GWS Giants star Toby Greene ruled out of Round 23, Essendon swings six changes
Essendon has lost skipper Dyson Heppell, Jake Stringer and four more players for its blockbuster against Collingwood, while GWS is adamant injured forward Toby Greene will be fit for finals. ROUND 23 TEAMS.
Meanwhile, Essendon will be without captain Dyson Heppell for tomorrow’s clash against Collingwood at the MCG, but will regain ruckman Tom Bellchambers.
After securing their spot in the finals with their win over Fremantle last week, the Bombers have made six changes for the final-round clash.
The Magpies, as expected, have welcomed back defender Darcy Moore from injury.
Heppell, who has been nursing a foot injury, will sit out the match along with Jake Stringer, David Zaharakis, Orazio Fantasia and Zac Clarke, who are all listed as injured.
Brandon Zerk-Thatcher has been omitted.
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Bellchambers returns for his first game since injuring his calf in Round 15 against Greater Western Sydney.
The Bombers’ No. 1 ruckman comes into the team along with Cale Hooker, who missed last week’s match with a groin injury, Josh Begley, Jayden Laverde, Dylan Clarke and Sudanese debutant Tom Jok.
Jok, 21, was the Bombers’ first pick in last year’s rookie draft at No. 8 overall.
As coach Nathan Buckley flagged earlier in the week, Moore is back for the Magpies after missing the past five games with a hamstring injury.
But Moore’s return has been offset by the loss of midfield star Steele Sidebottom, who will miss the match after undergoing surgery on a ruptured testicle.
Sidebottom suffered the freak injury after being kicked in the groin accidentally during training on Wednesday.
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Toby Greene is out of the Giants’ final round clash with Gold Coast but a minor calf injury will not see him in danger of missing the finals.
The 25-year-old joins Nick Haynes and Dawson Simpson as absentees with GWS striving for a confidence-boosting win against the lowly Suns.
“Toby’s just a bit tight in his calf,” Giants coach Leon Cameron said.
“We gave him every opportunity during the week to come up but he didn’t train yesterday and he still has some tightness. So he won’t play, which is disappointing.”
On the plus side, the Giants welcome back Jeremy Cameron, Jeremy Finlayson, Shane Mumford, Daniel Lloyd, Sam Taylor and Isaac Cumming.
Richmond has named captain Trent Cotchin and emerging big man Noah Balta for Sunday’s top-four clash with Brisbane Lions, with young pair Mabior Chol and Jack Ross omitted.
Sam Rowe willl play his 100th AFL game after being named for his St Kilda debut against Sydney, replacing Ben Paton.
Max Gawn has been selected by Melbourne despite finishing last week’s loss to Sydney on the bench with a hamstring issue.
Braydon Preuss and Jayden Hunt come in for the Demons at the expense of Kyle Dunkley and Kade Chandler.
Geelong’s ruck riddle is closer to being solved with Rhys Stanley back to face Carlton alongside forward Gary Rohan.
The Blues have included Jacob Weitering and David Cuningham.
Jack Scrimshaw and Daniel Howe have been named for Hawthorn’s do-or-die fixture against reigning premier West Coast, while Western Bulldogs will regain ruckman Tim English after he missed last week’s win over GWS due to illness.
At Sydney, Jarrad McVeigh has been declared fit for his AFL farewell but says there was nothing ceremonial about the fitness hoops he had to jump through to play.
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The 34-year-old club great suffered a setback in his recovery from a calf injury a couple of weeks ago which threatened his place in the Swans SCG celebration, with McVeigh refusing to be wheeled out just for the sake of a ‘fitting’ farewell.
The premiership-winning champion has managed just five matches this year, but he has more than earned his finale.
“Just for me personally, I don’t want to just walk out there,” McVeigh said.
