AFL 2023: All the teams news ahead of Round 18

The Saints have turned to a Category B rookie for their trip up to the Gold Coast, as some of the AFL’s biggest stars return to boost their clubs. Check out the full round 18 teams here.

MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA – JULY 01: Aaron Naughton and Bailey Smith of the Bulldogs are seen prior to the round 16 AFL match between Western Bulldogs and Fremantle Dockers at Marvel Stadium, on July 01, 2023, in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Robert Cianflone/Getty Images)

The boy who grew up dreaming of winning an Olympic Medal in Tokyo has won an AFL debut in St Kilda’s crunch game on Saturday.

While there was no gold medal for Jack Peris, there was a trip to the Gold Coast for what will mark a special day for the sporting family.

Peris, the son of Olympic Games gold medallist Nova Peris, has come from the clouds to crack Ross Lyon’s team after being taken as a Category B rookie.

Hawthorn legend Cyril Rioli has had a big impact on the 19-year-old – they once trained together – and after 36 VFL games Peris is ready.

Peris had 14 disposals, three tackles and a goal last week. The Saints love his chase and defensive pressure and he was trialled as a deep crumbing forward late last week.

The task-orientated teenager is just 178cm but tackles with power beyond his size.

Peris finished top 10 in the Sandringham’s VFL best-and-fairest after growing up as an elite 100m and 200m sprinter.

The Saints have lost Zaine Cordy, Seb Ross, Max King and Jack Billings to injury.

Josh Battle and Bradley Hill join Peris on the list of inclusions.

Jack Peris will debut for the Saints. (Photo by Michael Willson/AFL Photos via Getty Images)

Josh Dunkley will miss at least another week with a lingering calf injury as Brisbane prepares for a Friday night blockbuster against Melbourne at the MCG.

Lincoln McCarthy returns from his one-game suspension and will slot straight back into the Lions’ forward line, while midfielder Jarrod Berry has overcome hamstring tightness to replace Deven Robertson in the 22.

Meanwhile on the Gold Coast, running defender Lachie Weller will miss Saturday’s clash with St Kilda due to knee soreness.

Weller returned from an ACL injury in round 15 and had played the past three games.

The club will not have a timeline for his return until next week.

Interim coach Steven King has resisted the urge to swing the axe in response to consecutive defeats to Collingwood and Port Adelaide, making just two further changes.

Midfielder Brayden Fiorini and defender Jy Farrar have made way for Elijah Hollands and Ben Long.

Hollands has averaged 24 touches and a goal in the VFL over the past month and King said a senior recall was overdue for the 21-year-old.

Rival clubs have reportedly shown interest in the former top-10 draft pick, who has not featured at senior level since round four – coincidentally a 59-point loss to St Kilda.

Port Adelaide’s 13-game winning run faces a sticky test against Carlton at Marvel Stadium.

They have changed almost a third of their team – Charlie Dixon, Jason Horne-Francis, Junior Rioli and Trent McKenzie are among the seven outs.

The Blues will be bolstered by Tom De Koning as they look to add more spark to their still-flickering finals flame.

Tom De Koning has been named to take on the Power. (Photo by Dylan Burns/AFL Photos via Getty Images)

Forgotten defender Josh Hamling is back and at the ground he won the 2016 premiership.

Hamling, the ex-Bulldog who was traded to Fremantle after that flag, is set to play just his third game since 2019 when the Dockers face Collingwood.

Hawthorn skipper James Sicily will return from that controversial three-match ban for a dangerous tackle.

The Hawks have won their past three matches with Sicily playing. Those wins – against West Coast, St Kilda and Brisbane – came with a percentage of 185.3.

The Giants will welcome back Brent Daniels as they search for their fifth-consecutive win when they take on the Crows.

GWS has won their last two away games against the Crows and will be confident of continuing that streak on Saturday night.

Daniels has been on the sidelines since suffering a hamstring injury against the Tigers in round 12.

The 24-year-old has had the best goal-scoring season of his career under Adam Kingsley with 17 goals in 11 games.

He replaces Xavier O’Halloran who is expected to be out for up to seven weeks with a dislocated thumb.

O’Halloran suffered the injury early in the win against Hawthorn but was able to finish the match.

Ryan Angwin comes onto the bench for his 11th match of the season.

