AFL teams Round 3: See all the ins and outs and get the latest team news

The full teams are in for round 3, and an important Cat has made a stunning return, while Melbourne’s has lost patience with a premiership star.

Picture: Getty Images

Geelong vice-captain Tom Stewart has been selected to face Gold Coast just a fortnight after suffering a grade two knee injury, while Melbourne has dumped a premiership forward for a debutant.

The Cats’ initial diagnosis was that Stewart would spend up to a month on the sidelines, but the important defender has made a stunning recovery from the blow.

Stewart, who had been named on an extended bench on Thursday night, is set to take on the Suns after banging down the door at training this week.

Geelong coach Chris Scott has opted to manage veterans Gary Rohan and Rhys Stanley for the Sunday afternoon clash, with inclusion Jon Ceglar taking the ruck reigns up against Suns skipper Jarrod Witts.

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Tom Stewart has made a shock return, while Tom McDonald has been left out.

Melbourne has dumped talls Tom McDonald and Adam Tomlinson for its hotly anticipated contest against Sydney at the MCG, replacing them with Steven May and debutant Jacob van Rooyen.

Michael Hibberd and James Jordon will play their first game of the season for the Demons.

The Swans will welcome back Lance Franklin from suspension in place of Hayden McLean (omitted).

Fremantle midfielder Will Brodie has been axed for the western derby, with the confirming young 192cm midfielder Matt Johnson will make his debut as the substitute.

Bombers set to welcome back showtime star

Jake Stringer is poised to play his first game of the Brad Scott era in Essendon’s Saturday night showpiece against St Kilda.

Stringer missed the opening round of the season due to a hamstring issue, but made a strong return through the VFL last weekend to convince Scott he was ready for AFL duties.

The forward livewire is one of two attacking additions for the Bombers, who have regained Sam Weideman after he was a late withdrawal before last week’s win over Gold Coast.

Weideman made an encouraging start to his Essendon career with two goals and 11 disposals against Hawthorn in round 1.

Brandon Zerk-Thatcher (injured) and Andrew Phillips (omitted) will miss.

Jake Stringer is back for the Bombers. Photo by Michael Klein

The injury-ravaged Saints have included defender Jimmy Webster to replace skipper Jack Steele, who this week underwent surgery for a broken collarbone.

Meanwhile, Carlton is set to regain rugged midfielder George Hewett as it looks to continue its unbeaten start to the season in Sydney’s west on Saturday.

He replaces the injured Matt Kennedy.

ROUND 3 TEAMS

WESTERN BULLDOGS v BRISBANE LIONS

Thursday March 30, 7:20pm, Marvel Stadium

BULLDOGS

B: Bruce, Jones, Crozier

HB: Dale, Keath, Richards

C: Williams, Bontempelli, Jones

HF: Smith, Ugle-Hagan, Treloar

F: Scott, Naughton, Lobb

FOLL: English, Liberatore, Macrae

I/C: Johannisen, Garcia, Daniel, Baker

EMG: Khamis, McComb, Cleary, Sweet

IN: Jones, Treloar, Lobb, Johannisen

OUT: Darcy, West, McLean (all omitted), Duryea (illness), McComb (sub)

LIONS

B: Starcevich, Payne, Joyce

HB: McKenna, Andrews, Wilmot

C: Ashcroft, Bailey, Berry

HF: Cameron, Gunston, McCluggage

F: Zorko, Daniher, Hipwood

FOLL: McInerney, Dunkley, Neale

I/C: McCarthy, Rayner, Coleman, Fort

EMG: Cockatoo, Prior, Fullarton, Answerth

IN: Coleman

OUT: Rich (injured), Robertson (sub)

COLLINGWOOD v RICHMOND

Friday March 31, 7:50pm, MCG

MAGPIES

B: N.Murphy, B.Frampton, B.Maynard

HB: J.Noble, D.Moore, S.Pendlebury

C: S.Sidebottom, T.Mitchell, J.Daicos

HF: B.Mihocek, D.Cameron, D.McStay

F: B.Hill, J.Elliott, J.De Goey

FOLL: A.Johnson, T.Adams, N.Daicos

I/C: I.Quaynor, J.Crisp, B.McCreery, W.Hoskin-Elliott

EMG: T.Bianco, T.Wilson, R.McInnes, J.Carmichael

IN: A.Johnson

OUT: R.McInnes (sub), M.Cox (ribs)

