Every club’s predicted 22 for round 2 of the AFL season

Richmond has to replace injured pair Dion Prestia and Jack Riewoldt, while Essendon seems to have an issue in defence. Our experts name the best 22 for every team for Round 2.

Which changes will the Hawks make? Picture: Getty Images

Does your team hold its nerve at the selection table this week or will injury and form concerns already force a number of changes?

Our team of experts takes all these factors into consideration ahead of Round 2 and comes up with what your team’s best 22 will look like this weekend.

Who makes the cut, who misses out and who is ready for a new role this season?

Scroll down for our expert verdict for every club.

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Rory Sloane has been suspended for Round 2 ahead of Adelaide’s clash with Collingwood.

ADELAIDE

B: T.Doedee, J.Butts, L.Brown

HB: B.Smith, N.Murray, C.Jones

C: J.Dawson, B.Keays, M.Hinge

HF: N.McHenry, L.Gollant, L.Pedlar

F: J.Rachele, D.Fogarty, R.Thilthorpe

FOLL: R.O’Brien, H.Schoenberg, M.Crouch

I/C: J.Rowe, J.Soligo, W.Milera, L.Sholl

IN: L.Sholl, L.Gollant, L.Pedlar

OUT: A.McPherson, E.Himmelberg, R.Sloane

The Crows could have a big loss for a game they will be hoping to win against Collingwood with Rory Sloane offered a one-match ban for contact to Blake Acres’ eye region. Luke Pedlar kicked four in the SANFL trial match on the weekend to put his name forward. Lachie Gollant kicked five himself and will have Elliott Himmelberg sweating on his place after just six disposals against Fremantle. Andy McPherson was subbed out with a hamstring injury in the second quarter, Lachie Sholl performed strongly in his place.

– Simeon Thomas-Wilson

BRISBANE

B: D.Gardiner, H.Andrews, M.Adams

HB: B.Starcevich, D.Rich, C.Ah Chee

C: M.Robinson, D.Zorko, H.McCluggage

HF: Z.Bailey, D.McStay, L.McCarthy

F: C.Rayner, J.Daniher, C.Cameron

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

I/C: J.Berry, N.Cockatoo, D.Fort, N.Answerth

(NO CHANGES)

The Lions were strong in their first outing for the 2022 season but came away with concerns surrounding Dayne Zorko and Jarrod Berry. Zorko will be a test this week while Berry has been cleared to play. Veteran Daniel Rich also jarred his hip in round 1 but has also been cleared to play this weekend.

– Chris Honnery

CARLTON

B: M.McGovern, O.McDonald, J.Weitering

HB: Z.Williams, A.Saad, S.Docherty

C: M.Kennedy, P.Cripps, W.Setterfield

HF: M.Owies, H.McKay, Z.Fisher

F: J.Silvagni, C.Curnow, C.Durdin

FOLL: M.Pittonet, S.Walsh, G.Hewett

I/C: N.Newman, T.De Koning, L.O’Brien, L.Fogarty

EMG: Le. Young, T.Williamson, J.Carroll, B.Kemp

IN: L.Fogarty, A. Cerra

OUT: J.Martin, S. Walsh

It’s a straight swap in the centre square with Walsh a huge inclusion after making a faster than expected recovery from an ankle injury. He will be needed after news on Wednesday that Adam Cerra will miss miss through the AFL’s Health and Safety Protocols, joining Jack Martin on the sidelines. Lachie Fogarty was an emergency last week and could come into the side as a player who can fill a similar position.

– Chris Cavanagh

COLLINGWOOD

B: I.Quaynor, D.Moore, J.Madgen

HB: S.Pendlebury, J.Howe, N.Daicos

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

HF: N Kreuger, B.Mihocek, B.McCreery

F: O.Henry, J.De Goey, J.Elliott

FOLL: B.Grundy, P.Lipinski, J.Crisp

I/C: M.Cox, J.Noble, T.Brown, W. Hoskin-Elliott

EMG: T.Wilson, C.Brown, D.Cameron, H.Harrison

IN:Will Hoskin-Elliott, Nathan Kreuger

OUT: J.Ginnivan, Trent Bianco

Brayden Maynard still has one week to serve on a pre-season suspension but Nathan Kreuger is available to make his Collingwood debut. Will Hoskin-Elliott (hip and groin) is likely to put his hand up.

