St Kilda has two huge returns heading into the five weeks that’ll define their season, plus Melbourne loses FIVE players for Friday night’s MCG blockbuster.
See the sides for Round 20 below!
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Melbourne have made five changes for their Friday night blockbuster against Geelong.
Changkuoth Jiath, Dan Turner and Caleb Windsor were all ruled out through injury while Jake Melksham and Max Heath have been dropped.
Harry Petty and Tom McDonald lead the list of inclusions for the match that could play a big role in determining who finishes top four.
The Cats meantime have named Mark Blicavs and Tanner Bruhn, with Max Holmes out with that nasty leg injury sustained last weekend, and Ollie Henry managed.
Fremantle have opted to rest defender Brennan Cox after his milestone match, while Hayden Young misses once more – this time through illness, and Jaeger O’Meara is injured.
Oscar McDonald comes in, alongside star Shai Bolton and Corey Wagner to take on West Coast.
The Eagles lose Liam Baker (suspension), Jack Graham (managed) and Jack Hutchinson (injury) for the Western Derby.
Suns still hope Ben King will stay | 02:46
Hawthorn welcome back star Will Day in their only change to the side to take on Essendon.
The Bombers have made four changes with Kyle Langford (suspended), Nick Bryan and Xavier Duursma injured and Jye Caldwell managed.
It’s opened the door for Ben McKay to return to AFL ranks in that Saturday match at the MCG.
His brother Harry McKay is one of two changes for the Blues for their meeting with Gold Coast at Marvel Stadium.
McKay (injured) and Liam Reidy come out of Josh Fraser’s side with Marc Pittonet and Lewis Young named.
Suns coach Damien Hardwick has resisted making wholesale changes after a shock eighth straight defeat. Charlie Ballard is the only inclusion with Oscar Adams dropped.
St Kilda’s Max King has been named to play his first AFL game in more than 750 days when the Saints take on North Melbourne at Marvel Stadium.
The big forward is one of five inclusions for Ross Lyon’s side, alongside Tom de Koning.
North Melbourne meantime lose Luke McDonald through injury, with four added to an extended bench.
King primed to return | 02:23
The Giants have made one change to the side defeated by the Bombers, with Harvey Thomas coming in for injured skipper Toby Greene.
Opponents Sydney lose Harry Cunningham through injury while Angus Sheldrick has been dropped.
Tom Liberatore will be a big boost for the Western Bulldogs when they take on Richmond on Saturday night.
The Tigers meantime will be without injured pair Noah Balta and Steely Green while James Trezise and Kane McAuliffe have been omitted.
As flagged by coach Chris Fagan, the Lions are set for a three-tall attack with Oscar Allen named as one of three inclusions for their clash with Port Adelaide on Sunday.
The Power meantime lose Joe Richards and Jacob Wehr, but have named Jason Horne-Francis and Mitch Georgiades.
Meanwhile Collingwood drops a young gun for Thursday night’s blockbuster opener to Round 20, while Adelaide makes a call on a debutant with three key changes.
The Magpies regain Jeremy Howe after he missed last week’s win over Carlton with a groin issue.
The veteran star takes youngster Sam Swadling’s spot in the side, with Liam Puncher holding his place, as does Josh Daicos despite an ankle concern which saw him miss Tuesday’s training session.
Crows coach Matthew Nicks considered handing a debut to key forward Archie Ludowyke, who was taken with pick 50 in last year’s draft, but instead has opted for Finnbar Maley, with Brayden Cook managed out of the side.
In two expected changes, Nick Murray replaces Mark Keane in defence while Tex Walker regains his spot with Darcy Fogarty suspended.
