AFL round 23: All the latest team and selection news across the AFL

Melbourne have dropped Brodie Grundy for their clash with Hawthorn, opting to play Max Gawn solo again. Check out the full round 23 teams here.

Brodie Grundy’s future at Melbourne has been further clouded after he was dropped one week after returning to the senior team.

The star ruckman will instead play for Casey Demons this Sunday as coach Simon Goodwin opted to unleash captain Max Gawn solo against Hawthorn.

Grundy had nine disposals and 11 hit-outs against Carlton last round, playing predominantly as a forward.

The Demons appear likely to trial one of Joel Smith or Adam Tomlinson in attack against the Hawks, with Tomlinson recalled to replace Grundy.

Harrison Petty appeared to have won the race to partner Jacob van Rooyen before going down with a season-ending foot injury.

The omission will intensify speculation linking Grundy with a trade at season’s end as clubs including Port Adelaide and West Coast chase ruck reinforcements.

Brodie Grundy is out of favour at Melbourne. Picture: Getty Images

The Hawks have lost Chad Wingard and Mitch Lewis to injury.

Ned Long and Max Ramsden have been included in their side.

Elsewhere, Tom Emmett will make his debut for Fremantle, while Anthony Scott has been recalled for the Western Bulldogs’ must-win clash against bottom side West Coast.

BIG BLUE RETURNS AS FINALS SHOWDOWNS GRIP ROUND 23

Carlton is confident Saturday’s earlier than expected return of key forward Harry McKay can take the pressure off Coleman Medal leader Charlie Curnow as the Blues look to try and lock in a home final in Saturday’s away clash with Gold Coast.

It comes as Essendon welcomed back two of its most important players in Sam Draper and Jake Stringer as Brad Scott’s team endeavours to keep its finals hopes alive with big hurdles against Greater Western Sydney and Collingwood to come.

The Cats also brought back last year’s premiership players Tom Hawkins and Jed Bews for Saturday night’s must-win clash with St Kilda to make up for the loss of injured pair Gary Rohan and Rhys Stanley.

The Cats have no experienced ruckman to take on Saint Rowan Marshall, with Shannon Neale named in the slot.

Collingwood has lost three players to injury – Darcy Moore, Jordan De Goey and Bobby Hill – for Friday night’s Marvel Stadium finals preview against Brisbane Lions, with defender John Noble named but still under a cloud after looking sore in last week’s win over the Cats.

SCROLL DOWN FOR THE FULL ROUND 23 TEAMS

Harry McKay is back for the Blues. (Photo by Daniel Pockett/Getty Images)

Melbourne has named Brodie Grundy on an extended bench for Sunday’s contest against Hawthorn, with a decision on the final team to come late on Friday a pointer to whether the big man remains part of the Demons’ finals plans.

Jacob Hopper and Trent Cotchin are back for the Tigers for what should be a big farewell to Cotchin and Jack Riewoldt in Saturday’s fixture with North Melbourne.

The Blues can go a long way to booking a home first final in September if they can overcome Gold Coast at Heritage Bank Stadium with McKay set to reunite with Curnow for the first time since Round 18.

McKay played in the first four of Carlton’s current streak of eight consecutive wins with some wondering if his return could upset the Blues’ structure.

But Blues defender Jacob Weitering dismissed suggestions that McKay’s return from a knee injury could have an impact, saying he can’t believe some of the narrative around the 2021 Coleman Medal winner.

“I’ve certainly heard murmurings around it and I find it laughable, to be honest,” Weitering said on SEN.

“They’re quality, quality players. Both are different as well.

“Harry coming back probably takes the load off both of them and gives us two targets rather than just one … it’s laughable to say you couldn’t have them both in the same team.”

Grundy had nine touches and did not hit the scoreboard for the Demons last week in his return from the VFL as Simon Goodwin tinkers with Melbourne’s best fit for the finals.

Mitch Lewis is out injured for the Hawks, joining Chad Wingard on the sidelines.

The Bombers have been boosted by Draper and Stringer’s return, while they have dropped young ruckman Nick Bryan.

Draper hasn’t played since Round 13 with a hip issue costing him more than two months on the sidelines, while Stringer hasn’t played Round 19 against the Bulldogs.

The Swans and Giants have both welcomed back key players ahead of the final two rounds of the regular season.

Sydney co-captain Dane Rampe is the big inclusion to take on Adelaide following a fortnight on the sidelines with a calf injury.

He’s joined by Braeden Campbell who had a watching brief against the Suns after being hit with a one-game suspension.

The other forced change sees Jack Buller come into the side for just his second AFL game. He replaces Joel Amartey who has been dealing with hamstring tendinitis and will sit out the game against the Crows.

