Every club’s predicted 22 for Round 8 of the AFL season

Jack Billings could play his first game for 2022 and Fremantle has lost more players to the AFL’s Covid protocols. See every club’s predicted 22 for Round 8 and have your say.

How many changes will your club make this week?

We’ve gone through every side’s likely changes and looked at how each team could line up.

Did we get it right? Let us know your own changes in the comments section below.

ADELAIDE

B: T. Doedee, J.Butts, L.Brown

HB: M.Hinge, B.Frampton, J.Dawson

C: B.Cook, R.Laird, W.Milera

HF: LMurphy, E.Himmelberg, L.Pedlar

F: S.McAdam, T.Walker, J.Rachele

FOLL: R.O’Brien, B.Keays, M.Crouch

I/C: D.Fogarty, H.Schoenberg, S.Berry, C.Jones

IN: L.Pedlar, D. Fogarty, M.Hinge, W.Milera, H.Schoenberg

OUT: B.Smith (concussion), N.McHenry (concussion), L.Gollant (omitted), L.Sholl (omitted), J.Hatley (omitted)

Adelaide will have to make two changes with Brodie Smith and Ned McHenry in concussion protocols this week. But given how bad the first half was by the Crows in the heavy loss to the Giants, more changes could follow. Wayne Milera is nearing a return to AFL action after getting a run in the SANFL. Mitch Hinge impressed against South Adelaide while Darcy Fogarty kicked two goals. Harry Schoenberg showed a bit after he came on for Smith against the Giants while the Crows coaching staff are keen to get Luke Pedlar back in the team.

- Simeon Thomas-Wilson

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Could Darcy Fogarty find himself back in the Crows line-up?

BRISBANE LIONS

B: D. Gardiner, H. Andrews, M. Adams

HB: B. Starcevich, D. Rich, D. Zorko

C: N. Answerth, J. Berry, H. McCluggage

HF: Z. Bailey, D. McStay, L. McCarthy

F: C. Ah Chee, T. Fullarton, C. Cameron

FOLL: O. McInerney, J. Lyons, L. Neale

I/C: C. Rayner, D. Fort, K. Coleman, J. Prior

IN: T. Fullarton

OUT: J. Daniher (injured)

Joe Daniher’s shoulder injury was a rare piece of bad news for a team that is absolutely flying at the moment and will look to make minimal changes. Tom Fullarton a potential replacement for Daniher while youngster Jaxon Prior avoided a serious injury late in the game and should hold his spot.

- Will Hogan

CARLTON

B: N.Newman, J.Weitering, S.Docherty

HB: A.Saad, L.Plowman, Z.Williams

C: S.Walsh, P.Cripps, J.Newnes

HF: Z.Fisher, J.Carroll, J.Martin

F: C.Durdin, C.Curnow, H.McKay

FOLL: T.De Koning, A.Cerra, G.Hewett

INT: M.Kennedy, J.Silvagni, M.Owies, L. Young

OUT: L.Stocker (Injured), L. O’Brien

IN: Z.Williams, G.Hewett

The Blues are expected to get back defender Zac Williams (Achilles) and midfielder George Hewett (corked calf) from injury, after they both missed last week’s clash with North Melbourne. Lewis Young has avoided a suspension for his bump on Cam Zurhaar. Liam Stocker was subbed out of the clash with the Kangaroos with a shoulder injury after a heavy bump.

- Chris Cavanagh

COLLINGWOOD

B: Quaynor, Moore, Crisp

HB: Maynard, Howe, Josh Daicos

C: Sidebottom, Adams, Noble

HF: Hoskin-Elliott, Mihocek, Ginnivan

F: Callum Brown, De Goey, Nick Daicos

FOLL: Cameron, Lipinski, Pendlebury

I/C: Begg, Tyler Brown, Magden, McCreery

NO CHANGE

Collingwood coach Craig McRae indicated he was happy with the role ruck pairing Darcy Cameron and Aiden Begg played in the team’s first match without the injured Brodie Grundy so the debutant may have done enough to hold his place. No injuries from the match to the Magpies, so McRae might not want to mess with a winning combination.

