AFL Round 20: Latest expert tips, teams and injury news

St Kilda has lost yet another star to injury — and he’ll miss the rest of the season — as a gun Bomber is felled by Covid. See all the round 20 teams and expert tips.

Jade Gresham will miss the rest of the season. Picture: AFL Photos/Getty Images

St Kilda’s cruel run of injuries has claimed another scalp with small forward Jade Gresham ruled out for the remainder of the season, while key Bombers playmaker Andrew McGrath will be sidelined this weekend due to Covid.

Gresham injured his knee against West Coast last weekend with scans revealing a meniscus tear that will require PCL reconstruction surgery which requires a five month rehabilitation.

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Teammate Jack Billings will also miss this weekend’s clash with Hawthorn with a back injury.

Scans revealed compression of a disc, with the Saint’s return date remaining unknown.

“Scans have shown some disc compression in Jack’s back, meaning his mobility has been severely impacted,” Rath said.

Jade Gresham will miss the rest of the season. Picture: AFL Photos/Getty Images

“He’ll undergo treatment this week, so we’ll see how he responds and be able to garner a better understanding of his return to play time frame after that.”

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Midfielder Dan Hannebery will make his first appearance at AFL level for the season after playing in the VFL over the last fortnight.

McGrath will miss Sunday’s clash with North Melbourne at Marvel Stadium due to health and safety protocols, while Geelong’s Zach Tuohy will be sidelined from the Cats’ huge clash with the Western Bulldogs on Saturday night.

In a shock move, Bulldogs defender Alex Keath was dropped ahead of the team’s meeting with power duo Tom Hawkins and Jeremy Cameron, while Blue Jack Silvagni has also been omitted.

Hawks defender Changkuoth Jiath will return for the Hawks after missing last weekend’s win due to a knee complaint.

Andy McGrath has entered the AFL’s Covid protocols. Picture: Getty Images

ROUND 20 TEAMS

FREMANTLE v MELBOURNE

Friday, July 29, 8:10pm, Optus Stadium

DOCKERS

B: Chapman, Cox, Aish

HB: Young, Pearce, Ryan

C: Clark, Brayshaw, Acres

HF: Schultz, Lobb, Henry

F: Frederick, Taberner, Walters

FOLL: Darcy, Brodie, Serong

I/C: Logue, Colyer, Mundy, Walker

EMG: Banfield, Crowden, Meek, Wilson

IN: Lobb

OUT: Fyfe (injured), Banfield (omitted)

DEES

B: Lever, Petty, Sparrow

HB: Neal-Bullen, May, Hibberd

C: Brayshaw, Oliver, Langdon

HF: Salem, Pickett, Fritsch

F: Spargo, Weideman, Jackson

FOLL: Gawn, Petracca, Viney

I/C: Melksham, Jordon, Rivers, Hunt

EMG: Tomlinson, van Rooyen, Dunstan, Chandler

IN: Lever, Hunt

OUT: Tomlinson (omitted), Harmes (injured), Bedford (managed)

COLLINGWOOD v PORT ADELAIDE

Saturday July 30, 1:45pm at MCG

PIES

B: Murphy, Moore, Howe

HB: Crisp, Maynard, Quaynor

C: N.Daicos, Adams, Sidebottom

HF: Elliott, Cameron, Hoskin-Elliott

F: McCreery, De Goey, Johnson

FOLL: Cox, Pendlebury, J.Daicos

I/C: Lipinski, Bianco, Noble, Ginnivan

EMG: Henry, Brown, Ruscoe, Carmichael

IN: De Goey

OUT: Mihocek (injured), Carmichael (sub)

POWER

B: Burton, Jonas, McKenzie

HB: Byrne-Jones, Aliir, Burgoyne

C: Amon, Boak, Duursma

HF: Butters, Marshall, Farrell

F: Gray, Dixon, Powell-Pepper

FOLL: Finlayson, Wines, Rozee

I/C: Bergman, Georgiades, Jones, McEntee

EMG: Drew, Clurey, Mead, Teakle

IN: McKenzie, Duursma, Jones

OUT: Clurey, Drew (both omitted), Houston (injured), Bonner (HS protocol)

