Round 9 AFL teams: Gold Coast Suns make six changes, injuries wreak havoc

Several AFL teams have made mass changes to their line-ups for Round 9, with injuries wreaking havoc on several top eight teams.

David Swallow is among six outs for Gold Coast. (Photo by Russell Freeman/AFL Photos via Getty Images)

St Kilda coach Ross Lyon has made a selection statement by dropping gun No. 10 pick Mattaes Phillipou after an underwhelming start to the season.

Phillipou, who has averaged 11.6 disposals per game and only kicked three goals this season, will make way for returning recruit Liam Henry as Ryan Byrnes was also omitted.

He has played 32 consecutive games since making his debut last year.

Small defender Ben Paton is also back from a pectoral injury for the Saturday afternoon clash against Hawthorn in Launceston, with the Hawks regaining veteran forward Luke Breust and dropping duo Josh Ward and Harry Morrison.

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SSP recruit Ethan Phillips was again overlooked for a debut, with Jai Serong recalled in place of injured captain James Sicily.

Caleb Daniel continues to be out of favour at the Bulldogs and was not among four changes with Rhylee West, Alex Keath and Luke Cleary joining debutant Joel Freijah in the side to face Richmond at the MCG on Saturday night.

The Tigers regained all three of the senior trio hoping to return in Noah Balta, Dion Prestia and Jack Graham, while coach Adem Yze axed Kamdyn McIntosh and Sam Naismith and former captain Dylan Grimes was rested.

Mattaes Phillipou’s streak of consecutive games is over. (Photo by Quinn Rooney/Getty Images)

Buku Khamis, Oskar Baker and last week’s first-gamer Charlie Clarke were all dropped.

Geelong recalled Brandan Parfitt and Irish pair Mark O’Connor and Oisin Mullin to face Port Adelaide at GHMBA Stadium on Friday night, with Tanner Bruhn ruled out due to a shoulder injury and Jack Bowes and Zach Tuohy both listed as “managed”.

The Power made five changes with Aliir Aliir returning from concussion and Dante Visentini replacing Jordon Sweet (illness) in the ruck.

Sydney recalled Aaron Francis for Friday’s second night game against Fremantle in Perth, with the tall defender replacing Tom McCartin (concussion) as Luke Parker was given a third week in the VFL.

Essendon will replace injured wingman Xavier Duursma (quad) with Nick Hind, while Callum Brown’s suspension has opened the door for GWS forward Conor Stone to play his first AFL game since round 4 last season.

Stephen Coniglio and Nick Haynes will also return for the Giants in the Saturday afternoon clash.

David Swallow is among six outs for the Gold Coast Suns. (Photo by Chris Hyde/Getty Images)

Fremantle regained Sam Switkowski after an extended absence due to concussion and replaced Sean Darcy (calf) with Patrick Voss, leaving Luke Jackson as the sole ruckman against Brodie Grundy.

Gold Coast swung six changes for Saturday night’s clash against North Melbourne in Darwin, with Alex Davies, Joel Jeffrey and Lloyd Johnston all named to play their first games for the season.

The Kangaroos dropped top five pick Zane Duursma along with Toby Pink, while co-captain Jy Simpkin was ruled out due to injury.

Collingwood could blood Ed Allan, Joe Richards, or former St Kilda on-baller Jack Bytel against West Coast on Sunday after the trio was named on an extended bench.

Jamie Elliott has been named in the Magpies’ squad despite battling back soreness.

Andrew Gaff is in the frame to return for the Eagles in the Marvel Stadium clash, while Shadeau Brain could make his debut for Brisbane against Adelaide on Sunday.

Originally published as Round 9 AFL teams: Gold Coast Suns make six changes, injuries wreak havoc