For the Giants, they welcome back Brent Daniels and Toby Bedford. The pair both missed the clash against Port Adelaide through suspension and come straight back into the side.

Nick Haynes is out through illness, while last week’s debutant Toby McMullin will be named as the sub against Essendon.

Jake Stringer is a welcome addition for the Bombers. (Photo by Dylan Burns/AFL Photos via Getty Images)

Brisbane will welcome back rebounding defender Keidean Coleman for Friday night’s blockbuster top of the table clash with Collingwood at Marvel Stadium.

Last week’s sub Jaspa Fletcher has been recalled to the bench in place of the injured Jack Gunston, whose season hangs in the balance after suffering an MCL strain in the win over Adelaide.

Meanwhile on the Gold Coast, rookie defender Lloyd Johnston will make his AFL debut against the Blues at Heritage Bank Stadium on Saturday.

The teenager is one of five changes after King swung the axe with two rounds left to play.

Spearhead Ben King is back after sitting out last week with a sore shoulder, while Alex Sexton and Brayden Fiorini have earned recalls following strong VFL form.

Sexton will replace the injured Nick Holman, who the Suns announced this week would miss the remainder of the season with an LCL injury, while Darcy Macpherson, Jy Farrar, Sam Day and Elijah Hollands have all be sent back to the VFL.

But the biggest surprise comes in the form of Connor Budarick, who will play his first AFL game since round 16 last year.

AFL ROUND 23 TEAMS AND FIXTURE (All times AEST)

COLLINGWOOD v BRISBANE LIONS

Friday August 18, 7:50pm at Marvel Stadium

MAGPIES

B: J.Howe, B.Frampton, I.Quaynor

HB: B.Maynard – C, N.Murphy, J.Noble

C: O.Markov, T.Adams, J.Daicos

HF: S.Pendlebury, B.Mihocek, W.Hoskin-Elliott

F: J.Elliott, D.McStay, J.Ginnivan

FOLL: D.Cameron, J.Crisp, T.Mitchell

I/C: P.Lipinski, S.Sidebottom, J.Ryan, B.McCreery

EMG: E.Allan, R.McInnes, J.Carmichael, M.Cox

In: S.Sidebottom, J.Ryan

Out: D.Moore (Injured), B.Hill (Injured), J.De Goey (Injured)

LIONS

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

HB: C.McKenna, R.Lester, D.Wilmot

C: H.McCluggage, J.Dunkley, D.Zorko

HF: C.Cameron, E.Hipwood, L.McCarthy

F: C.Rayner, J.Daniher, Z.Bailey

FOLL: O.McInerney, L.Neale, J.Berry

I/C: D.Robertson, C.Ah Chee, K.Coleman, J.Fletcher

EMG: J.Lyons, D.Gardiner, D.Fort, J.Tunstill

In: K.Coleman

Out: J.Gunston (Injured), J.Prior (Omitted)

RICHMOND v NORTH MELBOURNE

Saturday August 19, 1:45pm at the MCG

TIGERS

B: D.Grimes, N.Balta, T.Young

HB: N.Vlastuin, D.Rioli, J.Short

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

HF: S.Bolton, L.Baker, D.Prestia

F: J.Riewoldt, D.Martin, M.Pickett

FOLL: T.Nankervis – C, T.Cotchin, J.Hopper

I/C: N.Broad, I.Soldo, T.Dow, J.Graham

EMG: J.Bauer, M.Coulthard, S.Banks, M.Rioli

In: T.Cotchin, J.Hopper

Out: J.Bauer (Omitted), M.Coulthard (Omitted), R.Mansell (Sub)

KANGAROOS

B: A.Corr, B.McKay, L.McDonald

HB: J.Ziebell, T.Thomas, D.Tucker

C: D.Howe, L.Davies-Uniacke, B.Scott

HF: K.Turner, H.Sheezel, C.Taylor

F: E.Ford, N.Larkey, P.Curtis

FOLL: T.Xerri, W.Phillips, J.Simpkin – C

I/C: H.Greenwood, T.Goldstein, J.Goater, T.Powell

EMG: J.Archer, C.Lazzaro, F.Perez, B.Drury

In: D.Howe, W.Phillips, H.Greenwood, T.Powell

Out: J.Archer (Omitted), C.Lazzaro (Omitted), J.Stephenson (Injured), B.Cunnington (Retired), G.Wardlaw (Managed)

