williams, R.Ginbey, L.Shuey
INT: S.Petrevski-Seton, C.Chesser, A.Witherden, J.Jones
EMERG: B.Hough, G.Clark, H.Edwards, E.Hewett
IN: None
OUT: E.Hewett (sub)
CAT STAR BOLTING FOR MIRACLE RETURN, KEY PIE SIDELINED
-- Lauren Wood, Josh Barnes
Collingwood tall Mason Cox is out of Friday night’s clash with Richmond after suffering a haematoma in his rib.
Cox, who has played in the Magpies’ two wins to start the season, said on Thursday that he’d “had better days” as he deals with the issue that he feared could have turned even worse with just a knock.
“I’ve got a haematoma in the rib. It’s a little bruising inside the rib and a bit of internal bleeding, which is not good,” he told KIIS FM.
Cox said a bump during last weekend’s win over Port Adelaide at the MCG had sparked what he feared could be an issue, before scans in hospital on Wednesday confirmed that something was “proper wrong”.
CHECK OUT THE CONFIRMED TEAMS BELOW
“It’s been a big 24 hours,” he said.
“It’s really painful. I was dumb enough to go and train (on Wednesday), because I didn’t realise ... when I came off the track I said ‘I’m feeling something is still a bit off’.
“It can lead to something really bad, so luckily I didn’t get hit in the ribs at training.
“There was a lot of pain (at the time), and a lot of abdominal pain, which is something different from what I usually get when I have an injury.”
He said there is no timeline for his return.
His parents have booked flights from America for the upcoming Anzac Day clash in Round 6, with Cox hopeful he will be back on deck by then.
“Just rest (is all I can do) - can’t do anything. And for an athlete, that’s the worst thing you can tell them,” he said.
The 32-year-old also revealed there would be a financial hit with match incentives also lost to injured players.
“Yeah, actually a little bit (there is a whack to the hip pocket). Now that I’m out, I won’t get that cash bonus,” he said.
“There’s also triggers that come with playing a certain number of games. That might affect me also at the end of the year, I might not get that bonus.”
CAT COULD MAKE MIRACLE RETURN
Geelong star Tom Stewart is in line for a shock recall just one game after injuring his right knee, with the defensive ace poised to be named in the squad for the Cats’ trip to the Gold Coast.
There were fears in the Geelong camp that the All-Australian defender could miss more than a month after jarring his knee on the MCG turf in round 1, but Stewart has bolted to be firmly in the frame for Sunday’s meeting with the Suns.
Cats coach Chris Scott said on Thursday morning that Stewart needed to get through main training, but he had been “banging down our door”.
The cautious Cats have been inclined in recent years to hold back senior players if they weren’t completely ready to return from injury, and Stewart could still be given one more week on the sidelines.
“He has made really, really strong progress, so he is banging down our door,” Scott said.
“It is really exciting for us after that injury that looked like it could be multiple weeks or even a month is not going to be that and if it isn’t this week, it will be next week which is great news for everyone.”
Fellow backman Jake Kolodjashnij has been cleared from concussion protocols and is available to play his first game of the year, while Scott labelled Jeremy Cameron (ribs) as “fine”.
Ruck Rhys Stanley will be given until Sunday to prove his fitness, with Jonathon Ceglar set to replace him if Stanley doesn’t overcome his own rib problem.
DEMON TO DEBUT AGAINST SWANS
Melbourne will unleash gun forward Jacob van Rooyen for the first time against Sydney on Sunday.
Demons coach Simon Goodwin has confirmed the 19-year-old will replace injured skipper Max Gawn in the side to face the Swans at the MCG.
van Rooyen, who the Demons recruited with pick 19 in the 2021 draft, had met high expectations placed on him to improve over his first two pre-seasons in senior football, Goodwin said.
“He’s worked incredibly hard at VFL level to develop his game over the last couple of years,” he said.
“We’ve been pretty hard on him about getting his game to the right level in terms of what we want from him.
“He’s continued to execute that through the pre-season and the first few weeks … that’s exciting for us, it’s exciting for our supporters and it’s exciting for everyone in the game to see a young, powerful forward come into the game.”
BEVO SWINGS AXE AS STARS RETURN FOR DOGS
Western Bulldogs coach Luke Beveridge has swung the axe at the selection table, ahead of a must-win clash against the Brisbane Lions on Thursday evening.
The Bulldogs, who have lost their first two clashes of the season to Melbourne and St Kilda, have come under fire for their first two performances, and take on a Brisbane riding high after a big win against Melbourne last Friday night.
Their selection moves may also signal the end of the Dogs’ ultra-tall forward line experiment.
