AFL Round 6 team news: Collingwood make three changes as Essendon drops Harry Jones

Essendon has dropped an out-of-form key forward, while Collingwood has made several changes. See the full Anzac Day teams.

See the Round 6 AFL teams.

Collingwood will be bolstered by the return of game-changing midfielder Jordan De Goey as Essendon has dumped a key forward for Tuesday’s blockbuster Anzac Day clash at the MCG.

De Goey was a late withdrawal with illness against St Kilda and will boost a depleted Magpies line-up missing the suspended Taylor Adams and talls Dan McStay (finger) and Nathan Murphy (concussion).

Nathan Kreuger and defender Trey Ruscoe will play their first senior game for the season in front of a packed MCG crowd, with Kreuger set to help combat Essendon’s in-form ruck duo Sam Draper and Andrew Phillips.

With the Magpies’ ruck stocks decimated, athletic forward Ash Johnson has been named in the ruck at 193cm, while key defender Billy Frampton did the bulk of the ruck duties in round 5 against the Saints.

The Bombers have omitted tall forward Harry Jones, who was substituted out of their win over Melbourne with an ankle concern, replacing him with Sam Weideman.

Jones has been subbed out in two other games this season, managing just two goals from his five appearances.

Weideman has overcome a concussion suffered in round 4 after an ugly collision against Greater Western Sydney in round 4.

Essendon coach Brad Scott has also recalled Alwyn Davey Jr after he was managed last week, with Zach Merrett to miss through suspension.

Nathan Kreuger played limited football for the Magpies last year. Picture: Getty Images

DEES STARS CERTAIN STARTERS FOR MONDAY NIGHT BLOCKBUSTER

Mlebourne will unleash the full power of its first-choice midfield against Richmond with Max Gawn and Clayton Oliver certain starters for the Monday night’s MCG clash.

Six-time All Australian and premiership captain Gawn breezed through a captain’s run on Sunday to prove that he has made a full recovery from a medial ligament injury.

And four-time best-and-fairest winner Oliver also took part in that final session after training away from the Demons squad on Friday because of flu-like symptoms.

The Demons dropped Jake Melksham, Tom McDonald and Adam Tomlinson on Saturday night, with Charlie Spargo also unavailable because of concussion.

Gawn will be joined by star interceptor Jake Lever (ankle), while Michael Hibberd is back in the side after overcoming injury.

Demons coach Simon Goodwin made clear on Friday Melbourne was not taking a risk bringing back Gawn after four weeks on the sidelines.

“He’s done a power of work, Gawny. He’s done all the work that he needs to do, and he feels really confident,” he said.

Only Ben Brown (back), Spargo and Christian Salem (knee) are missing from the club’s best 22 as they take on an injury-ravaged Richmond.

Toby Nankervis, Tom Lynch, Josh Gibcus, Robbie Tarrant, Nathan Broad, Jack Graham and Ivan Soldo are all on a Richmond injury list that contains 13 players.

DEES NAME STARS, PREMIERSHIP TIGER LOCKED IN

Richmond defender Jayden Short has been declared a “certain starter” to take on Melbourne on Anzac Eve in a welcome boost for the injury-hit Tigers.

Short was named on an extended interchange bench on Thursday night after missing the past three weeks with a calf complaint.

However, the 2020 best and fairest winner trained on Saturday morning and was last night named across halfback in the final side.

The Demons are set to welcome back ruckman Max Gawn and key defender Jake Lever, against a Tigers side which is missing a host of talls including ruckmen Toby Nankervis (ankle) and Ivan Soldo (foot) and key forward Tom Lynch (foot).

Jayden Short is back for the Tigers. Picture: Michael Klein

Inexperienced Tigers Samson Ryan and Ben Miller – who have played 19 senior games between them – will be forced to go up against the formidable Demons’ ruck pairing of Gawn and Brodie Grundy.

Gawn and Grundy have a combined 365 games of experience and have won eight All-Australian jackets between them.

“We want to test ourselves,” Richmond coach Damien Hardwick said.

“We’ve got some work to do in a couple of areas but we also want the opportunity to play against the very best sides. We think we’re up for the challenge.

“We went to work on a few of those (areas) this week so we’re looking forward to seeing how our side prepares and operates against those guys. It will be a formidable challenge but one we’re certainly looking forward to.”

