AFL Round 8 teams: Jack Ginnivan dropped as North Melbourne makes five changes

Collingwood has dropped a forward for its crunch clash with the Swans, but it will regain two stars. Plus, the Roos have come down hard after their big defeat. Get the full teams here.

ADELAIDE, AUSTRALIA – APRIL 16: Sam De Koning of the Cats leaves the field after a win during the 2023 AFL Round 05 match between the Geelong Cats and the West Coast Eagles at Adelaide Oval on April 16, 2023 in Adelaide, Australia. (Photo by Dylan Burns/AFL Photos via Getty Images)

Collingwood has dropped small forward Jack Ginnivan as the club regains Scott Pendlebury and Mason Cox for its crunch clash against Sydney on Sunday at the MCG.

Ginnivan was held scoreless from 10 touches and laid just one tackle in the Magpies’ come-from-behind win over Adelaide last week and has managed three majors in three games since returning to the side in round 5.

The 20-year-old has been named as an emergency and could be called on as the substitute.

Cox, who has recovered from a spleen injury that has sidelined him since round two, will help fill Collingwood’s ruck void, with injury-riddled tall Nathan Kreuger to miss with a rib injury.

The Swans have omitted Aaron Francis, Angus Sheldrick and Dylan Stephens after their heartbreaking loss to arch-rivals Greater Western Sydney, recalling defenders Robbie Fox and Justin McInerney.

Jack Ginnivan has been dropped. Picture: Michael Willson/AFL Photos via Getty Images

North Melbourne coach Alastair Clarkson has lived up to his promise that he would play the kids after his side’s crushing 90-point defeat, axing Aaron Hall and Kayne Turner and bringing in debutant Blake Drury and fellow youngsters Flynn Perez, Miles Bergman and Jack Mahony.

Drury, the first pick in last year’s rookie draft, has been named in defence but has been used as a small forward in recent weeks in the VFL, earning the call-up after tallying 19 disposals, six marks and two goals last week.

The Roos have also lost Charlie Comben, Callum Coleman-Jones and Tom Powell to injury but will be boosted by the return of explosive midfielder Luke Davies-Uniacke for their match-up with the Saints.

St Kilda has dropped Zaine Cordy after he was subbed out for the fourth time in the last five games with a single disposal last week against the Power, with Cooper Sharman promoted for his first senior game of the year.

Essendon has recalled Dyson Heppell, who was managed last week, and first-year forward Alwyn Davey Jr for its trip to Adelaide to face the Power.

Smalls Massimo D’Ambrosio and Will Snelling have been omitted, while Sam Durham will miss with suspension.

Port Adelaide’s key position stocks have been bolstered by the return of captain Tom Jonas and Todd Marshall, replacing Xavier Duursma (injured) and youngsters Ollie Lord and Jase Burgoyne (both omitted).

Richmond swung a late change on Friday with forward Noah Cumberland to replace the injured Ivan Soldo in the starting line-up, with the ruckman to miss with a foot complaint.

Blues lose patience with small

Carlton has lost patience with speedster Zac Fisher, dumping him from the 22 for Friday night’s clash against Brisbane Lions.

While Fisher could yet be named as the sub, the playmaker was omitted from the Blues’ team last night along with last week’s substitute Matthew Kennedy.

Livewire Jesse Motlop has returned from suspension as Michael Voss’s men look to bolster their top-four credentials by claiming the scalp of a genuine premiership fancy under lights.

Voss stood by Fisher in the early part of the season but cut him at selection on Thursday night after racking up 22 disposals and three behinds in the commanding win over West Coast in Perth.

He has booted only two goals for the season and averaged 18 possessions a game across the first seven matches.

The Lions have lost key players Daniel Rich and Dayne Zorko to injuries and included seven-gamer Harry Sharp for the trip to Marvel Stadium.

The Tigers regained gun midfielders Dion Prestia and Jack Graham but made the call to rest veteran Trent Cotchin for Saturday’s clash against West Coast off another six-day break.

