AFL Round 7 Teams: Scott Pendlebury to miss Crows clash, Luke Davies-Uniacke withdrawn

Richmond and Essendon have a host of changes, with the Bombers recalling a fan favourite. Plus, the Crows have made a call on an injured star.

Check out all the teams.

Richmond and Essendon have both made five changes following come-from-behind defeats, with the Bombers recalling fan favourite Anthony McDonald-Tipungwuti.

The small forward, who turned 30 last week, sent the Essendon faithful into a frenzy in his comeback game in round one when he slotted a goal in the final term after being deployed as the substitute.

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McDonald-Tipungwuti has played two VFL matches since, averaging 10 touches and kicking two goals, and has been named in the 22 for the first time this year for the Bombers’ bumper clash with Geelong on Sunday.

Essendon will also be boosted by the return of Zach Merrett from suspension, with defenders Nick Hind and Massimo D’Ambrosio also coming into the side.

Anthony McDonald-Tipungwuti is back for the Bombers. Picture: Dylan Burns/AFL Photos via Getty Images

Forwards Alwyn Davey Jr and Will Snelling have both been dropped, former skipper Dyson Heppell and Jye Menzie have been managed, while Jayden Laverde faces an extended stint on the sidelines after undergoing shoulder surgery.

The Tigers have dumped three youngsters in Rhyan Mansell, Judson Clarke and Hugo Ralphsmith, with premiership defender Nathan Broad – returning from his four-game suspension – ruckman Ivan Soldo and midfielders Jack Ross and Tyler Sonsie replacing them.

Soldo gives the Toby Nankervis-less Tigers some much-needed ruck relief up against Gold Coast co-captain Jarrod Witts.

The Suns have turned to Alex Davies to help fill the void left by ball-magnet Touk Miller, with perennial sub Alex Sexton promoted to the senior line-up and Rory Atkins set to play his first game of the season.

Gold Coast coach Stuart Dew has axed Mac Andrew and Malcolm Rosas, while veteran Levi Casboult has been rested.

Scott Pendlebury will miss the Pies clash with the Crows. Picture: Michael Klein

Scott Pendlebury has been ruled out with an eye injury suffered on Anzac Day, but prolific Crow Rory Laird has been named pending a fitness test following a calf concern he picked up on Thursday.

Collingwood coach Craig McRae said earlier on Friday that Scott Pendlebury will not be risked against Adelaide as he recovers from an eye injury.

McRae said the five-day break had not left enough time for the Magpies champion to bounce back from a heavy poke to the eye during the final quarter on Anzac Day.

Nathan Murphy and Taylor Adams return from concussion and suspension respectively to take on the Crows at Adelaide Oval, while the home side go in unchanged.

“Pendles is going to be out … we named in our squad, so he won’t play,” McRae said.

“He’s not quite right at the moment so we just made a decision to look after him.”

Fellow Pies veteran Steele Sidebottom has been named despite being a notable absentee from training on Friday as he battles the flu. McRae said he was likely to face the Crows.

“We’re anticipating he comes good, so we’ll work through that hopefully in the next 24 hours he improves and will be part of the team,” he said.

NORTH’S STAR MAN WITHDRAWN

North Melbourne has suffered a huge blow in its bid to end a run of four consecutive losses with star midfielder Luke Davies-Uniacke forced to withdraw from Saturday night’s clash with Melbourne due to injury.

A heel injury will keep Davies-Uniacke, who has been one of the Kangaroos’ shining lights this season, out of the Demons’ clash.

The Kangaroos are hopeful he will only miss one game and could return against St Kilda on Sunday week.

He will be sorely missed this week off the back of his midfield impact which has seen him average 27 disposals from his five games in 2023.

At least the Kangaroos regain co-captain Jy Simpkin, who missed last week’s game after suffering a right hand fracture in the round 5 Gather Round clash with Brisbane.

Former Docker Darcy Tucker, who was originally omitted from the team to take on the Demons, returns to take Davies-Uniacke’s spot in the 22.

Rookie Blake Drury has been added to the emergency list.

The Kangaroos won their first two games against West Coast and Fremantle, but have lost their past four to Hawthorn, Carlton, Brisbane and Gold Coast.

Luke Davies-Uniacke won’t take on Melbourne this week. Picture: Getty Images

Former Docker Darcy Tucker, who was originally omitted from the team to take on the Demons, returns to take Davies-Uniacke’s spot in the 22.

Rookie Blake Drury has been added to the emergency list.

The Kangaroos won their first two games against West Coast and Fremantle, but have lost their past four to Hawthorn, Carlton, Brisbane and Gold Coast.