TIGERS

B: N.Balta, D.Grimes, T.Young

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

C: K.McIntosh, D.Prestia, M.Pickett

HF: M.Rioli, J.Graham, R.Mansell

F: S.Ryan, S.Bolton, T.Lynch

FOLL: T.Nankervis, T.Taranto, T.Cotchin

I/C: J.Riewoldt, H.Ralphsmith, J.Clarke, J.Ross

EMG: T.Dow, B.Miller, N.Cumberland, T.Sonsie

IN: H.Ralphsmith, J.Clarke, J.Ross

OUT: N.Broad (suspension), J.Hopper (knee), J.Short (calf), D.Martin (managed)

HAWTHORN v NORTH MELBOURNE

Saturday April 1, 1:45pm, UTAS Stadium

HAWKS

B: C.Jiath, S.Frost, J.Scrimshaw

HB: J.Impey, J.Sicily, B.Hardwick

C: H.Morrison, C.Mackenzie, K.Amon

HF: T.Brockman, F.Greene, J.Worpel

F: D.Moore, L.Meek, L.Breust

FOLL: N.Reeves, W.Day, F.Maginness

I/C: J.Newcombe, C.Nash, J.Ward, C.Macdonald

EMG: S.Butler, J.Blanck, J.Koschitzke, L.Bramble

IN: J.Scrimshaw, H.Morrison, T.Brockman

OUT: J.Blanck (omitted), L.Bramble (omitted), J.Koschitzke (omitted), S.Butler (sub)

KANGAROOS

B: J.Ziebell, G.Logue, A.Corr

HB: J.Goater, L.McDonald, M.Bergman

C: T.Powell, L.Shiels, C.Taylor

HF: J.Stephenson, C.Comben, P.Curtis

F: C.Zurhaar, N.Larkey, H.Greenwood

FOLL: T.Goldstein, L.Davies-Uniacke, B.Scott

I/C: K.Turner, B.Cunnington, H.Sheezel, W.Phillips

EMG: D.Howe, D.Tucker, F.Perez, H.Free

IN: W.Phillips

OUT: J.Simpkin (suspension), D.Howe (sub)

GWS GIANTS v CARLTON

Saturday April 1, 4:35pm, Giants Stadium

GIANTS

B: C.Idun, S.Taylor, I.Cumming

HB: L.Whitfield, N.Haynes, L.Ash

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

HF: J.Peatling, H.Himmelberg, D.Lloyd

F: T.Greene - C, J.Hogan, B.Daniels

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

I/C: J.Riccardi, H.Rowston, C.Ward, J.Buckley

EMG: C.Stone, A.Cadman, R.Angwin, A.Kennedy

IN: L.Whitfield, J.Kelly

OUT: J.Wehr (shoulder), A.Kennedy (omitted), C.Stone (sub)

BLUES

B: M.McGovern, J.Weitering, N.Newman

HB: S.Docherty, Le. Young, A.Saad

C: E.Curnow, P.Cripps, B.Acres

HF: M.Owies, H.McKay, J.Silvagni

F: C.Durdin, C.Curnow, Z.Fisher

FOLL: T.De Koning, A.Cerra, G.Hewett

I/C: L.Cowan, O.Hollands, M.Pittonet, J.Motlop

EMG: L.Plowman, J.Honey, P.Dow, L.O’Brien

IN: G.Hewett

OUT: M.Kennedy (calf), L.O’Brien (sub)