It is a high-stakes game for the Tigers who have dropped youngsters Tyler Sonsie, Tylar Young and Noah Cumberland after a disappointing loss to Gold Coast.

Zac Fisher has been omitted by the Blues. (Photo by Daniel Carson/AFL Photos via Getty Images)

Western Bulldogs regained Ryan Gardner and Tom Liberatore for the clash against rival GWS Giants in Canberra.

Geelong has lost Gary Rohan to a hamstring injury after hurting his leg in the win over Essendon on Sunday, while Jack Bowes (shoulder) and Sam De Koning (face) are also out injured.

Veterans Zach Tuohy and Jon Ceglar are back in for the battle against Adelaide at GMHBA Stadium where the red-hot Cats destroyed Sydney Swans a fortnight ago.

Top rookie draft pick Blake Drury will make his debut for North Melbourne on the back of an impressive pre-season rebounding the ball from half back.

The Caleb Daniel-style playmaker has shown composure directing traffic and is a reliable kick.

The Roos have also been bolstered by the return of superstar Luke Davies-Uniacke, however their tall stocks have taken a massive hit with Charlie Comben (fractured ankle) and Callum Coleman-Jones (concussion) both out injured.

Fremantle superstar Nat Fyfe makes his return from injury this weekend, coming in as the substitute.

Collingwood named former skipper Scott Pendlebury to return from his eye injury, while Nathan Kreuger is out injured, meaning Billy Frampton will ruck against Sydney Swans.

Essendon has named promising young key defender Zach Reid on an extended bench for the Bombers’ tussle with Port Adelaide on Sunday.

SCROLL TO SEE ALL THE TEAMS FOR ROUND 8

AFL ROUND 8 TEAMS AND FIXTURE (All times AEST)

CARLTON v BRISBANE LIONS

Friday May 5, 7:50pm at Marvel Stadium

BLUES

B: S.Docherty, Le. Young, N.Newman

HB: M.McGovern, J.Weitering, A.Saad

C: B.Acres, P.Cripps – C, E.Curnow

HF: S.Walsh, H.McKay, J.Silvagni

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

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

I/C: B.Kemp, A.Cincotta, O.Hollands, J.Honey

EMG: Z.Fisher, M.Kennedy, L.Cowan, L.Fogarty

IN: J.Motlop

OUT: M.Kennedy (sub), Z.Fisher (omitted)

LIONS

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

HB: C.McKenna, H.Andrews, R.Lester

C: J.Berry, Z.Bailey, H.McCluggage

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

F: L.McCarthy, J.Daniher, E.Hipwood

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

I/C: C.Rayner, H.Sharp, N.Answerth, D.Wilmot

EMG: C.Ah Chee, J.Lyons, D.Fort, D.Joyce

IN: H.Sharp

OUT: D.Rich, D.Zorko (both injured)

RICHMOND v WEST COAST EAGLES

Saturday May 6, 1:45pm at the MCG

TIGERS

B: N.Broad, D.Grimes – C, N.Balta

HB: D.Rioli, N.Vlastuin, L.Baker

C: K.McIntosh, T.Taranto, J.Ross

HF: M.Pickett, D.Prestia, J.Graham

F: S.Ryan, D.Martin, J.Riewoldt

FOLL: N.Cumberland, J.Hopper, S.Bolton

I/C: J.Short, B.Miller, H.Ralphsmith, J.Clarke

EMG: T.Dow, B.Nyuon, J.Bauer, R.Mansell

IN: D.Prestia, J.Graham, H.Ralphsmith, N.Cumberland

OUT: T.Sonsie (Omitted), N.Cumberland (Omitted), T.Young (Injured), I.Soldo (injured), (T.Cotchin (Managed)

EAGLES

B: J.Rotham, T.Barrass – C, L.Duggan

HB: J.Jones, S.Hurn, A.Witherden

C: R.Ginbey, T.Kelly, J.Hunt

HF: X.O’Neill, J.Darling, L.Edwards

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

FOLL: B.Williams, D.Sheed, A.Gaff

I/C: L.Foley, C.West, G.Clark, J.Culley

EMG: C.Chesser, Z.Trew, H.Barnett, C.Jamieson

IN: D.Sheed

OUT: S.Petrevski-Seton (suspended), R.Bazzo (injured)