– Sam Landsberger

Essendon is hoping to have Jake Stringer available for Round 2. Picture: Mark Stewart

ESSENDON

B: J.Stewart, J.Laverde, J.Kelly

HB: N.Hind, J.Ridley, D.Heppell

C: A.McGrath, Z.Merrett, N.Cox

HF: A.Perkins, K.Baldwin, D.Shiel

F: N Martin, P.Wright, J Stringer

FOLL: S.Draper, D.Parish, J Caldwell

I/C: M.Guelfi, T Cutler, M.Redman, D Smith

IN: J. Stringer, T. Cutler (was sub last week)

OUT: K. Langford (injured), B. Ham

Kyle Langford is the only definite out because of a hamstring injury but he could be joined by a few others given how disappointing the Bombers were against Geelong. All eyes will be on Jake Stringer at training this week given his presence was badly missed around the ball and in the forward set-up. He has been battling a groin injury and is a day-to-day prospect. Defender Jayden Laverde was involved in the Jeremy Cameron incident and pulled up quite sore so would have to be 50/50 to line-up against Brisbane.

– Scott Gullan

FREMANTLE

B: L.Ryan, A.Pearce, H.Chapman

HB: D.Tucker, B.Cox, J.Clark

C: A.Brayshaw, N. Fyfe, M.Walters

HF: D.Mundy, J.Treacy, L.Schultz

F: M.Frederick, R.Lobb, L.Henry

FOLL: S. Darcy, C.Serong, S.Switkowski

I/C: B.Acres, W. Brodie, G.Logue, H.Young

IN: N. Fyfe, S. Darcy

OUT: L. Meek, B. Banfield

The Dockers should get their two best players back as they look to go 2-0 against the Saints. Nat Fyfe and Sean Darcy walk back into this side if both fit. Lloyd Meek was more than serviceable but he’s the unlucky out with Justin Longmuir to keep Josh Treacy for his forward craft. Will Brodie showed enough to keep his spot despite the return of their skipper Fyfe.

– Will Hogan

Mitch Duncan takes a kick for Geelong against West Coast at GMHBA Stadium on April 24, 2021.

GEELONG

B: J.Kolodjashnij, J.Henry, J Bews

HB: Z.Tuohy, T.Stewart, M.Blicavs

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

HF: T.Stengle, E.Ratugolea, B.Parfitt

F: B Close, T.Hawkins, S.Higgins

FOLL: R.Stanley, P.Dangerfield, J.Selwood

I/C: Z.Guthrie, L.Dahlhaus, T.Atkins, M Holmes

IN: M. Duncan, J. Bews

OUT: S. De Koning (concussion), J. Cameron (injured)

Key forward Jeremy Cameron must be in doubt against the Swans given he left the MCG in an ambulance on Saturday. Despite being cleared of serious injury, the prized recruit won’t be risked while young defender Sam De Koning has been ruled out with concussion. Classy midfielder Mitch Duncan got through three quarters of a VFL practice match last week and should return while Jed Bews is out of concussion protocols and is another likely inclusion.

– Scott Gullan

GOLD COAST

B: D.Swallow, S.Collins, S.Lemmens

HB: L.Weller, C.Ballard, W.Powell

C: J.Sharp, T.Miller, B.Ellis

HF: N.Holman, L.Casboult, J.Lukosius

F: I.Rankine, M.Chol, B.Ainsworth

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

I/C: A.Davies, B.Fiorini, C.Graham, D.Macpherson

(NO CHANGES)

Why change a winning formula and Suns coach Stuart Dew will be thinking the same thing following his side’s round 1 victory over West Coast. The Gold Coast club escaped without any serious injuries but face a much tougher opponent in Melbourne at home on Saturday.

– Chris Honnery

GREATER WESTERN SYDNEY

B: S.Taylor, P.Davis, I.Cumming

HB: L.Whitfield, N.Haynes, H.Perryman

C: C.Ward, J.Hopper, T.Green

HF: T.Taranto, H.Himmelberg, D.Lloyd

F: B.Hill, J. Hogan, J.Riccardi

FOLL: M.Flynn, S.Coniglio, J.Kelly

I/C: L.Ash, X.O’Halloran, C.Idun, M.de Boer

EMG: T.Bruhn, K.Briggs, J.Stein, R.Angwin

IN: N.Haynes, J.Hogan

OUT: L.Keefe, J.Brander

Star defender Nick Haynes (stomach) and key forward Jesse Hogan (soreness) are expected back after missing Round 1. Keefe and Brander both had limited impact against the Swans last week. Brander had his opportunities in his club debut but managed only 1.3 from five shots on goal.

