AFL Round 7: Adelaide recalls former Magpie Paul Seedsman for clash against the Saints

Adelaide coach Matthew Nicks says recalled speedster Paul Seedsman “hasn’t put a foot wrong” during his recovery from back and neck issues, and will give the winless Crows extra pace against St Kilda.

Bryce Gibbs still remains on the outer for the Adelaide Crows after Matthew Nicks again chose to overlook him.

Some strong weeks on the training track and in reserve matches had put the former Carlton star in line for his first game since Round 1 as a replacement for skipper Rory Sloane – who will spend the next four to six weeks out with a broken hand.

But the Crows have instead gone with former Collingwood speedster Paul Seedsman as Sloane’s replacement for Monday night’s game against St Kilda.

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He is one of two changes for the winless Crows, with former skipper Taylor Walker back after a weeks rest for a knee issue.

He comes in for Billy Frampton.

Paul Seedsman will return for Adelaide against St Kilda. Picture: Daniel Kalisz/Getty Images

Nicks said Seedsman endured a tough time during the COVID-19-enforced shutdown of AFL, with saw him in bed and unable to train for close to two months as he battled neck and vertebrae issues.

“It was an interesting challenge because we had a number of players who throughout that period were spending a lot of time at home and not being able to get out as much as they were … we were close to lockdown during that period and guys were on computers, guys were sitting around on couches watching TV, so it was a challenging time for all,” he said.

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“For ‘Seedo’, probably a little more than others and he’s been able to come through that. He’s worked really hard … hasn’t put a foot wrong.

“He’s moving well now, you look at some of his GPS numbers and his high speeds, he’s got that back.”

The Saints themselves have made two changes.

Ryan Byrnes and former Port Adelaide ruckman Paddy Ryder have been included for Jonathan Marsh and Ben Long - who was suspended after his high hit on Fremantle’s Sean Darcy.

After the fade out loss to the Dockers Saints coach Brett Ratten did threaten mass changes but has held his nerve for a side St Kilda rarely beat.

Bryce Gibbs has been overlooked again. Picture: Sarah Reed

HAWKS AXE TRIPLE PREMIERSHIP HERO

– Nick Smart

Hawthorn has dropped triple premiership forward Paul Puopolo as it searches for a wining scoring formula.

Puopol has played 194 games including at least 20 in eight of his nine seasons at the Hawks but he has kicked just 1.1 in four matches this season.

The Hawks also left out Jon Ceglar for their clash against Melbourne. The ruckman was surprisingly named on Thursday night after suffering what the club described as a minor crack in his toe last weekend.

The Hawks have also named former Saints goalsneak Darren Minchington for his first AFL game since Round 10, 2017.

Paul Puopolo was dumped by the Hawks. Picture: Michael Klein

Earlier, GWS was dealt a serious blow with Toby Greene ruled out of the club’s clash with Brisbane.

General manager of football Jason McCartney said Greene pulled up a little tight from the loss to Port Adelaide and the Giants want to take a cautious approach with their star.

Meanwhile, Daniel Lloyd will also miss the match. He is being managed. Coming into the side are Bobby Hill and Jackson Hately.

“On a six-day break, we’ve taken a cautious approach with Toby who’s pulled up a bit tight after our main session,” McCartney said.

“Daniel Lloyd passed all the concussion protocols this week but we’ve opted to take him out of the 22, bearing in mind it’s been a short week.”

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Meanwhile, premiership midfielder Toby McLean is among four Western Bulldogs players to have been dumped for Friday night’s clash with Essendon.

Coach Luke Beveridge has made big changes for the showdown at Metricon Stadium on the Gold Coast, with Josh Schache, Rhylee West and Louis Butler to also miss.

Experienced pair Matt Suckling and Hayden Crozier will make their returns along with defender Lachie Young, while Cody Weightman will make his AFL debut.

Toby McLean is on the outer again at Western Bulldogs as one of four changes.

The exciting small forward who has been likened to Magpie Jamie Elliott will line up against former Dandenong Stingrays TAC Cup teammate Ned Cahill, who will also play his first senior game.

Cahill is one of two Bombers inclusions, with defender Mason Redman also named.

Star Dylan Shiel (suspended) and defender Martin Gleeson (managed) go out of the Essendon side.

Irishman Conor McKenna has been named despite recent hand surgery and will be given every opportunity to prove his fitness.

At North Melbourne, skipper Jack Ziebell will make his return from a hamstring injury in Saturday night’s clash with Richmond on the Gold Coast.

