AFL Now: Latest injury updates, teams news and round 4 preview on Thursday

Melbourne coach Simon Goodwin has refused the urge to swing the axe too hardly at the Dees for their clash with Geelong. Meanwhile, a formerly suspended Swan will play his first game of 2025.

Melbourne coach Simon Goodwin has spared his established players from the axe with a fringe trio dumped for a crucial Friday night clash with Geelong.

Goodwin said on Wednesday that players would be under pressure at selection, including out-of-touch forward Bayley Fritsch, and Jack Billings, Ash Johnson and Blake Howes were all dropped.

The Demons regain important speed with Caleb Windsor and Kysaiah Pickett, while Daniel Turner and Charlie Spargo will face the Cats, with youngster Xavier Lindsay (knee) also out.

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The Cats brought back star rebounder Tom Stewart (knee) and forward Shaun Mannagh for his first game of the year, with Mitch Knevitt (foot) and Jhye Clark (omitted) left out.

Fritsch has kicked just one goal in three matches so far this year but has not been alone in battling with form in a 0-3 start to 2025.

North Melbourne has named Tristan Xerri in the ruck despite a light week on the track, with key defenders Griffin Logue and debutant Matt Whitlock into the side to face Sydney, at the expense of Toby Pink and former No.3 pick Will Phillips.

The Swans replaced Tom Papley (heel) with Caiden Cleary.

Cleary will play his first game after he was suspended for the first two matches of 2025.

He was banned by the league after being hit with a criminal infringement notice for possession of an illicit substance when police caught him trying to buy drugs.

Whitlock has had a powerful start to his senior career with two impressive VFL outings and was told the news of his debut on Thursday, when Roos coach Alastair Clarkson teed up his twin brother to send a video message from Port Adelaide.

Star onballer Zak Butters has been named by Port Adelaide for his first match of the year, having got over a knee injury, and young forward Ollie Lord has also been picked in an extended squad to face St Kilda on Sunday.

Saints skipper Jack Steele has been named to return after a knee issue caused him to withdraw late last week.

Andrew McQualter has drawn down on youngsters to help a spluttering West Coast, with Tom Gross, Sandy Brock and Hamish Davis to make their debut.Jeremy McGovern (adductor), Elijah Hewett (injured) and Liam Ryan (illness) all out of the side that will travel to face GWS.

Originally published as AFL Now: Latest injury updates, teams news and round 4 preview on Thursday