SCROLL DOWN TO SEE THE FULL ROUND 18 TEAMS

Dees dump million dollar experiment, big Pie out

– Jon Ralph and Riley Alexander

Melbourne’s million-dollar ruck combination has been shelved with Brodie Grundy set to make way for forward Jacob Van Rooyen against Brisbane after diminishing results this season.

Grundy is set to be dropped against the Lions as coach Simon Goodwin throws six-time All-Australian Max Gawn back into the position where he became the dominant ruckman of the 21st century.

Meanwhile, Collingwood coach Craig McRae has confirmed ruckman Darcy Cameron will miss the Pies’ clash with Fremantle with a back complaint.

Cameron left the training track early on the club’s golf buggy on Thursday morning after copping a knock in last week’s win over the Western Bulldogs.

Cameron appeared to be moving well earlier in the session and completed run-throughs on Gosch’s Paddock but his morning was cut short halfway though.

Cameron joins key forward Brody Mihocek on the sidelines with the sharpshooter having already been ruled out earlier in the week.

McRae confirmed yesterday recruit Dan McStay would return alongside Brayden Maynard and Steele Sidebottom.

Collingwood ruckman Darcy Cameron leaves training on the club’s golf cart after warming up and doing run throughs. @FOXFOOTY@FOXSportsNews#aflpic.twitter.com/MV3X8I2qs1

— Drew Jones (@DrewJonesFOX) July 13, 2023

Brodie Grundy competes with Rowan Marshall of the Saints. Grundy has been dumped by the Demons from the team to face Brisbane on Friday night. Picture: Darrian Traynor/Getty Images

The Demons secured Grundy from Collingwood believing he and Gawn could provide a competitive advantage over the competition, with the Pies paying around $250,000 of Grundy’s $900,000-plus yearly salary.

But while it has worked in fits and starts Gawn has not been the match-winning force he was for so many years.

Gawn had been hugely supportive of the move given he split his ruck time with Luke Jackson last year before he was traded to Fremantle.

But Gawn has kicked only seven goals as a forward and none since round 12.

Christian Petracca kicked four goals given a roving commission last week against St Kilda but Brisbane’s star intercept markers including Harris Andrews would worry Goodwin.

So bringing Van Rooyen back into the side allows the Demons to give Gawn a few minutes break every quarter while also giving Melbourne more height in their forward line.

Ben Brown returned to the team last week and fulfilled a strong lead-up role but was the only genuine forward in the team.

Demons assistant coach Troy Chaplin told Daniel Harford on RSN Radio on Thursday Grundy was fit and available.

“He’s coming off two-six day breaks,” Chaplin said.

Brodie Grundy celebrates the Demons’ win over Collingwood on King’s Birthday. Picture: Michael Klein.

“Whether we want to go down that path, but he’s ready to go. He trained the other day with no problems at all. It’s just a call we have to make as a coaching group. But if he gets through training there is no reason why he won’t play. We will make that call once training is done but he’s available for selection and we will go from there.”

Chaplin lauded Van Rooyen’s fight to bring the ground in his last VFL game in poor conditions and said the Lions’ key talls in defence were a consideration.

“He is someone we will talk about this week with Brisbane. We know they are a great defensive unit behind the ball as well with Harris Andrews who has been in great form so it’s going to be interesting to see which way we go and we will finalise that after our captain’s run.

“We have to be creative and innovate down there and that will change from week to week.

“Over the next couple of weeks we need to settle it down but for the time being its working out what that mix is. We have got some discussions to have as coaches but it gives us some opps to look at things we might not have with ‘Fritter’ (Fritsch) there.”

AFL ROUND 18 TEAMS AND FIXTURE (All times AEST)

SYDNEY SWANS v WESTERN BULLDOGS

Thursday July 13, 7:20pm at the SCG

SYDNEY

B: D.Rampe, L.Melican, N.Blakey

HB: O.Florent, T.McCartin, H.Cunningham

C: B.Campbell, L.Parker, E.Gulden

HF: W. Hayward, L.McDonald, I.Heeney

F: J.Amartey, L.Franklin, T.Papley

FOLL: H.McLean, J.Rowbottom, C.Mills

I/C: R.Fox, Co. Warner, J.McInerney, S.Wicks

IN: J.Amartey, Co. Warner, S.Wicks

OUT: T.Hickey (omitted), J.Lloyd (injured), A.Sheldrick (injured), A.Francis (sub)