SWANS DEBUTANT TO WEAR GOODES’ FAMOUS NO. 37

– Ben Horne

Adam Goodes may not have changed his mind about coming back to football, but he wants his jumper number to live on.

The magical Sydney Swans No.37, which was retired when Goodes walked away in 2015, will make a fitting comeback at the SCG on Saturday.

Young indigenous prodigy Elijah Taylor specifically asked the club if he could inherit the famous jersey worn by his role model when he was drafted from Western Australia, and Goodes came back and gave his blessing.

Taylor, 20, who will debut against Gold Coast on Saturday is not saying he wants to be the next Adam Goodes. His motivation is that he has been inspired by Goodes to try and walk in his footsteps.

Retiring jumpers is a rare occurrence at football clubs, and the decision to reinstate Goodes’ number five years on was also not made lightly.

Taylor says by wearing the same number, he hopes to honour Goodes and what he stood for as a leader for indigenous footballers.

“There were a few numbers mentioned, and I just said, ‘what about 37?’” Taylor said.

“And they asked him and he was all good with giving me his number.

“It’s a good opportunity to get his jersey number because what he’s done for, not only the AFL, but all our people as a community. I just wanted to follow in his footsteps.

“He was just very consistent … but just his story. I want to be that sort of player.”

Despite the rare connection they now share as Sydney Swans players, there has been very little contact between Goodes and Taylor.

Sydney Swans debutant Elijah Taylor will wear Adam Goodes’ famous No. 37.

He received a phone call from Goodes when he was drafted but they haven’t bumped into each other since. However, Taylor hopes he can reach out to his mentor this week before he runs out for his AFL debut.

Taylor has formed a tight relationship with Swans superstar, and fellow indigenous icon, Lance Franklin since arriving in Sydney.

He lived at Franklin’s house for a month and the all-time great has become his closest confidant.

Taylor kicked three goals last week in a practice game, and Franklin believes the talented prospect can light it up on debut.

“He just said, ‘Go out and play your brand of footy, and you never know, you might kick a bag,’” said Taylor.

“Just living with him I saw how he goes about his footy, how he prepares and just how professional he is. It kind of opened my eyes to what I needed to do to play senior footy. I’ve tried to take that on board.”

The Swans will tell Taylor to play on instinct and in the midst of their onerous injury crisis, there is hope that another excitement machine has arrived at the SCG.

Sam Mayes is all smiles after getting his first opportunity with Port. Travis Boak and Riley Grundy behind him. Picture: Sarah Reed

PORT NAMES FOOTY’S FORGOTTEN MAN

– Matt Turner

Former Brisbane Lion Sam Mayes is set to make his club debut for Port Adelaide on Sunday, coincidentally at the Gabba.

Mayes, 26, has been an emergency 17 times since joining the Power from the Lions via trade at the end of 2018 and will finally get a crack against Carlton.

Wingman Xavier Duursma, who has missed the past three matches with a hamstring injury, will also come into the line-up, along with ruckman Peter Ladhams.

In a blow, first-choice big man Scott Lycett is sidelined with a knee injury and will have to wait to play his 100th game.

Brad Ebert (suspension) and Cameron Sutcliffe (hamstring) are other outs.

Tom Rockliff, Mitch Georgiades, Riley Bonner and Miles Bergman have been named as emergencies.

Port coach Ken Hinkley said Mayes, who played 101 games for the Lions from 2013-18, was a story of persistence.

Sam Mayes (second from left) with fellow South Australian draft hopefuls Jimmy Toumpas, Brodie Grundy, Ben Kennedy and Tim Broomhead in 2012.

“It’s been a couple of years since he’s played AFL football and it’s exciting to know he’s had to work really, really hard and has earned his opportunity,” Hinkley said on Friday.

“It’s been really challenging at times but he’s maintained a motivation and just wanted to be a part.

“Because it’s been so hard for him to get an opportunity, he’s certainly emotionally embraced that moment (learning of debut).

“We know Sam is one of those blokes who has got a flexibility about him.

“Good on him … he’s made his way into the team and I’m sure he’ll give everything he’s got to stay there.”

Hinkley said the upcoming fixture congestion would lead to squad rotation, but not having a SANFL team this season continued to make it challenging for players overlooked.

Port’s second-tier players have a match simulation against the Crows this weekend.

“Every club in the competition will be looking at it from a squad mentality … and that’s been one of the challenges so far for every club – how do you get those people prepared,” Hinkley said.

The Port coach said he was not surprised by Carlton’s form in its 3-3 start to the season.

“In their own words, they’re going where they want to go and it’s going to be a great challenge for us,” he said.

