AFL round 15: Jeremy Howe, Darcy Parish, Callum Mills all set to return

Some of the AFL’s biggest names are set to return this weekend, including a high-flying Pie and Bombers ball magnet, setting up some mouth-watering clashes for the weekend.

Clayton Oliver. Picture: Michael Klein.

Collingwood’s attempts to bounce back from their King’s Birthday loss have received an influx of star power, with high-flyer Jeremy Howe named for just his second game of the season.

Howe broke his arm in round one against Geelong in a shocking incident, then had his recovery delayed by an infection in the wound.

Jamie Elliott has also been named to face Adelaide on Sunday, as Collingwood look to jump back to the top of the AFL ladder.

But the Pies have axed three players, including pressure forward Beau McCreery, who has played every game under coach Craig McRae this season.

McCreery has kicked 11 goals in 13 matches this season and finished with 10 touches, a goal and five tackles against the Demons in round 13.

Key defender Billy Frampton and Reef McInnes have also been omitted.

St Kilda veteran Seb Ross has been rested for their Friday night clash against Brisbane, with Ben Paton returning for the Saints.

Brisbane has received a massive boost, with star midfielder Hugh McCluggage set to return after missing last week’s win over Sydney due to concussion.

McCluggage was named on the wing by Lions coach Chris Fagan for the crucial contest against fellow top-four aspirants the Saints, with Darcy Fort the man to make way.

The Bombers will head to Perth to take on the Dockers without ruckman Sam Draper, leaving Andrew Phillips to shoulder the load in the ruck against Luke Jackson and a returning Sean Darcy.

Sam Draper won’t make the trip to Perth for the Bombers. (Photo by Quinn Rooney/Getty Images)

Darcy Parish will make his return to the Bombers side after missing the past five games with a calf concern.

Jake Kelly also returns to the side as Nick Hind makes way.

The Sydney Swans will be boosted by the return of both Isaac Heeney (concussion) and co-captain Callum Mills for this Saturday’s clash against the West Coast Eagles at the SCG.

Heeney missed last week’s loss against Brisbane, while Mills hasn’t played for the Swans since being subbed out of their home defeat to Fremantle in round nine.

The pair will be joined in the team by returning forward Logan McDonald who has also spent the last five weeks on the sidelines with an ankle injury.

The trio will replace Robbie Fox, Jack Buller (both omitted) and Sam Wicks (suspension).

Lance Franklin will sit out another week after failing to overcome knee soreness in time for the clash.

Franklin has failed in his bid to return against the Eagles. Photo by Phil Hillyard

Jeremy McGovern has not been named to return for the Eagles, yet the struggling side have been boosted by the returns of Liam Duggan, Tom Barrass and Elijah Hewett.

Having lost skipper James Sicily to suspension, Hawthorn have added forgotten defender Denver Grainger-Barras to their side to take on the Gold Coast on Sunday afternoon along with Sam Frost for some defensive cover.

Meanwhile at the Suns, Lachie Weller will be available to face Hawthorn on Sunday after overcoming knee swelling that has kept the running defender out since Round 7, but Touk Miller is still “a couple of weeks away” according to coach Stuart Dew.

Miller is ahead of schedule on his return from a meniscus injury however the Suns will be cautious with their superstar skipper.

SCROLL DOWN TO READ THE FULL ROUND 15 TEAMS

Dees make shock call on Oliver

– Scott Gullan

The baffling case of Clayton Oliver’s blister continues with Melbourne’s midfield star again ruled out.

Oliver hasn’t played since Round 10 after an initial absence with a hamstring injury turned into a five-day hospital stay with an infected blister.

Despite increasing his training loads over the past two weeks, the Demons have again elected to leave him out against reigning premier Geelong in a blockbuster Thursday night clash.

The Cats have recalled ruckman Rhys Stanley for his first game since Round 5 because of a facial fracture. He replaces captain Patrick Dangerfield who is only expected to miss one week with rib/lung issues.

Oliver joined his teammates in a light training run at GMHBA Stadium on Wednesday but failed to do enough again to convince coach Simon Goodwin he was ready to resume.

Defender Harrison Petty did get the nod and will return from a foot injury against the Cats, replacing Adam Tomlinson. Goalsneak Charlie Spargo, who was subbed off in the King’s Birthday victory over Collingwood, has also been omitted.

