AFL round 14 team news: Jack Silvagni and Josh Bruce dropped, Jy Simpkin returns for Roos

With both sides facing must-win games on Sunday, Carlton and the Western Bulldogs have made a surplus of changes. Check out the full teams for every game in round 14.

GEELONG, AUSTRALIA – MAY 06: Patrick Dangerfield of the Cats is seen after being subbed out of the game during the 2023 AFL Round 08 match between the Geelong Cats and the Adelaide Crows at GMHBA Stadium on May 6, 2023 in Geelong, Australia. (Photo by Dylan Burns/AFL Photos via Getty Images)

Carlton small forward Jesse Motlop and Jack Silvagni have paid the price for the Blues’ dismal forward connection problems as the pressure intensifies on the embattled club.

Coach Michael Voss has lost patience with Motlop, who is considered one of the club’s most exciting young talents, but has struggled for form, booting only two goals in the past five weeks and 10 majors for the year.

And Silvagni has again been cast aside, increasing the cloud over his future.

Tom De Koning will take Silvagni’s place in the forward line against Gold Coast on Sunday, while ruckman Marc Pittonet will take over the ruck duties in his comeback from a hand problem.

The Blues have lost six-straight games and will consider a review of the football department at season’s as well as key list changes after blowing its finals hopes with a terrible start to the season.

Silvagni is a free agent and could attract interest from the two Sydney clubs at a discount rate, while De Koning has attracted interest from St Kilda, Sydney Swans and Geelong.

Motlop was expected to play a key role at the feet of Charlie Curnow and Harry McKay but the electric goal kicker’s output has been one of the many issues plaguing the club’s connection in the forward half.

Jesse Motlop. Photo by Michael Klein.

Jack Silvagni. (Photo by Dylan Burns/AFL Photos via Getty Images)

David Cuningham will make his return from two years of nightmare injuries, along with ex-Cats’ small forward Lachie Fogarty.

At Western Bulldogs coach Luke Beveridge has wielded the axe dropping three players for Sunday’s clash against North Melbourne in a bid to snap the club’s form slump.

The Bulldogs have omitted defender Josh Bruce, young forward James O’Donnell and speedster Arty Jones in response to three-straight losses which have jeopardised the club’s finals hopes.

Former Hawk Tim O’Brien has been named at centre half back for the Bulldogs in place of Bruce, while former Demon Mitch Hannan has been named.

It is a must-win game for the Dogs who are four points inside the eight but face tough assignments against Fremantle, Collingwood, Sydney Swans and Essendon over the next month.

Josh Bruce has been dropped by the Bulldogs. (Photo by Michael Willson/AFL Photos via Getty Images)

The Kangaroos have shown improved form under interim coach Brett Ratten and will be bolstered by the return of jet midfielder Jy Simpkin and hard nut Hugh Greenwood for the Marvel Stadium clash on Sunday afternoon.

On Friday night Sydney Swans have lost superstar pair Lance Franklin and Isaac Heeney (concussion) to injury as Brisbane Lions prepare a fierce fightback after last week’s shock loss to Hawthorn at the MCG.

Mid-season pick-up Jack Buller will make his debut for the Swans, while Luke Parker is back from suspension.

Veterans Jack Gunston and Daniel Rich weren’t included in the Lions’ team due to form, while Dayne Zorko will remain sidelined with a calf issue.

St Kilda has named an unchanged line up for its clash against Richmond who have welcomed back big man Ben Miller in Trent Cotchin’s 300th game.

Tigers’ wingman Marlion Pickett was left out following his alleged burglary charges but will attempt to break back into the side for next weekend’s clash against Brisbane Lions.

SCROLL DOWN TO SEE THE FULL ROUND 14 TEAMS

Two Lions drop themselves

- Matt Turner

Brisbane veterans Jack Gunston and Daniel Rich won’t play Sydney on Friday night after telling coach Chris Fagan their form wasn’t up to scratch.

In the wake of the Lions’ loss to Hawthorn at the MCG last weekend, the duo went to Fagan early in the week and told the coach their form didn’t warrant selection against the Swans. But rather than play in the VFL, the duo will undergo a significant training block to build their fitness.

“Both those guys aren’t going to play this week and they’re not going to play for a little while,” Fagan said.

“Both lads came to me on Monday and wanted to have a chat about their football.

“They’re not happy with the way that they’re playing at the moment, they believe that their form doesn’t warrant selection at the moment and it just goes to show what good honest men they are.”

Gunston had six disposals and no scores during the loss to his former team, while Rich, 33, had 13 disposals against the Hawks and was subbed out of the game.

Brisbane recruit Jack Gunston. Picture: Albert Perez/AFL Photos via Getty Images

Fagan said there was little point them playing in the VFL given their vast experience and it was better to build their fitness up and push to get back in the senior team.

“There’s obviously the option to go back and play in the reserves, but I think at their age the best thing we can do for them to give them the best chance to get back to playing their best footy is to give them a training block,” he said.

“For the next few weeks, that’s what they’ll be doing, just building their bodies up, building their fitness up. Hopefully in a few weeks time they’re feeling really good.”

Fagan said Rich, who has played only seven games this season, was also battling injuries and the extra fitness work would help him towards the back end of the season, a Brisbane finals campaign.

“We sort of want to give a circuit breaker with them, if you like. I’m not sure how long they’ll be out for and when they’ll be ready to come back, but that’s the decision that we made this week.”

