AFL round 11 teams: Elijah Hollands out for personal reasons, Steele Sidebottom managed due to back issue
Carlton has made a host of changes for its must-win clash with the Giants, but will be without Elijah Hollands, while Collingwood are set to blood a new small forward against the Kangaroos.
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Carlton has regained star ruck Tom De Koning as one of five changes for the must-win clash against GWS on Saturday.
De Koning missed the loss against Sydney last week with an injured larynx, with Marc Pittonet playing against his first game of the season.
But De Koning will assume the mantle and the Blues are sticking with a one-ruck strategy.
Key defender draftee Harry O’Farrell will debut in the clash, coming in for the injured Jack Silvagni.
Lachie Fogarty, Blake Acres and Sam Docherty will all return, replacing Francis Evans, Jordan Boyd and Elijah Hollands.
Hollands will miss with personal reasons, with football general manager Brad Lloyd saying the club is focused on his personal health and wellbeing.
“As we know the journey is certainly not linear when it comes to this space, and as a club we will ensure Elijah is given all the time, care and support he needs,” he said.
The Giants will be without star midfielder Finn Callaghan after his shoulder injury, with Harry Rowston coming in for the game.
Leek Aleer will also play, replacing the injured Toby McMullin.
Collingwood will debut small forward Will Hayes for Saturday night’s clash against North Melbourne.
Initially drafted as a winger, Hayes has played mainly forward in the VFL and has averaged a goal per game so far this season.
Steele Sidebottom has been managed after a strong start to his season, and will be the Magpies’ only change.
Meanwhile North Melbourne has brought in Paul Curtis after serving his suspension, and Zac Fisher after his hamstring injury, replacing Bailey Scott and Zane Duursma.
Hawthorn has brought back leading ruck Lloyd Meek and veteran forward Jack Gunston for the blockbuster clash with Brisbane.
Jarman Impey will also return, as will Conor Nash, replacing Ned Reeves, Fin Maginness, Calsher Dear and Bailey Macdonald.
The Lions have brought in Deven Robertson and Jarrod Berry, replacing Keidean Coleman and Connor McKenna.
Essendon will debut Angus Clarke as one of three changes for the Dreamtime at the G clash, bringing in Jade Gresham and Matt Guelfi as well.
Dylan Shiel, Saad El-Hawli and Archer Day-Wicks have all been omitted.
Richmond has also made three changes, bringing in Campbell Gray, Samson Ryan and Maurice Rioli.
Noah Balta will miss due to his curfew, while Toby Nankervis has been managed and Tom Lynch is in concussion protocols.
Port Adelaide will debut Hugh Jackson as one of four changes for the clash against Fremantle.
Breadon Zerk-Thatcher has been brought in for Esava Ratugolea, while Travis Boak and Rory Atkins will also feature.
Jason Horne-Francis will miss with his injured hamstring, while Josh Sinn and Lachie Jones are also out through injury.
Fremantle will enter the clash unchanged.
Sydney captain Callum Mills will play his first game of the season after a scintillating half in the VFL last week.
He is one of three confirmed changes, with Justin McInerney and Joel Amartey missing through suspension, while Aaron Francis is in concussion protocols.
Taylor Adams, Ben Paton, Caleb Mitchell and Ned Bowman have been added to the squad.
Melbourne has added Jake Lever, Bailey Laurie and Jai Culley to the extended squad, but has not flagged any omissions yet.
It is expected Lever plays his first game since round 2, but he was named on the extended bench.
St Kilda has swung the axe for its game against Gold Coast, dropping Angus McLennan, Lance Collard and Hugo Garcia.
Jack McRae will also miss as one of four confirmed changes, with Isaac Keeler, Zak Jones, Hunter Clark, Liam Henry, Angus Hastie, Hugh Boxshall and Max Heath added to the squad.
Gold Coast has no confirmed omissions from the side yet, but have added the uncapped Ben Jepson to the squad.
West Coast will be without Jamie Cripps and Matt Owies, with Noah Long, Archer Reid, Bo Allan, Clay Hall and Tyrell Dewar added to the squad for the match against Adelaide, who has not flagged any changes.
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Originally published as AFL round 11 teams: Elijah Hollands out for personal reasons, Steele Sidebottom managed due to back issue
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