Port enters the game on top of the ladder with a 5-1 record.

TEX RETURN TO EASE BURDEN ON DOEDEE

– Liz Walsh

Crows’ interim captain Tom Doedee will lean on the “big fella” Taylor Walker who has returned to the Adelaide side for Monday night’s clash with St Kilda.

Walker, who missed the Crows’ Round 6 loss to West Coast with knee soreness, has been named at centre half-forward in the team’s extended 26-man squad for the game at Adelaide Oval.

Doedee, who was unveiled as Rory Sloane’s replacement on Friday, said he would use the experience of the likes of Walker to help him through his first game as captain.

“(With) him being former captain … I’ve already started to pick his brain a bit about what went through his mind when he was captaining the team,” Doedee said.

Walker comes into the side at the expense of Billy Frampton, who has been dropped.

Frampton has played four games in the Crows’ colours since spending two seasons playing with cross-town rival Port Adelaide.

Taylor Walker is set to return for the Crows. Picture: Sarah Reed

But it’s not the only change the Crows will see ahead of Monday’s game.

As coach Matthew Nicks searches for his first win in charge he will have to find a replacement for Sloane, who broke his hand in the 33-point loss to the Eagles.

FULL ROUND 7 TEAMS

GEELONG v COLLINGWOOD

Thursday July 16, 8.10pm at Optus Stadium

CATS

B: J.Kolodjashnij, M.Blicavs, J.Henry

HB: M.O’Connor, H.Taylor, J.Bews

C: B.Parfitt, P.Dangerfield, S.Menegola

HF: G.Ablett, E.Ratugolea, G.Rohan

F: G.Miers, T.Hawkins, L.Dahlhaus

FOLL: D.Fort, J.Selwood, J.Steven

I/C: Z.Tuohy, S.Simpson, J.Clark, C.Guthrie

EMG: L.Fogarty, C.Constable, Z.Guthrie, F.Evans

IN: J.Steven, J.Clark

OUT: M.Duncan (injured), Q.Narkle (injured)

MAGPIES

B: J.Crisp, J.Roughead, I.Quaynor

HB: B.Maynard, D.Moore, C.Mayne

C: T.Phillips, S.Pendlebury, W.Hoskin-Elliott

HF: J.Stephenson, B.Mihocek, C.Brown

F: J.De Goey, M.Cox, J.Elliott

FOLL: B.Grundy, T.Adams, A.Treloar

I/C: T.Varcoe, R.Wills, A.Bosenavulagi, J.Daicos

EMG: D.Cameron, J.Thomas, J.Noble, J.Madgen

IN: J.De Goey, J.Daicos

OUT: M.Scharenberg (injured), W.Kelly (injured)

ESSENDON v WESTERN BULLDOGS

Friday July 17, 7:50pm at Metricon Stadium

BOMBERS

B: M.Hurley, C.Hooker, M.Redman

HB: A.Saad, J.Ridley, D.Zaharakis

C: B.Ham, A.McGrath, D.Parish

HF: N.Cahill, W.Snelling, O.Fantasia

F: A.McDonald-Tipungwuti, S.McKernan, J.Townsend

FOLL: A.Phillips, M.Hibberd, Z.Merrett

I/C: C.McKenna, D.Smith, K.Langford, J.Laverde

EMG: T.Bellchambers, M.Gleeson, A.Francis, D.Clarke

IN: M.Redman, N.Cahill

OUT: D.Shiel (suspended), M.Gleeson (managed)

BULLDOGS

B: B.Williams, A.Keath, C.Daniel

HB: J.Johannisen, E.Wood, H.Crozier

C: J.Macrae, M.Bontempelli, L.Hunter

HF: B.Dale, Z.Cordy, L.Vandermeer

F: M.Wallis, J.Bruce, C.Weightman

FOLL: T.English, T.Liberatore, B.Smith

I/C: M.Suckling, E.Richards, P.Lipinski, La. Young

EMG: L.Butler, B.Gowers, C.Porter, J.Sweet

IN: H.Crozier, C.Weightman, M.Suckling, La. Young

OUT: J.Schache, R.West, T.McLean, L.Butler (all omitted)

GWS GIANTS v BRISBANE LIONS

Saturday July 18, 1:45pm at Giants Stadium

GIANTS

B: A.Corr, P.Davis, H.Shaw

HB: L.Whitfield, L.Keeffe, N.Haynes

C: H.Perryman, S.Coniglio, J.Kelly

HF: B.Daniels, J.Cameron, B.Hill

F: H.Himmelberg, J.Finlayson, Z.Langdon

FOLL: S.Mumford, J.Hopper, M.de Boer

I/C: J.Caldwell, L.Ash, T.Taranto, J.Hately

EMG: J.Hately, S.Jacobs, M.Buntine, TBC

IN: Z.Langdon, J.Caldwell, T.Taranto, B.Hill

OUT: T.Green (omitted), C.Ward, T.Greene, D.Lloyd (all injured)