GOLD COAST SUNS v CARLTON

Saturday August 19, 2:10pm at Heritage Bank Stadium

SUNS

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

HB: N.Anderson, R.Atkins, B.Ellis

C: L.Johnston, S.Flanders, B.Fiorini

HF: M.Rosas, J.Lukosius, B.Ainsworth

F: C.Budarick, B.King, L.Casboult

FOLL: J.Witts – C, M.Rowell, T.Miller

I/C: A.Sexton, B.Humphrey, S.Lemmens, D.Swallow

EMG: S.Day, B.Long, D.Macpherson, J.Tsitas

In: L.Johnston, B.Fiorini, C.Budarick, B.King, A.Sexton

Out: D.Macpherson (Omitted), J.Farrar (Omitted), S.Day (Omitted), E.Hollands (Omitted), N.Holman (Injured), J.Tsitas (Sub)

BLUES

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

HB: A.Cincotta, C.Marchbank, A.Saad

C: O.Hollands, P.Cripps – C, S.Docherty

HF: J.Martin, T.De Koning, D.Cuningham

F: J.Motlop, C.Curnow, M.Owies

FOLL: M.Pittonet, G.Hewett, B.Acres

I/C: Z.Fisher, P.Dow, M.Cottrell, H.McKay

EMG: J.Silvagni, E.Curnow, J.Boyd, J.Honey

In: H.McKay

Out: L.Fogarty (Injured), E.Curnow (Sub)

GWS GIANTS v ESSENDON

Saturday August 19, 4:35pm at Giants Stadium

GIANTS

B: J.Buckley, S.Taylor, C.Idun

HB: L.Ash, H.Himmelberg, L.Whitfield

C: J.Kelly, T.Green, J.Fahey

HF: T.Bedford, J.Riccardi, B.Daniels

F: D.Lloyd, J.Hogan, T.Greene – C

FOLL: K.Briggs, C.Ward, S.Coniglio

I/C: I.Cumming, H.Perryman, L.Keeffe, C.Brown

EMG: T.McMullin, J.Wehr, R.Angwin, M.Flynn

In: T.Bedford, B.Daniels

Out: N.Haynes (Illness), T.McMullin (Sub), J.Wehr (Sub)

BOMBERS

B: N.Hind, B.Zerk-Thatcher, D.Heppell

HB: M.Redman, J.Laverde, A.McGrath

C: E.Tsatas, A.Perkins, N.Martin

HF: S.Durham, K.Langford, N.Cox

F: A.Phillips, P.Wright, B.Hobbs

FOLL: S.Draper, D.Parish, Z.Merrett – C

I/C: J.Stringer, J.Kelly, M.Guelfi, J.Menzie

EMG: J.Caldwell, W.Snelling, W.Setterfield, K.Baldwin

In: S.Draper, J.Stringer

Out: N.Bryan (Omitted), W.Snelling (Sub), K.Baldwin (Omitted)

ST KILDA v GEELONG

Saturday August 19, 7:25pm at Marvel Stadium

SAINTS

B: J.Battle, C.Wilkie, J.Webster

HB: Z.Cordy, J.Sinclair, N.Wanganeen-Milera

C: M.Windhager, S.Ross, M.Wood

HF: J.Gresham, B.Hill, M.Owens

F: M.King, T.Membrey, J.Higgins

FOLL: R.Marshall, J.Steele – C, B.Crouch

I/C: L.Stocker, D.Butler, M.Phillipou, C.Sharman

EMG: N.Coffield, H.Clark, R.Byrnes, J.Billings

In: None

Out: H.Clark (Sub)

CATS

B: T.Stewart, S.De Koning, J.Kolodjashnij

HB: Z.Guthrie, E.Ratugolea, M.Duncan

C: M.Holmes, T.Bruhn, I.Smith

HF: B.Close, J.Cameron, M.O’Connor

F: T.Stengle, T.Hawkins, G.Miers

FOLL: S.Neale, P.Dangerfield – C, T.Atkins

I/C: J.Bews, Z.Tuohy, J.Bowes, O.Henry

EMG: B.Parfitt, T.Conway, O.Mullin, S.Menegola

In: T.Hawkins, J.Bews

Out: G.Rohan (Injured), R.Stanley (Injured), B.Parfitt (Sub)

ADELAIDE CROWS v SYDNEY SWANS

Saturday August 19, 7:40pm at Adelaide Oval

CROWS

B: B.Smith, J.Borlase, M.Keane

HB: M.Michalanney, J.Worrell, W.Milera

C: J.Soligo, J.Dawson – C, M.Hinge

HF: B.Keays, D.Fogarty, S.McAdam

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

FOLL: R.O’Brien, R.Laird, M.Crouch

I/C: R.Thilthorpe, H.Schoenberg, R.Sloane, J.Rachele

EMG: L.Nankervis, B.Cook, L.Gollant, L.Pedlar

In: I.Rankine

Out: L.Pedlar (Omitted), L.Nankervis (Omitted)

