AFLW teams: Kiara Bowers returns as Ruby Schleicher misses again

Fremantle will be bolstered by a former league best and fairest against Collingwood, but have the Magpies regained their winged stars?

Fremantle star Kiara Bowers will play her first game for the season on Sunday against Collingwood. Picture: Natasha Morello / AAP

Fremantle star Kiara Bowers will play her first game for the season against Collingwood on Sunday in a huge boost for the Dockers ahead of a finals-shaping clash.

Bowers’ inclusion after she missed round 1 with a knee complaint will make the Magpies’ task of bouncing back from their heavy opening game defeat more difficult, as the home side will again be without vice-captain Ruby Schleicher and Lauren Butler.

The important defensive duo will miss again with foot injuries, while it was confirmed earlier this week star forward Eliza James would be sidelined for at least four weeks after an ankle syndesmosis injury against the Demons.

Richmond vice-captain Sarah Hosking will play her first game for the season after recovering from a hamstring injury. Picture: Robert Cianflone / Getty Images

Richmond will regain vice-captain Sarah Hosking for Friday night’s clash against Adelaide at Ikon Park, after a hamstring injury kept her out of round 1.

But the Tigers will lose former No. 1 pick Ellie McKenzie to an ankle injury which she suffered in the dying moments of their win over Brisbane.

Adelaide has included enigmatic forward Jess Waterhouse for her third game at the expense of Montana McKinnon.

Hawthorn ruck Lucy Wales is a confirmed starter after she missed round 1 with a thigh injury, with a shift to defence flagged for Tamara Luke despite her impressive performance in the Bombers loss.

Premiership player Megan Fitzsimon will miss Melbourne’s trip to Canberra to play GWS through injury, with Rhi Watt or Gabby Colvin potentially in line for a comeback from respective ACL injuries.

It would be Watt’s first game for Melbourne after crossing over from St Kilda before season seven.

Imogen Mulgrew meets Kangaroos forwards Bella Eddey (left) and Emma King along with Carlton midfielder Abbie McKay at the RCH ahead of Sunday's inaugural AFLW SuperClash at Arden Street. Picture: Mark Stewart

Carlton defender Gab Pound will return for the Blues on Sunday against the Kangaroos after missing round 1, while Phoebe McWilliams has been named on the extended bench and is a chance to play her 50th game if she can overcome a calf injury in time.

The Roos will host Carlton in the AFLW’s inaugural SuperClash at Arden Street, with a percentage of proceeds going to the Good Friday Appeal in support of the Royal Children’s Hospital.

Friday, September 8

Richmond v Adelaide at Ikon Park, 5.05pm AEST

RICHMOND

In: S.Hosking

Out: E.McKenzie (ankle)

ADELAIDE

In: J.Waterhouse

Out: M.McKinnon (omitted)

Milestone: Chelsea Randall - 50 games

Saturday, September 9

Gold Coast v West Coast at Heritage Bank Stadium, 11.05am AEST

GOLD COAST

In: A.Bush

Out: K.Howarth (knee)

Milestone: Jamie Stanton - 50 games

WEST COAST

In: E.Humphries

Out: K.Bartlett (omitted)

Milestone: Dana Hooker - 50 games

Port Adelaide v Brisbane at Alberton Oval, 12.35pm ACST

PORT ADELAIDE

In: S.Syme

Out: O.Levicki (omitted)

BRISBANE

In: E.Hampson, P.Boltz

Out: J.Pregelj (omitted), E.Smith (omitted)

Milestone: Sophie Conway - 50 games

Sydney v Geelong at North Sydney Oval, 1.05pm AEST

SYDNEY

In: A.Hamilton

Out: B.Smith (omitted)

Milestone: Aliesha Newman - 50 games

GEELONG

In: None

Out: None

Sunday, September 10

Western Bulldogs v Hawthorn at Mars Stadium, 1.05pm AEST

WESTERN BULLDOGS

In: D.Berry, R.Wilcox, H.Woodley, A.Smith

Out: E.Bennetts (knee)

HAWTHORN

In: L.Wales, L.Elliott, E.Everist, B.Deed

Out: T.Smith (suspension)

Collingwood v Fremantle at Victoria Park, 1.05pm AEST

COLLINGWOOD

In: I.Barnett, E.Smith, O.Barber, I.Evans, C.Blair

Out: E.James (ankle), E.Fowler (omitted)

FREMANTLE

In: K.Bowers, N.Nield, J.Flynn

Out: None

North Melbourne v Carlton at Arden Street, 3.05pm AEST

NORTH MELBOURNE

In: L.Burke, A.Considine, L.McGrath

Out: None

CARLTON

In: G.Pound, P.McWilliams, P.Trudgeon, D.Finn

Out: D.Walker (injured)

Milestone: Phoebe McWilliams - 50 games

Essendon v St Kilda at Windy Hill, 3.05pm AEST

ESSENDON

In: D.Marshall, L.Cutting, A.Barba

Out: None

ST KILDA

In: D.Guttridge, D.Jolliffe, N.Exon

Out: None

Greater Western Sydney v Melbourne at Manuka Oval, 5.05pm AEST

GREATER WESTERN SYDNEY

In: C.Miller, J.Grierson, T.Cattle

Out: None

Milestone: Nicola Barr - 50 games

MELBOURNE

In: M.Chaplin, G.Colvin, C.Wilson, R.Watt

Out: M.Fitzsimon (injured)

Originally published as AFLW teams: Kiara Bowers returns as Ruby Schleicher misses again