ST KILDA v ESSENDON

Saturday April 1, 7:25pm, MCG

SAINTS

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

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

C: M.Wood, M.Windhager, R.Byrnes

HF: M.Phillipou, B.Hill, J.Higgins

F: Z.Cordy, J.Gresham, A.Caminiti

FOLL: R.Marshall, B.Crouch, S.Ross

I/C: J.Webster, H.Clark, M.Owens, D.Butler

EMG: B.Paton, J.Bytel, C.Sharman, T.Campbell

IN: J.Webster

OUT: J.Steele (collarbone), B.Paton (omitted)

BOMBERS

B: M.Redman, J.Ridley, M.D’Ambrosio

HB: J.Kelly, J.Laverde, A.McGrath

C: D.Heppell, W.Setterfield, D.Shiel

HF: A.Davey Jnr, H.Jones, K.Langford

F: J.Stringer, S.Weideman, A.Perkins

FOLL: S.Draper, Z.Merrett, D.Parish

I/C: J.Caldwell, S.Durham, N.Martin, J.Menzie

EMG: W.Snelling, N.Hind, K.Baldwin, A.Phillips

IN: J.Stringer, S.Weideman

OUT: B.Zerk-Thatcher (ankle), A.Phillips (omitted), M.Guelfi (sub)

PORT ADELAIDE v ADELAIDE CROWS

Saturday April 1, 7:30pm, Adelaide Oval

POWER

B: R.Bonner, T.Jonas, T.Clurey

HB: D.Byrne-Jones, A.Aliir, D.Houston

C: M.Bergman, W.Drew, X.Duursma

HF: J.Finlayson, T.Marshall, C.Rozee

F: Z.Butters, C.Dixon, S.Powell-Pepper

FOLL: S.Lycett, O.Wines, J.Horne-Francis

I/C: K.Farrell, T.Boak, J.Rioli, L.Jones

EMG: O.Fantasia, B.Teakle, J.Burgoyne, J.Mead

IN: R.Bonner, T.Clurey, J.Finlayson

OUT: O.Fantasia (omitted), M.Georgiades (omitted), J.Burgoyne (omitted), R.Burton (suspension)

CROWS

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

HB: B.Smith, J.Dawson - C, M.Hinge

C: B.Keays, R.Laird, L.Sholl

HF: J.Rachele, L.Pedlar, J.Soligo

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

FOLL: R.O’Brien, R.Sloane, S.Berry

I/C: J.Butts, W.Milera, L.Murphy, R.Thilthorpe

EMG: W.Hamill, C.Jones, E.Himmelberg, N.McHenry

IN: L.Gollant, J.Butts, W.Milera

OUT: E.Himmelberg (omitted), H.Schoenberg (omitted), D.Fogarty (knee), P.Parnell (concussion)

GOLD COAST SUNS v GEELONG

Sunday April 2, 2:10pm, Heritage Bank Stadium

SUNS

B: L.Weller, S.Collins, D.Macpherson

HB: B.Long, C.Ballard, J.Farrar

C: J.Lukosius, T.Miller, D.Swallow

HF: B.Ainsworth, L.Casboult, M.Rosas

F: N.Holman, B.King, E.Hollands

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

I/C (FROM): T.Berry, M.Chol, C.Constable, S.Flanders, J.Jeffrey, H.Oea, W.Powell, A.Sexton

IN: J.Farrar, T.Berry, M.Chol, H.Oea, W.Powell

OUT: B.Uwland (omitted), B.Fiorini (omitted)

CATS

B: J.Bews, S.De Koning, Z.Tuohy

HB: E.Ratugolea, T.Stewart Z.Guthrie

C: I.Smith, T.Bruhn, M.Holmes

HF: T.Stengle, J.Cameron, B.Close

F: G.Miers, T.Hawkins, G.Rohan

FOLL: J.Ceglar, C.Guthrie, P.Dangerfield

INT: O.Henry, T.Stewart, M.O’Connor, M.Holmes, J.Bowes

EMERG: J.Kolodjashnij, G.Rohan J.Ceglar, C.Whyte

IN: T.Stewart, J.Ceglar

OUT: G.Rohan (managed), R.Stanley (managed), Whyte (sub)