LIONS

B: R.Lester, H.Andrews, D.Gardiner

HB: D.Rich, G.Birchall, B.Starcevich

C: M.Robinson, D.Zorko, H.McCluggage

HF: J.Berry, E.Hipwood, C.Rayner

F: L.McCarthy, D.McStay, C.Cameron

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

I/C: C.Ah Chee, Z.Bailey, S.Martin, T.Berry

EMG: D.Robertson, S.Skinner, A.Witherden, R.Mathieson

No changes

SYDNEY v GOLD COAST

Saturday July 18, 4:35pm at the SCG

SWANS

B: C.Mills, D.Rampe, R.Fox

HB: J.Lloyd, A.Aliir, W.Hayward

C: H.Cunningham, L.Parker, G.Hewett

HF: C.Warner, T.McCartin, R.Clarke

F: E.Taylor, N.Blakey, T.Papley

FOLL: C.Sinclair, O.Florent, J.Rowbottom

I/C: D.Stephens, J.Dawson, R.Stoddart, C.O’Riordan

EMG: J.Bell, L.Taylor, S.Gray, J.McInerney

IN: A.Aliir, T.McCartin, E.Taylor, C.Sinclair

OUT: H.McLean, S.Gray (both omitted), I.Heeney, J.Kennedy (both injured)

SUNS

B: C.Budarick, S.Collins, J.Lukosius

HB: P.Hanley, C.Ballard, J.Harbrow

C: L.Weller, H.Greenwood, B.Ellis

HF: N.Anderson, S.Day, A.Sexton

F: I.Rankine, B.King, B.Ainsworth

FOLL: J.Witts, D.Swallow, T.Miller

I/C: J.Bowes, W.Powell, N.Holman, D.MacPherson

EMG: B.Fiorini, P.Wright, Z.Smith, J.Sharp

IN: W.Powell

OUT: B.Fiorini (omitted)

RICHMOND v NORTH MELBOURNE

Saturday July 18, 7:40pm at Metricon Stadium

TIGERS

B: N.Broad, D.Grimes, N.Balta

HB: J.Short, N.Vlastuin, L.Baker

C: K.McIntosh, S.Bolton, J.Caddy

HF: J.Aarts, D.Rioli, J.Castagna

F: D.Martin, T.Lynch, J.Riewoldt

FOLL: I.Soldo, M.Pickett, K.Lambert

I/C: J.Higgins, J.Graham, D.Eggmolesse-Smith, M.Chol

EMG: R.Garthwaite, C.Coleman-Jones, J.Ross, S.Stack

No changes

KANGAROOS

B: J.Pittard, R.Tarrant, L.McDonald

HB: S.Atley, J.Walker, K.Hayden

C: J.Macmillan, J.Simpkin, T.Dumont

HF: S.Higgins, C.Zurhaar, B.Scott

F: J.Mahony, B.Brown, C.Taylor

FOLL: T.Goldstein, J.Ziebell, A.Hall

I/C: M.Williams, J.Polec, A.Bonar, M.Wood

EMG: B.McKay, T.Murphy, T.Campbell, L.Hosie

IN: J.Ziebell, A.Bonar, M.Wood

OUT: P.Ahern, T.Thomas (both injured), T.Campbell (omitted)

CARLTON v PORT ADELAIDE

Sunday July 19, 1:05pm at the Gabba

BLUES

B: K.Simpson, L.Plowman, S.Docherty

HB: S.Petrevski-Seton, J.Weitering, L.Jones

C: W.Setterfield, P.Cripps, J.Newnes

HF: M.Gibbons, H.McKay, E.Betts

F: S.Walsh, M.McGovern, L.Casboult

FOLL: M.Pittonet, J.Martin, E.Curnow

I/C: D.Cuningham, T.Williamson, M.Murphy, M.Kennedy

EMG: C.Moore, Z.Fisher, M.Cottrell, S.Philp

No changes

POWER

B: R.Burton, T.McKenzie, T.Clurey

HB: H.Hartlett, T.Jonas, D.Byrne-Jones

C: K.Farrell, O.Wines, K.Amon

HF: S.Powell-Pepper, T.Marshall, C.Rozee

F: Z.Butters, C.Dixon, R.Gray

FOLL: P.Ladhams, D.Houston, T.Boak

I/C: S.Mayes, S.Motlop, X.Duursma, J.Westhoff

EMG: R.Bonner, M.Georgiades, M.Bergman, T.Rockliff

IN: S.Mayes, X.Duursma, P.Ladhams

OUT: C.Sutcliffe (injured), B.Ebert (suspended), S.Lycett (injured)

