Teams: See your club’s final line-up for Round 2, 2020
Essendon has confirmed the return of skipper Dyson Heppell, and that’s not the only boost for the Bombers this weekend. Meanwhile, the Bulldogs and Giants have made some big changes. FULL TEAMS, plus KFC SuperCoach advice.
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Essendon has confirmed the return of skipper Dyson Heppell for Sunday’s clash against Sydney.
Defender Cale Hooker is also back but the Bombers couldn’t find room for Patrick Ambrose, who has recovered from injury but is named as an emergency.
Anthony McDonald-Tipungwuti, who was under an injury cloud after hurting his ankle at training, has also been named.
Meanwhile, the Western Bulldogs have named five ins for their must-win clash against St Kilda.
SCROLL DOWN FOR THE FINAL ROUND 2 TEAMS AND KFC SUPERCOACH ADVICE
Pat Lipinski, Billy Gowers, Ed Richards, Lin Jong and debutant Laitham Vandermeer come into the team that was trounced by Collingwood in Round 1.
The Dogs have lost Easton Wood to injury and Lachie Hunter to a club suspension, while Lewis Young (omitted), Zaine Cordy and Ben Cavarra were dropped.
Vandermeer is still pinching himself after being named for their Sunday night clash against St Kilda but says the opportunity is a “long time coming.”
Vandermeer, 21, had a wretched run with injury during his junior years and those woes followed him to the Bulldogs, missing eight games in his first season in 2019.
Most recently, the explosive running defender has overcome a hamstring setback and shone in match-practice since the Bulldogs returned.
It is understood the young Bulldog was nearing a debut before the competition shutdown.
The call-up took Vandermeer completely by surprise saying he doubted he would be considered because of his injury complaint.
“I had no idea but I think it’ll sink in hopefully by Sunday hopefully, but it’s a long time coming, I’ve been dreaming of this day for a while and it’s good to get that reward for hard work,” Vandermeer told the club website.
“My hamstrings were a bit tight early on and it sort of put me down a bit as I didn’t think I’d get the opportunity.
“By the last two weeks when the match simulations came around my hamstring was probably up and going and it allowed me to be at my full strength.
“My performance in the match sim got me the spot so it’s good to get the reward.”
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Injury sidelined the Mooroopna product in both his bottom age and draft year at under-18 level, returning to NAB League club Murray Bushranges as a 19-year-old hoping for a clear run.
But after showcasing his talents for most of the season as an over-age player, a serious collarbone fracture struck during the national championships.
Fortunately, Vandermeer had done enough prior to the setback to be secured by the Bulldogs with the 37th pick in the 2018 national draft.
His former talent manager Mick Wilson says the achievement is a reflection of his perseverance and resilience.
We have a debutant!
— Western B_lldogs (@westernbulldogs) June 11, 2020
Go get 'em on Sunday, Laitham 💪#MightyWest pic.twitter.com/BQTRve1GTb
“We were all very excited for (him) because he’s obviously had a few setbacks in his journey to make it through to the highest level,” Wilson told the Herald Sun.
“He’s had a number of injuries along the way – leg injuries, shoulders, he’s continued a bit of a bad run with injury at the Western Bulldogs as well.
“He’s just so determined and to suffer the amount of injuries that Laith has and still to come back and to keep persevering, working hard.
“If he uses his traits that have got him this far then he’ll go really well.”
Vandermeer averaged 14 touches in his debut season for Bulldogs’ VFL affiliate Footscray, culminating in a 24-possession performance in their final against Port Melbourne.
The defender signed a one-year contract extension in December, tying him to the club until the end of 2021.
CATS MAKE STEVEN CALL, DEES AXE SEVEN
- Lauren Wood
Melbourne and Western Bulldogs rang wholesale changes at the selection table on Thursday as they seek to atone for Round 1 losses.
Former Bulldogs skipper Easton Wood was a late withdrawal for the Bulldogs because of a quad injury.
Wood, 30, is understood to have suffered the injury at training on Thursday.