The Demons also welcome back Michael Hibberd, who missed last week with an Achilles issue.

Tom McDonald, Adam Tomlinson and Jake Melksham have all found themselves omitted, while Charlie Spargo is also out of the side which lost to Essendon last week due to concussion protocols.

Richmond has lost its past two Anzac Eve matches against Melbourne and has just one win and one draw to its name from the first five rounds this year.

The Demons have won three of their first five matches this season.

SCROLL DOWN TO SEE THE FULL ROUND 6 TEAMS

Clayton Oliver missed Melbourne’s main training session on Friday. Picture: Picture: Dylan Burns/AFL Photo

AFL ROUND 6 TEAMS

(All times AEST)

FREMANTLE v WESTERN BULLDOGS

Friday April 21, 8.10pm at Optus Stadium

Dockers

B: B.Cox, A.Pearce – C, H.Young

HB: J.Clark, L.Ryan, C.Wagner

C: J.Aish, W.Brodie, E.Hughes

HF: M.Walters, L.Jackson, B.Banfield

F: L.Schultz, S.Sturt, J.O‘Meara

FOLL: S.Darcy, A.Brayshaw, M.Johnson

I/C: J.Amiss, M.Frederick, C.Serong, B.Walker

EMG: N.O‘Driscoll, J.Corbett, J.Draper, N.Erasmus

IN: Nil

OUT: S.Switkowski (injured)

Bulldogs

B: J.Johannisen, L.Jones, T.O‘Brien

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

C: J.Macrae, M.Bontempelli – C, B.Williams

HF: T.McLean, J.Ugle-Hagan, C.Weightman

F: A.Jones, A.Naughton, R.Lobb

FOLL: T.English, T.Liberatore, A.Treloar

I/C: T.Duryea, C.Daniel, O.Baker, A.Scott

EMG: M.Hannan, L.McNeil, J.Sweet, B.Khamis

IN: A.Keath

OUT: J.Bruce (injured), M.Hannan (omitted)

PORT ADELAIDE v WEST COAST EAGLES

Saturday April 22, 1.45pm at Adelaide Oval

Power

B: A.Aliir, T.McKenzie, T.Jonas – C

HB: M.Bergman, R.Burton, D.Houston

C: T.Boak, O.Wines, X.Duursma

HF: J.McEntee, D.Byrne-Jones, S.Powell-Pepper

F: J.Rioli, O.Lord, T.Marshall

FOLL: J.Finlayson, C.Rozee, Z.Butters

I/C: K.Farrell, W.Drew, J.Horne-Francis, B.Teakle

EMG: D.Williams, R.Bonner, J.Mead, M.Georgiades

IN: T.Jonas, O.Lord, B.Teakle

OUT: S.Lycett, D.Williams, J.Mead (all omitted), C.Dixon (injured)

Eagles

B: A.Witherden, T.Barrass, L.Duggan

HB: J.Jones, J.Rotham, J.Hunt

C: L.Edwards, L.Shuey – C, G.Clark

HF: S.Petrevski-Seton, J.Darling, R.Ginbey

F: J.Petruccelle, O.Allen, J.Waterman

FOLL: B.Williams, T.Kelly, A.Gaff

I/C: Z.Trew, L.Foley, C.West, J.Culley

EMG: X.O‘Neill, H.Barnett, R.Bazzo, C.Jamieson

IN: L.Shuey, Z.Trew, L.Foley

OUT: X.O’Neill (omitted), B.Hough, N.Long, E.Yeo (all injured)

GWS GIANTS V BRISBANE LIONS

Saturday April 22, 4.35pm at Manuka Oval

Giants

B: N.Haynes, S.Taylor, I.Cumming

HB: L.Whitfield, J.Buckley, L.Ash

C: F.Callaghan, J.Kelly, D.Lloyd

HF: B.Daniels, H.Himmelberg, C.Ward

F: T.Greene – C, J.Hogan, J.Peatling

FOLL: M.Flynn, H.Perryman, S.Coniglio

I/C: H.Rowston, A.Cadman, C.Idun, X.O‘Halloran

EMG: C.Brown, J.Riccardi, R.Angwin, A.Kennedy

IN: B.Daniels, H.Perryman

OUT: A.Kennedy (omitted), C.Hamilton (injured), T.Green (suspension)

