AFL round 5 team news: Kallan Dawson injured, Sam Walsh to play first game of 2024

North Melbourne fans will get a first look at two players in the blue and white after a training mishap sidelined one of their key pillars. SEE THE SUNDAY TEAMS HERE.

MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - FEBRUARY 16: SELLERS Tyler during the North Melbourne Kangaroos 2024 Official Team Photo Day at Arden Street on February 16, 2024 in Melbourne, Australia.

A training mishap for North Melbourne defender Kallan Dawson on Friday has opened the door for Bigoa Nyuon to play his first game for the Kangaroos against Geelong.

The former Tiger will join debutant Tyler Sellers along with Blake Drury and Charlie Lazzaro in the winless side on Sunday as Jaidyn Stephenson was dropped and Liam Shiels ruled out through injury.

Nyuon, 22, received a call-up for his second AFL game after Dawson rolled his ankle during match simulation at Arden Street.

The 200cm defender was traded from Richmond to the Kangaroos in exchange for pick 65 at the end of last season.

Bigoa Nyuon. Picture: Getty Images

Cam Zurhaar had already been ruled out of the clash due to calf tightness, with Alastair Clarkson saying on Friday he hoped the powerful forward would only miss one week.
Sellers, a key forward, will become the fourth debutant blooded by North Melbourne this season when he lines up on Sunday.

The 21-year old, who grabbed the last place on the Kangaroos’ list for 2024, was playing amateur football in Melbourne with Old Scotch just two years ago.
After spending 2023 with North’s VFL program, Sellers earned his call up to the senior team with an impressive six goal haul against Coburg in round 1 of the VFL.

Debutant Connor O’Sullivan is the only inclusion for Geelong and is set to play a role in defence after experienced backman Jake Kolodjashnij was rested.

Richmond first-year midfielder Kane McAuliffe is poised to start in the Tigers’ 22 against West Coast in Perth after he debuted as the sub in Gather Round.

Liam Baker will join McAuliffe in the Richmond midfield as the side scrambles to replace injured duo Tim Taranto (wrist) and Jack Ross (foot stress fracture).

Hugo Ralphsmith is the other inclusion for the Tigers and could be named as the sub.

West Coast regained small forward Tyler Brockman and dropped last week’s debutant Loch Rawlinson.

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The changing of the guard at the Western Bulldogs has picked up speed with premiership defender and All-Australian Caleb Daniel omitted from the side.

Daniel, 27, has been dropped to the VFL for the first time since he made his senior debut in round 14, 2015.

James O’Donnell will replace him as the only change to the Bulldogs’ 23 as Essendon replaced injured midfield duo Will Setterfield and Archie Perkins with Sam Durham and Alwyn Davey Jr for the Friday night clash.

St Kilda will unveil its fourth debutant of the season against an unchanged GWS in Canberra on Saturday with forward-midfielder Hugo Garcia named alongside a returning Marcus Windhager.

St Kilda traded up to take the 18-year-old with pick 50 in last year’s draft.

“Hugo has been so keen to get better and has latched on to a few of the senior midfielders,” Saints development coach Lenny Hayes said.

“He’s really disciplined with learning the game-plan. He’s obviously got speed and endurance, but his inside craft and willingness to chase and tackle are impressive.”

Geelong will also hand a debut to tall utility Connor O’Sullivan for its clash against North Melbourne at GMHBA Stadium on Sunday.

The Cats took the pacy 198cm prospect with pick 11 in last year’s draft and he impressed on a wing during their pre-season games.

The Kangaroos also have a potential debutant with SSP forward Tyler Sellers named on an extended bench alongside Robert Hansen Jr and Will Phillips.

Jayden Stephenson has been dropped, while important forward Cam Zurhaar has been ruled out with calf tightness.

Liam Baker will return from suspension for Richmond against West Coast, while Jack Ross has been ruled out through injury.

Gold Coast and Hawthorn named unchanged sides for their Saturday night clash at People First Stadium, after the Suns made seven changes the week before.

Sam Powell-Pepper will return from suspension for his first game of the season alongside Ollie Wines for Port Adelaide as Travis Boak couldn’t recover in time for the clash with Fremantle at the Adelaide Oval.