He will join the suspended Lachie Hunter and Lewis Young (omitted) on the sidelines for Sunday’s crucial clash with St Kilda.
Coach Luke Beveridge also chose to overlook Tom Liberatore who is back to full fitness from a knee injury.
Demons coach Simon Goodwin added seven new players to his squad to tackle Carlton tomorrow.
Debutant trio Harley Bennell, Luke Jackson and Trent Rivers have all been named, with midfielder Nathan Jones and Christian Salem — who missed Round 1 due to injury and illness — included along with Jayden Hunt and Joel Smith.
Demons defender Michael Hibberd has been omitted from Melbourne’s Round 1 team, which lost to West Coast in Perth.
Others left out of the squad were Alex Neal-Bullen, Oscar McDonald, Toby Bedford, Jay Lockhart and Mitch Brown.
Meanwhile, Jack Steven has been forced to wait at least another week to make his return from being stabbed in the chest.
The Geelong midfielder — who is yet to play a game for the Cats — had desperately attempted to prove that he had built enough fitness to face the Hawks at GMHBA Stadium tonight.
He was cleared by the AFL earlier this week over the May incident, but coach Chris Scott has opted for conservatism over any potential risk.
Ruck Darcy Fort was dropped in favour of Rhys Stanley, while Brandan Parfitt has been named to start on the wing.
Jed Bews will also return with Jordan Clark and Zac Guthrie making way.
Hawk Blake Hardwick has recovered from a pectoral injury and will take on the Cats with Hawthorn set for its first trip to Geelong in 14 years, replacing star midfielder Jaeger O’Meara unable to play after suffering a fracture in his face.
“Playing Geelong in Geelong is obviously a tough challenge and one we haven’t faced for a while as a club,” Hawks football boss Graeme Wright said.
“But Clarko, our coaches and the players are determined to put in good performance.”
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FULL ROUND 2 TEAMS
COLLINGWOOD v RICHMOND
Thursday June 11, 7.40pm at the MCG
MAGPIES
B: Jack Crisp, Jordan Roughead, Jeremy Howe
HB: Brayden Maynard, Darcy Moore, John Noble
C: Will Hoskin-Elliott, Scott Pendlebury, Chris Mayne
HF: Tom Phillips, Brodie Mihocek, Callum Brown
F: Jordan De Goey, Darcy Cameron, Jamie Elliott
FOLL: Brodie Grundy, Taylor Adams, Steele Sidebottom
I/C: Josh Daicos, Josh Thomas, Tyler Brown, Jack Madgen
EMG: Jaidyn Stephenson, Rupert Wills, Mason Cox, Jay Rantall
IN: Darcy Cameron
OUT: Mason Cox (Omitted)
TIGERS
B: Nathan Broad, Dylan Grimes, David Astbury
HB: Jayden Short, Nick Vlaustin, Bachar Houli
C: Dan Rioli, Dion Prestia, Jack Graham
HF: Shai Bolton, Shane Edwards, Jason Castagna
F: Tom Lynch, Dustin Martin, Jack Riewoldt
FOLL: Ivan Soldo, Trent Cotchin, Kane Lambert
I/C: Marlion Pickett, Jack Higgins, Liam Baker, Sydney Stack
EMG: Jack Ross, Kamdyn McIntosh, Patrick Naish, Toby Nankervis
IN: Bachar Houli, Jack Higgins
OUT: Josh Caddy (Injured), Toby Nankervis (Omitted)
KFC SuperCoach players to watch: All aboard the Darcy Cameron ($123,900, FWD/RUCK) train. A strong score beckons with the possibility of fellow cash cow Marlion Pickett rucking against him at stoppages. You can just about lock in Brodie Grundy as vice-captain as well.