Clayton Oliver will miss another game. Picture: Michael Willson/AFL Photos via Getty Images

Oliver was seen running laps and doing some drills on the MCG after the Demons inspirational victory over the ladder leaders where he appeared to be moving freely.

But despite having extra time to recover over the bye last weekend, the 25-year-old prime mover is still not right and will miss his fourth straight game.

On Tuesday Goodwin said Oliver was “progressing well” but he was only hopeful about a return against the Cats.

“Spending five days in hospital isn’t ideal,” he said. “It is about performance, making sure they are ready to perform and we won’t take any risks with any players.”

Melbourne has gone the extra mile to prepare for the Cats, changing the dimensions of their training oval at Casey Fields to match GMHBA Stadium.

They are also treating the game like an interstate trip, staying the night in Geelong after the captain’s run training session at their opposition’s ground.

The Demons have lost four of the past five clashes against the Cats in Geelong.

GEELONG v MELBOURNE

GMHBA Stadium, Thursday 7:20pm

CATS

B: Z.Guthrie, S.De Koning, Z.Tuohy

HB: J.Henry, T.Stewart, T.Atkins

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

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

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

FOLL: R.Stanley, M.Blicavs, T.Bruhn

INT: J.Bews, M.O’Connor, G.Miers, J.Kolodjashnij

EMERG: O.Dempsey, O.Mullin, J.Bowes, M.Knevitt

IN: R.Stanley

OUT: P.Dangerfield (injury), J.Bowes (sub)

DEMONS

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

HB: A.Brayshaw, J.Lever, C.Salem

C: A.Neal-Bullen, J.Viney, E.Langdon

HF: K.Pickett, B.Fritsch, T.Sparrow

F: J.Smith, M.Gawn, K.Chandler

FOLL: B.Grundy, C.Petracca, L.Hunter

INT: J.van Rooyen, M.Hibberd, J.Jordon, H.Petty

EMERG: C.Spargo, A.Tomlinson, T.Woewodin, B.Brown

IN: H.Petty

OUT: A.Tomlinson, C.Spargo (both omitted)

ST KILDA v BRISBANE LIONS

Friday June 23, 7:50pm at Marvel Stadium

SAINTS

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

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

C: M.Wood, B.Crouch, B.Hill

HF: M.Phillipou, J.Higgins, M.Owens

F: A.Caminiti, M.King, D.Butler

FOLL: R.Marshall, J.Sinclair, M.Windhager

I/C: J.Gresham, J.Steele – C, R.Byrnes, B.Paton

EMG: S.Ross, J.Bytel, T.Campbell, C.Sharman

In: B.Paton

Out: S.Ross (Managed), C.Sharman (Sub)

LIONS

B: B.Starcevich, H.Andrews – C, J.Payne

HB: C.McKenna, R.Lester, K.Coleman

C: J.Berry, W.Ashcroft, H.McCluggage

HF: C.Cameron, E.Hipwood, Z.Bailey

F: L.McCarthy, J.Daniher, C.Rayner

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

I/C: K.Lohmann, D.Robertson, J.Fletcher, D.Wilmot

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

In: H.McCluggage

Out: D.Fort (Omitted), C.Ah Chee (Sub)

SYDNEY SWANS v WEST COAST EAGLES

Saturday June 24, 4:35pm at the SCG

SWANS

B: L.Melican, D.Rampe, H.Cunningham

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

C: B.Campbell, J.Rowbottom, J.McInerney

HF: W.Hayward, H.McLean, E.Gulden

F: T.Papley, J.Amartey, I.Heeney

FOLL: T.Hickey, L.Parker, Ch. Warner

I/C: A.Francis, L.McDonald, A.Sheldrick, C.Mills – C

EMG: R.Clarke, R.Fox, L.McAndrew, J.Buller

In: I.Heeney, L.McDonald, C.Mills

Out: R.Fox (Omitted), J.Buller (Omitted), S.Wicks (Suspension), D.Stephens (Sub)

EAGLES

B: L.Duggan, T.Barrass, A.Witherden

HB: B.Hough, R.Bazzo, J.Hunt

C: L.Edwards, E.Yeo, A.Gaff

HF: N.Long, J.Darling, D.Sheed

F: R.Maric, O.Allen, J.Petruccelle

FOLL: B.Williams, T.Kelly, L.Shuey – C

I/C: R.Ginbey, E.Hewett, S.Petrevski-Seton, J.Williams

EMG: C.Chesser, X.O’Neill, Z.Trew, H.Barnett

In: L.Duggan, T.Barrass, E.Hewett, J.Williams

Out: X.O’Neill (Omitted), C.Chesser (Omitted), L.Foley (Injured), G.Clark (Injured), Z.Trew (Sub)