SYDNEY SWANS v GWS GIANTS

Saturday July 30, 2:10pm at SCG

SWANS

B: Rampe, T.McCartin, Blakey

HB: McInerney, P.McCartin, Lloyd

C: Gulden, Mills, Stephens

HF: Hayward, Reid, Heeney

F: Papley, Franklin, Clarke

FOLL: Hickey, Parker, Rowbottom

I/C: Fox, Florent, Warner, Amartey

EMG: Gould, Cunningham, McDonald, Kennedy

IN: None

OUT: Wicks (sub)

GIANTS

B: Cumming, Taylor, Haynes

HB: Kennedy, Himmelberg, Perryman

C: Ward, Kelly, Whitfield

HF: Taranto, Greene, Coniglio

F: Peatling, Hogan, Lloyd

FOLL: Preuss, Hopper, Green

I/C: Brown, Aleer, Ash, Wehr

EMG: Keefe, Briggs, O’Halloran, Brander

IN: Perryman, Kelly, Whitfield, Hogan, Green, Aleer

OUT: O’Halloran, Briggs, Riccardi, Sproule, Bruhn, Keefe (all omitted), J.Stein (sub)

ST KILDA v HAWTHORN

Saturday July 30, 4:35pm at Marvel Stadium

SAINTS

B: Wilkie, Battle, Sharman

HB: Hill, Webster, Sinclair

C: Ross, Crouch, Wood

HF: Membrey, King, Butler

F: Cark, Higgins, Marshall

FOLL: Campbell, Steele, Hannebery

I/C: Lienert, Windhager, Paton, Long

EMG: Byrnes, Owens, Jones, Joyce

IN: Campbell, Hannebery

OUT: Byrnes (omitted), Billings, Gresham (both injured)

HAWKS

B: Morris, Blanck, Hardwick

HB: Scrimshaw, Hardwick, Morrison

C: Maginness, Mitchell, Day

HF: Breust, Moore, Koschitzke

F: Gunston, Lewis, Macdonald

FOLL: McEvoy, Newcombe, O’Meara

I/C: Jiath, Nash, Butler, Ward

EMG: Phillips, Jeka, Serong, Long

IN: Koschitzke, Jiath, Butler

OUT: Grainger-Barras (omitted), Reeves (injured), Impey (managed), Phillips (sub)

GEELONG CATS v WESTERN BULLDOGS

Saturday July 30, 7:25pm at GMHBA Stadium

CATS

B: O’Connor, De Koning, Z.Guthrie

HB: Kolodjashnij, Stewart, Henry

C: Duncan, Selwood, Smith

HF: Rohan, Cameron, Dangerfield

F: Close, Hawkins, Stengle

FOLL: Ceglar, C.Guthrie, Atkins

I/C: Bews, Holmes, Blicavs, Miers

EMG: Neale, Menegola, Dahlhaus, Parfitt

IN: Stewart, Ceglar

OUT: Tuohy (HS protocol), Stanley (injured), Neale (sub)

BULLDOGS

B: Williams, Gardner, Khamis

HB: Hannan, Cordy, Dale

C: Richards, Liberatore, Smith

HF: Johannisen, Bruce, Dunkley

F: Weightman, Naughton, Ugle-Hagan

FOLL: English, Bontempelli, Macrae

I/C: West, McComb, Daniel, Garcia

EMG: Martin, McNeil, Cleary, Keath

IN: Cordy, Daniel

OUT: Keath, McNeil (both omitted), Treloar (injured)

ADELAIDE v CARLTON

Saturday July 30, 7:30pm at Adelaide Oval

CROWS

B: Worrell, Butts, Hamill

HB: Smith, Murray, Dawson

C: Hinge, Laird, Jones

HF: McAdam, Fogarty, Soligo

F: Milera, Walker, Murphy

FOLL: O’Brien, Berry, Keays

I/C: Thilthorpe, Schoenberg, McHenry, Parnell

EMG: Cook, Himmelberg, Sholl, Davis

IN: Worrell

OUT: Doedee (injured), Cook (sub)

BLUES

B: Plowman, Weitering, Docherty

HB: Newman, McGovern, Saad

C: Cottrell, Cripps, Kennedy

HF: Fisher, De Koning, Owies

F: McKay, Curnow, Durdin

FOLL: Pittonet, Walsh, Cerra

I/C: Le.Young, O’Brien, Setterfield, Motlop

EMG: Honey, Newnes, Silvagni, Dow

IN: Owies, Pittonet

OUT: Silvagni (omitted), Honey (managed), Newnes (sub)