– Chris Cavanagh

Ben McEvoy returns from Covid-19 isolation to join Hawthorn for Round 2.

HAWTHORN

B: B.Hardwick, S.Frost, D.Grainger-Barras

HB: F.Maginness, J.Sicily, J.Scrimshaw

C: J.Ward, J.Newcombe, H.Morrison

HF: C.Wingard, B. McEvoy, D. Moore

F: J.Gunston, M.Lewis, L. Breust

FOLL: N.Reeves, J.O’Meara, T.Mitchell

I/C: L.Shiels, C.Jiath, C.Nash, J. Worpel

IN: B. McEvoy, L. Breust

OUT: M. Lynch (injured), C. MacDonald

Two big ins for the Hawks with skipper Ben McEvoy and the mercurial Luke Breust available after being in the AFL’s Covid-19 protocols. Max Lynch will spend a week on the sidelines while Connor MacDonald is the unlucky omission to make way for Breust. Tom Phillips had a big impact as sub but I think they’ll give first round pick Josh Ward another run.

– Will Hogan

MELBOURNE

B: J.Smith, S.May, J. Hunt

HB: J.Bowey, J.Lever, J.Harmes

C: A.Brayshaw, C.Oliver, E.Langdon

HF: C.Spargo, T.McDonald, A.Neal-Bullen

F: J.Viney, B.Brown, B.Fritsch

FOLL: M.Gawn, C.Petracca, T.Sparrow

I/C: L.Jackson, J.Jordon, T. Rivers, K.Pickett

IN: J. Lever, T. Rivers

OUT: A. Tomlinson, C.Salem (injured)

Christian Salem is the huge out for the Dees and will miss 6-8 weeks with a knee injury but they should get emerging defender Trent Rivers (test) back who was a lock in their side most of last year. Adam Tomlinson was serviceable as a late in for Jake Lever but he should make way if the former Crow can recover from tearing the plantar fasciitis in his foot in time for the clash against the Gold Coast Suns on Saturday night.

-Will Hogan

NORTH MELBOURNE

B: J.Ziebell, A.Corr, K.Turner

HB: L.McDonald, J. Walker, A.Hall

C: J.Polec, T.Thomas, H.Greenwood

HF: C.Taylor, N.Larkey, J.Stephenson

F: J.Horne-Francis, C.Zurhaar, T.Xerri

FOLL: T.Goldstein, J.Simpkin, L.Davies-Uniacke

I/C: J.Mahony, T. Powell, La. Young, C.Coleman-Jones

IN: J. Walker, J. Polec

OUT: B. McKay (concussion), B. Scott

Ben McKay is a massive out for the Roos and will be replaced by Josh Walker who will come out of the AFL’s covid protocols. Despite the loss, David Noble will want to give his three big talls another run together and won’t look to make too many changes. Jared Polec will come in and youngster Tom Powell should keep his spot after impressing as the late in.

– Will Hogan

The selection door has opened for Josh Sinn to join Port Adelaide for Round 2.

PORT ADELAIDE

B: R.Burton, S.Skinner, L.Jones

HB: R.Bonner, T.Jonas, D.Byrne-Jones

C: D.Houston, O.Wines, K.Amon

HF: Z.Butters, M.Georgiades, C.Rozee

F: J.Finlayson, T.Marshall, R.Gray

FOLL: S.Lycett, W.Drew, T.Boak

I/C: S.Powell-Pepper, J.Sinn, X.Duursma, J.Mead

IN: S.Skinner, J.Sinn

OUT: A.Aliir, T.McKenzie

Port were spared some major carnage on the injury front from the loss to Brisbane, but will still lose All-Australian defender Aliir Aliir for around six weeks. This opens the door for Sam Skinner to make his debut for the Power. Trent McKenzie was cleared of any damage to his knee but hyperextended it while scans can’t find a crack in Xavier Duursma’s collarbone. Josh Sinn could make his debut after being close for Round 1, with Ryan Burton to play tall to help fill McKenzie’s role. Round 2 might still be too soon for Charlie Dixon.

