Geelong has dropped a premiership star while Adelaide loses four key players for the Round 3 opener between last year’s top two home and away sides.
The Cats have omitted forward Brad Close, with the oft-sleeved star failing to hit the scoreboard and averaging just six disposals in two games this season.
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It’s the first game Close has missed since 2023 after an interrupted training schedule, and he will instead play managed minutes in the VFL as they attempt to get him back to his best.
They also lose captain Patrick Dangerfield after the future Hall of Famer reaggravated a calf injury, which could also see him miss Easter Monday.
Ollie Henry comes back into the Cats’ forward line after kicking five goals in the VFL, while Oli Wiltshire also returns with James Worpel still unavailable with his infected finger.
Meanwhile Adelaide is decimated off a second straight six-day break, with Rory Laird (calf), Jordan Dawson (calf) and Cal Ah Chee (hamstring) all missing through injury and Tex Walker managed.
As reported by Foxfooty.com.au earlier this week Luke Nankervis will take Ah Chee’s spot on the wing while Hugh Bond, Zac Taylor and club debutant Finnbar Maley have also gotten the call-up.
McRae states Daicos bros happy at Pies | 01:33
In other news, both Collingwood and GWS will unveil debutants for Friday night’s much-anticipated clash at Marvel Stadium.
The Magpies will hand a first game to ruckman Oscar Steene while the Giants are set to name their 2024 first-round pick, mid-forward Ollie Hannaford, after his first year on an AFL list was ruined by injuries.
The rest of the Round 3 teams will be announced Thursday 6:20pm.
For intel on the teams yet to announce their squads, check out Team Tips.
ROUND 3 TEAMS AND FIXTURE (All times AEDT)
GEELONG v ADELAIDE CROWS
Thursday March 26 at GMHBA Stadium, 7:30pm
CATS
B: C.O’Sullivan, S.De Koning, J.Henry
HB: Z.Guthrie, T.Stewart – C, L.Humphries
C: M.Blicavs, B.Smith, M.O’Connor
HF: G.Miers, S.Mannagh, O.Dempsey
F: J.Cameron, S.Neale, J.Martin
FOLL: M.Edwards, T.Atkins, M.Holmes
I/C: O.Mullin, J.Clark, T.Bruhn, O.Wiltshire, O.Henry
EMG: J.Bowes, J.Worpel, M.Knevitt
In: – O.Wiltshire, O.Henry
Out: – B.Close (Omitted), P.Dangerfield (Injured)
CROWS
B: N.Murray, J.Butts, C.Jones
HB: H.Bond, J.Worrell, W.Milera
C: B.Cook, J.Peatling, I.Cumming
HF: I.Rankine, A.Neal-Bullen – C, B.Keays
F: Z.Taylor, R.Thilthorpe, D.Fogarty
FOLL: L.McAndrew, S.Berry, J.Rachele
I/C: L.Nankervis, F.Maley, L.Pedlar, J.Soligo, M.Michalanney
EMG: C.Edwards, R.O’Brien, J.Borlase
In: – H.Bond, Z.Taylor, L.Nankervis, F.Maley
Out: – R.Laird (Injured), J.Dawson (Injured), T.Walker (Managed), C.Ah Chee (Injured)
COLLINGWOOD v GWS GIANTS
Friday March 27 at Marvel Stadium, 7:40pm
MAGPIES
TBA Thursday evening
GIANTS
TBA Thursday evening
ST KILDA v BRISBANE LIONS
Saturday March 27 at Marvel Stadium, 12:35pm
SAINTS
TBA Thursday evening
LIONS
TBA Thursday evening
FREMANTLE v RICHMOND
Saturday March 27 at Optus Stadium, 4:15pm
DOCKERS
TBA Thursday evening
TIGERS
TBA Thursday evening
ESSENDON v NORTH MELBOURNE
Saturday March 27 at Marvel Stadium, 7:35pm
BOMBERS
TBA Thursday evening
KANGAROOS
TBA Thursday evening
PORT ADELAIDE v WEST COAST EAGLES
Sunday March 28 at Adelaide Oval, 12:30pm
POWER
TBA Thursday evening
EAGLES
TBA Thursday evening
CARLTON v MELBOURNE
Sunday March 28 at the MCG, 3:15pm
BLUES
TBA Thursday evening
DEMONS
TBA Thursday evening
Bye week: Gold Coast Suns, Hawthorn, Sydney Swans, Western Bulldogs