GEELONG CATS v HAWTHORN
Friday June 12, 7.50pm at GMHBA Stadium
CATS
B: H.Taylor, M.Blicavs, J.Henry
HB: M.O’Connor, T.Stewart, Z.Tuohy
C: S.Menegola, P.Dangerfield, J.Selwood
HF: L.Dahlhaus, G.Rohan, T.Atkins
F: E.Ratugolea, T.Hawkins, G.Miers
FOLL: R.Stanley, B.Parfitt, Q.Narkle
I/C: G.Ablett, M.Duncan, C.Guthrie, J.Bews
EMG: Z.Guthrie, D.Fort, L.Fogarty, J.Clark
IN: R.Stanley, B.Parfitt, J.Bews
OUT: Z.Guthrie, D.Fort, J.Clark
HAWKS
B: J.Sicily, J.Frawley, S.Frost
HB: H.Morrison, B.McEvoy, B.Stratton
C: J.Gunston, J.Worpel, I.Smith
HF: R.Henderson, T.O’Brien, P.Puopolo
F: S.Burgoyne, J.Patton, L.Breust
FOLL: J.Ceglar, T.Mitchell, C.Wingard
I/C: B.Hardwick, L.Shiels, T.Scully, O.Hanrahan
EMG: J.Scrimshaw, H.Jones, M.Hartley, M.Lewis
IN: B.Hardwick
OUT: J.O’Meara
KFC SuperCoach players to watch: Darcy Fort’s axing has scuppered the trade plans of many KFC SuperCoaches after his score of 94 in Round 1. Milestone man Patrick Dangerfield was one of the top targets during lockdown after averaging 122 points a game at GMHBA Stadium last year.
BRISBANE LIONS v FREMANTLE
Saturday June 13, 1.45pm at the Gabba
LIONS
B: B.Starcevich, H.Andrews, D.Gardiner
HB: D.Rich, G.Birchall, C.Ah Chee
C: M.Robinson, J.Lyons, H.McCluggage
HF: L.McCarthy, E.Hipwood, C.Rayner
F: O.McInerney, D.McStay, C.Cameron
FOLL: S.Martin, D.Zorko, L.Neale
I/C: J.Berry, T.Berry, Z.Bailey, R.Lester
EMG: S.Skinner, M.Hinge, C.Ellis-Yolmen, N.Answerth
IN: G.Birchall, C.Ah Chee, T.Berry, R.Lester
OUT: A.Witherden, N.Answerth, D.Robertson, M.Adams
DOCKERS
B: L.Ryan, G.Logue, T.Duman
HB: R.Conca, B.Cox, N.Wilson
C: B.Bewley, N.Fyfe, J.Aish
HF: A.Cerra, M.Taberner, B.Banfield
F: B.Matera, R.Lobb, M.Walters
FOLL: S.Darcy, D.Tucker, D.Mundy
I/C: E.Hughes, L.Schultz, A.Brayshaw, T.Colyer
EMG: C.Serong, C.Blakely, H.Young, M.Crowden
IN: N.Wilson, B.Matera, D.Mundy
OUT: S.Sturt, C.McCarthy, M.Crowden
KFC SuperCoach players to watch: How many disposals will Lachie Neale amass against the young Dockers? Neale averaged 117 points a game at the Gabba last year and pumped out a monster score of 157 in Round 1. Mid-pricer Brett Bewley has been named on a wing for the Dockers again.