– Simeon Thomas-Wilson

RICHMOND

B: D.Grimes, R.Tarrant, J Gibcus

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

C: J.Ross, T.Cotchin, M.Pickett

HF: S.Bolton, T Lynch, L.Baker

F:, S.Edwards, N Balta, J Castagna

FOLL: T.Nankervis, J Graham, D.Martin,

I/C: I Soldo, J.Aarts, H Ralphsmith., T Dow

IN: H. Ralphsmith, T. Dow

OUT: J. Riewoldt (injured), D. Prestia (injured)

Dion Prestia is back on the injury list with a hamstring strain set to cost him three weeks while full-forward Jack Riewoldt has had thumb surgery and would be unlikely to get up to play against GWS. Hugo Ralphsmith came on as the injury sub so would be a logical replacement for Prestia or youngster Thomson Dow who has impressed over the pre-season.

– Scott Gullan

ST KILDA

B: D.Howard, B.Paton, C.Wilkie

HB: B.Hill, J.Battle, J.Sinclair

C: D.McKenzie, J.Gresham, J. Geary

HF: D.Butler, M.Wood, R. Byrnes

F: T.Membrey, M.King, D.Kent

FOLL: R.Marshall, J.Steele, S.Ross

I/C: J.Webster, T Highmore B.Crouch, J.Hayes

IN: Tom Highmore, Jarryn Geary

OUT: Jack Higgins, Mitchito Owens

The Jack Hayes attack has calmed the need to rush Paddy Ryder back while Jarryn Geary excelled on a wing in the VFL. Debutant Mitchito Owens got a decent crack but the Saints looked sharper when he was taken out of the centre square. Jack Higgins’ failure to handball to Jade Gresham when charging towards goal – it’s been dubbed a selfish act – could cost him at selection.

– Sam Landsberger

SYDNEY

B: P.McCartin, D.Rampe, H.Cunningham

HB: C.Mills, T.McCartin, J.Lloyd

C: J.McInerney, L.Parker, N.Blakey

HF: E.Gulden, H.McLean, I.Heeney

F: W.Hayward, L.Franklin, C.Warner

FOLL: T.Hickey, J.Kennedy, O.Florent

I/C: A.Sheldrick, B.Campbell, J.Rowbottom, D.Stephens

EMG: S.Reid, C.O’Riordan, C.Sinclair, J.Bell

IN: J. Lloyd, C.Warner

OUT: S.Wicks, L.McDonald

Jake Lloyd and Chad Warner both missed Round 1 through the AFL’s Health and Safety protocols, but are likely to come straight back into the side. Sam Wicks and Logan McDonald were both quiet against the Giants.

– Chris Cavanagh

WESTERN BULLDOGS

B: E.Richards, A.Keath, B.Williams

HB: C.Daniel, Z.Cordy, B.Dale

C: B.Smith, J.Dunkley, L.Hunter

HF: C.Weightman, T. O’Brien, A.Treloar

F: L.Vandermeer, A.Naughton, H. Crozier

FOLL: T.English, J.Macrae, M.Bontempelli

I/C: S.Martin, T.Liberatore, M.Hannan, R.Smith

IN: Tim O’Brien (Hawthorn)

OUT: Josh Schache

All eyes are on Marcus Bontempelli and if his ankle doesn’t get up then re-signed star Jackson Macrae will captain the Dogs for the first time. Josh Schache’s dropped mark and decision to play on – and get tackled – directly in front of goal were costly in his trial on the wing. Schache’s spot is once again in the spotlight and if Tim O’Brien is proved fit it could be more heartbreak for the No. 2 pick from seven years ago.

– Sam Landsberger

WEST COAST

B: S.Hurn, T.Barrass, J.Rotham

HB: J.Nelson, J.McGovern, L.Foley

C: S.Petrevski-Seton, T. Kelly, Z.Langdon

HF: J.Petruccelle, J. Darling, L. Ryan

F: J.Jones, J.Kennedy, J.Waterman

FOLL: N.Naitanui, L. Shuey, A.Gaff

I/C: J.Redden, B.Williams, H.Edwards, A. Witherden

IN: J. Darling, T. Kelly, L. Ryan, L. Shuey, A. Witherden

OUT: H. Dixon, B. Hough, W.Rioli (suspended), P. Naish, X.O’Neill

The Eagles should get a raft of players back to their best 22 for the clash against North Melbourne. The midfield mix will change completely with Tim Kelly, Luke Shuey and a roaming Liam Ryan in there. A few unlucky omissions in youngster Brady Hough and Hugh Dixon but a much stronger side on paper.

– Will Hogan

Originally published as Every club’s predicted 22 for round 2 of the AFL season