Youngsters Sam Darcy, Rhylee West and Toby McLean have all been omitted from the side, as star Adam Treloar returns along with off-season recruit Rory Lobb and 2016 Norm Smith medallist Jason Johannisen.
Artie Jones has been named on the wing for his debut match.
Jamarra Ugle-Hagan has been named after a tumultuous week, where he spent time away from the club after being racially vilified against the Saints last Saturday night.
The Lions have been forced into one change with veteran Daniel Rich losing his spot due to injury, defender Keidean Coleman returns from a concussion suffered against the Power in the Lions’ first game.
WESTERN BULLDOGS
BACKS: J.Bruce L.Jones H.Crozier
HALF BACKS: B.Dale A.Keath E.Richards
CENTRELINE: B.Williams M.Bontempelli -C A.Jones
HALF FORWARDS: B.Smith J.Ugle-Hagan A.Treloar
FORWARDS: A.Scott A.Naughton R.Lobb
FOLLOWERS: T.English T.Liberatore J.Macrae
INTERCHANGE: J.Johannisen R.Garcia C.Daniel
O.Baker
EMERGENCIES: B.Khamis R.McComb L.Cleary
J.Sweet
In: A.Jones, A.Treloar, R.Lobb, J.Johannisen
Out: S.Darcy (Omitted), R.West (Omitted), T.McLean (Omitted), T.Duryea (Illness), R.McComb (Sub)
BRISBANE LIONS
BACKS: B.Starcevich J.Payne D.Joyce
HALF BACKS: C.McKenna H.Andrews D.Wilmot
CENTRELINE: W.Ashcroft Z.Bailey J.Berry
HALF FORWARDS: C.Cameron J.Gunston H.McCluggage
FORWARDS: D.Zorko J.Daniher E.Hipwood
FOLLOWERS: O.McInerney J.Dunkley L.Neale - C
INTERCHANGE: L.McCarthy C.Rayner K.Coleman
D.Fort
EMERGENCIES: N.Cockatoo J.Prior T.Fullarton
N.Answerth
In: K.Coleman
Out: D.Rich (Injured), D.Robertson (Sub)
TIGER BLOW: DUSTY, SUPERCOACH STAR OUT OF PIES SHOWDOWN
-- Jay Clark
Richmond superstar Dustin Martin will not take on Collingwood in Friday night’s MCG blockbuster.
Martin failed to complete Wednesday’s main training session. The champion ballwinner ran laps on his own in the rain due to a hamstring problem, while the rest of his teammates completed full-ground drills at Punt Rd.
On Wednesday afternoon the Tigers confirmed he will miss with “general soreness”.
And Richmond will also be without star recruit Jacob Hopper, who suffered a knee injury against Adelaide last weekend.
The club said both are expected to be available for the Tigers’ clash against the Bulldogs in round 4.
The Tigers will have to make at least four changes with Jayden Short (calf) already ruled out. Nathan Broad was suspended for four matches for his dangerous tackle on Adelaide’s Patrick Parnell.
While the Tigers were hopeful Martin would be fit to take on the Magpies, it would have been a massive gamble to play him off a short break so early in the season considering his repeat hamstring problems last year which restricted him to only nine games.
Geelong reaped the benefits of carefully managing their veteran stars last year, resting Patrick Dangerfield in particular, at times, to help him hit the finals in peak condition.
Richmond coach Damien Hardwick said in the pre-season the Tigers may take a leaf out of Geelong’s book with its injury management this year.
“It’s a fine balance, understanding that we’d love to keep our best side on the park all the time but knowing you’ve got to get your best side on the park at the right time. To do that, it can look a little bit different,” Hardwick told the club’s website.
“Do Trent and Jack and our older established players have to play every game? Because, if they do, then our younger players will stifle in their development.
“That’s been a real conversation piece for us over the course of the summer.”
Martin, 31, had scans on his hamstring in Melbourne on Sunday after he was substituted out of Saturday’s win over Adelaide early with hamstring soreness.
Developing forward Noah Cumberland could replace Martin in the Richmond forward line as the Tigers attempt to upset the most in-form team in the competition on Friday night.
Richmond midfielder Hopper is also battling a knee complaint and is in major doubt, while Jayden Short has been ruled out with a recurring calf issue.
It means the Tigers could be forced to make three changes, while star goal kicker Tom Lynch also copped a corked leg and faced a light week on the track.
The injuries will test the Tigers’ depth considering Robbie Tarrant (hip), Josh Gibcus (hamstring) and Ivan Soldo (foot) are also sidelined with injuries.
Collingwood will start favourite as Craig McRae’s men target a third-straight win as part of a scintillating start to the season.
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