Murray Davis enters Essendon coach race | 01:43
AFL ROUND 20 TEAMS AND FIXTURE (All times AEST)
ADELAIDE CROWS v COLLINGWOOD
Thursday July 23, 7:30pm at Adelaide Oval
CROWS
B: N.Murray, J.Borlase, M.Michalanney
HB: I.Cumming, J.Worrell, W.Milera
C: L.Nankervis, J.Dawson – C, B.Keays
HF: I.Rankine, R.Thilthorpe, J.Rachele
F: J.Soligo, T.Walker, A.Neal-Bullen
FOLL: L.McAndrew, S.Berry, D.Curtin
I/C: Z.Taylor, T.Murray, J.Peatling, F.Maley, H.Hall-Kahan
EMG: B.Dowling, A.Ludowyke, C.Edwards
In: – N.Murray, T.Walker, F.Maley
Out: – M.Keane (Illness), B.Cook (Managed), D.Fogarty (Suspension)
MAGPIES
B: B.Frampton, J.Howe, B.Maynard – C
HB: D.Houston, J.Daicos, I.Quaynor
C: S.Sidebottom, J.Crisp, E.Allan
HF: H.Harrison, N.Daicos, B.McCreery
F: D.McStay, C.West, T.Membrey
FOLL: D.Cameron, S.Pendlebury, J.De Goey
I/C: P.Lipinski, H.Perryman, A.Anderson, N.Long, L.Puncher
EMG: S.Swadling, J.Buller, R.Steele
In: – J.Howe
Out: – S.Swadling (Omitted)
MELBOURNE v GEELONG
Friday July 24, 7:40pm at the MCG
DEMONS
B: J.Bowey, J.Lever, L.Cooke
HB: T.Rivers, H.Petty, B.Howes
C: E.Langdon, T.Sparrow, H.Langford
HF: B.Laurie, K.Chandler, H.Sharp
F: L.Pickett, J.van Rooyen, M.Jefferson
FOLL: M.Gawn – C, J.Steele, K.Pickett
I/C: K.Tholstrup, T.McDonald, B.Fritsch, P.Cross, J.Fitzgerald
EMG: C.Salem, X.Taylor, M.Heath
In: – L.Cooke, H.Petty, B.Laurie, T.McDonald, P.Cross
Out: – C.Jiath (Injured), D.Turner (Injured), J.Melksham (Omitted), C.Windsor (Injured), M.Heath (Omitted)
CATS
B: T.Stewart, C.O’Sullivan, S.De Koning
HB: Z.Guthrie, J.Henry, L.Humphries
C: O.Dempsey, B.Smith, M.Blicavs
HF: G.Miers, S.Mannagh, B.Close
F: P.Dangerfield – C, S.Neale, J.Polkinghorne
FOLL: M.Edwards, T.Atkins, O.Mullin
I/C: M.O’Connor, J.Clark, T.Bruhn, O.Wiltshire, J.Worpel
EMG: O.Henry, J.Martin, J.Bowes
In: – M.Blicavs, T.Bruhn
Out: – M.Holmes (Injured), O.Henry (Managed)
FREMANTLE v WEST COAST EAGLES
Friday July 24, 8:10pm at Optus Stadium
DOCKERS
B: O.McDonald, A.Pearce – C, H.Chapman
HB: J.Clark, L.Ryan, J.McVee
C: M.Johnson, A.Brayshaw, N.O’Driscoll
HF: M.Reid, M.Frederick, S.Switkowski
F: P.Voss, J.Amiss, J.Treacy
FOLL: L.Jackson, C.Serong, S.Bolton
I/C: I.Dudley, M.Cox, C.Wagner, N.Erasmus, K.Worner
EMG: H.Davies, B.Walker, C.Scerri
In: – O.McDonald, S.Bolton, C.Wagner
Out: – B.Cox (Managed), J.O’Meara (Injured), H.Young (Illness)
EAGLES
B: L.Duggan – C, R.Bazzo, B.Starcevich
HB: M.Herbert, T.Young, T.McCarthy
C: W.Duursma, E.Yeo, B.Allan
HF: T.Kelly, J.Shanahan, T.Cole
F: M.Murdock, J.Waterman, J.Williams
FOLL: B.Williams, H.Reid, O.Francou
I/C: B.Hough, R.Maric, H.Johnston, H.Davis, S.Brock