HAWKS SWING AXE

Hawthorn has swung the axe on four youngsters to help make way for the returns of important duo Mitch Lewis and Will Day for Saturday’s clash against Western Bulldogs.

Coach Sam Mitchell dropped Denver Grainger-Barras, Cameron McKenzie, Ned Long and Connor MacDonald in search of the club’s second win of the season.

Lewis returns from a knee injury to help lead the forward line, while silky midfielder Will Day will come back from suspension.

Young ruckman Max Ramsden replaces concussed big man Max Lynch, while impressive pair Josh Weddle and Josh Ward will lock horns against the Dogs’ blue-chip midfield brigade.

Western Bulldogs regain Bailey Smith but lost concussed hard nut Tom Liberatore for Marcus Bontempelli’s 200th game.

Mitch Lewis is back for the Hawks. Picture: Michael Klein

RESTED STARS

Geelong lost clearance winner Cameron Guthrie for Sunday’s clash against Essendon who also chose to rest veteran Dyson Heppell amid a five-day break.

The Bombers will be bolstered by the return of superstar captain Zach Merrett although Jayden Laverde’s shoulder injury will leave a huge hole in defence.

Melbourne has turned to new Demon Josh Schache to bolster its forward line for Saturday’s clash against North Melbourne in place of injured swingman Harry Petty.

Kangaroos’ co-captain Jy Simpkin will return from a hand injury along with former Richmond big man Callum-Coleman Jones.

New recruits Darcy Tucker (from Fremantle) and Daniel Howe (Hawthorn) were dropped along with pick three Will Phillips on the back of a heavy loss to Gold Coast on Sunday night.

Richmond has withdrawn veteran midfielder Dion Prestia for Sunday’s clash against the Suns after he pulled up sore from the loss to Melbourne on Anzac Day eve.

Prestia, who has a history of soft-tissue problems, won’t play against his former side Gold Coast on Sunday at Marvel Stadium.

The Tigers are in their first leg of three-straight six-day breaks, and did not want to risk losing the ballwinner for an extended period.

Fitness boss Luke Meehan said Prestia “reported soreness” following the loss to the Demons

“Dion has been fantastic this year with his ability to present himself to play. However, given his history and the upcoming short turnarounds, we think the right decision is for him to miss Sunday’s game,” Meehan said.

“Our indicators suggest that pushing him too far could result in us losing him for longer, so we are taking this necessary approach.”

Dion Prestia has been managed with soreness. Picture: Dylan Burns/AFL Photos via Getty Images

Prestia, who has played 198 matches, said recently the Tigers’ schedule had been demanding as they prepare for a home game under the roof at Marvel Stadium.

“It has been a pretty full-on season already, having two travels and probably going off my history and having six day breaks – it is pretty smart to have a rest,” Prestia said.

ROUND 7 TEAMS

St Kilda v Port Adelaide

Friday April 28, 7:50pm at Marvel Stadium

SAINTS

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

HB: L.Stocker, J.Sinclair, N.Wanganeen-Milera

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

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

F: M.Owens, Z.Cordy, T.Membrey

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

I/C: J.Gresham, H.Clark, D.Butler, B.Paton

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

IN: None

OUT: M.Windhager (sub)

POWER

B: A.Aliir, T.McKenzie, D.Williams

HB: M.Bergman, J.Burgoyne, D.Houston

C: T.Boak, J.Horne-Francis, X.Duursma

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

F: J.Finlayson, B.Teakle, O.Lord

FOLL: C.Dixon, W.Drew, C.Rozee

I/C: R.Burton, O.Wines – C, Z.Butters, J.Rioli

EMG: F.Evans, R.Bonner, J.Mead, L.Jones

IN: J.Burgoyne, C.Dixon

OUT: T.Jonas (suspended), K.Farrell, T.Marshall (injured)

Brisbane Lions v Fremantle

Saturday April 29, 1:45pm at The Gabba

LIONS

B: B.Starcevich, J.Payne, K.Coleman

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

C: D.Wilmot, Z.Bailey, H.McCluggage

HF: C.Cameron, J.Gunston, W.Ashcroft

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

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

I/C: J.Berry, L.McCarthy, C.Rayner, R.Lester

EMG: N.Cockatoo, T.Fullarton, D.Joyce, N.Answerth

IN: R.Lester

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

DOCKERS

B: B.Cox, A.Pearce – C, H.Young

HB: M.Johnson, L.Ryan, J.Clark

C: J.Aish, C.Serong, E.Hughes

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

F: S.Switkowski, J.Amiss, N.O’Driscoll

FOLL: S.Darcy, A.Brayshaw, J.O’Meara

I/C: S.Sturt, W.Brodie, B.Walker, L.Schultz

EMG: J.Corbett, N.Erasmus, C.Wagner, N.Wilson

IN: S.Switkowski, N.O’Driscoll

OUT: M.Frederick (injured), C.Wagner (omitted), J.Corbett (sub)