Lions

B: B.Starcevich, J.Payne, D.Joyce

HB: C.McKenna, H.Andrews, D.Wilmot

C: W.Ashcroft, Z.Bailey, J.Berry

HF: C.Cameron, J.Gunston, H.McCluggage

F: D.Zorko, J.Daniher, E.Hipwood

FOLL: O.McInerney, J.Dunkley, L.Neale – C

I/C: D.Rich, L.McCarthy, C.Rayner, K.Coleman

EMG: N.Cockatoo, J.Madden, J.Lyons, D.Fort

IN: J.Gunston

OUT: D.Fort (omitted), J.Lyons (sub)

GEELONG CATS v SYDNEY SWANS

Saturday April 22, 7.25pm at GMHBA Stadium

Cats

B: E.Ratugolea, S.De Koning, T.Stewart

HB: J.Kolodjashnij, M.Blicavs, Z.Guthrie

C: I.Smith, M.Holmes, Z.Tuohy

HF: M.Duncan, T.Hawkins, G.Rohan

F: O.Henry, J.Cameron, B.Close

FOLL: J.Ceglar, T.Atkins, P.Dangerfield – C

I/C: J.Bowes, M.O‘Connor, C.Guthrie, G.Miers

EMG: B.Parfitt, M.Knevitt, T.Bruhn, S.Simpson

IN: G.Rohan, J.Ceglar

OUT: T.Stengle, R.Stanley (both injured), B.Parfitt (sub)

Swans

B: B.Campbell, R.Fox, H.Cunningham

HB: O.Florent, J.Lloyd, N.Blakey

C: D.Stephens, C.Mills – C, J.McInerney

HF: E.Gulden, W.Hayward, J.Rowbottom

F: I.Heeney, L.McDonald, T.Papley

FOLL: P.Ladhams, L.Parker, Ch. Warner

I/C: M.Roberts, A.Francis, R.Clarke, H.McLean

EMG: Co. Warner, W.Gould, A.Sheldrick, L.McAndrew

IN: A.Francis, R.Clarke

OUT: J.Amartey (injured), Co. Warner (omitted), W.Gould (sub)

HAWTHORN v ADELAIDE CROWS

Sunday April 23, 1.10pm at University of Tasmania Stadium

Hawks

B: C.Jiath, D.Grainger-Barras, S.Frost

HB: J.Impey, B.Hardwick, J.Sicily – C

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

HF: H.Morrison, D.Moore, C.Macdonald

F: C.Wingard, F.Greene, L.Breust

FOLL: N.Reeves, J.Newcombe, N.Long

I/C: C.Mackenzie, M.Lynch, S.Mitchell, T.Brockman

EMG: J.Scrimshaw, J.Ward, F.Maginness, L.Meek

IN: M.Lynch

OUT: J.Ward (Managed), L.Meek (omitted)

Crows

B: T.Doedee, N.Murray, M.Michalanney

HB: B.Smith, J.Butts, M.Hinge

C: J.Soligo, J.Dawson – C, L.Sholl

HF: I.Rankine, R.Thilthorpe, J.Rachele

F: T.Walker, D.Fogarty, L.Murphy

FOLL: R.O‘Brien, R.Laird, B.Keays

I/C R.Sloane, L. Pedlar, C. Jones, W.Milera

EMG: J. Hately, N. McHenry, E Himmelberg, L. Nankervis

IN: –

OUT: N. McHenry (sub)

CARLTON v ST KILDA

Sunday April 23, 3.20pm at Marvel Stadium

Blues

B: N.Newman, J.Weitering, Le. Young

HB: A.Cincotta, M.McGovern, B.Acres

C: S.Walsh, P.Cripps – C, O.Hollands

HF: Z.Fisher, H.McKay, J.Silvagni

F: C.Durdin, C.Curnow, J.Motlop

FOLL: M.Pittonet, G.Hewett, A.Cerra

I/C: M.Kennedy, J.Honey, E.Curnow, L.Cowan

EMG: L.Plowman, B.Kemp, L.O’Brien, T.De Koning

IN: A.Cincotta, M.McGovern

OUT: A.Saad (injured), T.De Koning (managed), L.Plowman

Saints

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

HB: B.Paton, J.Sinclair, N.Wanganeen-Milera

C: M.Wood, S.Ross, R.Byrnes

HF: M.Phillipou, B.Hill, J.Higgins

F: M.Owens, J.Gresham, T.Membrey

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

I/C: H.Clark, L.Stocker, D.Butler, Z.Cordy

EMG: M.Windhager, J.Bytel, C.Sharman, T.Campbell

IN: T.Membrey, J.Steele

OUT: A.Caminiti (suspension), M.Windhager, J.Bytel (both omitted)