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ROUND 23 TEAMS
COLLINGWOOD v ESSENDON
Friday August 23, 7:50pm at the MCG
MAGPIES
B: L. Greenwood, M. Scharenberg, J. Howe
HB: J. Crisp, D. Moore, B. Maynard
C: T. Phillips, S. Pendlebury, C. Mayne
HF: J. Thomas, B. Mihocek, W. Hoskin-Elliott
F: J. Elliott, J. Roughead, C. Brown
FOLL: B. Grundy, A. Treloar, T. Adams
I/C: J. Madgen, J. Noble, T. Varcoe, R. Wills
EMG: T. Broomhead, T. Brown, B. Crocker, J. Daicos
IN: D. Moore
OUT: S. Sidebottom (Injured)
BOMBERS
B: C. Hooker, P. Ambrose, M. Gleeson
HB: C. McKenna, M. Hurley, M. Redman
C: A. McGrath, Z. Merrett, A. Saad
HF: J. Begley, S. McKernan, T. Jok
FF A. McDonald-Tipungwuti, M. Brown, J. Laverde
FOLL: T. Bellchambers, D. Shiel, D. Clarke
I/C: D. Parish, K. Langford, A. Francis, B. Ham
EMG: J. Long, B. Zerk-Thatcher, M. Baguley, M. Hartley
IN: C. Hooker, J. Begley, T. Jok, J. Laverde, T. Bellchambers, D. Clarke
OUT: B. Zerk-Thatcher (Omitted), D. Zaharakis (Injured), D. Heppell (Injured), J. Stringer (Injured), Z. Clarke (Injured), O. Fantasia (Injured)
SYDNEY SWANS v ST KILDA
Saturday August 24, 1:45pm at the SCG
SWANS
B: T. McCartin, D. Rampe, L. Melican
HB: J. Lloyd, C. Mills, J. McVeigh
C: O. Florent, L. Parker, G. Hewett
HF: J. Dawson, L. Franklin, N. Blakey
F: T. Papley, A. Aliir, I. Heeney
FOLL: S. Reid, J. Kennedy, K. Jack
I/C: R. Fox, D. Menzel, J. Rowbottom, B. Ronke
EMG: H. McLean, R. Clarke, J. Rose, J. Bell
IN: J. McVeigh, L. Franklin
OUT: J. Bell (Omitted), R. Clarke (Omitted)
SAINTS
B: S. Savage, J. Carlisle, N. Brown
HB: J. Newnes, S. Rowe, H. Clark
C: J. Billings, S. Ross, N. Hind
HF: J. Battle, J. Bruce, B. Acres
F: J. Lonie, T. Membrey, B. Long
FOLL: R. Marshall, J. Steven, J. Steele
I/C: L. Dunstan, D. Hannebery, J. Sinclair, C. Wilkie
EMG: E. Phillips, B. Paton, B. Rice, D. Langlands
IN: S. Rowe
OUT: B. Paton (Omitted)
NORTH MELBOURNE v MELBOURNE
Saturday August 24, 2:10pm at Blundstone Arena
KANGAROOS
B: M. Williams, S. Thompson, J. Pittard
HB: J. Macmillan, R. Tarrant, S. Atley
C: T. Dumont, S. Higgins, J. Polec
HF: K. Turner, N. Larkey, J. Ziebell
F: T. Thomas, B. Brown, C. Zurhaar
FOLL: T. Goldstein, J. Simpkin, B. Cunnington
I/C: T. Garner, N. Hrovat, S. Durdin, M. Wood
EMG: B. McKay, T. Murphy, T. Campbell, L. Hosie
IN: M. Wood
OUT: J. Anderson (Injured)
DEMONS
B: J. Hunt, S. Frost, C. Salem
HB: J. Lewis, J. Lever, N. Jones
C: J. Harmes, A. Brayshaw, B. Stretch
HF: J. Kennedy-Harris, B. Fritsch, J. Melksham
F: C. Wagner, B. Preuss, C. Petracca
FOLL: M. Gawn, J. Viney, C. Oliver
I/C: C. Spargo, M. Hibberd, A. Neal-Bullen, M. Hore
EMG: J. Lockhart, J. Wagner, D. Keilty, K. Dunkley
IN: J. Hunt, B. Preuss
OUT: K. Chandler (Injured), K. Dunkley (Omitted)
GEELONG CATS v CARLTON
Saturday August 24, 4:35pm at GMHBA Stadium
CATS
B: Z. Tuohy, M. Blicavs, H. Taylor
HB: M.O’Connor, L. Henderson, T. Stewart
C: M. Duncan, P. Dangerfield, C. Guthrie
HF: G. Ablett, E. Ratugolea, G. Rohan