Sydney v GWS

Saturday April 29, 2:10pm at SCG

SWANS

B: B.Campbell, T.McCartin, H.Cunningham

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

C: L.Parker – C, C.Mills, R.Clarke

HF: E.Gulden, W.Hayward, A.Francis

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

FOLL: P.Ladhams, J.Rowbottom, Ch. Warner

I/C: D.Stephens, A.Sheldrick, L.McDonald, H.McLean

EMG: W.Gould, Co. Warner, J.McInerney, L.McAndrew

IN: T.McCartin, L.Franklin, A.Sheldrick

OUT: J.McInerney (omitted), R.Fox, M.Roberts (both injured), W.Gould (sub)

GIANTS

B: C.Idun, N.Haynes, I.Cumming

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

C: F.Callaghan, J.Kelly, H.Perryman

HF: B.Daniels, H.Himmelberg, J.Peatling

F: T.Greene – C, J.Hogan, T.Bedford

FOLL: M.Flynn, T.Green, S.Coniglio

I/C: R.Angwin, A.Cadman, C.Brown, X.O’Halloran

EMG: J.Fahey, J.Riccardi, H.Rowston, C.Fleeton

IN: T.Bedford, T.Green, C.Brown

OUT: H.Rowston (omitted), C.Ward (suspended), S.Taylor, A.Kennedy (injured)

Western Bulldogs v Hawthorn

Saturday April 29, 4:35pm at Marvel Stadium

DOGS

B: T.Duryea, L.Jones, T.O’Brien

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

C: O.Baker, M.Bontempelli – C, B.Williams

HF: B.Smith, J.Ugle-Hagan, C.Weightman

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

FOLL: T.English, J.Macrae, A.Treloar

I/C: J.Johannisen, C.Daniel, A.Scott, L.McNeil

EMG: B.Khamis, R.West, T.McLean, S.Darcy

IN: B.Smith

OUT: T.McLean (omitted), T.Liberatore (injured)

HAWKS

B: J.Impey, S.Frost, J.Sicily – C

HB: C.Jiath, B.Hardwick, J.Weddle

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

HF: H.Morrison, M.Ramsden, L.Breust

F: C.Wingard, M.Lewis, D.Moore

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

I/C: S.Mitchell, T.Brockman, W.Day, F.Greene

EMG: C.Macdonald, J.Scrimshaw, C.Mackenzie, D.Grainger-Barras

IN: J.Weddle, J.Ward, M.Ramsden, M.Lewis, W.Day

OUT: D.Grainger-Barras, C.Mackenzie, N.Long, C.Macdonald (all omitted), M.Lynch (injured), J.Scrimshaw (sub)

Melbourne v North Melbourne

Saturday April 29, 7:25pm at MCG

DEMONS

B: J.Bowey, S.May, J.Lever

HB: A.Brayshaw, B.Fritsch, T.Rivers

C: E.Langdon, C.Oliver, T.Sparrow

HF: J.Viney, J.Schache, M.Hibberd

F: J.Jordon, J.van Rooyen, J.McVee

FOLL: M.Gawn – C, C.Petracca, K.Chandler

I/C: B.Grundy, L.Hunter, A.Neal-Bullen, K.Pickett

EMG: J.Harmes, B.Laurie, T.McDonald, D.Turner

IN: J.Schache

OUT: H.Petty (injured), B.Laurie (sub)

KANGAROOS

B: G.Logue, B.McKay, J.Ziebell

HB: L.McDonald, A.Hall, H.Sheezel

C: C.Taylor, T.Powell, L.Shiels

HF: P.Curtis, C.Comben, J.Stephenson

F: J.Simpkin – C, N.Larkey, C.Coleman-Jones

FOLL: T.Goldstein, D.Tucker, C.Zurhaar

I/C: A.Corr, B.Cunnington, B.Scott, K.Turner

EMG: B.Drury, D.Howe, W.Phillips, H.Greenwood

IN: J.Simpkin, C.Coleman-Jones

OUT: D.Tucker, W.Phillips, D.Howe (all omitted)

West Coast Eagles v Carlton

Saturday April 29, 7:30pm at Optus Stadium

EAGLES

B: S.Hurn, T.Barrass – C, A.Witherden

HB: J.Jones, J.Rotham, L.Duggan

C: L.Edwards, T.Kelly, J.Hunt

HF: G.Clark, J.Darling, J.Waterman

F: J.Culley, O.Allen, S.Petrevski-Seton

FOLL: B.Williams, R.Ginbey, A.Gaff

I/C: J.Petruccelle, X.O’Neill, L.Foley, C.West

EMG: Z.Trew, H.Barnett, R.Bazzo, C.Jamieson

IN: S.Hurn, X.O’Neill

OUT: L.Shuey (injured), Z.Trew (omitted), R.Bazzo (sub)