GOLD COAST SUNS v WEST COAST EAGLES

Sunday July 31, 1:10pm at Metricon Stadium

SUNS

B: Graham, Collins, Lemmens

HB: Farrar, Andrew, Ellis

C: Sharp, Miller, Lukosius

HF: Ainsworth, Chol, Swallow

F: Rankine, Casboult, Holman

FOLL: Witts, Rowell, Anderson

I/C (from): Atkins, Bowes, Flanders, Hollands, Markov, Macpherson, Oea, Rosas

EAGLES

B: Hurn, Barrass, Duggan

HB: Foley, Edwards, Jones

C: Hough, Kelly, Gaff

HF: Cripps, Waterman, Rioli

F: Williams, Darling, Ryan

FOLL: Naitanui, Redden, Shuey

I/C (from): Langdon, Petrevski-Seton, Petruccelle, O’Neill, West, Clark, Dixon, Culley

IN: Rioli, Naitanui, Langdon, Petrevski-Seton, Petruccelle, Clark, Dixon

OUT: Witherden, Bazzo, Rotham (all injured), Kennedy (managed)

RICHMOND v BRISBANE LIONS

Sunday July 31, 3:20pm at MCG

TIGERS

B: Grimes, Tarrant, Miller

HB: Vlastuin, Rioli, Broad

C: Pickett, Cotchin, McIntosh

HF: Graham, Edwards, Bolton

F: Riewoldt, Cumberland, Lynch

FOLL: Nankervis, Prestia, Baker

I/C (from): Mansell, Soldo, Sonsie, Balta, Short, Rioli, Ross, Dow

IN: Lynch, Mansell, Ross, Dow

OUT: Ralphsmith (omitted)

LIONS

B: Gardiner, Adams, Zorko

HB: Starcevich, Andrews, Coleman

C: Ah Chee, J.Berry, McCluggage

HF: Bailey, Hipwood, McCarthy

F: McStay, Daniher, Cameron

FOLL: McInerney, Neale, Rayner

I/C (from): Robertson, Robinson, Cockatoo, Lyons, Prior, Mathieson, Fort, Answerth

IN: Coleman, Robertson, Cockatoo, Prior

OUT: Rich (Injured)

ESSENDON v NORTH MELBOURNE

Sunday July 31, 4:40pm at Marvel Stadium

BOMBERS

B: Kelly, Laverde, Zerk-Thatcher

HB: Redman, Ridley, Hind

C: Durham, Shiel, Heppell

HF: Guelfi, Snelling, Langford

F: Wright, Stringer, Jones

FOLL: Draper, Merrett, Caldwell

I/C (from): Menzie, Perkins, Hobbs, Bryan, Martin, D’Ambrosio, Phillips, Stewart

IN: Menzie, Perkins, Bryan, D'Ambrosio, Stewart
OUT: McGrath (HS protocols), Ham (medi sub)

ROOS

B: Bonar, McKay, Dawson

HB: Archer, McDonald, La.Young

C: Taylor, Simpkin, Scott

HF: C.Coleman-Jones, Larkey, Anderson

F: Stephenson, Zurhaar, Ziebell

FOLL: Goldstein, L.Davies-Uniacke, Horne-Francis

I/C (from): Greenwood, Powell, Turner, Walker, Lazzaro, Mahony, Spicer, Goater

IN: Dawson, Archer, Larkey, Walker, Mahony, Goater

OUT: Perez (suspension), Corr, Hall, Curtis (all HS protocols)

Who are experts picking in round 20?

The tough results to predict in round 20 start with the first game of the round.

Melbourne is in a form slump and heads west to face the Dockers, with both teams playing for a spot in the top four.

On Saturday night, the Dogs will try to back up their huge win against the Demons and hang on to their spot in the eight when they face Geelong – a match sure to be filled with spice after Bailey Smith’s heated confrontation with Zach Tuohy last time the teams met.

And things don’t get much easier on Sunday, with Richmond – a team that has seemingly forgotten how to win – and Brisbane facing off at the MCG, a venue the Lions haven’t tasted success at since 2014.

Joint leaders Jane Bunn and Gullan have both tipped Melbourne, Geelong and Richmond but third-placed Rebecca Williams is backing the Dockers and fourth-placed Jay Clark is predicting a Lions victory.

Scroll down to see who the Herald Sun and The Advertiser experts are tipping this weekend.