CARLTON v MELBOURNE
Saturday June 13, 4.35pm at Marvel Stadium
BLUES
B: L.Plowman, L.Jones, N.Newman
HB: S.Docherty, J.Weitering, S.Petrevski-Seton
C: S.Walsh, P.Cripps, W.Setterfield
HF: M.McGovern, L.Casboult, J.Martin
F: E.Betts, H.McKay, M.Gibbons
FOLL: M.Pittonet, E.Curnow, M.Murphy
I/C: K.Simpson, J.Newnes, D.Lang, D.Cuningham
EMG: T.Williamson, M.Kennedy, S.Philp
IN: E.Betts, H.McKay, M.Pittonet, Silvagni
OUT: P.Dow, M.Kreuzer, Z.Fisher
DEMONS
B: N.Jetta, S.May, C.Salem
HB: N.Jones, J.Lever, J.Harmes
C: E.Langdon, C.Oliver, A.Tomlinson
HF: B.Fritsch, T.McDonald, A.Brayshaw
F: K.Pickett, L.Jackson, C.Petracca
FOLL: M.Gawn, J.Melksham, J.Viney
I/C: H.Bennell, T.Rivers, J.Hunt, J.Smith
EMG: C.Spargo, M.Hibberd, J.Jordon, S.Weideman
IN: C.Salem, N.Jones, L.Jackson, H.Bennell, T.Rivers, J.Hunt, J.Smith
OUT: O.McDonald, M.Hibberd, A.Neal-Bullen, M.Brown, C.Spargo, T.Bedford, J.Lockhart
KFC SuperCoach players to watch: Trent Rivers ($117,300, DEF-MID) makes his debut alongside comeback kid Harley Bennell ($123,900, MID). Both loom as potential downgrade targets next week. Max Gawn could have a field day rucking against seven-gamer Marc Pittonet, who makes his debut for Carlton.
PORT ADELAIDE v ADELAIDE CROWS
Saturday June 13, 7.40pm at Adelaide Oval
POWER
B: R.Burton, T.Clurey, R.Bonner
HB: H.Hartlett, T.Jonas, D.Byrne-Jones
C: X.Duursma, T.Rockliff, K.Amon
HF: S.Powell-Pepper, T.Marshall, C.Rozee
F: Z.Butters, C.Dixon, R.Gray
FOLL: S.Lycett, D.Houston, T.Boak
I/C: J.Westhoff, T.McKenzie, S, Motlop, B.Ebert
EMG: K.Farrell, S.Mayes, P.Ladhams, J.Lienert
IN: R.Bonner, C.Dixon
OUT: M.Georgiades, J.Lienert
CROWS
B: L.Brown, D.Talia, J.Kelly
HB: B.Smith, T.Doedee, R.Laird
C: P.Seedsman, B.Crouch, N.McHenry
HF: C.Jones, T.Walker, W.Milera
F: T.Lynch, D.Fogarty, L.Murphy
FOLL: R.O’Brien, M.Crouch, R.Sloane
I/C: B.Crocker, R.Atkins, B.Keays, F.McAsey
EMG: D.Mackay, E.Himmelberg, B.Davis, J.Butts
IN: T.Doedee, N.McHenry, B.Crocker, B.Keays
OUT: B.Davis, B.Gibbs, B.Frampton, T.Stengle
KFC SuperCoach players to watch: Tom Doedee ($273,700, DEF) makes his long-awaited return from a knee injury in the showdown. The intercept defender averaged 82 points in his rookie season and a strong showing will put him on the radar of many coaches for Round 3. Dan Houston being named in the middle in Ollie Wines’ absence is a positive.
GOLD COAST SUNS v WEST COAST EAGLES
Saturday June 13, 7.40pm at Metricon Stadium
SUNS
B: C.Budarick, S.Collins, J.Lukosius
HB: J.Bowes, C.Ballard, J.Harbrow
C: L.Weller, H.Greenwood, N.Anderson
HF: D.MacPherson, S.Day, B.Ainsworth
F: S.Lemmens, B.King, N.Holman
FOLL: J.Witts, T.Miller, M.Rowell
I/C: A.Sexton, B.Fiorini, P.Hanley, W.Powell
EMG: W.Brodie, S.Flanders, P.Wright, J.Murdoch
IN: C.Ballard, J.Harbrow, A.Sexton, P.Hanley, W.Powell
OUT: W.Brodie, J.Joyce, C.Graham, D.Swallow, B.Ellis
EAGLES
B: B.Sheppard, T.Barrass, S.Hurn
HB: L.Jetta, J.McGovern, L.Duggan
C: A.Gaff, E.Yeo, J.Redden
HF: J.Brander, J.Darling, D.Sheed
F: L.Ryan, J.Kennedy, J.Cripps
FOLL: N.Naitanui, T.Kelly, L.Shuey
I/C: O.Allen, J.Petruccelle, J.Nelson, B.Ah Chee
EMG: J.Waterman, T.Cole, W.Schofield, B.Williams
IN: O.Allen
OUT: T.Hickey
KFC SuperCoach players to watch: Can Nic Naitanui reclaim his mantle as the No. 1 points per minute player in the game? Shorter quarters are tipped to suit the Eagles ruckman, who will share the workload with Oscar Allen. No. 1 draftee and popular pick Matthew Rowell has clearly impressed during shutdown and been named to start in the engine room.