EMG: J.Lindsay, M.Flynn, H.Schoenberg
In: – R.Maric, H.Johnston, S.Brock
Out: – L.Baker (Suspension), J.Graham (Managed), J.Hutchinson (Injured)
CARLTON v GOLD COAST SUNS
Saturday July 25, 1:05pm at Marvel Stadium
BLUES
B: L.Cowan, H.Dean, O.Florent
HB: N.Newman, M.McGovern, B.Wilson
C: M.Cottrell, P.Cripps – C, A.Cerra
HF: B.Ainsworth, W.Hayward, F.Evans
F: T.Byrne, B.Kemp, C.Lord
FOLL: M.Pittonet, J.Smith, S.Walsh
I/C: W.Derksen, G.Hewett, L.Young, N.Haynes, B.Acres
EMG: L.Reidy, F.Young, Z.Williams
In: – M.Pittonet, L.Young
Out: – H.McKay (Injured), L.Reidy (Omitted)
SUNS
B: M.Andrew, B.Uwland, S.Collins
HB: J.Noble, Z.Uwland, W.Powell
C: T.Miller, N.Anderson – C, D.Rioli
HF: L.Lombard, B.Addinsall, B.Humphrey
F: B.Long, J.Walter, B.King
FOLL: N.Moyle, M.Rowell, C.Petracca
I/C: D.Patterson, J.Jeffrey, J.Murray, C.Lewis, C.Ballard
EMG: A.Davies, E.Read, S.Clohesy
In: – C.Ballard
Out: – O.Adams (Omitted)
HAWTHORN v ESSENDON
Saturday July 25, 4:15pm at the MCG
HAWKS
B: J.Sicily – C, T.Barrass, B.Hardwick
HB: J.Impey, N.Mraz, J.Battle
C: C.Macdonald, W.Day, B.Macdonald
HF: D.Moore, M.Chol, M.D’Ambrosio
F: N.Watson, M.Lewis, J.Gunston
FOLL: L.Meek, J.Newcombe, C.Mackenzie
I/C: J.Weddle, H.Morrison, J.Ginnivan, J.Ward, O.Greeves
EMG: A.Schubert, F.Maginness, W.McCabe
In: – W.Day
Out: – W.McCabe (Omitted)
BOMBERS
B: A.McGrath – C, Z.Reid, J.Ridley
HB: J.Prior, B.McKay, M.Redman
C: A.Clarke, S.Durham, J.Artemis
HF: D.Sharp, N.Caddy, A.Day-Wicks
F: I.Kako, P.Wright, H.El Achkar
FOLL: L.Blakiston, Z.Merrett, S.Robey
I/C: J.Farrow, W.Setterfield, N.Cox, A.Roberts, M.Kondogiannis
EMG: D.Parish, V.Visentini, S.El-Hawli
In: – B.McKay, L.Blakiston, W.Setterfield, N.Cox
Out: – K.Langford (Suspension), N.Bryan (Injured), J.Caldwell (Managed), X.Duursma (Injured)
GWS GIANTS v SYDNEY SWANS
Saturday July 25, 4:35pm at ENGIE Stadium
GIANTS
B: C.Idun – C, S.Taylor, J.Laverde
HB: H.Himmelberg, L.Whitfield, L.Ash
C: R.Angwin, C.Oliver, H.Thomas
HF: R.Hamilton, M.Gruzewski, S.Coniglio
F: J.Stringer, A.Cadman, C.Brown
FOLL: N.Madden, F.Callaghan, H.Rowston
I/C: J.Fonti, X.O’Halloran, C.Stone, J.Ough, T.Bedford
EMG: J.Leake, J.Delana, C.Angove
In: – H.Thomas
Out: – T.Greene (Injured)
SWANS
B: C.Mills – C, W.Edwards, T.McCartin
HB: D.Rampe, N.Blakey, R.Bice
C: M.Roberts, E.Gulden, J.Serong
HF: J.Jordon, J.Lloyd, B.Campbell
F: T.Papley, C.Curnow, L.McDonald
FOLL: B.Grundy, I.Heeney, Ch.Warner
I/C: H.Kyle, J.Rowbottom, B.Cootee, H.McLean, M.Rosas
EMG: J.Dattoli, P.Snell, A.Sheldrick
In: – H.Kyle, B.Cootee
Out: – H.Cunningham (Injured), A.Sheldrick (Omitted)