JANE BUNN 121

Melbourne 3

Collingwood 10

Sydney 25

St Kilda 10

Geelong 18

Carlton 20

Gold Coast 25

Richmond 6

Essendon 25

Last Week 7

SCOTT GULLAN 121

Melbourne 1

Collingwood 7

Sydney 40

St Kilda 2

Geelong 3

Carlton 16

Gold Coast 28

Richmond 8

Essendon 48

Last Week 9

REBECCA WILLIAMS 119

Fremantle 9

Collingwood 10

Sydney 13

St Kilda 7

Geelong 12

Carlton 11

Gold Coast 9

Richmond 5

Essendon 13

Last Week 8

JAY CLARK 118

Fremantle 6

Collingwood 10

Sydney 26

St Kilda 16

Geelong 12

Carlton 22

Gold Coast 22

Brisbane Lions 6

Essendon 28

Last Week 8

SAM LANDSBERGER 116

Melbourne 10

Collingwood 12

Sydney 33

Hawthorn 3

Geelong 1

Carlton 18

Gold Coast 22

Richmond 2

Essendon 40

Last Week 8

LAUREN WOOD 116

Melbourne 4

Collingwood 9

Sydney 22

St Kilda 11

Geelong 19

Carlton 21

Gold Coast 14

Brisbane Lions 10

Essendon 24

Last Week 8

GLENN McFARLANE 115

Fremantle 1

Collingwood 12

Sydney 15

St Kilda 1

Geelong 3

Carlton 20

Gold Coast 24

Richmond 1

Essendon 35

Last Week 8

TIM WATSON 115

Melbourne 6

Port Adelaide 6

Sydney 26

Hawthorn 8

Geelong 12

Carlton 21

Gold Coast 18

Brisbane Lions 6

Essendon 18

Last Week 7

GERARD WHATELEY 114

Melbourne 6

Collingwood 2

Sydney 18

Hawthorn 1

Geelong 4

Carlton 24

Gold Coast 30

Richmond 1

Essendon 28

Last Week 8

JON RALPH 112

Melbourne 3

Port Adelaide 3

Sydney 2

St Kilda 23

Geelong 18

Carlton 3

Gold Coast 22

Brisbane Lions 1

Essendon 38

Last Week 7

MARK ROBINSON 112

Melbourne 22

Port Adelaide 11

Sydney 53

St Kilda 11

Geelong 18

Carlton 28

Gold Coast 21

Brisbane Lions 12

Essendon 27

Last Week 7

SIMEON THOMAS-WILSON 110

Fremantle 6

Collingwood 10

Sydney 24

St Kilda 18

Geelong 12

Carlton 18

Gold Coast 22

Richmond 6

Essendon 26

Last Week 6

LIZ WALSH 109

Fremantle 10

Collingwood 8

Sydney 26

St Kilda 19

Geelong 16

Carlton 20

Gold Coast 22

Brisbane Lions 6

Essendon 28

Last Week 8

MICK MALTHOUSE 108

Melbourne 4

Collingwood 6

Sydney 26

St Kilda 16

Geelong 12

Carlton 18

Gold Coast 22

Brisbane Lions 6

Essendon 26

Last Week 8

CHRIS CAVANAGH 107

Fremantle 1

Collingwood 1

Sydney 30

St Kilda 12

Geelong 18

Carlton 18

Gold Coast 12

Brisbane Lions 12

Essendon 12

Last Week 8

SALLY CAPP 106

Fremantle 12

Collingwood 20

Sydney 24

St Kilda 15

Geelong 19

Carlton 14

Gold Coast 23

Richmond 9

Essendon 20

Last Week 8

EBONY MARINOFF 106

Fremantle

Collingwood

Sydney

St Kilda

Geelong

Adelaide

Gold Coast

Richmond

Essendon

Last Week 4

JAMES HIRD 104

Melbourne 5

Collingwood 6

GWS Giants 10

St Kilda 6

Geelong 8

Carlton 9

Gold Coast 7

Brisbane Lions 11

Essendon 10

Last Week 7

DAVID KING 104

Melbourne 12

Port Adelaide 6

Sydney 31

St Kilda 18

Geelong 12

Carlton 22

Gold Coast 26

Richmond 6

Essendon 18

Last Week 8

KATH LOUGHNAN 104

Fremantle 6

Port Adelaide 6

Sydney 24

St Kilda 12

Geelong 6

Carlton 18

Gold Coast 16

Richmond 6

Essendon 10

Last Week 8

MICK McGUANE 104

Fremantle 2

Port Adelaide 11

Sydney 22

St Kilda 15

Geelong 17

Carlton 26

Gold Coast 25

Richmond 4

Essendon 28

Last Week 8

MATT TURNER 104

Fremantle 6

Collingwood 12

Sydney 26

St Kilda 12

Geelong 18

Carlton 22

Gold Coast 28

Richmond 6

Essendon 28

Last Week 7

DERMOTT BRERETON 102

Melbourne 6

Collingwood 8

Sydney 18

Hawthorn 6

Geelong 16

Carlton 21

Gold Coast 25

Richmond 6

Essendon 28

Last Week 8

GRAHAM CORNES 101

Fremantle 12

Port Adelaide 6

Sydney 22

St Kilda 12

Geelong 18

Adelaide 6

Gold Coast 26

Brisbane Lions 6

Essendon 22

Last Week 8

SARAH JONES 101

Fremantle 1

Collingwood 3