SWANS

B: T.McCartin, D.Rampe – C, R.Fox

HB: N.Blakey, H.Cunningham, J.Lloyd

C: B.Campbell, J.Rowbottom, E.Gulden

HF: S.Wicks, H.McLean, T.Papley

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

FOLL: T.Hickey, C.Mills, L.Parker

I/C: O.Florent, J.Buller, D.Stephens, Ch.Warner

EMG: R.Clarke, A.Francis, L.Melican, M.Roberts

In: D.Rampe, B.Campbell, J.Buller

Out: A.Francis (Omitted), M.Roberts (Omitted), J.Amartey (Injured), R.Clarke (Sub)

WESTERN BULLDOGS v WEST COAST EAGLES

Sunday August 20, 1:10pm at Marvel Stadium

BULLDOGS

B: A.Keath, L.Jones, T.Duryea

HB: B.Dale, J.O’Donnell, E.Richards

C: J.Macrae, B.Smith, B.Williams

HF: C.Weightman, A.Naughton, C.Daniel

F: R.Lobb, J.Ugle-Hagan, R.West

FOLL: T.English, A.Treloar, M.Bontempelli - C

I/C: C.Poulter, L.Vandermeer, A.Scott, O.Baker

In: A.Scott

Out: T.Liberatore (Injured), A.Jones (Omitted)

EAGLES

B: T.Cole, J.McGovern - C, A.Witherden

HB: E.Yeo, J.Rotham, L.Duggan

C: A.Gaff, T.Kelly, J.Hunt

HF: C.Chesser, J.Darling, N.Long

F: J.Cripps, O.Allen, R.Maric

FOLL: B.Williams, L.Edwards, E.Hewett

I/C: S.Petrevski-Seton, J.Petruccelle, J.Jones, J.Williams

In: R.Maric, J.Petruccelle

Out: L.Foley (Omitted), X.O’Neill (Omitted), G.Clark (Suspension)

MELBOURNE v HAWTHORN

Sunday August 20, 3:20pm at the MCG

DEMONS

B: J.Bowey, S.May, T.Rivers

HB: J.McVee, J.Smith, J.Lever

C: C.Salem, J.Viney, E.Langdon

HF: T.Sparrow, J.Melksham, A.Neal-Bullen

F: K.Pickett, J.van Rooyen, L.Hunter

FOLL: M.Gawn - C, C.Oliver, C.Petracca

I/C: B.Laurie, A.Brayshaw, A.Tomlinson, K.Chandler

In: B.Laurie, A.Tomlinson

Out: B.Grundy (Omitted), J.Jordon (Omitted), M.Hibberd (Sub)

HAWKS

B: B.Hardwick, J.Blanck, J.Impey

HB: J.Sicily - C, J.Scrimshaw, H.Morrison

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

HF: W.Day, L.Breust, J.Ward

F: D.Moore, J.Koschitzke, F.Maginness

FOLL: N.Reeves, C.Nash, J.Worpel

I/C : N.Long, C.Macdonald 31 D.Grainger-Barras, M.Ramsden

In: - N.Long, M.Ramsden

Out: - C.Wingard (Injured), M.Lewis (Injured), B.Macdonald (Sub)

FREMANTLE v PORT ADELAIDE

Sunday August 20, 4:40pm at Optus Stadium

DOCKERS

B: B.Cox, A.Pearce - C, C.Wagner

HB: J.Clark, L.Ryan, H.Young

C: L.Henry, M.Johnson, J.Aish

HF: S.Switkowski, J.Treacy, L.Schultz

F: M.Frederick, J.Amiss, S.Sturt

FOLL: L.Jackson, C.Serong, A.Brayshaw

I/C: B.Banfield, J.O’Meara 2 T.Emmett, K.Worner

In: T.Emmett, B.Banfield

Out: J.Corbett (Omitted), M.Walters (Injured), N.Erasmus (Sub)

POWER

B: D.Williams, A.Aliir, D.Houston

HB: K.Farrell, T.Jonas - C, R.Burton

C: Z.Butters, W.Drew, X.Duursma

HF: W.Rioli, T.Marshall, J.McEntee

F: D.Byrne-Jones, J.Finlayson, S.Powell-Pepper

FOLL: S.Hayes, O.Wines, C.Rozee

I/C: O.Lord, M.Bergman, J.Horne-Francis, L.Jones

In: –

Out: F.Evans