WESTERN BULLDOGS

B: T.Duryea, R.Gardner, J.O’Donnell

HB: B.Dale, A.Keath, E.Richards

C: C.Poulter, M.Bontempelli, B.Williams

HF: J.Macrae, A.Naughton, A.Treloar

F: C.Weightman, J.Ugle-Hagan, S.Darcy

FOLL: T.English, C.Daniel, T.Liberatore

I/C: L.Vandermeer, L.McNeil, R.West, A.Scott

IN: S.Darcy

OUT: R.Lobb (omitted), B.Smith (illness)

MELBOURNE v BRISBANE

Friday July 14, 7:50pm at the MCG

DEES

Backs: J.McVee, H.Petty, J.Lever

Half Backs: J.Bowey, S.May, A.Brayshaw

C: T.Rivers, J.Viney, T.Woewodin

Half Forwards: K.Pickett, J.Melksham, E.Langdon

Forwards: J.Jordon, B.Brown, C.Spargo

Followers: M.Gawn – C, C.Petracca, L.Hunter

Interchange: J.van Rooyen, C.Salem, A.Neal-Bullen, T.Sparrow

Emergencies: B.Grundy, L.Dunstan, J.Smith, K.Chandler

In: J.van Rooyen

Out: B.Grundy (Omitted), J.Smith (Sub)

LIONS

Backs: B.Starcevich, H.Andrews – C, J.Payne

Half Backs: C.McKenna, R.Lester, K.Coleman

C: H.McCluggage, Z.Bailey, J.Fletcher

Half Forwards: C.Cameron, E.Hipwood, L.McCarthy

Forwards: D.Zorko, J.Daniher, C.Rayner

Followers: O.McInerney, L.Neale, W.Ashcroft

Interchange: J.Berry, J.Lyons, J.Gunston, D.Wilmot

Emergencies: K.Lohmann, D.Robertson, D.Fort, D.Joyce

In: L.McCarthy, J.Berry

Out: J.Madden (Injured), D.Robertson (Omitted), K.Lohmann (Sub)

COLLINGWOOD v FREMANTLE

Saturday July 15, 1:45pm at the MCG

PIES

Backs: J.Howe, D.Moore – C, I.Quaynor

Half Backs: B.Maynard, N.Murphy, J.Noble

C: S.Sidebottom, S.Pendlebury, J.Daicos

Half Forwards: B.Hill, M.Cox, P.Lipinski

Forwards: J.Elliott, D.McStay, T.Adams

Followers: B.Frampton, J.De Goey, N.Daicos

Interchange: J.Crisp, B.McCreery, O.Markov, A.Johnson

Emergencies: T.Mitchell, F.Macrae, J.Ginnivan, H.Harrison

In: B.Maynard, S.Sidebottom, D.McStay

Out: W.Hoskin-Elliott (Injured), D.Cameron (Injured), T.Mitchell (Managed), T.Bianco (Sub)

DOCKERS

Backs: J.Hamling, A.Pearce – C, C.Wagner

Half Backs: B.Walker, L.Ryan, J.Aish

C: L.Henry, N.Erasmus, J.Clark

Half Forwards: S.Switkowski, S.Sturt, L.Schultz

Forwards: J.Treacy, J.Amiss, M.Walters

Followers: S.Darcy, L.Jackson, A.Brayshaw

Interchange: B.Banfield, M.Johnson, J.O‘Meara, E.Hughes

Emergencies: T.Colyer, N.Wilson, N.O‘Driscoll, E.Stanley

In: J.Hamling, C.Wagner, S.Sturt, B.Banfield

Out: C.Serong (Suspension), B.Cox (Injured), H.Young (Injured), M.Frederick (Injured), K.Worner (Injured)

GOLD COAST v ST KILDA

Saturday July 15, 2:10pm at Heritage Bank Stadium

SUNS

Backs: C.Ballard, S.Collins, M.Andrew

Half Backs: B.Ellis, D.Macpherson, E.Hollands

C: R.Atkins, T.Miller – C, W.Powell

Half Forwards: D.Swallow, B.Ainsworth, J.Lukosius

Forwards: N.Holman, B.King, L.Casboult

Followers: J.Witts, M.Rowell, N.Anderson

Interchange: S.Flanders, B.Humphrey, B.Long, H.Oea

Emergencies: J.Farrar, B.Fiorini, J.Tsitas, B.Uwland

In: E.Hollands, B.Long

Out: L.Weller (Injured), B.Fiorini (Omitted), J.Farrar (Omitted)