MELBOURNE v SYDNEY SWANS

Sunday April 2, 3:20pm, MCG

DEMONS

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

HB: K.Chandler, H.Petty, L.Hunter

C: J.Jordon, C.Oliver, E.Langdon

HF: T.Sparrow, B.Fritsch, A.Brayshaw

F: A.Neal-Bullen, B.Brown, C.Spargo

FOLL: B.Grundy, C.Petracca, J.Viney

INT: J.van Rooyen, M.Hibberd, J.Bowey, J.McVee

EMERG: B.Laurie, L.Dunstan, J.Melksham, T.McDonald

IN: S.May, J.Jordon, J.van Rooyen, M.Hibberd

OUT: A.Tomlinson (omitted), T.McDonald (omitted), M.Gawn (knee), J.Harmes (personal reason), Melsham (sub)

SWANS

B: T.McCartin, D.Rampe, P.McCartin

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

C: E.Gulden, L.Parker, D.Stephens

HF: I.Heeney, W.Hayward, J.Amartey

F: T.Papley, L.Franklin, L.McDonald

FOLL: P.Ladhams, J.Rowbottom, C.Mills

INT: H.Cunningham, C.Warner, B.Campbell, J.McInerney

EMERG: H.McLean, M.Roberts, H.Hall-Kahan, A.Sheldrick

IN: L.Franklin

OUT: McLean (omitted), Roberts (sub)

FREMANTLE v WEST COAST EAGLES

Sunday April 2, 5:20pm, Optus Stadium

DOCKERS

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

HB: H.Chapman, L.Ryan, N.Wilson

C: J.Clark, J.O’Meara, J.Aish

HF: M.Walters, L.Jackson, M.Frederick

F: L.Schultz, J.Amiss, M.Taberner

FOLL: S.Darcy, A.Brayshaw, C.Serong

INT: J.Amiss, E.Hughes, L.Henry, , B.Banfield, N.O’Driscoll, M.Johnson, B.Walker

EMERG: W.Brodie, B.Banfield, M.Johnson, B.Walker

IN: N.O’Driscoll

OUT: W.Brodie, B.Banfield (both omitted)

EAGLES

B: S.Hurn, T.Barrass, L.Duggan

HB: T.Cole, J.McGovern, J.Hunt

C: D.Sheed, T.Kelly, A.Gaff

HF: N.Long, J.Darling, J.Cripps

F: L.Ryan, O.Allen, J.Waterman

FOLL: B.Williams, R.Ginbey, L.Shuey

INT: S.Petrevski-Seton, C.Chesser, A.Witherden, J.Jones

EMERG: B.Hough, G.Clark, H.Edwards, E.Hewett

IN: None

OUT: E.Hewett (sub)

CAT STAR BOLTING FOR MIRACLE RETURN, KEY PIE SIDELINED

-- Lauren Wood, Josh Barnes

Collingwood tall Mason Cox is out of Friday night’s clash with Richmond after suffering a haematoma in his rib.

Cox, who has played in the Magpies’ two wins to start the season, said on Thursday that he’d “had better days” as he deals with the issue that he feared could have turned even worse with just a knock.

“I’ve got a haematoma in the rib. It’s a little bruising inside the rib and a bit of internal bleeding, which is not good,” he told KIIS FM.

Cox said a bump during last weekend’s win over Port Adelaide at the MCG had sparked what he feared could be an issue, before scans in hospital on Wednesday confirmed that something was “proper wrong”.

CHECK OUT THE CONFIRMED TEAMS BELOW

“It’s been a big 24 hours,” he said.

“It’s really painful. I was dumb enough to go and train (on Wednesday), because I didn’t realise ... when I came off the track I said ‘I’m feeling something is still a bit off’.

“It can lead to something really bad, so luckily I didn’t get hit in the ribs at training.

“There was a lot of pain (at the time), and a lot of abdominal pain, which is something different from what I usually get when I have an injury.”

He said there is no timeline for his return.

His parents have booked flights from America for the upcoming Anzac Day clash in Round 6, with Cox hopeful he will be back on deck by then.

“Just rest (is all I can do) - can’t do anything. And for an athlete, that’s the worst thing you can tell them,” he said.