GEELONG v ADELAIDE CROWS

Saturday May 6, 2:10pm at GMHBA Stadium

CATS

B: M.O’Connor, E.Ratugolea, Z.Guthrie

HB: J.Kolodjashnij, T.Stewart, Z.Tuohy

C: I.Smith, M.Blicavs, M.Duncan

HF: O.Henry, J.Cameron, T.Bruhn

F: G.Miers, T.Hawkins, B.Close

FOLL: J.Ceglar, M.Holmes, P.Dangerfield – C

I/C: J.Bews, T.Atkins, M.Knevitt, S.Simpson

EMG: B.Parfitt, O.Dempsey, O.Mullin, C.Whyte

IN: Z.Tuohy, J.Ceglar

OUT: J.Bowes, G.Rohan, S.De Koning (all injured)

CROWS

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

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

C: J.Soligo, J.Dawson – C, R.Sloane

HF: I.Rankine, C.Jones, J.Rachele

F: T.Walker, D.Fogarty, R.Thilthorpe

FOLL: R.O’Brien, R.Laird, B.Keays

I/C: L.Murphy, L.Pedlar, L.Sholl, W.Milera

EMG: E.Himmelberg, P.Parnell, M.Crouch, N.McHenry

IN: Nil

OUT: H.Schoenberg (sub)

GOLD COAST SUNS v MELBOURNE

Saturday May 6, 4:35pm at Heritage Bank Stadium

SUNS

B: S.Lemmens, S.Collins, B.Long

HB: D.Macpherson, C.Ballard, W.Powell

C: B.Fiorini, D.Swallow, B.Ellis

HF: T.Berry, J.Lukosius, M.Rosas

F: B.Humphrey, B.King, M.Chol

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

I/C: R.Atkins, L.Casboult, A.Davies, S.Flanders

EMG: H.Oea, A.Sexton, J.Tsitas, J.Stein

IN: T.Berry, L.Casboult, S.Flanders

OUT: A.Sexton (omitted), L.Weller, B.Ainsworth, N.Holman (all injured)

DEMONS

B: J.Lever, S.May, T.Rivers

HB: J.Bowey, H.Petty, M.Hibberd

C: J.Jordon, C.Oliver, L.Hunter

HF: E.Langdon, B.Fritsch, T.Sparrow

F: K.Chandler, B.Grundy, K.Pickett

FOLL: M.Gawn – C, C.Petracca, J.Viney

I/C: J.van Rooyen, A.Brayshaw, A.Neal-Bullen, J.McVee

EMG: J.Harmes, B.Laurie, J.Schache, D.Turner

IN: H.Petty

OUT: J.Harmes (sub), J.Schache (omitted)

GWS GIANTS v WESTERN BULLDOGS

Saturday May 6, 7:30pm at Manuka Oval

GIANTS

B: I.Cumming, C.Idun, C.Brown

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

C: F.Callaghan, J.Kelly, R.Angwin

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

F: T.Greene – C, J.Hogan, T.Bedford

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

I/C: H.Perryman, A.Cadman, N.Haynes, X.O’Halloran

EMG: D.Lloyd, J.Riccardi, J.Peatling, K.Briggs

IN: C.Ward

OUT: H.Rowston (sub), J.Peatling (omitted)

BULLDOGS

B: T.Duryea, L.Jones, R.Gardner

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, T.Liberatore

EMG: R.West, L.Cleary, L.McNeil, J.Sweet

IN: R.Gardner, T.Liberatore

OUT: T.McLean (Sub), T.O’Brien (Injured), L.McNeil (Omitted)

