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AFL round 2: The latest team news from across the competition

A premiership Demon will play his first game in a year this weekend, while West Coast and Fremantle have swung the changes for round 2. See the full teams here.

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Melbourne’s Charlie Spargo will make his long-awaited return to AFL football after more than 12 months on the sidelines with an achilles injury.

The 25-year-old is set to face North Melbourne on Sunday in what will mark his first AFL game in 381 days, last suiting up in Opening Round 2024.

Daniel Turner and Taj Woewodin also come into the side that suffered a narrow loss to GWS in Round 1 in place of Caleb Windsor (infection), Aidan Johnson (suspension) and Harvey Langford (omitted).

North Melbourne have made two changes, losing Griffin Logue to a hamstring injury and Jackson Archer to a contentious suspension. Toby Pink and Dylan Stephens will play their first games of the year.

Out west, Shai Bolton will make his highly-anticipated Dockers debut after missing round one with a lower leg issue. The 26-year-old recruit has long tormented WA clubs, kicking four goals in his last outing at Optus Stadium.

Charlie Spargo returns to the Demons side. Picture: Mark Stewart
Charlie Spargo returns to the Demons side. Picture: Mark Stewart

The Dockers and Eagles have both dropped their lead ruckmen from Round 1.

Luke Jackson will lead the ruck against Sydney after Liam Reidy got the axe. While Bailey Williams is in for the Eagles after Matt Flynn had just 13 hitouts against Suns star Jarrod Witts (68 hitouts).

Bolton will be joined in Fremantle’s side by midfielder Neil Erasmus and key forward Patrick Voss in place of Sam Switkoswki (groin) and Karl Worner (omitted).

Sydney has recalled named talls Peter Ladhams and Hayden McLean. Angus Sheldrick will also get to play in front of family and friends in Perth after earning a recall.

Will McLachlan and Sam Day will play their first games for Brisbane Lions against West Coast.

Mid-season draftee McLachlan has impressed in pre-season after being selected from the Geelong Falcons while Day was unavailable for selection in Round 1 after the tragic passing of his father. Ruck Darcy Fort has been dropped.

Jack Petruccelle and high-flying forward Liam Ryan are back for the Eagles with Jake Waterman (back/calf) and Jack Hutchinson (hamstring) unable to be considered.

ROUND 2 TEAMS

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Original URL: https://www.theaustralian.com.au/sport/afl/afl-round-2-the-latest-team-news-from-across-the-competition/news-story/df29e527dc9e03c34c68f4687de4c9e4