The 32-year-old also revealed there would be a financial hit with match incentives also lost to injured players.

“Yeah, actually a little bit (there is a whack to the hip pocket). Now that I’m out, I won’t get that cash bonus,” he said.

“There’s also triggers that come with playing a certain number of games. That might affect me also at the end of the year, I might not get that bonus.”

Mason Cox won’t take on the Tigers. Picture: Getty Images

CAT COULD MAKE MIRACLE RETURN

Geelong star Tom Stewart is in line for a shock recall just one game after injuring his right knee, with the defensive ace poised to be named in the squad for the Cats’ trip to the Gold Coast.

There were fears in the Geelong camp that the All-Australian defender could miss more than a month after jarring his knee on the MCG turf in round 1, but Stewart has bolted to be firmly in the frame for Sunday’s meeting with the Suns.

Cats coach Chris Scott said on Thursday morning that Stewart needed to get through main training, but he had been “banging down our door”.

The cautious Cats have been inclined in recent years to hold back senior players if they weren’t completely ready to return from injury, and Stewart could still be given one more week on the sidelines.

“He has made really, really strong progress, so he is banging down our door,” Scott said.

“It is really exciting for us after that injury that looked like it could be multiple weeks or even a month is not going to be that and if it isn’t this week, it will be next week which is great news for everyone.”

Fellow backman Jake Kolodjashnij has been cleared from concussion protocols and is available to play his first game of the year, while Scott labelled Jeremy Cameron (ribs) as “fine”.

Ruck Rhys Stanley will be given until Sunday to prove his fitness, with Jonathon Ceglar set to replace him if Stanley doesn’t overcome his own rib problem.

DEMON TO DEBUT AGAINST SWANS

Melbourne will unleash gun forward Jacob van Rooyen for the first time against Sydney on Sunday.

Demons coach Simon Goodwin has confirmed the 19-year-old will replace injured skipper Max Gawn in the side to face the Swans at the MCG.

van Rooyen, who the Demons recruited with pick 19 in the 2021 draft, had met high expectations placed on him to improve over his first two pre-seasons in senior football, Goodwin said.

“He’s worked incredibly hard at VFL level to develop his game over the last couple of years,” he said.

“We’ve been pretty hard on him about getting his game to the right level in terms of what we want from him.

“He’s continued to execute that through the pre-season and the first few weeks … that’s exciting for us, it’s exciting for our supporters and it’s exciting for everyone in the game to see a young, powerful forward come into the game.”

Jacob Van Rooyen will debut for the Demons. Picture: Getty Images

BEVO SWINGS AXE AS STARS RETURN FOR DOGS

Western Bulldogs coach Luke Beveridge has swung the axe at the selection table, ahead of a must-win clash against the Brisbane Lions on Thursday evening.

The Bulldogs, who have lost their first two clashes of the season to Melbourne and St Kilda, have come under fire for their first two performances, and take on a Brisbane riding high after a big win against Melbourne last Friday night.

Their selection moves may also signal the end of the Dogs’ ultra-tall forward line experiment.

Youngsters Sam Darcy, Rhylee West and Toby McLean have all been omitted from the side, as star Adam Treloar returns along with off-season recruit Rory Lobb and 2016 Norm Smith medallist Jason Johannisen.

Artie Jones has been named on the wing for his debut match.

Jamarra Ugle-Hagan has been named after a tumultuous week, where he spent time away from the club after being racially vilified against the Saints last Saturday night.

The Lions have been forced into one change with veteran Daniel Rich losing his spot due to injury, defender Keidean Coleman returns from a concussion suffered against the Power in the Lions’ first game.