FREMANTLE v HAWTHORN

Saturday May 6, 7:30pm at Optus Stadium

DOCKERS

B: B.Cox, A.Pearce – C, H.Young

HB: B.Walker, L.Ryan, J.Clark

C: J.Aish, C.Serong, M.Frederick

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

F: S.Switkowski, J.Amiss, L.Schultz

FOLL: S.Darcy, A.Brayshaw, J.O’Meara

I/C: J.Treacy, N.O’Driscoll, N.Erasmus, E.Hughes

EMG: W.Brodie, N.Fyfe, K.Worner, S.Sturt

IN: M.Frederick, J.Treacy

OUT: M.Johnson (suspended), S.Sturt (omitted), W.Brodie (omitted)

HAWKS

B: J.Weddle, J.Sicily – C, S.Frost

HB: W.Day, B.Hardwick, J.Impey

C: K.Amon, J.Worpel, H.Morrison

HF: T.Brockman, F.Greene, D.Moore

F: M.Lewis, L.Meek, C.Wingard

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

I/C: S.Mitchell, C.Nash, J.Scrimshaw, C.Macdonald

EMG: F.Maginness, L.Bramble, C.Mackenzie, S.Butler

IN: L.Meek, C.Macdonald

OUT: C.Jiath, L.Breust (both managed), M.Ramsden (omitted)

PORT ADELAIDE v ESSENDON

Sunday May 7, 1:10pm at Adelaide Oval

POWER

B: A.Aliir, T.McKenzie, T.Jonas – C

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

C: T.Boak, O.Wines, J.Horne-Francis

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

F: B.Teakle, T.Marshall, C.Dixon

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

I/C (FROM): D.Williams, W.Drew, R.Bonner, J.Rioli

EMERG: F.Evans, T.Dumont, O.Lord, J.Burgoyne,

IN: T.Jonas, T.Marshall

OUT: X.Duursma (injured), O.Lord, J.Burgoyne

BOMBERS

B: J.Kelly, B.Zerk-Thatcher, M.Redman

HB: A.McGrath, J.Ridley, K.Langford

C: D.Shiel, D.Parish, N.Martin

HF: B.Hobbs, S.Weideman, J.Caldwell

F: A.Davey Jnr, J.Stringer, A.McDonald-Tipungwuti

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

INT: A.Perkins, N.Hind, D.Heppell, A.Phillips,

EMERG: Z.Reid, J.Menzie, M.D’Ambrosio, W.Snelling

IN: A.Davey Jnr, D.Heppell,

OUT: S.Durham (suspended), M.D’Ambrosio, W.Snelling (both omitted)

COLLINGWOOD v SYDNEY SWANS

Sunday May 7, 3:20pm at the MCG

MAGPIES

B: I.Quaynor, D.Moore – C, B.Maynard

HB: S.Pendlebury, N.Murphy, W.Hoskin-Elliott

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

HF: S.Sidebottom, B.Mihocek, J.Elliott

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

FOLL: B.Frampton, T.Adams, T.Mitchell

INT: B.Hill, J.Crisp, O.Markov, M.Cox

EMERG: F.Macrae, W.Kelly, H.Harrison, J.Ginnivan

IN: S.Pendlebury, M.Cox

OUT: N.Kreuger (injured), J.Ginnivan (omitted), W.Kelly (sub)

SWANS

B: R.Fox, T.McCartin, N.Blakey

HB: O.Florent, J.Lloyd, H.Cunningham

C: E.Gulden, C.Mills – C, J.Rowbottom

HF: W.Hayward, L.McDonald, R.Clarke

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

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

INT: B.Campbell, H.McLean, J.McInerney, M.Sheather

EMERG: Co. Warner, L.McAndrew. A.Francis, A.Sheldrick,

IN: R.Fox, J.McInerney

OUT: D.Stephens, A.Sheldrick, A.Francis (omitted)