F: L. Dahlhaus, T. Hawkins, J. Henry
FOLL: R. Stanley, T. Kelly, J. Selwood
I/C: J. Bews, B. Parfitt, G. Miers, Q. Narkle
EMG: S. Menegola, J. Parsons, S. Selwood, J. Kolodjashnij
IN: G. Rohan, R. Stanley
OUT: J. Kolodjashnij (Injured), T. Atkins (Injured)
BLUES
B: N. Newman, L. Plowman, W. Setterfield
HB: D. Thomas, J. Weitering, S. Petrevski-Seton
C: L.O’Brien, P. Dow, E. Curnow
HF: M. Kennedy, H. McKay, L. Casboult
F: J. Silvagni, P. Cripps, M. McGovern
FOLL: M. Kreuzer, M. Murphy, S. Walsh
I/C: K. Simpson, Z. Fisher, D. Cuningham, J. Deluca
EMG: H. Goddard, A. Phillips, L. Stocker, C. Polson
IN: J. Weitering, D. Cuningham
OUT: D. Lang (Injured), M. Gibbons (Injured)
GOLD COAST SUNS v GWS GIANTS
Saturday August 24, 7:25pm at Metricon Stadium
SUNS
B: J. Lukosius, C. Graham, J. Harbrow
HB: C. Ballard, C. Burgess, J. Murdoch
C: P. Hanley, T. Miller, B. Fiorini
HF: A. Sexton, S. Day, A. Young
F: M. Rischitelli, B. King, B. Ainsworth
FOLL: J. Witts, D. Swallow, L. Weller
I/C: J. Bowes, J. Dawson, S. Lemmens, D. MacPherson
EMG: J. Corbett, G. Horlin-Smith, J. Joyce, P. Wright
IN: A. Young
OUT: G. Horlin-Smith (Omitted)
GIANTS
B: S. Taylor, P. Davis, A. Tomlinson
HB: H. Shaw, A. Corr, L. Whitfield
C: D. Lloyd, T. Taranto, S. Reid
HF: M.de Boer, H. Himmelberg, B. Daniels
F: I. Hill, J. Cameron, A. Kennedy
FOLL: S. Mumford, H. Perryman, Z. Williams
I/C: I. Cumming, L. Keeffe, J. Kelly, J. Finlayson
EMG: J. Caldwell, J. Hately, A. Bonar, M. Buntine
IN: S. Taylor, D. Lloyd, J. Cameron, S. Mumford, I. Cumming, J. Finlayson
OUT: J. Stein (Omitted), Z. Sproule (Omitted), J. Caldwell (Omitted), D. Simpson (Injured), N. Haynes (Injured), T. Greene (Injured)
WEST COAST EAGLES v HAWTHORN
Saturday August 24, 8:10pm at Optus Stadium
EAGLES
B: S. Hurn, T. Barrass, B. Sheppard
HB: J. Nelson, J. McGovern, L. Jetta
C: A. Gaff, E. Yeo, J. Redden
HF: J. Cripps, J. Darling, L. Ryan
F: W. Rioli, J. Kennedy, O. Allen
FOLL: T. Hickey, D. Sheed, L. Shuey
I/C: J. Waterman, C. Masten, L. Duggan, J. Petruccelle
EMG: N. Vardy, W. Schofield, J. Cameron, B. Ah Chee
IN: C. Masten, L. Duggan
OUT: M. Hutchings (Injured), J. Rotham (Omitted)
HAWKS
B: J. Scrimshaw, J. Frawley, J. Sicily
HB: B. Hardwick, B. Stratton, C. Nash
C: R. Henderson, J.O’Meara, T. Scully
HF: P. Puopolo, T.O’Brien, I. Smith
F: L. Breust, J. Gunston, B. McEvoy
FOLL: J. Ceglar, L. Shiels, J. Worpel
I/C: S. Burgoyne, D. Howe, C. Wingard, O. Hanrahan
EMG: J. Ross, J. Cousins, C. Jiath, M. Pittonet
IN: J. Scrimshaw, D. Howe
OUT: C. Jiath (Omitted), J. Roughead (Retired)
WESTERN BULLDOGS v ADELAIDE CROWS
Sunday August 25, 1:10pm at Mars Stadium
BULLDOGS
B: T. Duryea, Le. Young, H. Crozier
HB: J. Johannisen, Z. Cordy, E. Wood
C: L. Hunter, M. Bontempelli, E. Richards
HF: B. Dale, J. Schache, S. Lloyd
F: B. Smith, A. Naughton, T. McLean
FOLL: T. English, J. Dunkley, J. Macrae
I/C (from): M. Suckling, R. West, P. Lipinski, W. Hayes
EMG: J. Trengove, B. Williams, R. Smith, C. Porter.