HAWTHORN v MELBOURNE

Sunday July 19, 3:35pm from Giants Stadium

HAWKS

B: S.Frost, J.Frawley, B.Stratton

HB: B.Hardwick, B.McEvoy, J.Sicily

C: T.Scully, J.O’Meara, I.Smith

HF: W.Day, T.O’Brien, C.Wingard

F: R.Henderson, J.Gunston, S.Burgoyne

FOLL: J.Ceglar, J.Worpel, T.Mitchell

I/C: J.Morris, L.Shiels, B.Hardwick, D.Minchington

EMG: J.Scrimshaw, C.Glass, P.Puopolo, H.Jones

IN: S.Burgoyne, D.Minchington, M.Lewis

OUT: J.Patton (injured), J.Ceglar (injured), P.Puopolo (omitted)

DEMONS

B: J.Lockart, J.Lever, O.McDonald

HB: C.Salem, S.May, M.Hibberd

C: E.Langdon, C.Oliver, J.Harmes

HF: K.Pickett, S.Weideman, A.vandenBerg

F: A.Brayshaw, M.Hannan, H.Bennell

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

I/C: L.Jackson, J.Melksham, B.Fritsch, N.Jetta

EMG: N.Jones, A.Tomlinson, A.Neal-Bullen, J.Smith

IN: L.Jackson

OUT: T.McDonald (injured)

FREMANTLE v WEST COAST

Sunday July 19, 6:35pm from Optus Stadium

DOCKERS

B: J.Aish, B.Cox, E.Hughes

HB: S.Hill, L.Ryan, N.Wilson

C: A.Cerra, D.Tucker, B.Acres

HF: L.Schultz, R.Lobb, B.Bewley

F: T.Colyer, M.Taberner, M.Walters

FOLL: S.Darcy, D.Mundy, A.Brayshaw

I/C: T.Duman, B.Banfield, C.Serong, M.Frederick

EMG: B.Matera, C.Blakely, T.Watson, L.Meek

IN: B.Cox, M.Frederick

OUT: N.Fyfe, H.Young (both injured)

EAGLES

B: L.Duggan, T.Barrass, B.Sheppard

HB: T.Cole, J.McGovern, S.Hurn

C: A.Gaff, T.Kelly, D.Sheed

HF: B.Ah Chee, J.Darling, J.Redden

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

FOLL: N.Naitanui, E.Yeo, L.Shuey

I/C: J.Waterman, O.Allen, J.Nelson, J.Cameron

EMG: N.Vardy, X.O’Neill, B.Ainsworth, J.Rotham

IN: L.Shuey

OUT: B.Ainsworth (omitted)

ADELAIDE v ST KILDA

Monday July 20, 7:40pm from Adelaide Oval

CROWS

B: L.Brown, D.Talia, K.Hartigan

HB: R. Laird, T. Doedee, W. Hamill

C: D. Mackay, M. Crouch, A. Keays

HF: T. Lynch, T. Walker, B. Crouch

F: T.Stengle, S.McAdam, N.McHenry

FOLL: R.O’Brien, B.Crouch, B.Keays

I/C: Jake Kelly, Paul Seedsman, Fischer McAsey, Andrew McPherson

EMG: Bryce Gibbs, Elliott Himmelberg, Ben Davis, Kieran Strachan

IN: T.Walker, P.Seedsman

OUT: R. Sloane (injured), B. Frampton (omitted)

SAINTS

B: J. Carlisle, D. Howard, C. Wilkie

HB: N. Coffield, J.Geary, H. Clark

C: J. Billings, J. Steele, B. Hill

HF: D.Butler, J. Gresham, D. Kent

F: T.Membrey, M. King, R. Marshall

FOLL: P. Ryder, S. Ross, Z. Jones

I/C: Josh Battle, Ryan Byrnes, Jack Lonie, Ben Paton

EMG: Jack Sinclair, Nick Hind, Jonathon Marsh, Shane Savage

IN: P.Ryder, R.Byrnes

OUT: J.Marsh (omitted), B.Long (suspension)

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Originally published as AFL Round 7: Adelaide recalls former Magpie Paul Seedsman for clash against the Saints