AFL Now: Latest injury updates, teams news and round 6 preview on Thursday
The Western Bulldogs finally have their star skipper back to face St Kilda, who have a handy addition of their own. Plus a huge loss for the Giants. See the full teams here.
St Kilda runner Liam Henry will play his first game of the season, up against Western Bulldogs superstar Marcus Bontempelli.
Bontempelli has been locked in for his first outing of 2025, having got over a calf complaint.
Henry had knee surgery late last year and returned via some VFL minutes, with he and young defender Arie Schoenmaker into the side to face the Dogs with Tobie Travaglia and Zak Jones dropped.
Bontempelli replaces James Harmes (foot).
GWS have lost star forward Jesse Hogan for their clash with the Crows on Saturday.
Xavier O’Halloran comes into the side for the Giants
Dean Cox has dropped tall Peter Ladhams, with Aaron Francis back for his first game of the year.
Winger Justin McInerney and defender Lewis Melican have both returned to face Port Adelaide, with Tom McCartin named at full-forward.
Angus Sheldrick and Joel Amartey (hamstring) join Ladhams out of the team.
The Power dropped young small forward Joe Berry for Darcy Byrne-Jones.
THURSDAY NIGHT TEAMS: BALTA BACK
Richmond has named Noah Balta to play his first game of the season, while Carlton has dropped a stalwart of the club for its Good Friday clash with North Melbourne.
The Tigers suspended Balta for six games, including two pre-season matches, easing him into football through the VFL side last week as he faces sentencing for an assault charge he has plead guilty to.
RECAP ALL THE DAY’S NEWS BELOW
But despite Balta facing court in the coming days, Richmond has opted to select him for his first game of the season.
Meanwhile, Carlton has dropped Sam Docherty after a lean start to the season, while Elijah Hollands will play after returning from personal leave.
But there was no room for ruck Marc Pittonet, who is coming back from a pre-season calf injury.
Instead Lewis Young will play forward, replacing Harry McKay and Brodie Kemp, and help Tom De Koning in the ruck for the Blues.
George Wardlaw will play his first game of the season for North Melbourne and will help bolster their midfield unit.
Riley Hardeman makes way for the inside midfielder.
West Coast has recalled Tim Kelly after just one match in the WAFL, while captain Oscar Allen has been managed.
Jeremy McGovern, Matt Flynn and Elijah Hewett have all returned for the Eagles as they look to claim a scalp against Essendon.
The Bombers have made just one change, bringing in Peter Wright to replace Nick Bryan, who tore his ACL last week.
Elijah Tsatas remains out of the side and in the emergencies.
Melbourne has made a big selection call as Simon Goodwin faces intense pressure over his coaching future.
The embattled club has dropped Bayley Fritsch, Jacob van Rooyen and Jack Henderson for the clash against the Dockers.
Koltyn Tholstrup and Daniel Turner have been brought in, while Tom Fullarton will make his club debut.
No.1 draftee Sam Lalor will return for Richmond alongside Balta, while Samson Ryan has also been named.
Riley Hardeman makes way for the inside midfielder.
West Coast has recalled Tim Kelly after just one match in the WAFL, while captain Oscar Allen has been managed.
Jeremy McGovern, Matt Flynn and Elijah Hewett have all returned for the Eagles as they look to claim a scalp against Essendon.
The Bombers have made just one change, bringing in Peter Wright to replace Nick Bryan, who tore his ACL last week.
St Kilda looks set to recall Arie Schoenmaker, naming the young defender on the field against the Western Bulldogs.
Teams will not be confirmed until Friday afternoon, meaning Schoenmaker could still be an emergency.
The Saints have not named any omissions yet.
The Western Bulldogs will be without James Harmes, who was subbed out last week.
But Marcus Bontempelli is set for his first game of the season, with the club declaring its skipper is ready to go after a pre-season injury.
Port Adelaide will regain Darcy Byrne-Jones for the game against Sydney on Sunday, with Ken Hinkley saying the club will find a way to squeeze him into the side.
But the defender-turned-forward is named on the extended bench, with no omissions yet.
Sydney looks set to swing Tom McCartin back to the forward line after Joel Amartey’s hamstring injury, recalling Lewis Melican for the game against Port Adelaide.
Justin McInerney has also been named on the wing.
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