WESTERN BULLDOGS v RICHMOND
Saturday July 25, 7:40pm at Marvel Stadium
BULLDOGS
B: M.Sellwood, J.O’Donnell, B.Khamis
HB: L.Bramble, J.Busslinger, B.Williams
C: S.Davidson, M.Bontempelli – C, C.Hynes
HF: R.West, R.Lobb, A.Jones
F: J.Croft, A.Naughton, C.Weightman
FOLL: T.English, R.Sanders, E.Richards
I/C: N.Coffield, J.Dolan, J.Freijah, M.Kennedy, T.Liberatore
EMG: L.Kennedy, W.Lewis, L.Cleary
In: – T.Liberatore
Out: – L.McNeil (Omitted)
TIGERS
B: N.Broad, K.Annand, T.Brown
HB: J.Short, S.Banks, N.Vlastuin
C: P.Retschko, T.Taranto, H.Ralphsmith
HF: S.Campbell, D.Prestia, R.Mansell
F: T.Lynch, S.Lalor, M.Lefau
FOLL: T.Nankervis – C, J.Ross, S.Cumming
I/C: L.Trainor, S.Grlj, T.Sonsie, T.Hotton, Z.Peucker
EMG: J.Trezise, K.McAuliffe, S.Ryan
In: – J.Ross, L.Trainor, T.Sonsie, Z.Peucker
Out: – N.Balta (Injured), J.Trezise (Omitted), K.McAuliffe (Omitted), S.Green (Injured)
BRISBANE LIONS v PORT ADELAIDE
Sunday July 26, 1:10pm at the Gabba
LIONS
B: N.Answerth, H.Andrews – C, R.Lester
HB: D.Wilmot, T.Gallop, D.Zorko
C: J.Berry, W.Ashcroft, Z.Bailey
HF: C.Cameron, L.Morris, L.Ashcroft
F: S.Draper, C.Rayner, K.Lohmann
FOLL: D.Fort, J.Dunkley, L.Neale
I/C: J.Fletcher, O.Allen, H.McCluggage, K.Coleman, C.McKenna, J.Tunstill, E.Hipwood, C.Curtin
In: – O.Allen, K.Coleman, C.Curtin
Out: –
POWER
B: L.Evans, B.Zerk-Thatcher, M.Bergman
HB: D.Byrne-Jones, A.Aliir, L.Jones
C: C.Moraes, J.Horne-Francis, J.Burgoyne
HF: X.Bamert, T.Marshall, J.Berry
F: C.Durdin, J.Whitlock, M.Georgiades
FOLL: J.Sweet, O.Wines, W.Drew – C
I/C: W.Lorenz, M.Zadow, J.Lai, B.O’Brien, D.Visentini, J.Mead, J.Watkins, H.Ramm
In: – J.Horne-Francis, M.Georgiades, W.Lorenz, J.Watkins, H.Ramm
Out: – J.Richards (Injured), J.Wehr (Omitted)
NORTH MELBOURNE v ST KILDA
Sunday July 26, 3:15pm at Marvel Stadium
KANGAROOS
B: A.Corr, C.Comben, L.Parker
HB: J.Goater, C.Daniel, C.McKercher
C: B.Scott, L.Davies-Uniacke, D.Stephens
HF: C.Spargo, C.Trembath, J.Simpkin
F: C.Zurhaar, N.Larkey – C, P.Curtis
FOLL: T.Xerri, F.O’Sullivan, H.Sheezel
I/C: R.Hardeman, G.Logue, J.Darling, M.Whitlock, C.Harvey, T.Blamires, J.Konstanty, O.Griffin
In: – G.Logue, T.Blamires, J.Konstanty, O.Griffin
Out: – L.McDonald (Injured)
SAINTS
B: J.Silvagni, C.Wilkie – C, H.Clark
HB: B.Hill, L.Stocker, R.Byrnes
C: D.Wilson, M.Windhager, L.O’Connell
HF: J.Higgins, M.Phillipou, M.Hall
F: M.Wood, M.King, M.Owens
FOLL: R.Marshall, H.Garcia, N.Wanganeen-Milera
I/C: T.Travaglia, D.Butler, T.De Koning, A.Hastie, L.Ryan, H.Boxshall, C.Lake, C.Sharman
In: – M.King, D.Butler, T.De Koning, A.Hastie, H.Boxshall
Out: – A.Caminiti (Omitted), L.Henry (Omitted)