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See all the Round 12 ins and outs and get expert SuperCoach advice
ESSENDON has been forced to make two changes for Sunday’s must-win game against Brisbane, while a key Docker fails a conssion test. SEE ALL THE TEAMS
ESSENDON has been forced to make two changes following last week’s big loss to Richmond.
The Bombers loss star midfielder David Zaharakis and young defender Jordan Ridley to injury and dropped Jayden Laverde and James Stewart for Sunday’s must-win game against Brisbane at the Gabba. ADAM COONEY: WHY I LOVED STATE OF ORIGIN TRADE TV: BOMBERS SHOULD CHASE POWER STAR RUCKS: WHO WILL TAKE THE HONOURS, MAX OR BRODIE? Josh Green, David Myers and Mitch Brown were recalled, while Mason Redman will play his first game since 2016. The Lions were also dealt two injury blows themselves with in-form pair Charlie Cameron and Mitch Robinson to miss. Fremantlle have suffered a big blow ahead of Sunday’s match against Adelaide, with ruckman Aaron Sandilands ruled out because of a lingering concussion. Dockers coach Ross Lyon initially named Sandilands in his extended squad but couldn’t consider him for the final 22 after the 211cm ruckman failed his concussion test. Skipper Nat Fyfe will miss through suspension, with forward Brandon Matera to replace him. The Dockers recalled Hayden Ballantyne and Brandon Matera but axed misfiring forward Cam McCarthy. St Kilda coach Alan Richardson has finally lost patience with out-of-form playmaker Jack Billings, dropping the goalkicker for Saturday night’s clash against Sydney. The No.3 draft pick has battled poor form for the bulk of the season, slotting just six goals in 11 matches this season. Richardson has shown tremendous faith in the Saints senior players this season but last night made his strongest selection statement of the season on Billings. The Saints have won only one game this season and appear headed for a major shake-up at the end of the year under new footy boss Simon Lethlean. The Saints made four changes, bringing back defender Nathan Brown, first-year half back Nick Coffield, goal kicker Josh Battle and onballer Luke Dunstan. Captain Jarryn Geary will miss with a calf strain. Richmond has turned to hard nut midfielder Anthony Miles to replace superstar Brownlow medallist Dustin Martin for Friday night’s clash against Port Adelaide. Martin will miss with a sore calf, snapping his run of 83 consecutive senior matches. It was the equal-fifth longest playing streak in the AFL, underling Martin’s incredible durability. Martin was at Melbourne Airport with teammates on Thursday morning but was booked on an international fight to see his father in New Zealand. “He’s been carrying it a little bit and he was a bit sore after the weekend,” Richmond football manager Neil Balme told Macquarie Sports Radio. “He probably could have gotten away with it, but we think it’s so important he gets that right, otherwise it may become a problem. “It’s not an easy decision, because he loves playing.” Balme added that given the time off, Martin’s trip to see his father was “too good a chance to miss”. The Tigers football boss said Martin would be in New Zealand over the weekend and then return to the club for training, ahead of their round 13 match against Geelong. “We expect him to play next week, almost certainly,” Balme said. Miles racked up 44 disposals in the VFL last week and will come in for his first game of the season against the Power. It is a crucial opportunity for the clearance-winner who played just five senior games last season and could seek a trade for more game time next year. Second-year tough nut Jack Graham was also dropped, while speedy forward Jason Castagna returns for the Tigers. Port Adelaide has welcomed back defender Jasper Pittard for Jack Hombsch in a move towards a smaller and more agile back line. Perfect 9 promo 650x90 Collingwood looks set regain high-flying defender Jeremy Howe for Monday’s blockbuster against Melbourne after he was last night included in an extended squad. The Demons brought Joel Smith into the squad to potentially replace injured defender Jake Lever. Speedster Jayden Hunt and Jeff Garlett are also in the mix, but key defender Sam Frost was left out. North Melbourne lost improved small forward Jed Anderson for tomorrow’s match against Geelong. The Cats made no change for the first time this season. Essendon dropped forward James Stewart and backman Jordan Ridley for Sunday’s match against Brisbane, while David Zaharakis faces at least six weeks on the sidelines with a collarbone injury, Defender Aaron Francis was named in the squad to play his first game of the season after a mental health battle. LIVE stream every match of every round of the 2018 Toyota AFL Premiership Season on FOX SPORTS. Get your free 2-week trial & start watching in minutes. SIGN UP NOW >
Originally published as See all the Round 12 ins and outs and get expert SuperCoach advice