Sydney 20

St Kilda 19

Geelong 8

Carlton 15

Gold Coast 20

Richmond 12

Essendon 11

Last Week 7

CHLOE MOLLOY 94

Fremantle

Collingwood

Sydney

St Kilda

Western Bulldogs

Carlton

Gold Coast

Richmond

Essendon

Last Week 7

KISS OF DEATH 50

Fremantle 13

Port Adelaide 13

GWS Giants 13

Hawthorn 13

Western Bulldogs 13

Adelaide 13

West Coast 13

Brisbane Lions 13

North Melbourne 13

Last Week 2

Reason for Dangerfield stinker revealed

– Jay Clark

Geelong superstar Patrick Dangerfield suffered back pain and tightness in last week’s 12-point win over Port Adelaide but the Cats are confident he’s shrugged off the fresh problem.

The Brownlow Medallist was significantly hampered late and had only one touch in the last quarter – two minutes into the final term – and required some treatment post game.

Dangerfield was restricted to a season-low 12 possessions and 175 metres gained but the club is positive the midfielder-forward remains on track to spearhead the club’s bid for a top-two spot.

While the injury initially threatened to put him in doubt for Saturday night’s clash against Western Bulldogs, Dangerfield brushed aside any concerns over his fitness at training on Wednesday.

Patrick Dangerfield is in doubt for Round 20.

The club said the goal kicking playmaker trained fully with the Cats squad and is expected to take his place in the team barring any last-minute setbacks. Dangerfield could continue to undergo treatment over the next few days to help keep his back loose in the lead-up to the clash against the resurgent Bulldogs. It is a major relief for the Cats as Dangerfield remains the trump card in the club’s midfield set up ahead of an assault on the premiership in September. Dangerfield missed one month of action with a calf complaint between Round 11 – 15 but returned to his scintillating best in the big win over Melbourne in Round 17, gathering 32 disposals. The Cats remain confident the break has helped prime the former Crow for a big finals tilt despite the back niggle at the weekend. Geelong is considering calling up former Hawk Jon Ceglar to replace Rhys Stanley in the ruck and welcome back star defender Tom Stewart at GMHBA Stadium.

Today's 24 #SuperCoach points for Patrick Dangerfield were his lowest in any full match in 297 matches. He scored just 2 points in the second half. #AFLPowerCats

— Fantasy Freako (@FantasyFreako) July 23, 2022

The clash against the Bulldogs is a massive occasion for the Cats as they prepare to honour Joel Selwood’s 350th match for the club. Selwood, a triple-premiership player, is one of the greatest players in the club’s history. AFL legend Wayne Carey rates Selwood one of the greatest captains the game has seen. Stanley injured the cartilage in his right knee against the Power and will be out for the medium term, according to the Cats. It means the ruckman is in a race against time to be fit for finals as Geelong considers playing former Hawk Ceglar ahead of Esava Ratugolea and youngster Toby Conway. Ceglar has closed on a return in recent weeks with some impressive form in the VFL. Coach Chris Scott has flagged the club’s desire to play him in July before finals. Ceglar has been on the sidelines since April 2 when he broke his foot against Collingwood in the VFL. Stewart has been sidelined since he concussed Dion Prestia in the thrilling win over Richmond, earning Stewart a four-match suspension.

The Bulldogs rolled Melbourne in the Grand Final rematch on Saturday night and need to topple the Cats to maintain their position in eighth spot.

Originally published as AFL Round 20: Latest expert tips, teams and injury news