SAINTS

Backs: J.Battle, D.Howard, C.Wilkie

Half Backs: J.Webster, M.Windhager, N.Wanganeen-Milera

C: C.Sharman, J.Steele – C, B.Hill

Half Forwards: R.Byrnes, M.Phillipou, M.Wood

Forwards: M.Owens, A.Caminiti, J.Gresham

Followers: R.Marshall, B.Crouch, J.Sinclair

Interchange: Z.Jones, L.Stocker, D.Butler, J.Peris

Emergencies: H.Clark, J.Bytel, B.Paton, T.Campbell

In: J.Battle, B.Hill, J.Peris

Out: Z.Cordy (Injured), S.Ross (Injured), M.King (Injured), J.Billings (Injured)

CARLTON v PORT ADELAIDE

Saturday July 15, 4:35pm at Marvel Stadium

BLUES

Backs: B.Kemp, J.Weitering, N.Newman

Half Backs: J.Boyd, M.McGovern, A.Saad

C: B.Acres, P.Cripps – C, S.Walsh

Half Forwards: L.Fogarty, C.Curnow, M.Owies

Forwards: D.Cuningham, H.McKay, J.Martin

Followers: T.De Koning, A.Cerra, S.Docherty

Interchange: A.Cincotta, G.Hewett, M.Cottrell, J.Silvagni

Emergencies: C.Marchbank, P.Dow, J.Motlop, O.Hollands

In: T.De Koning

Out: Le.Young (Omitted), M.Kennedy (Injured)

POWER

Backs: L.Jones, T.Jonas – C, D.Houston

Half Backs: K.Farrell, A.Aliir, D.Williams

C: M.Bergman, W.Drew, X.Duursma

Half Forwards: Z.Butters, T.Marshall, T.Boak

Forwards: D.Byrne-Jones, O.Lord, S.Powell-Pepper

Followers: S.Lycett, O.Wines, C.Rozee

Interchange: J.McEntee, J.Finlayson, J.Mead, J.Burgoyne

Emergencies: F.Evans, S.Hayes, R.Burton, J.Sinn

In: T.Jonas, X.Duursma, O.Lord, S.Lycett, J.Mead, J.Burgoyne

Out: R.Burton (Omitted), S.Hayes (Omitted), Q.Narkle (Omitted), T.McKenzie (Injured), C.Dixon (Injured), J.Horne-Francis (Injured), J.Rioli (Personal Reason)

GEELONG v ESSENDON

Saturday July 15, 7:25pm at GMHBA Stadium

CATS

Backs: J.Kolodjashnij, S.De Koning, J.Henry

Half Backs: Z.Guthrie, T.Stewart, J.Bowes

C: M.Duncan, M.Blicavs, I.Smith

Half Forwards: G.Miers, J.Cameron, T.Stengle

Forwards: O.Henry, T.Hawkins, B.Close

Followers: R.Stanley, P.Dangerfield – C, T.Atkins

Interchange: M.O‘Connor, M.Holmes, T.Bruhn, G.Rohan

Emergencies: Z.Tuohy, O.Mullin, O.Dempsey, E.Ratugolea

In: J.Kolodjashnij, I.Smith, J.Cameron

Out: O.Mullin (Omitted), E.Ratugolea (Managed), Z.Tuohy (Managed), O.Dempsey (Sub)

BOMBERS

Backs: A.McGrath, B.Zerk-Thatcher, J.Laverde

Half Backs: M.Redman, J.Ridley, D.Heppell

C: N.Martin, Z.Merrett – C, S.Durham

Half Forwards: K.Langford, S.Weideman, B.Hobbs

Forwards: M.Guelfi, P.Wright, J.Stringer

Followers: N.Bryan, D.Parish, A.Perkins

Interchange: J.Caldwell, W.Snelling, J.Kelly, J.Menzie

Emergencies: N.Cox, N.Hind, A.Davey Jnr, P.Voss

In: N.Bryan

Out: A.Phillips (Suspension), D.Shiel (Injured)