GWS GIANTS v NORTH MELBOURNE
Sunday June 14, 1.05pm at Giants Stadium
GIANTS
B: N.Haynes, A.Corr, S.Taylor
HB: I.Cumming, P.Davis, Z.Williams
C: H.Perryman, S.Coniglio, L.Whitfield
HF: J.Kelly, J.Cameron, T.Greene
F: B.Daniels, J.Finlayson, H.Himmelberg
FOLL: S.Jacobs, J.Hopper, M. de Boer
I/C: H.Shaw, C.Ward, D.Lloyd, J.Caldwell
EMG: Hately, Mumford, Langdon, T.Green
IN: Williams, Ward, Caldwell
OUT: Kennedy (injured), Langdon (omitted), T.Green (omitted)
KANGAROOS
B: J.Macmillan, R.Tarrant, L.McDonald
HB: J.Pittard, J.Walker, S.Atley
C: T.Dumont, B.Cunnington, J.Polec
HF: T.Thomas, B.Brown, C.Taylor
F: A.Hall, J.Ziebell, C.Zurhaar
FOLL: T.Goldstein, S.Higgins, J.Simpkin
I/C: J.Anderson, B.Scott, M.Wood, K.Hayden
EMG: Bonar, Xerri, Murphy, Campbell
IN: Scott, Hayden, Wood
OUT: Larkey (injured), Ahern (omitted), Murphy (omitted)
KFC SuperCoach players to watch: The omission of Tom Green is a blow to almost 100,000 coaches. The top-10 draft pick is one of the biggest victims of the AFL lockdown. Debutant Jye Caldwell is a $190.100 midfielder.
SYDNEY SWANS v ESSENDON
Sunday June 14, 3.30pm at SCG
SWANS
B: J.Lloyd, D.Rampe, A.Aliir
HB: C.Mills, K.Brand, H.Cunningham
C: L.Taylor, L.Parker, J.Dawson
HF: O.Florent, T.McCartin, I.Heeney
F: S.Gray, N.Blakey, W.Hayward
FOLL: C.Sinclair, J.Kennedy, T.Papley
I/C: J.Rowbottom, G.Hewett, C.O’Riordan, J.McInerney
EMG: Fox, Clarke, Stephens, Warner
IN: Sinclair, Hewett
OUT: Naismith (injured), Ronke (omitted)
BOMBERS
B: M.Guelfi, C.Hooker, M.Hurley
HB: A.Saad, M.Redman, J.Ridley
C: T.Cutler, A.McGrath, Z.Merrett
HF: D.Smith, W.Snelling, A.McDonald-Tipungwuti
F: J.Stringer, S.McKernan, J.Townsend
FOLL: T.Bellchambers, D.Heppell, D.Shiel
I/C: D.Parish, D.Zaharakis, K.Langford, A.Francis
EMG: Ambrose, Ham, Phillips, Laverde
IN: Hooker, McKernan, Heppell
OUT: Fantasia (Injured), Zerk-Thatcher (suspension), Laverde (omitted)
KFC SuperCoach players to watch: Can Isaac Heeney go big again playing as a focal point in attack? The star Swan scored 152 and kicked four goals against Adelaide in Round 1, but will play almost solely in the forward 50 due to the absence of Lance Franklin and Sam Reid. Andrew McGrath scored 113 in Round 1 and is set to be a mid-price money maker.