NORTH MELBOURNE v ST KILDA

Sunday May 7, 4:40pm at Marvel Stadium

KANGAROOS

B: G.Logue, B.McKay, A.Corr

HB: L.McDonald – C, B.Drury, F.Perez

C: B.Scott, B.Cunnington, D.Tucker

HF: H.Sheezel, J.Simpkin, J.Stephenson

F: C.Zurhaar, N.Larkey, J.Ziebell

FOLL: T.Goldstein, L.Davies-Uniacke, C.Taylor

INT: : L.Shiels, M.Bergman, P.Curtis, J.Mahony

EMERG: K.Turner, A.Hall, D.Howe, C.Lazzaro

IN: B.Drury, F.Perez, L.Davies-Uniacke, M.Bergman, J.Mahony

OUT: C.Comben (Injured), C.Coleman-Jones (Injured), T.Powell (Injured), A.Hall, K.Turner (both omitted)

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.Owens, B.Hill, J.Higgins

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

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

INT: H.Clark, D.Butler, B.Paton, C.Sharman,

EMERG: M.Windhager, J.Bytel, T.Campbell, Z.Cordy

IN: C.Sharman, T.Campbell

OUT: Z.Cordy (omitted), M.Windhager (omitted)

CLARKO EXPECTS AFL TO TICK OFF TROUBLED ROO’S RETURN

— Ed Bourke

North Melbourne coach Alastair Clarkson says he expects controversial Roo Tarryn Thomas to be cleared to return via the VFL this weekend.

Thomas was spotted on the outskirts of Kangaroos training at Arden St on Thursday, but Clarkson says he will not be allowed to rejoin the AFL squad for at least another fortnight.

Clarkson said he thought the AFL would need to give its approval for Thomas to make a return to playing this week.

“We’re hopeful that he’ll play this week in the VFL – I’m led to believe that the club and the AFL just need to tick that off, if they haven’t already,” Clarkson said.

“I haven’t actually checked with Todd Viney and Jen Watt as yet but if that hasn’t been done, it will be done and we’re hoping he’ll play.

“He’s spent the last couple of weeks training in the VFL program and will do that for the next couple of weeks, but now he’s available to play, and then hopefully he’ll be able to come back into the AFL program.”

Tarryn Thomas hasn’t played at AFL level this year. Picture: Morgan Hancock/Getty Images

Clarkson said he had not spoken to Thomas recently, but was comfortable with his progress.

“He’s progressing along really well … to his credit his player sponsor was over from Tasmania today, and he wanted to come in and catch up with her,” he said.

“It was good to see him here and hopefully he can get himself back into the routine of AFL footy pretty soon.

“I’m not sure too many of them actually knew he was here until the last part of the session … he’s a listed player at our footy club and mates with the players, so they’re keen for him to get his life sorted and get back to doing what he does really well.”

Thomas was fined $5000 and donated $5000 to a road safety program for an indiscretion last month where Thomas filmed himself driving with his feet on the dashboard of his car last week.

It follows a string of allegations about threatening and intimidating behaviour towards women, while he will face court on a single count of threatening to distribute an intimate image.

Young gun’s injury sours Cats’ hot form

– Rebecca Williams

Geelong has suffered an injury blow ahead of its home clash against Adelaide after defender Sam De Koning was forced to undergo facial surgery on Wednesday.

The Cats said De Koning was expected to be sidelined for “several weeks” after the surgery to repair a nasal and maxillary bone fracture.

Geelong’s general manager of football Simon Lloyd said De Koning was sent for scans after presenting to club medical staff with symptoms following the injury he suffered in the second half of Sunday’s win over Essendon at the MCG.

The premiership defender was seen with medical tape strapped under his nose and around his head following the incident.

The young Cat suffered the injury in the club’s win over Essendon. (Photo by Robert Cianflone/Getty Images)

“We are feeling for Sam, he has been an important part of our team for the last 18 months, not just in defence but more recently showing his versatility by playing in the ruck,” Lloyd said.

“After presenting to the club’s medical staff with some symptoms, Sam was sent for a CT scan where a fracture was confirmed.

“Following consultation with a maxillofacial surgeon Sam underwent surgery on Wednesday afternoon.”

The injury is a blow to the Cats, who have surged back to form with four straight wins after losing their opening three games of the season.

The seventh-placed Cats face the eight-placed Crows at GMHBA Stadium on Saturday.