AFL round 3 teams: James Borlase to replace Nick Murray, Bailey Smith, Jake Stringer to play

Adelaide has revealed how it will replace injured backman Nick Murray, while Fremantle will unveil a debutant in this weekend’s derby. See full round 3 teams here.

North Melbourne will enter Sunday’s “shootout” with Adelaide unchanged, while the Crows have brought in James Borlase to replace the injured Nick Murray.

Plus Bo Allan was not handed a debut for West Coast in the Derby, while Fremantle chose to name a debutant.

Kangaroos coach Alastair Clarkson labelled the game against the Crows as a potential shootout, with North Melbourne riding high after a massive win over the Demons.

North Melbourne is averaging 111 points to start the season, while Adelaide is scoring at a league-best 148 points per game.

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“Given what we’ve seen over the first two weeks, a shootout is what Adelaide wants,” Clarkson said on Friday.

“We’ve been able to score pretty well ourselves, so we’re not afraid of a shootout.

Nick Murray has been replaced by James Borlase.

Adelaide lost one of its key defenders in Murray to injury on Thursday, with initial fears he had suffered significant damage to his previously torn ACL.

But scans cleared him of any structural damage, with soreness and caution causing the Crows to make their first change for the season.

Fremantle has opted to hand a debut to SSP signing Isaiah Dudley, who was one of the last players to sign on the dotted line in the pre-season.

A zippy forward, Dudley has been brought in to replace defender Brandon Walker, who suffered a dislocated shoulder and is out for a significant stint.

Dudley has been named on the bench and would be a likely sub.

West Coast brought back Jack Graham for his first Derby, while Jack Williams has also been named.

Jack Petruccelle was announced as omitted yesterday after not being named in the extended squad, while Clay Hall was dropped and will be an emergency.

The Eagles could not find room for Allan or ruckman Matt Flynn, who are both named emergencies for the game.

EARLIER TEAM NEWS

Hawthorn has named Luke Breust for the huge Saturday night game against the Giants, coming in for Connor Macdonald.

The silky half forward suffered a low-grade syndesmosis injury early in the win over Carlton, and was ruled out for about 2-3 weeks.

Breust will play his first game of the season, having booted three late goals to drag Box Hill to a round 1 victory over Carlton’s reserves.

Meanwhile, the Giants have named Jake Stringer for his first game for the club, with GWS also bringing back Jesse Hogan and Kieran Briggs for the clash.

Veteran Bulldog Liam Jones will return for Friday night’s game against Carlton, with James O’Donnell also returning from injury.

The pair of key defenders will match up against a Charlie Curnow-led Blues forward line that is missing Harry McKay, who will not return for the clash.

Taylor Duryea has been managed, while Arthur Jones was dropped.

Bailey Smith will be back for Geelong’s clash with Brisbane Lions after a calf issue. Picture: Michael Klein

Jake Stringer will play his first game for GWS against Hawthorn.

Jordan Boyd will play his first game for Carlton for the year after starring in the VFL last week, while Francis Evans has also been recalled.

Lucas Camporeale and Cooper Lord have been omitted for what is shaping to be a must-win clash for Michael Voss’ side.

The Lions have brought in Charlie Cameron and Kai Lohmann for what is shaping to be a game played in heavy rain, with Connor McKenna and Will McLachlan omitted.

Steven May headlines the inclusions for Melbourne’s match against Gold Coast, with the veteran defender one of five ins for the match.

Aidan Johnson returns after serving his one-match suspension, while Jack Billings, Jake Melksham and Harvey Langford have been recalled.

Pretty excited to see Jake Stringer debut today (this weekend) 🍊 pic.twitter.com/XqViELURjh

— GWS GIANTS (@GWSGIANTS) March 27, 2025

Matt Jefferson and Charlie Spargo have been left out through injury, while Taj Woewodin, Daniel Turner and Blake Howes have been dropped.

Gold Coast will bring in Mac Andrew, Sam Flanders and Jed Walter for the Suns’ only game at the MCG, with Charlie Ballard and Ben Ainsworth missing with injury.

Alex Sexton was omitted for the clash.

Richmond has brought back Tom Lynch after the veteran served a one-match suspension in round 2, with his replacement Liam Fawcett making way.

Tyler Sonsie comes in for Sam Banks for the match against St Kilda.

St Kilda will hand a debut to Tobie Travaglia, a top-10 draftee from last season.

He made an impression in the VFL last week, collecting 25 disposals and booting a goal.

Cooper Sharman also comes in, with Liam Stocker and Hunter Clark both missing through injury.

Tobie Travaglia is set to debut for St Kilda. Picture: Michael Klein

VOSS PROVIDES UPDATE AFTER SPEARHEAD RULED OUT

— Chris Cavanagh

Carlton has been dealt a blow ahead of Friday night’s crunch clash with the Western Bulldogs, with key forward Harry McKay being ruled out.

McKay has taken leave from the Blues over the past week for personal reasons.

He returned to the club on Wednesday and trained with teammates, but Carlton said in a statement on Thursday that the 27-year-old’s “wellbeing remains a focus as he continues to work through a personal matter”.

Harry McKay will miss the Bulldogs clash. Picture: Robert Cianflone/Getty Images

The statement added that McKay’s availability for a round 4 match against Collingwood next Thursday would “be determined next week”.

Carlton coach Michael Voss said McKay was “doing okay”.

“He was dealing with a few things during the week, took some time away from the club but felt best that he doesn’t play this week,” Voss said.

“We’ll give him the space he needs to work through a few things and not necessarily put a timeframe on it but hopefully will be back soon.

“He was back at the club on Wednesday. (He) needed a few days away and used the opportunity to create a bit of space, and we respect his privacy and we get on with things as a team.

“It’s always the player over performance in terms of being able to look after the person first, and that’s the position we’ve taken. He’ll get the support he needs at the club, we’ll wrap our arms around him as I hope the whole football industry does.”

McKay had been a late out for last week’s match against Hawthorn, with the Blues noting at the time that he was set to miss that match “due to illness”.

He had kicked one goal from 14 disposals and seven marks in the club’s round 1 loss to Richmond.

Carlton is one of five winless teams entering round 3, with the Bulldogs holding a 1-1 record.

Originally published as AFL round 3 teams: James Borlase to replace Nick Murray, Bailey Smith, Jake Stringer to play