AFL teams: Jimmy Webster to return as Sydney leaves out Luke Parker

A St Kilda player will return immediately from a seven-match ban as the Swans made a surprise call on their former captain.

Charlie Clarke will make his AFL debut against Hawthorn on Sunday. Picture: Michael Willson / Getty Images

St Kilda defender Jimmy Webster has made an immediate return from his seven-week suspension and will come face to face with North Melbourne and co-captain Jy Simpkin.

The Saturday afternoon clash between the Saints and the Roos shapes as a grudge match after Webster was rubbed out following a high bump which concussed Simpkin during a pre-season match in March.

Webster is one of four changes made by the Saints as Max King and Mason Wood return from injury along with Jack Hayes for his first game of the season.

Zaine Cordy has been managed while young forwards Anthony Caminiti and Cooper Sharman were omitted.

The Roos also swung the axe with Charlie Lazzaro, Bigua Nyuon, Will Phillips and Sydney recruit Dylan Stephens all dropped as father-son prospect Jackson Archer was named for his first AFL game this season.

Jimmy Webster knocked out Jy Simpkin during a pre-season match in March and was banned for seven weeks. Picture: Fox Sports

Former Swans captain Dane Rampe will return from a hamstring injury in the Sydney Derby but Luke Parker has been named among the emergencies despite a 34-disposal return in the VFL last weekend.

Another former skipper in Stephen Coniglio has failed to overcome a knee complaint in time to return for the Giants, but star duo Toby Greene and Sam Taylor will return with Leek Aleer and Xavier O’Halloran omitted.

Carlton surprisingly dropped wingman Ollie Hollands for its Friday night blockbuster against Collingwood, with David Cuningham returning from injury and Orazio Fantasia recalled along with Adam Cerra and Alex Cincotta.

Cincotta will play in a smaller Blues backline after Brodie Kemp was dropped, while the Magpies included premiership defender Oleg Markov along with debutant Lachie Sullivan to replace Jordan De Goey and Tom Mitchell.

Geelong will regain Tom Stewart and Gary Rohan against Melbourne, while Jhye Clark has also been recalled with Brandan Parfitt and Mark O’Connor both managed from the Saturday night clash.

The Demons are unchanged.

Hawthorn has named key defender Ethan Phillips in its squad to face the Western Bulldogs on Sunday. Picture: Michael Willson / Getty Images

Hawthorn is poised to unveil its second AFL debutant of the season by including SSP recruit Ethan Phillips in a taller backline to tackle the Western Bulldogs on Sunday.

Phillips, 24, has been included in Hawthorn’s 26-man squad less than three months after he was signed as a replacement for injured key defender James Blanck.

Father-son key forward Calsher Dear has also been named on the extended bench after impressive form for Box Hill.

Jai Serong has been omitted after he was subbed out of Hawthorn’s heavy defeat to Sydney with only two possessions and one mark to his name.

Phillips is set for a fairytale debut on the same weekend as his 2018 VAFA premiership teammate Lachie Sullivan, who will play for Collingwood against Carlton on Friday night.

The duo played together at St Kevin’s before Phillips established himself in the VFL at Port Melbourne and Sullivan joined Footscray.

With star forward Jamarra Ugle-Hagan named for the Bulldogs after completing a full session at Whitten Oval on Thursday morning, the 197cm Phillips is set to provide extra aerial support for Sam Frost and James Sicily.

Western Bulldogs small forward Charlie Clarke will debut against Hawthorn on Sunday. Picture: Michael Willson / Getty Images

It comes as the Western Bulldogs confirmed small forward Charlie Clarke would debut against the Hawks at Marvel Stadium.

The former No. 24 pick will replace injured goalsneak Cody Weightman after booting six goals in four VFL games this season.

With star forward Jamarra Ugle-Hagan set to return for the Bulldogs after completing a full session at Whitten Oval on Thursday morning, the 197cm Phillips is set to provide extra aerial support for Sam Frost and James Sicily.

It comes as the Western Bulldogs confirmed small forward Charlie Clarke would debut against the Hawks at Marvel Stadium.

The former No. 24 pick will replace injured goalsneak Cody Weightman after booting six goals in four VFL games this season.

Clarke kicked three majors in Footscray’s exhibition match against the AFL under-18 academy on Saturday.

Chook to debut 🥰

Charlie Clarke will run out for his first AFL game this Sunday against the Hawks. pic.twitter.com/Y2mnaqYaNE

— Western Bulldogs (@westernbulldogs) May 2, 2024

Clarke kicked three majors in Footscray’s exhibition match against the AFL under-18 academy on Saturday.

“I’m very excited – I’ve been dreaming of this my whole life,” Clarke said.

“I love this club and love the people that are part of it. I’m just so excited to get my opportunity.

“Especially from where I’ve come from, 12 months ago I was probably a long way off. To be here now – I’m just very grateful.”

Brisbane also announced Papua New Guinea-born Bruce Reville would make his debut against Gold Coast on Sunday night after he joined the Lions as a category B rookie ahead of the 2024 season.

The Suns have rested second-year forward Bailey Humphrey from the Gabba clash.

Originally published as AFL teams: Jimmy Webster to return as Sydney leaves out Luke Parker