FREMANTLE v ESSENDON

Saturday June 24, 7:25pm at Optus Stadium

DOCKERS

B: B.Cox, A.Pearce – C, H.Young

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

C: L.Henry, C.Serong, M.Frederick

HF: J.Treacy, L.Jackson, M.Walters

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

FOLL: S.Darcy, A.Brayshaw, N.Fyfe

I/C: N.Erasmus, M.Johnson, J.O’Meara, E.Hughes

EMG: S.Sturt, J.Corbett, N.O’Driscoll, K.Worner

In: M.Frederick, S.Darcy

Out: N.O’Driscoll (Omitted), B.Banfield (Omitted), S.Sturt (Omitted)

BOMBERS

B: A.McGrath, B.Zerk-Thatcher, J.Laverde

HB: M.Redman, J.Ridley, K.Langford

C: N.Martin, Z.Merrett – C, D.Heppell

HF: S.Durham, S.Weideman, W.Snelling

F: M.Guelfi, P.Wright, J.Stringer

FOLL: A.Phillips, D.Parish, J.Caldwell

I/C: B.Hobbs, A.Perkins, J.Kelly, J.Menzie

EMG: N.Cox, N.Hind, N.Bryan, M.D’Ambrosio

In: D.Parish, J.Kelly

Out: M.D’Ambrosio (Sub), S.Draper (Injured), N.Hind (Omitted)

COLLINGWOOD v ADELAIDE CROWS

Sunday June 25, 1:10pm at the MCG

MAGPIES

B: I.Quaynor, D.Moore – C, B.Maynard

HB: J.Howe, N.Murphy, J.Noble

C: P.Lipinski, S.Pendlebury, J.Daicos

HF: H.Harrison, B.Mihocek, W.Hoskin-Elliott

F: J.Elliott, D.Cameron, T.Adams

FOLL: M.Cox, J.Crisp, T.Mitchell

INT: B.Hill, N.Daicos, O.Markov, A.Johnson

EMERG: F.Macrae, J.Ginnivan, B.Frampton, B.McCreery

In: J.Howe, J.Elliott

Out: R.McInnes, B.Frampton, B.McCreery (all omitted)

CROWS

B: B.Smith, J.Butts, N.Murray

HB: M.Hinge, J.Worrell, W.Milera

C: C.Jones, J.Dawson – C, L.Sholl

HF: J.Rachele, D.Fogarty, L.Pedlar

F: L.Murphy, T.Walker, I.Rankine

FOLL: R.O’Brien, R.Laird, B.Keays

INT: J.Soligo, L.Gollant, R.Thilthorpe, R.Sloane

EMERG: M.Michalanney, H.Schoenberg, B.Cook, N.McHenry

In: Nil

Out: N.McHenry (sub)

GOLD COAST SUNS v HAWTHORN

Sunday June 25, 4:40pm at Heritage Bank Stadium

SUNS

B: C.Ballard, S.Collins, M.Andrew

HB: B.Long, D.Macpherson, W.Powell

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

HF: S.Flanders, N.Holman, J.Lukosius

F: B.Humphrey, B.King, L.Casboult

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

INT: B.Fiorini, H.Oea, M.Rosas, L.Weller

C.Burgess, S.Lemmens, J.Tsitas,

In: B.Ellis, S.Flanders, H.Oea, L.Weller

Out: R.Atkins, (Omitted) T.Berry (Omitted), A.Davies (Omitted), J.Jeffrey (Injured), A.Sexton (Sub)

HAWKS

B: J.Scrimshaw, J.Blanck, S.Mitchell

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

C: K.Amon, J.Worpel, J.Impey

HF: L.Breust, T.Brockman, C.Nash

F: L.Meek, M.Lewis, J.Koschitzke

FOLL: N.Reeves, J.Newcombe, D.Moore – C

INT: C.Mackenzie, S.Frost, L.Bramble, C.Macdonald

EMERG: S.Butler, D.Grainger-Barras, F.Maginness, F.Greene,

In: S.Frost

Out: J.Sicily (Suspension), S.Butler (managed)

Originally published as AFL round 15: Jeremy Howe, Darcy Parish, Callum Mills all set to return