Jack Higgins warms up ahead of round one, 2026. Picture: AFL Photos

ST KILDA has swung two late changes for its round eight clash with Carlton.

Jack Macrae was held over from the VFL game earlier in the day, ready to replace dangerous small forward Jack Higgins for the evening’s match, while Liam O’Connell will replace Darcy Wilson.

Higgins will miss after entering concussion protocols, and Wilson via illness.

It will be Macrae’s first game at the top level since the club’s round one loss to Melbourne, and the veteran has only played 56 and 52 per cent of game time in his two senior outings this year.

He was managing a return from a knee injury via the VFL, where he has picked up 20 and 31 disposals in the last fortnight.

Meanwhile it is Irishman O’Connell’s first game of the season, after playing seven through the early part of 2025.

Carlton heads into the clash as named.

Carlton v St Kilda at Marvel Stadium, 7.35pm AEST
LATE CHANGES
Carlton: Nil
St Kilda: Jack Higgins and Darcy Wilson replaced in selected side by Liam O’Connell and Jack Macrae

Carlton put a wretched week behind it to find reason for positivity as it stormed home against Fremantle even as it suffered a fifth straight defeat.

The Blues continue to be beaten in all too familiar ways as they were unable to stop the Dockers’ run of six goals either side of the last change, but then booted five of the last six to outscore their opponents in a final term for just the second time this year.

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St Kilda made the most of taking on the stuttering West Coast to flex its scoring muscle and pile on its highest total since 2016 in a rollicking and much-needed victory.

The Saints have shown in previous wins over the Giants and Power that they can more than match their fellow finals hopefuls but can ill afford a slip-up in a danger game against the Blues.  

The Blues have made four changes with Harry McKay, Adam Saad, Marc Pittonet and Ollie Hollands in, while Cooper Lord, Ashton Moir, Talor Byrne and Lewis Young have been dropped. 

For the Saints, Liam Stocker and Liam Henry return, with Liam Ryan and Hunter Clark both out due to injury.

Geelong will be without premiership defender Jack Henry for its clash with an improving North Melbourne at GMHBA Stadium on Saturday afternoon.

Henry has been ruled out with foot soreness and has been replaced in the side by Jack Bowes.

CATS v KANGAROOS Follow it LIVE

Bowes was initially left out of the Cats’ side, listed as ‘managed’, but has been recalled for the important clash with the Roos.

Geelong suffered a rare humiliating loss under coach Chris Scott as it was beaten in the contest and opened up in general play for a defeat to Port Adelaide that was worse than the final margin suggested.

The Cats can expect to get their campaign back on track as they return to their home fortress to take on a Kangaroos outfit that they have beaten 14 times in a row, stretching back to 2015. 

North Melbourne (gave Greater Western Sydney a huge scare in another sign that it is ready to rise, but paid the price for being unable to contain its opponent once it got its running game going from the back half.

Geelong v North Melbourne at GMHBA Stadium, 4.35pm AEST

LATE CHANGES
Geelong: Jack Henry (foot soreness), replaced in the selected side by Jack Bowes
North Melbourne: Nil

The Kangaroos have hung on to their place in the top six but now begin a horror five-match stretch with a visit to a venue where they have lost their past six games by an average 62 points.

Charlie Comben is back for the Roos after illness, replacing Toby Pink, while the Cats have added Sam De Koning and Jake Kolodjashnij as Mark Blicavs (knee) goes out.

Meanwhile, West Coast has the chance to redeem itself when it hosts Richmond at Optus Stadium on Saturday afternoon.

The Eagles are losing the shine that came with back-to-back wins as they were thumped by more than 100 points for the second time in four weeks in a demoralising defeat to St Kilda.

The Eagles have problems all over the field but could be most concerned with a lack of defensive pressure making them too easy to score against after conceding more than 20 goals for the third time this year. 

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Richmond showed signs of promise as it stayed within striking distance of Melbourne for three quarters before being blown away in a disappointing final term.

The Tigers have now conceded more than 100 points five times this year and will need to lift their intensity and tighten up their defence if they are to make the most of meeting a side they beat in both clashes last year. 

West Coast v Richmond at Optus Stadium, 2.15pm AWST
NO LATE CHANGES

Richmond’s injury woes worsened with former No.1 pick Sam Lalor to miss due to an Achilles injury, while Jayden Short is among three inclusions.

Matt Owies returns for the Eagles after five goals in the WAFL, along with Tom Cole and Harry Schoenberg, with Sandy Brock, Jack Williams and Bo Allan all omitted.

Essendon v Brisbane at Marvel Stadium, 12.35pm AEST
NO LATE CHANGES

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