ADELAIDE v GWS GIANTS

Saturday July 15, 7:40pm at Adelaide Oval

CROWS

Backs: B.Smith, N.Murray, J.Butts

Half Backs: M.Hinge, J.Worrell, W.Milera

C: L.Pedlar, J.Dawson – C, R.Sloane

Half Forwards: L.Sholl, D.Fogarty, J.Rachele

Forwards: L.Murphy, T.Walker, I.Rankine

Followers: R.O‘Brien, R.Laird, B.Keays

Interchange: R.Thilthorpe, M.Michalanney, C.Jones, S.McAdam

Emergencies: S.Berry, N.McHenry, E.Himmelberg, J.Soligo

In: J.Butts, S.McAdam

Out: J.Soligo (Omitted), N.McHenry (Omitted), H.Schoenberg (Sub)

GIANTS

Backs: J.Buckley, S.Taylor, H.Perryman

Half Backs: L.Ash, H.Himmelberg, L.Whitfield

C: J.Kelly, C.Ward, F.Callaghan

Half Forwards: D.Lloyd, J.Riccardi, T.Bedford

Forwards: B.Daniels, J.Hogan, T.Greene – C

Followers: K.Briggs, T.Green, S.Coniglio

Interchange: C.Brown, C.Idun, I.Cumming, R.Angwin

Emergencies: J.Fahey, A.Cadman, M.Flynn, J.Wehr

In: B.Daniels, R.Angwin

Out: X.O’Halloran (Injured), L.Keeffe (Injured), N.Haynes (Suspension)

NORTH MELBOURNE v HAWTHORN

Sunday July 16, 1:10pm at Marvel Stadium

KANGAROOS

Backs: A.Corr, B.McKay, La.Young

Half Backs: T.Thomas, H.Sheezel, L.McDonald – C

C: E.Ford, H.Greenwood, B.Scott

Half Forwards: C.Zurhaar, D.Tucker, J.Stephenson

Forwards: C.Harvey, N.Larkey, P.Curtis

Followers: T.Xerri, L.Davies-Uniacke, G.Wardlaw

Interchange: C.Taylor, C.Coleman-Jones, D.Howe, J.Archer, C.Lazzaro, J.Ziebell, L.Shiels, J.Goater

In: G.Wardlaw, C.Taylor, D.Howe, J.Archer, L.Shiels, J.Goater

Out: G.Logue (Injured), J.Simpkin (Injured), F.Perez (Injured)

HAWKS

Backs: J.Impey, S.Frost, J.Weddle

Half Backs: J.Sicily – C, B.Hardwick, W.Day

C: C.Nash, J.Newcombe, K.Amon

Half Forwards: D.Moore, F.Greene, C.Macdonald

Forwards: C.Wingard, M.Lewis, T.Brockman

Followers: N.Reeves, J.Ward, J.Worpel

Interchange: D.Grainger-Barras, M.Ramsden, H.Morrison, J.Scrimshaw, S.Mitchell, L.Meek, L.Breust, F.Maginness

In: J.Sicily, M.Ramsden, L.Meek, L.Breust

Out: J.Blanck (Injured)

WEST COAST v RICHMOND

Sunday July 16, 4:40pm at Optus Stadium

EAGLES

Backs: S.Hurn, T.Barrass, T.Cole

Half Backs: L.Duggan, J.McGovern, J.Hunt

C: R.Ginbey, T.Kelly, B.Hough

Half Forwards: C.Chesser, J.Darling, J.Cripps

Forwards: N.Long, O.Allen, J.Williams

Followers: B.Williams, D.Sheed, L.Shuey – C

Interchange: A.Gaff, E.Hewett, S.Petrevski-Seton, L.Edwards, J.Petruccelle, A.Witherden, R.Bazzo, R.Maric

In: S.Hurn, L.Shuey, S.Petrevski-Seton, L.Edwards

Out: X.O‘Neill (Omitted)

TIGERS

Backs: N.Balta, D.Grimes – C, T.Young

Half Backs: D.Rioli, N.Broad, N.Vlastuin

C: K.McIntosh, T.Taranto, J.Ross

Half Forwards: L.Baker, T.Cotchin, J.Graham

Forwards: B.Miller, D.Martin, J.Riewoldt

Followers: I.Soldo, D.Prestia, S.Bolton

Interchange: S.Banks, J.Hopper, M.Pickett, M.Rioli, S.Ryan, H.Ralphsmith, J.Clarke, R.Mansell

In: I.Soldo, S.Ryan, H.Ralphsmith, J.Clarke, R.Mansell

Out: J.Bauer (Injured), T.Nankervis (Suspension)