Sydney will welcome back star livewire Tom Papley for Thursday night’s top-of-the-table clash against Fremantle, in his first match at the top level since Round 18.
The boy from Bunyip has been dealing with a calf niggle for a little while now, but has been given the tick of approval by head coach Dean Cox to return to the fold at Optus Stadium.
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Papley comes in for Corey Warner, who was solid against the Western Bulldogs last Friday night with 16 disposals and a goal assist.
As for the Dockers, Justin Longmuir has made two changes — one of which was forced with Hayden Young’s latest setback with a groin injury.
The 25-year-old has been replaced by three-club veteran Jaeger O’Meara, while Mason Cox comes in for a managed Sean Darcy.
It means that after a mammoth game last Friday night against 2023 All-Australian Tim English, the Swans’ Brodie Grundy will face off against Luke Jackson and Cox solo out west, in what could prove his biggest test yet amid another stellar season.
The remainder of the round’s teams will be revealed at 6:20pm AEST on Thursday evening, with the final 23 for clubs playing on Sunday to be confirmed at 5pm AEST on Friday.
See the sides for Round 18 below!
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AFL ROUND 18 TEAMS AND FIXTURE (All times AEST)
FREMANTLE v SYDNEY SWANS
Thursday July 9, 8:10pm at Optus Stadium
DOCKERS
B: B.Cox, A.Pearce (c), H.Chapman
HB: J.Clark, L.Ryan, K.Worner
C: N.Erasmus, A.Brayshaw, J.O’Meara
HF: M.Reid, J.Treacy, S.Switkowski
F: P.Voss, J.Amiss, M.Frederick
R: L.Jackson, C.Serong, S.Bolton
I/C: J.McVee, M.Johnson, N.O’Driscoll, I.Dudley, M.Cox
EMG: O.McDonald, B.Walker, C.Scerri
In – J.O’Meara, M.Cox
Out – H.Young (Injured), S.Darcy (Managed)
SWANS
B: C.Mills (c), W.Edwards, T.McCartin
HB: D.Rampe, N.Blakey, H.Cunningham
C: M.Roberts, E.Gulden, J.Serong
HF: J.Jordan, H.McLean, J.Rowbottom
F: T.Papley, C.Curnow, J.Lloyd
R: B.Grundy, I.Heeney, Ch.Warner
I/C: H.Kyle, J.Hamling, T.Hanily, A.Sheldrick, C.Cleary
EMG: R.Bice, Co.Warner, L.Melican
In – T.Papley
Out – Co.Warner
COLLINGWOOD vs. NORTH MELBOURNE
Friday July 10, 7:40pm at Marvel Stadium
MAGPIES
TBC
KANGAROOS
TBC
ST KILDA vs. PORT ADELAIDE
Saturday July 11, 1:15pm at Marvel Stadium
SAINTS
TBC
POWER
TBC
GWS GIANTS vs. GEELONG CATS
Saturday July 11, 4:15pm at ENGIE Stadium
CATS
TBC
GIANTS
TBC
CARLTON vs. HAWTHORN
Saturday July 11, 7:35pm at the MCG
BLUES
TBC
HAWKS
TBC
ADELAIDE CROWS vs. GOLD COAST SUNS
Saturday July 11, 8:10pm at Adelaide Oval
CROWS
TBC
SUNS
TBC
WESTERN BULLDOGS vs. WEST COAST EAGLES
Sunday July 12, 1:10pm at Marvel Stadium
BULLDOGS
TBC
EAGLES
TBC
MELBOURNE vs. RICHMOND
Sunday July 12, 3:15pm at the MCG
DEMONS
TBC
TIGERS
TBC
BRISBANE LIONS vs. ESSENDON
Sunday July 12, 4:40pm at the Gabba
LIONS
TBC
BOMBERS
TBC