AFL ROUND 14 TEAMS AND FIXTURE (All times AEST)

BRISBANE LIONS v SYDNEY SWANS

Friday June 16, 7:50pm at the Gabba

LIONS

B: B.Starcevich, R.Lester, J.Payne

HB: C.McKenna, H.Andrews, K.Coleman

C: J.Berry, Z.Bailey, C.Rayner

HF: C.Cameron, D.Fort, W.Ashcroft

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

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

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

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

In: R.Lester, D.Fort, K.Lohmann, J.Fletcher

Out: J.Prior (Omitted), D.Gardiner (Injured), H.McCluggage (Injured), D.Rich (Managed), J.Gunston (Managed)

SWANS

B: A.Francis, L.Melican, H.Cunningham

HB: D.Rampe, J.Lloyd, O.Florent

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

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

F: T.Papley, J.Amartey, S.Wicks

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

I/C: N.Blakey, A.Sheldrick, R.Fox, J.Buller

EMG: H.Arnold, Co.Warner, L.McAndrew, D.Stephens

In: L.Parker, J.Buller

Out: R.Clarke (Omitted), I.Heeney (Injured), L.Franklin (Injured)

GWS GIANTS v FREMANTLE

Saturday June 17, 4:35pm at Giants Stadium

GIANTS

B: J.Buckley, S.Taylor, C.Idun

HB: L.Whitfield, H.Himmelberg, L.Ash

C: J.Kelly, C.Ward, F.Callaghan

HF: C.Brown, J.Riccardi, T.Greene - C

F: X.O’Halloran, J.Hogan, T.Bedford

FOLL: K.Briggs, T.Green, S.Coniglio

I/C: D.Lloyd, L.Keeffe, N.Haynes, H.Perryman

EMG: I.Cumming, R.Angwin, A.Cadman, J.Fahey

In: S.Taylor, J.Kelly

Out: R.Angwin (Omitted), J.Fahey (Omitted), H.Rowston (Sub)

DOCKERS

B: B.Cox, A.Pearce - C, H.Young

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

C: L.Henry, C.Serong, N.O’Driscoll

HF: J.Treacy, B.Banfield, M.Walters

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

FOLL: L.Jackson, A.Brayshaw, J.O’Meara

I/C: M.Frederick, N.Fyfe, M.Johnson, E.Hughes

EMG: J.Corbett, S.Sturt, N.Erasmus, K.Worner

In: J.O’Meara

Out: J.Aish (Injured), S.Sturt (Omitted)

RICHMOND v ST KILDA

Saturday June 17, 7:25pm at the MCG

TIGERS

B: N.Broad, D.Grimes - C, N.Balta

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

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

HF: S.Bolton, L.Baker, J.Graham

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

FOLL: T.Nankervis, T.Cotchin, D.Prestia

I/C: B.Miller, T.Young, J.Clarke, R.Mansell

EMG: H.Ralphsmith, M.Rioli, I.Soldo, S.Banks

In: B.Miller

Out: M.Pickett (Personal Reason), H.Ralphsmith (Sub)

SAINTS

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

HB: J.Webster, J.Sinclair, N.Wanganeen-Milera

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

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

F: A.Caminiti, M.King, J.Gresham

FOLL: R.Marshall, J.Steele - C, M.Windhager

I/C: S.Ross, R.Byrnes, L.Stocker, D.Butler

EMG: T.Highmore, L.Connolly, T.Campbell, C.Sharman

In: Nil

Out: C.Sharman (Sub)

CARLTON v GOLD COAST SUNS

Sunday June 18, 1:10pm at the MCG

BLUES

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

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

C: B.Acres, P.Cripps - C, M.Kennedy

HF: D.Cuningham, C.Curnow, J.Martin

F: M.Owies, H.McKay, L.Fogarty

FOLL: M.Pittonet, A.Cerra, S.Walsh

I/C: S.Docherty, A.Cincotta, T.De Koning, M.Cottrell

In: N.Newman, M.Pittonet, D.Cuningham, L.Fogarty

Out: J.Motlop, J.Silvagni, Ed Curnow, P.Dow, L.Young (all omitted)

SUNS

B: C.Ballard, S.Collins, J.Jeffrey

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

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

HF: M.Rosas, N.Holman, J.Lukosius

F: T.Berry, B.King, L.Casboult

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

I/C: M.Andrew, R.Atkins, A.Davies, B.Humphrey

In: M.Andrew

Out: J.Farrar (Omitted), B.Uwland (Sub)

NORTH MELBOURNE v WESTERN BULLDOGS

Sunday June 18, 4:40pm at Marvel Stadium

KANGAROOS

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

HB: L.Shiels, H.Sheezel, L.McDonald

C: J.Simpkin - C, T.Thomas, B.Scott

HF: E.Ford, T.Powell, J.Stephenson

F: C.Zurhaar, N.Larkey, C.Coleman-Jones

FOLL: T.Goldstein, W.Phillips, G.Wardlaw

I/C: H.Greenwood, P.Curtis, P.Spicer, A.Corr

In: J.Simpkin, H.Greenwood

Out: D.Tucker, A.Hall, M.Bergman

BULLDOGS

B: T.Duryea, L.Jones, A.Keath

HB: B.Dale, T.O’Brien, L.Vandermeer

C: J.Macrae, M.Bontempelli - C, B.Williams

HF: B.Smith, A.Naughton, A.Treloar

F: C.Weightman, J.Ugle-Hagan, R.Lobb

FOLL: T.English, C.Daniel, T.Liberatore

I/C: O.Baker, R.West, A.Scott, M.Hannan

In: T.O’Brien, M.Hannan, O.Baker

Out: J.Bruce (Omitted), J.O’Donnell (Omitted), A.Jones (Omitted)

Originally published as AFL round 14 team news: Jack Silvagni and Josh Bruce dropped, Jy Simpkin returns for Roos