- Rebecca Williams

Dylan Shiel’s position in the Essendon line up has been a hotly discussed topic for the past week. Picture: Michael Klein

ESSENDON

B: J. Laverde, Z. Reid, J. Ridley

HB: A .McGrath, J. Kelly, M. Redman

C: N. Martin, Z. Merrett, D. Shiel

HF:J. Caldwell, T. Cutler, M. Guelfi

F: B. Hobbs, P. Wright, K. Baldwin

R: S. Draper, D. Parish, A. Perkins

INT: S. Durham, A. Waterman, D. Heppell, N. Hind

IN: D. Shiel, N. Hind

OUT: N. Cox (ankle), J. Stringer (hamstring)

Jake Stringer is a massive out for the Bombers, who might call on some experience for their clash against Hawthorn. If Nik Cox doesn’t pull up with his ankle injury Shiel will almost certainly keep his spot in the side given the Dons need midfield depth and his defensive pressure was improved when he came on for the young wingman. The VFL boys didn’t do much to push their case but Nick Hind surely needs to come in after a solid VFL display to add dash and dare and strong ball movement from defence. Anthony McDonald-Tipungwuti is still some way from an AFL game and Devon Smith missed the VFL game with a sore knee.

- Jon Ralph

FREMANTLE

: B.Cox, A.Pearce, D. Tucker

HB: H.Young, L.Ryan, J.Clark

C: N.O’Driscoll, A.Brayshaw, J.Aish

HF: M.Walters, J.Treacy, S.Switkowski

F: B.Walker, J. Amiss, L.Schultz

FOLL: S.Darcy, W.Brodie, C.Serong

I/C: S. Sturt, D.Mundy, H.Chapman, B. Banfield

This could change significantly as the Dockers try to contain a potential Covid outbreak in their squad. Rory Lobb, Blake Acres, Griffin Logue and Travis Coyler are already in protocols and the Dockers are imposing strict measures to make sure they are the only three that are ruled out for the Friday night clash against North Melbourne. Matt Taberner will be out for at least a fortnight so the return of Sean Darcy from a concussion will boost the Dockers. Top 10 draft pick Jye Amiss will make his debut in the absence of Taberner. Hayden Young and Heath Chapman should also come back into the side after they missed the big win over Geelong.

- Simeon Thomas-Wilson

Patrick Dangerfield will provide a much-needed boost for the Cats. Picture: Michael Klein

GEELONG

B: T. De Koning, M. Blicavs, J. Bews

HB: T. Atkins, T. Stewart, J. Kolodjashnij

C: M. Duncan, C. Guthrie, I. Smith

HF: G. Miers, J. Cameron, L. Dahlhaus

F: T. Stengle, T. Hawkins, B. Close

FOLL: R. Stanley, P. Dangerfield, C.Guthrie

I/C: Z. Tuohy, M. O’Connor, B. Parfitt, S. Higgins

IN: P. Dangerfield, L. Dahlhaus

OUT: M. Holmes (ankle), O. Dempsey (omitted)

Important hard-runner Max Holmes had surgery on Monday on a dreaded syndesmosis injury, likely ruling him out until the Geelong’s bye. Expect Patrick Dangerfield to take his spot after almost getting to the line last weekend and training on Monday. Rhys Stanley will be tested on his own ankle issue later in the week and Esava Ratugolea (ankle) has been named emergency in recent weeks if needed to replace Stanley, even if he isn’t quite 100 per cent fit yet. Jack Henry is starting to get more movement in his sore foot, while Gary Rohan (back) played three-quarters in the VFL and Sam Menegola (knee) should return there too. Ollie Dempsey didn’t have a kick in his second AFL match and may be suited to a run as the sub, relieving Luke Dahlhaus.

- Josh Barnes

GOLD COAST

B: C. Graham, S. Collins, S. Lemmens

HB: L. Weller, C. Ballard, J. Farrar

C: D. Swallow, T. Miller, B. Ellis

HF: B. Ainsworth, L. Casboult, I. Rankine

F: J. Lukosius, M. Chol, N. Holman

FOLL: J. Witts, M. Rowell, N. Anderson

I/C: A. Davies, B. Fiorini, D. MacPherson, M. Rosas

IN: C. Graham

OUT: C. Budarick (injured)

Gold Coast coach Stuart Dew was hopeful Connor Budarick (ankle) will be fit for the Suns’ clash against Sydney, despite being subbed out of the loss to Collingwood. Caleb Graham was impressive in the VFL and would be a likely replacement.

- Rebecca Williams

GWS GIANTS

B: L. Keeffe, S. Taylor, I. Cumming

HB: A. Kennedy, N. Haynes, H. Perryman

C: L. Whitfield, C. Ward, L. Ash

HF: T. Taranto, H. Himmelberg, S. Coniglio

F: B. Hill, J. Hogan, T. Greene

FOLL: B. Preuss, J. Kelly, T. Green

I/C: F. Callaghan, M. Flynn, C. Hamilton, C. Idun

NO CHANGE

The pressure of a 1-5 start to the season was eased somewhat after the Giants’ thumping 59-point win over the Crows, so coach Leon Cameron might be reticent to tinker too much with his winning line-up.