GOLD COAST SUNS v NORTH MELBOURNE

Sunday April 23, 4.40pm at Heritage Bank Stadium

Suns

B: S.Lemmens, S.Collins, D.Macpherson

HB: B.Long, C.Ballard, W.Powell

C: L.Weller, T.Miller, D.Swallow

HF: B.Ainsworth, M.Chol, B.Ellis

F: N.Holman, B.King, J.Lukosius

FOLL: J.Witts – C, M.Rowell, N.Anderson

I/C: M.Andrew, L.Casboult, B.Fiorini, M.Rosas

EMG: B.Humphrey, J.Jeffrey, N.Moyle, A.Sexton

IN: J.Witts, L.Casboult

OUT: B.Humphrey (omitted), N.Moyle (rested), A.Sexton (sub)

Kangaroos

B: G.Logue, B.McKay, L.McDonald – C

HB: J.Ziebell, A.Corr, D.Tucker

C: B.Scott, B.Cunnington, H.Sheezel

HF: J.Stephenson, C.Comben, C.Taylor

F: C.Zurhaar, N.Larkey, K.Turner

FOLL: T.Goldstein, L.Davies-Uniacke, T.Powell

I/C: A.Hall, W.Phillips, D.Howe, P.Curtis

EMG: H.Greenwood, C.Lazzaro, L.Shiels, M.Bergman

IN: A.Hall, P.Curtis

OUT: L.Shiels (omitted), J.Simpkin (injured), H.Greenwood (sub)

MELBOURNE v RICHMOND

Monday April 24, 7.25pm at the MCG

Demons

B: H.Petty, S.May, T.Rivers

HB: K.Chandler, J.Lever, E.Langdon

C: A.Brayshaw, C.Oliver, L.Hunter

HF: J.McVee, B.Grundy, A.Neal-Bullen

F: K.Pickett, J.van Rooyen, B.Fritsch

FOLL: M.Gawn – C, J.Viney, C.Petracca

I/C (FROM): M.Hibberd, J.Bowey, J.Jordon, T.Sparrow

IN: J.Lever, M.Gawn, M.Hibberd

OUT: A.Tomlinson (omitted), J.Melksham (omitted), C.Spargo (injured), T.McDonald (omitted)

Tigers

B: N.Balta, D.Grimes – C, T.Young

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

C: K.McIntosh, T.Taranto, M.Pickett

HF: T.Cotchin, D.Martin, R.Mansell

F: B.Miller, N.Cumberland, J.Riewoldt

FOLL: S.Ryan, S.Bolton, J.Hopper

I/C (FROM): D.Prestia, J.Clarke, L.Baker, M. Rioli

IN: J.Short

OUT: T.Sonsie, H.Ralphsmith

COLLINGWOOD v ESSENDON

Tuesday April 25, 3.20pm at the MCG

Magpies

B: Quaynor, Moore, Ruscoe

HB: Maynard, Frampton, Noble

C: Sidebottom, N.Daicos, J.Daicos

HF: Hill, Mihocek, Elliott

F: McCreery, De Goey, Ginnivan

FOLL: Johnson, Pendlebury, Crisp

I/C: Mitchell, Kreuger, Hoskin-Elliott, Markov

EMG: Bianco, Macrae, Kelly, McInnes

IN: Ruscoe, De Goey, Kreuger

OUT: Adams (suspended), Murphy, McStay (both injured), Wilson (sub)

Bombers

B: Redman, Zerk-Thatcher, Ridley

HB: Kelly, Laverde, McGrath

C: Heppell, Shiel, Durham

HF: Menzie, Weideman, Caldwell

F: Perkins, Stringer, Martin

FOLL: Draper, Parish, Setterfield

I/C: Langford, Snelling, Davey Jnr, Phillips

EMG: Hobbs, Hind, Jones, D’Ambrosio

IN: Weideman, Davey Jnr

OUT: Merrett (suspended), Jones (omitted), Hind (sub)