WESTERN BULLDOGS

BACKS: J.Bruce L.Jones H.Crozier

HALF BACKS: B.Dale A.Keath E.Richards

CENTRELINE: B.Williams M.Bontempelli -C A.Jones

HALF FORWARDS: B.Smith J.Ugle-Hagan A.Treloar

FORWARDS: A.Scott A.Naughton R.Lobb

FOLLOWERS: T.English T.Liberatore J.Macrae

INTERCHANGE: J.Johannisen R.Garcia C.Daniel

O.Baker

EMERGENCIES: B.Khamis R.McComb L.Cleary

J.Sweet

In: A.Jones, A.Treloar, R.Lobb, J.Johannisen

Out: S.Darcy (Omitted), R.West (Omitted), T.McLean (Omitted), T.Duryea (Illness), R.McComb (Sub)

BRISBANE LIONS

BACKS: B.Starcevich J.Payne D.Joyce

HALF BACKS: C.McKenna H.Andrews D.Wilmot

CENTRELINE: W.Ashcroft Z.Bailey J.Berry

HALF FORWARDS: C.Cameron J.Gunston H.McCluggage

FORWARDS: D.Zorko J.Daniher E.Hipwood

FOLLOWERS: O.McInerney J.Dunkley L.Neale - C

INTERCHANGE: L.McCarthy C.Rayner K.Coleman

D.Fort

EMERGENCIES: N.Cockatoo J.Prior T.Fullarton

N.Answerth

In: K.Coleman

Out: D.Rich (Injured), D.Robertson (Sub)

Adam Treloar is back for the Bulldogs. Picture: Getty Images

TIGER BLOW: DUSTY, SUPERCOACH STAR OUT OF PIES SHOWDOWN

-- Jay Clark

Richmond superstar Dustin Martin will not take on Collingwood in Friday night’s MCG blockbuster.

Martin failed to complete Wednesday’s main training session. The champion ballwinner ran laps on his own in the rain due to a hamstring problem, while the rest of his teammates completed full-ground drills at Punt Rd.

On Wednesday afternoon the Tigers confirmed he will miss with “general soreness”.

And Richmond will also be without star recruit Jacob Hopper, who suffered a knee injury against Adelaide last weekend.

The club said both are expected to be available for the Tigers’ clash against the Bulldogs in round 4.

The Tigers will have to make at least four changes with Jayden Short (calf) already ruled out. Nathan Broad was suspended for four matches for his dangerous tackle on Adelaide’s Patrick Parnell.

Nathan Broad will miss the next four weeks suspended for his dangerous tackle on Patrick Parnell. Picture: Getty Images

While the Tigers were hopeful Martin would be fit to take on the Magpies, it would have been a massive gamble to play him off a short break so early in the season considering his repeat hamstring problems last year which restricted him to only nine games.

Geelong reaped the benefits of carefully managing their veteran stars last year, resting Patrick Dangerfield in particular, at times, to help him hit the finals in peak condition.

Richmond coach Damien Hardwick said in the pre-season the Tigers may take a leaf out of Geelong’s book with its injury management this year.

“It’s a fine balance, understanding that we’d love to keep our best side on the park all the time but knowing you’ve got to get your best side on the park at the right time. To do that, it can look a little bit different,” Hardwick told the club’s website.

“Do Trent and Jack and our older established players have to play every game? Because, if they do, then our younger players will stifle in their development.

“That’s been a real conversation piece for us over the course of the summer.”

Martin, 31, had scans on his hamstring in Melbourne on Sunday after he was substituted out of Saturday’s win over Adelaide early with hamstring soreness.

Dustin Martin and Jacob Hopper are both in doubt for Friday night’s blockbuster against Collingwood. Picture: Getty Images

Developing forward Noah Cumberland could replace Martin in the Richmond forward line as the Tigers attempt to upset the most in-form team in the competition on Friday night.

Richmond midfielder Hopper is also battling a knee complaint and is in major doubt, while Jayden Short has been ruled out with a recurring calf issue.

It means the Tigers could be forced to make three changes, while star goal kicker Tom Lynch also copped a corked leg and faced a light week on the track.

The injuries will test the Tigers’ depth considering Robbie Tarrant (hip), Josh Gibcus (hamstring) and Ivan Soldo (foot) are also sidelined with injuries.

Collingwood will start favourite as Craig McRae’s men target a third-straight win as part of a scintillating start to the season.

Originally published as AFL teams Round 3: See all the ins and outs and get the latest team news