- Rebecca Williams

HAWTHORN

B: J. Scrimshaw, S. Frost, B. Hardwick

HB: D. Grainger-Barras, J. Sicily, W. Day

C: H. Morrison, T. Mitchell, L.Shiels

HF: J. Impey, J. Koschitzke, L.Breust

FF: D. Moore, J. Gunston, C. Wingard

FOLL: M. Lynch, J. Newcombe, J. Worpel

I/C: J. O’Meara, C. Nash, J. Ward, J. Callow

IN: J. Ward, D. Grainger-Barras, H. Morrison

OUT: L. Bramble (omitted), F. Maginness (omitted), C. MacDonald (managed)

The Hawks could recall youngsters Josh Ward and Denver Grainger-Barras, who were both managed against the Dees. Changkuoth Jiath and Mitch Lewis are both unavailable to take on the Bombers but it could be a nervous wait all round on the medical front with the extent of the injuries to Harry Morrison and Connor Nash yet to be revealed..

-Will Hogan

Mitch Lewis has been in sparkling form this year. Picture: Darrian Traynor/Getty Images

MELBOURNE

B: J.Hunt, S.May, J.Lever

HB: A.Brayshaw, H.Petty, J.Bowey

C: J.Jordon, C.Petracca, E.Langdon

HF: C.Spargo, T.McDonald, A.Neal-Bullen

F: B.Fritsch, B.Brown, T.Bedford

FOLL: M.Gawn, J.Viney, C.Oliver

INT: J.Harmes, T.Sparrow, L.Jackson, K.Pickett

OUT: J.Smith (Injured), J.Melksham, L.Dunstan, S.Weiderman, T.Rivers

IN: L.Jackson, A.Neal-Bullen, H.Petty, K.Pickett, T.Sparrow

Joel Smith was subbed out of the win over Hawthorn with an ankle injury. The Demons should get back a raft of players who missed the clash against the Hawks after going into Health and Safety Protocols last Wednesday and Thursday.

- Chris Cavanagh

NORTH MELBOURNE

B: J.Walker, B.McKay, L.Young

HB: B.Scott, L.McDonald, K.Turner

C: F.Perez, H.Greenwood, C.Taylor

HF: L.Davies-Uniakce, C.Zuhaar, T.Thomas

F: J.Ziebell, C.Coleman-Jones, P.Curtis

FOLL: T.Goldstein, J.Simpkin, J.Horne-Francis

INT: J.Stephenson, J.Mahony, A.Bonar, W.Phillips

OUT: M.Bergman (Injured), N.Larkey (Suspended)

IN: B.McKay, W.Phillips

The Roos are set to loose key forward Nick Larkey to suspension, but regain key defender Ben McKay from a suspension of his own. First-gamer Miller Bergman hurt his shoulder in his debut match against Carlton on Saturday night. Midfielder Will Phillips shapes as a possible inclusion, having played three games back in the VFL after battling glandular fever during pre-season.

- Chris Cavanagh

PORT ADELAIDE

B: R.Burton, A.Aliir, T.Clurey

HB: D.Houston, T.Jonas, D.Byrne-Jones

C: K.Amon, W.Drew, R.Bonner

HF: Z.Butters, M.Georgiades, C.Rozee

F: R.Gray, T.Marshall, S.Powell-Pepper

FOLL: S.Hayes, O.Wines, T.Boak

I/C: S.Motlop, J.Finlayson, K.Farrell, T.Dumont

NO CHANGE

If Mitch Georgiades is passed fit to play after a calf issue forced him off against St Kilda in Cairns then expect the Power to again go in unchanged to take on the Western Bulldogs as they try and keep their winning run going. Charlie Dixon could play SANFL this weekend if he gets through training OK.

- Simeon Thomas-Wilson

Dustin Martin is set to make his return in Round 8. Picture: Dylan Burns/AFL Photos

RICHMOND

B: J. Gibcus, N.Balta, D.Grimes

HB: L.Baker, N.Vlastuin, D.Rioli

C: K.McIntosh, J.Short, S.Edwards

HF: J.Castagna, T.Lynch, K.Lambert

F: D.Martin, J.Riewoldt, S.Bolton

Foll: T. Nankervis, J.Graham, T.Cotchin

Inter: N.Broad, M.Pickett, I.Soldo, M.Rioli

In: T.Cotchin, D.Martin, M.Pickett

Out: Prestia (Achilles), R.Collier-Dawkins, S.Stack

The Tigers look set to welcome back Dustin Martin for his first game since Round 1 and Trent Cotchin back after a week’s rest. Marlion Pickett is a chance to return as well. Robbie Tarrant also had the week off and will come under consideration, though Collingwood’s smaller forward line might see him reserved for the following week. All eyes will be on Dion Prestia’s Achilles issue that saw him subbed out for Jack Ross last Friday. You wouldn’t think they would take any chances with such an important player. Riley Collier-Dawkins and Sydney Stack could be the ones to make way.