ST KILDA v WESTERN BULLDOGS
Sunday June 14, 6.05pm at Marvel Stadium
SAINTS
B: B.Paton, C.Wilkie, D.Howard
HB: B.Long, H.Clark, J.Geary
C: B.Hill, Z.Jones, D.Hannebery
HF: J.Lonie, M.King, J.Billings
F: P.Ryder, T.Membrey, J.Gresham
FOLL: R.Marshall, J.Steele, S.Ross
I/C: J.Carlisle, D.Butler, N.Hind, N.Coffield
EMG: Battle, Dunstan, Marsh, Kent
IN: Carlisle, Hind, Coffield
OUT: Roberton (Omitted), Kent (Omitted), Dunstan (Omitted)
BULLDOGS
B: R.Gardner, A.Keath, B.Williams
HB: H.Crozier, J.Johannisen, C.Daniel
C: B.Smith, M.Bontempelli, P.Lipinski
HF: B.Dale, A.Naughton, B.Gowers
F: M.Wallis, J.Bruce, S.Lloyd
FOLL: T.English, J.Dunkley, J.Macrae
I/C: M.Suckling, E.Richards, L.Vandermeer, L.Jong
EMG: Cordy, Cavarra, Hayes, Sweet
IN: Lipinski, Gowers, Richards, Vandermeer, Jong
OUT: Wood (injured), Le. Young (omitted), L.Hunter (suspension), Z.Cordy (omitted), Cavarra (omitted)
KFC SuperCoach players to watch: Does Jack Steele go to Marcus Bontempelli? Thousands of coaches have abandoned the Western Bulldogs captain after a below-par game against Collingwood in Round 1 and he’ll have a point to prove against the Saints. St Kilda flyer Ben Long is set for a hefty price rise after scoring 118 in Round 1 in a new role at halfback. Dylan Roberton’s ommission is a blow to mor ethan 68,000 coaches.
***********************
HAWKS RULE OUT O’MEARA
– Russell Gould
Hawthorn star Jaeger O’Meara won’t play against Geelong on Friday night after failing to get clearance from his surgeon to resume contact training.
O’Meara suffered a fracture above his eye in a training incident last month and could only complete running and boxing at training on Wednesday as his teammates went through a physical match simulation.
Hawks coach Alastair Clarkson confirmed O’Meara wouldn’t play against the Cats as his team prepared to venture down the highway for the first time in more than a decade.
“We haven’t been able to ramp him up to full contact as yet. The doctor won’t allow us to do that until early next week,” Clarkson said.
“He’s an unfortunate miss for us this week but hopefully he’ll be right for next week.”
Clarkson said they were yet to decide whether defender Blake Hardwick would play against Geelong.
Hardwick is back in full training after a ruptured pectoral muscle kept him out of the round one win over Brisbane.
“He’s available to play. We just have to make the tough call on whether he’s done enough,” Clarkson said.
“We’ll determine today if Blake Hardwick makes the 22 … we’re not sure whether we want to make too much change to the side that beat Brisbane.”
WARD RETURNS AS SWANS SUFFER RUCK BLOW
— Ben Horne
Sydney Swans have suffered another devastating injury blow, with ruckman Sam Naismith ruled out of Sunday’s season relaunch against Essendon.
Already without their superstar tall forwards Lance Franklin and Sam Reid, the Swans are gain back to another all-too-familiar quandary, with not having a recognised ruck to help marshal the midfield.
The presence of a bulked up Naismith was a major factor for the Swans in their opening round win over Adelaide back in March, but the big man has succumbed to a hamstring issue and coach John Longmire will again have to rely on pinch-hitters in the crucial position, as he did in 2019 when Naismith missed the entire season.
Swans co-captain Dane Rampe said talented backman Aliir Aliir was likely to step up in the ruck like he did last year.
“Allir’s proved his versatility before,” Rampe said.
“That’s obviously an option for us.”
Sydney have also lost small forward Ben Ronke.
GWS on the other hand have received a massive personnel boost with inspirational former captain Callan Ward back from a 14-month lay-off after rupturing his ACL early last year.