BLUES

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

HB: S.Docherty, M.McGovern, A.Saad

C: S.Walsh, P.Cripps – C, O.Hollands

HF: E.Curnow, C.Curnow, J.Silvagni

F: C.Durdin, H.McKay, Z.Fisher

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

I/C: Le. Young, A.Cincotta, B.Acres, J.Honey

EMG: T.De Koning, L.Fogarty, L.Cowan, M.Kennedy

IN: B.Kemp, S.Docherty, A.Saad

OUT: M.Kennedy (omitted), J.Motlop (suspended), L.Cowan (managed), L’O’Brien (sub)

Essendon v Geelong

Sunday April 30, 1:10pm at MCG

BOMBERS

B: J.Kelly, B.Zerk-Thatcher, J.Ridley

HB: A.McGrath, M.Redman, K.Langford

C: S.Durham, D.Parish, N.Martin

HF: D.Shiel, S.Weideman, J.Caldwell

F: A.Perkins, J.Stringer, W.Snelling

FOLL: S.Draper, Z.Merrett – C, W.Setterfield

INT: B.Hobbs, N.Hind, A.Phillips, A.McDonald-Tipungwuti

EMERG: A.Davey Jr, W.Snelling, J.Menzie, H.Jones

IN: Z.Merrett, N.Hind, M.D’Ambrosio, A.McDonald-Tipungwuti

OUT: J.Laverde (injured), D.Heppell (managed), J.Menzie (managed), A.Davey Jr (omitted), W.Snelling (omitted)

CATS

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

HB: J.Kolodjashnij, M.O’Connor, Z.Guthrie

C: I.Smith, T.Atkins, Z.Tuohy

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

F: G.Miers, J.Cameron, B.Close

FOLL: M.Blicavs, M.Holmes, P.Dangerfield – C

INT: J.Bowes, S.Simpson,O.Henry, J.Bews

EMERG: J.Ceglar, O.Dempsey, T.Bruhn, M.Knevitt

IN: J.Bews

OUT: C.Guthrie (injured), M.Knevitt (sub)

Richmond v Gold Coast

Sunday April 30, 3:20pm at Marvel Stadium

TIGERS

B: T.Young, D.Grimes – C, N.Balta

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

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

HF: T.Cotchin, D.Martin, L.Baker

F: S.Ryan, N.Cumberland, J.Riewoldt

FOLL: I.Soldo, J.Hopper, S.Bolton

INT: N.Broad, B.Miller, J.Ross, T.Sonsie

EMERG: R.Mansell, J.Clarke, H.Ralphsmith, J.Bauer

IN: I.Soldo, N.Broad, J.Ross, T.Sonsie

OUT: D.Prestia (managed), M.Rioli (injured), R.Mansell, J.Clarke, H.Ralphsmith (all omitted)

SUNS

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

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

C: L.Weller, B.Humphrey, D.Swallow

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

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

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

INT: R.Atkins, A.Davies, B.Fiorini, A.Sexton

EMERG: M.Andrew, J.Jeffrey, H.Oea, M.Rosas

IN: R.Atkins, A.Davies, A.Sexton

OUT: M.Andrew, M.Rosas (both omitted), T.Miller (injury), L.Casboult (rested)

Adelaide v Collingwood

Sunday April 30, 4:40pm at Adelaide Oval

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, C.Jones, L.Pedlar

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

FOLL: R.O’Brien, R.Laird, B.Keays

INT: R.Sloane, R.Thilthorpe, W.Milera, J.Rachele

EMERG: B.Cook, H.Schoenberg, M.Crouch, E.Himmelberg

IN: Nil

OUT: N.McHenry (sub)

MAGPIES

B: I.Quaynor, D.Moore – C, B.Maynard

HB: W.Hoskin-Elliott, N.Murphy, J.Crisp

C: J.Noble, J.De Goey, J.Daicos

HF: B.Hill, B.Mihocek, J.Elliott

F: B.McCreery, A.Johnson, N.Kreuger,

FOLL: B.Frampton, T.Adams, N.Daicos

INT: T.Mitchell, N.Kreuger, , S.Sidebottom, J.Ginnivan, O.Markov

EMERG: F.Macrae, W.Kelly, T.Ruscoe, H.Harrison

IN: N.Murphy, T.Adams

OUT: T.Ruscoe (omitted), S.Pendlebury (omitted), W.Kelly (sub)