IN: T. English, R. West,
OUT: T. Dickson (Injured), J.Trengove (Omitted)
CROWS
B: R. Laird, D. Talia, L. Brown
HB: B. Smith, J. Kelly, W. Milera
C: P. Seedsman, B. Crouch, D. Mackay
HF: C. Jones, T. Walker, T. Lynch
F: E. Betts, D. Fogarty, R. Douglas
FOLL: S. Jacobs, M. Crouch, R. Sloane
I/C: H. Greenwood, R. Knight, B. Gibbs, A. Keath
EMG: K. Hartigan, A. Otten, R. O’Brien, L. Murphy
IN: H. Greenwood, R. Knight, A. Keath
OUT: K. Hartigan, L. Murphy, R. O’Brien (Omitted)
RICHMOND v BRISBANE LIONS
Sunday August 25, 3:20pm at the MCG
TIGERS
B: D. Astbury, N. Broad, D. Grimes
HB: B. Houli, N. Vlastuin, J. Short
C: B. Ellis, D. Prestia, J. Caddy
HF: D. Rioli, J. Castagna, K. Lambert
F: J. Graham, T. Lynch, J. Riewoldt
FOLL: I. Soldo, S. Edwards, D. Martin
I/C (from): T. Cotchin, J. Ross, S. Bolton, N. Balta, L. Baker
EMG: K. McIntosh, J. Aarts, J. Ross, M.Chol
IN: T. Cotchin, N. Balta
OUT: M. Chol, J.Ross (Omitted)
LIONS
B: L. Hodge, H. Andrews, M. Adams
HB: A. Witherden, D. Gardiner, D. Rich
C: L. McCarthy, D. Zorko, M. Robinson
HF: C. Cameron, E. Hipwood, H. McCluggage
F: O. McInerney, D. McStay, J. Berry
FOLL: S. Martin, L. Neale, J. Lyons
I/C: C. Rayner, C. Cox, Z. Bailey, N. Answerth
EMG: J. Walker, L. taylor, R. Mathieson, B. Starcevich
IN: J. Walker, C. Cox, L. Taylor, R. Mathieson, B. Starcevich
IN: C. Cox
OUT: A. Christensen (injured)
PORT ADELAIDE v FREMANTLE
Sunday August 25, 4:40pm at the Adelaide Oval
POWER
B: D. Houston, T. Jonas, R. Bonner
HB: H. Hartlett, J. Westhoff, D. Byrne-Jones
C: X. Duursma, T. Rockliff, K. Amon
HF: R. Gray, C. Dixon, S. Gray
F: T. Marshall, P. Ryder, C. Rozee
FOLL: S. Lycett, O. Wines, T. Boak
I/C: M. Broadbent, R. Burton, T. McKenzie, W. Drew
EMG: C. Sutcliffe, B. Frampton, S. Mayes, S. Powell-Pepper
IN: X. Duursma, S. Lycett, W. Drew, T. McKenzie
OUT: T. Clurey (illness), P. Ladhams, Z. Butters, S. Powell-Pepper (omitted)
DOCKERS
B: T. Duman, J. Hamling, C. Blakely
HB: D. Tucker, G. Logue, R. Conca
C: B. Hill, E. Hughes, E. Langdon
HF: A. Brayshaw, M. Walters, A. Cerra
F: B. Matera, C. McCarthy, S. Switkowski
FOLL: S. Darcy, N. Fyfe, D. Mundy
I/C: M. Crowden, R. Nyhuis, B. Banfield, B. Matera
EMG: T. Colyer, B. Bewley, L. Schultz, J. Carter
IN: B. Banfield, S. Jones, R. Nyhuis, S. Jones
OUT: H. Ballantyne, A. Sandilands (rested), L. Schultz (omitted), Sean Darcy (injured)
Originally published as GWS Giants star Toby Greene ruled out of Round 23, Essendon swings six changes