- Glenn McFarlane

ST KILDA

B: C.Wilkie, D.Howard, D.McKenzie

HB: B.Paton, J.Battle, J.Sinclair

C: B.Hill, J.Gresham, S.Ross

HF: J.Billings, T.Membrey, M.Wood

F: J.Higgins, M.King, D.Butler

FOLL: R.Marshall, J.Steele, B.Crouch

INT: N.Wanganeen-Milera, J.Webster, P.Ryder, B.Long

IN: J. Billings, R.Marshall

OUT: T. Campbell, M.Windhager

St Kilda will be buoyed by the return of Jack Billings and Rowan Marshall this week as they look to put behind them the Cairns’ near-miss from last week. Keep an eye on Zak Jones. He was solid in the VFL last week but might need one more week to get his fitness levels to the required level. He should be back next week. This looks a better balanced team to tackle the all-conquering Demons on Mother’s Day.

- Glenn McFarlane

SYDNEY

FB: D. Rampe, P. McCartin, N. Blakey

HB: J. Lloyd, T. McCartin, J. McInerney

C: O. Florent, C. Mills, E. Gulden

HF: L. Parker, H. McLean, W. Hayward

FF: T. Papley, L. Franklin, P. Ladhams

FOL: T. Hickey, I. Heeney, J. Rowbottom

I/C: C. Warner, J. Kennedy, L. McDonald, B. Campbell

IN: L. McDonald, P. McCartin, T. Hickey

OUT: H. Cunningham (injured), B. Ronke (omitted), S. Reid (omitted)

The Swans will look at bringing key stocks Logan McDonald and Paddy McCartin straight back in after missing against Brisbane, while Tom Hickey is poised to make a miraculous return from a knee injury. Veteran Harry Cunningham was subbed out with a hip flexor and will be assessed this week.

-Will Hogan

WEST COAST

B: S.Hurn, T.Barrass, H.Edwards

HB: J.Rotham, J.McGovern, L.Duggan

C: A.Gaff, T.Kelly, C.West

HF: J.Jones, J.Darling, J.Cripps

F: J.Waterman, J.Kennedy, L.Ryan

FOLL: H.Dixon, J.Redden, L.Shuey

I/C: X.O’Neill, P.Naish, G.Clark, S.Petrevski-Seton

IN: T.Barrass, J.Rotham, J.Jones, A.Gaff

OUT: A.Witherden (H/S protocols), J.Nelson (H/S protocols), L.Strnadica (H/S protocols), W.Rioli (injured)

Again this could change with the Eagles also dealing with Covid-19 cases at the club. Alex Witherden and Jackson Nelson have already been ruled out and ruckman Luke Strnadica has also been caught up in protocols. Willie Rioli was forced off in the heavy loss to the Tigers with a corked thigh. Tom Barrass will have to prove his fitness after he was a late withdrawal with a hamstring injury, while Andrew Gaff came on as the medical sub.

-Simeon Thomas-Wilson

WESTERN BULLDOGS

B: E.Richards, R.Gardner, T.Duryea

HB: C.Daniel, T.O’Brien, B.Dale

C: L.McNeil, L.Vandermeer, A.Scott

HF: B.Smith, B.Khamis, J.Dunkley

F: T.Liberatore, A.Naughton, C.Weightman

FOLL: S.Martin, A.Treloar, M.Bontempelli

INT: R.McComb, Z.Cordy, J.Macrae, H.Crozier

OUT: M.Wallis (Injured), B.Williams

IN: H.Crozier, B.Khamis

Mitch Wallis was subbed out of the win over Essendon on Sunday with a foot injury, putting him in doubt to face Port Adelaide. Defender Hayden Crozier impressed in the VFL on Sunday with 27 disposals and seven marks, while 190cm defender-turned-forward Buku Khamis will have to come under consideration after kicking 10 goals from his past three VFL games.

- Chris Cavanagh

Originally published as Every club’s predicted 22 for Round 8 of the AFL season