Ward was forced to watch from the sidelines as the club he helped build went on their magic run all the way to the grand final.
But the 30-year-old says that wasn’t even the hardest part.
“I haven’t had too many injuries. So to accept the fact I wasn’t going
to play for the rest of the year was probably the hardest part,” Ward
said.
“I had some issues with my tendon for about four or five months.
Dealing with that was really frustrating.
“Because you’d feel good one day then the next it’d be shocking. I
couldn’t jog without pain, couldn’t wake up in the morning without
pain.”
The Sydney Swans and the SCG last night put out a ballot for members to enter and secure some prized seats for the match against Essendon.
Sydney will have 350 fans, a mix of corporates and members, while some SCG members will be given a chance to return to live sport on top of that.
GWS were hesitating over whether to play Ward this week because they have only five days’ break between round two and a Friday night round three clash against the Western Bulldogs.
But Ward said he didn’t need any more time on the sidelines, after the COVID-19 lockdown gave him even extra time to build his strength up for AFL football.
“I’ve been ready to play for a while now,” he said.
“In those eight weeks of iso I was doing pretty much everything. For
the game to finally come around and be picked, it means a lot.”
Zac Williams also returns for GWS after missing round one, while Phil Davis will play his 150th game for the club, and automatically become a life member.
BIRCHALL SET TO PLAY FIRST GAME AS A LION
— Greg Davis
Brisbane will hand Tom Berry – the younger brother of Lions star Jarrod Berry – his senior debut against the Dockers.
Berry, 20, joined his brother at the Gabba after the 2018 draft with pick no. 36 after playing for the Greater Western Victorian Rebels.
At 185cm and 76kg, Berry can swing between defence and the midfield and was a part of Brisbane’s 2019 NEAFL premiership team.
Jarrod Berry has also been named in the Brisbane side on the interchange bench alongside his sibling.
Meanwhile, off-season recruits Grant Birchall and Callum Ah Chee are set to play their first game in Brisbane colours.
Four-time Hawthorn premiership player Birchall missed the Round 1 loss to the Hawks due to a hamstring injury while Ah Chee was traded from the Suns to the Gabba in the off-season and did not play in the season-opener due to illness.
DONS CONFIDENT HEPPELL WILL FACE SWANS
– Rebecca Williams
Essendon coach John Worsfold says he expects Dyson Heppell to play in Sunday’s return match against Sydney, but concedes the captain is not fully over the line yet.
And the Bombers are also going to give forward Anthony McDonald-Tipungwuti every chance to prove his fitness for the Round 2 clash at the SCG after initially fearing his injured ankle would rule him out.
Heppell missed the Bombers’ Round 1 win over Fremantle as he continued his recovery from his latest round of foot surgery.
Worsfold said he was confident Heppell had the fitness behind him now to play out a full game, but the Bombers still had some considerations before clearing him to return.
“I do expect him to play, yes, but that doesn’t guarantee that he is going to play,” Worsfold said
“We’ve got to work through where his preparation is at and where it fits with the roles that we’ve been using different players in.
“I’ve got no doubt he could play a full game in the midfield.”
Worsfold said McDonald-Tipungwuti’s ankle had recovered a lot better than the club had expected after he injured it at training on Saturday.
A final call on his availability would be made as late as possible.
“He rolled his ankle just at the very end of our match play on Saturday morning and it was fairly sore, it was a good ankle tweak,” Worsfold said.
“So we took precautions, sent him off for a scan and obviously put him in a moon boot and on crutches just to keep all his weight off it for the next 48 hours, but he presented really well yesterday.”
Despite his unique build-up underpinned by isolation periods here and overseas, Worsfold said Irishman Conor McKenna was in great shape and available for selection but “not guaranteed of being in the side”.
Worsfold said Jake Stringer had declared himself “ready to go” with no concern over his sore toe.
Worsfold was still unable to provide a clear timeline on spearhead Joe Daniher’s return as he continues his recovery from groin surgery.
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