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Round 7 AFL teams: Gary Ablett held back, James Sicily returns from suspension, plus SuperCoach advice
GARY Ablett was declared “ready to go” but Geelong has taken a cautious approach with the little master, while a number of players return from suspension. SEE ALL THE TEAMS
GEELONG has taken a cautious approach with Gary Ablett, leaving the little master out of its side to take on Greater Western Sydney on Friday night.
Ablett’s manager Liam Pickering said on Tuesday the two-time Brownlow medallist was “ready to go”, having recovered from a hamstring injury he suffered against West Coast in Round 3. AFL DAILY: RE-CAP ALL THE DAY’S BREAKING AFL NEWS SEE THE ROUND 7 TEAMS IN OUR BLOG BELOW AND LISTEN TO THE SUPERCOACHES BOX FOR EXPERT SUPERCOACH ADVICE SC BIBLE: WE REVIEW EVERY CASH COW IN ROUND 6 However, the Cats held a consistent line that they would take no risks with the midfielder, who turns 34 this month. In better news for Geelong, midfielder Scott Selwood (concussion) has been recalled, along with ruckman Zac Smith who replaces Rhys Stanley (omitted). Journeyman Stewart Crameri is set to make his debut for his third AFL club after stints with Essendon and Western Bulldogs, his first match in the blue and white hoops to be the 100th of his career overall. The Giants will have two club debutants in former Collingwood swingman Lachlan Keeffe and former Carlton midfielder Dylan Buckley, who replace injured pair Brett Deledio (hamstring) and Jeremy Cameron (toe). Collingwood has shuffled its side as it prepares for its third game in 12 days. Ben Reid (achilles) and James Aish (knee) are already confirmed outs, but Taylor Adams, Travis Varcoe, Ben Crocker and Darcy Moore are ready to return for a side boasting good depth. Injured Melbourne pair Christian Petracca and Jesse Hogan will face final fitness tests on Saturday but have both been named for Sunday’s crunch game against St Kilda. Petracca, who was released from hospital on Tuesday after having surgery on an infected finger, trained as part of the club’s rehab group on Thursday but has not touched a ball since the club’s Anzac Eve clash with Richmond. Hogan was absent from training but the Demons say he is on the mend after suffering a rolled ankle and knock to the knee during last week’s 36-point win over Essendon. Essendon’s Conor McKenna has been brought straight back in for the Bombers’ clash with Hawthorn on Saturday after serving a three-game suspension while James Sicily also returns from suspension for the Hawks. Port Adelaide ruckman Paddy Ryder is back for his side’s clash with West Coast after overcoming an Achillies tendon complaint which had sidelined him since Round 1, while Adelaide’s Eddie Betts returns from a hamstring to tackle his old side Carlton at Adelaide Oval on Saturday night night. North Melbourne has named Shaun Higgins, who has not shown any lingering concussion issues after being knocked out in a clash with Hawthorn’s Ryan Burton in Round 5. The Kangaroos also recall forward Mason Wood after a six-goal VFL haul last weekend while defender Sam Wright is set to play his first game AFL since Round 11, 2016 having battled persistent foot and ankle injuries the past two years. Richmond has added premiership players Brandon Ellis and Jacob Townsend as part of an extended squad for Sunday’s clash with Fremantle at the MCG. Brisbane utility Matt Eagles — who won season two of Foxtel reality TV series The Recruit — is in line to make his AFL debut at age 28 after being named as part of an extended bench for Sunday’s clash with Collingwood. LIVE stream every match of every round of the 2018 Toyota AFL Premiership Season. Get your free 2-week Foxtel Now trial & start watching in minutes. SIGN UP NOW
Originally published as Round 7 AFL teams: Gary Ablett held back, James Sicily returns from suspension, plus SuperCoach advice