Richmond will make a late call on whether ill star utility Brett Deledio plays in Friday night’s AFL match against Adelaide.
Deledio did not train earlier this week.
He also was not on the team’s Thursday flight to Adelaide, but scheduled to travel on Friday.
Deledio is arguably Richmond’s most important player and he kicked four goals a week ago in the upset win over premiership favourites Hawthorn.
The Tigers have made one change so far, bringing back ruckman Shaun Hampson for Simon Lloyd.
Crows captain Nathan Van Berlo and Rory Atkins will return for Adelaide, who have lost Richard Douglas (appendix) and dropped Matthew Wright.
Deledio is among several big names featuring in selections for round 19.
Adam Goodes will return for Sydney, but indigenous teammate Lance Franklin is out of Saturday night’s match against Geelong at Simonds Stadium because of a back injury.
Cats veteran Mathew Stokes was recalled alongside Cory Gregson, while Steve Johnson is suspended and Billie Smedts was dropped.
Injury-plagued Collingwood star Ben Reid will play his first senior game in nearly a year when the Magpies take on arch-rivals Carlton on Saturday at the MCG.
It will be Reid’s 100th AFL match.
Collingwood also recalled Jarryd Blair and Ben Sinclair and named Jonathon Marsh for his senior debut.
Sam Dwyer, Jarrod Witts and Paul Seedsman were dropped and Jordan De Goey was rested.
A week after coach John Barker said some players were going through the motions, Carlton dropped Chris Yarran, Troy Menzel and Jason Tutt.
Andrew Walker, Mark Whiley and Nick Holman will take their places.
Western Bulldogs captain Robert Murphy has soreness and is out of Saturday’s home game against Port Adelaide.
Josh Prudden is out for the same reason, with Sam Darley and Lin Jong taking their places.
Jarman Impey will come in for Port star Ollie Wines, whose season is over because of shoulder surgery.
West Coast defender Jeremy McGovern, who has recovered from a hamstring injury, is a big inclusion for Saturday night’s home clash with Hawthorn.
The Eagles also included Sam Butler and Patrick McGinnity for Josh Hill, Mark Hutchings and Tom Barrass.
Hawthorn recalled Jonathon Ceglar for fellow ruckman David Hale (soreness).
Earlier on Thursday, Fremantle announced star midfielder Nat Fyfe would miss Sunday’s game against St Kilda because of his groin injury.
It is the second week Fyfe has been out of action.
GWS also confirmed Jonathon Patton would return from his knee reconstructions on Sunday against Essendon.
Brisbane’s Billy Evans will make his senior debut on Saturday in the Q Clash against Gold Coast.
The Lions also brought in Luke McGuane and Zac O’Brien for Matthew Leuenberger (leg), Dayne Beams (shoulder) and Nick Robertson.
Gold Coast recalled Michael Rischetelli and Trent McKenzie for Rory Thompson (ankle) and Josh Glenn.
FRIDAY, Aug 7
Adelaide v Richmond at Adelaide Oval 7.50pm
Head to Head: Crows 20 Tigers 12 Drawn 0
Last clash: Round 21, 2014 – Tigers 10.19 (79) bt Crows 9.15 (69) at Adelaide Oval
Tab Sportsbet: Crows $2.15 Tigers $1.70
William Hill: Crows $2.20 Tigers $1.67
Richmond are shaping as a premiership smoky after knocking off Hawthorn last week. And with a top-four spot up for grabs, the Tigers will be desperate to keep their hot form going. The Crows face a dogfight to secure a spot in the top eight, and they’ll be eager to make up for last week’s shellacking at the hands of Sydney. The Tigers have been boosted by the return of Shaun Hampson, while Nathan Van Berlo is back for the Crows.
Key: Expectations – the Tigers have a knack of bucking the odds to beat big sides. But with the top-four finish line in sight, can they maintain their rage, or will they fold?
Tip: Tigers by 12 points
SATURDAY, Aug 8
Collingwood v Carlton at MCG 1.45pm
Head to Head: Blues 125 Magpies 121 Drawn 4
Last clash: Round 5, 2015 – Magpies 18.12 (120) bt Blues 6.9 (45) at MCG
Tab Sportsbet: Magpies $1.20 Blues $4.60
William Hill: Magpies $1.20 Blues $4.60
Mathematically, Collingwood are still in the finals race. But if their demoralising performance against Melbourne last week is anything to go by, they should start planning their post-season trip. The Blues must have been planning their trip all season following one of their most-dismal campaigns in history. It almost seemed like some Blues players had already given up in last week’s loss to the Kangaroos. Collingwood have been boosted by the return of swingman Ben Reid.
Key: Motivation – the Blues have very little to play for. But will taking on their arch enemy fire them into action? And even if it does, will it be enough to secure victory?
Tip: Magpies by 35 points
Western Bulldogs v Port Adelaide at Etihad Stadium 2.10pm
Head to Head: Bulldogs 11 Power 13 Drawn 0
Last clash: Round 10, 2015 – Power 16.4 (100) bt Bulldogs 9.8 (62) at Adelaide Oval
Tab Sportsbet: Bulldogs $1.65 Power $2.25
William Hill: Bulldogs $1.62 Power $2.30
Stakes are high for both sides. The Bulldogs have a chance to finish in the top four following a dream campaign in which they have knocked off some big sides. Tom Boyd was the big-name recruit for the Bulldogs, but Stewart Crameri was the hero last week with his seven-goal haul against the Bombers. The 12th-placed Power are hanging in there – but only just – and they’ll need to beat the Bulldogs if they are to make a late charge into the eight. The Bulldogs will be without rested veteran Robert Murphy, while Power midfielder Ollie Wines (shoulder) is out for the rest of the season.
Key: Staying power – the Bulldogs were blown off the park in the final quarter when they faced the Power earlier this year. Can they go the full distance this time around?
Tip: Power by 3 points
Brisbane Lions v Gold Coast at the Gabba 4.35pm
Head to Head: Lions 6 Suns 3 Drawn 0
Last clash: Round 5, 2015 – Suns 18.10 (118) bt Lions 7.12 (54) at Carrara Stadium
Tab Sportsbet: Lions $2.55 Suns $1.52
William Hill: Lions $2.50 Suns $1.53
They might need to rename the ‘Q’ clash the ‘Spoon’ clash this week as the bottom two sides fight it out to avoid the wooden spoon. In cricket terms, this match will be like watching Glenn McGrath bat – not pretty, but a thrill for some. Both teams have been ravaged by injuries this season, but the Suns displayed tremendous fight to pull off a draw against the second-placed Eagles last week. Brisbane were thumped by 64 points in the round-five Q clash, and they’ll be desperate to avenge that heavy loss.
Key: Stopping Charlie Dixon and Tom Lynch – the pair combined for nine goals against the Lions earlier this year, and they again loom as potential match winners.
Tip: Suns by 39 points.
Geelong v Sydney at Skilled Stadium 7.20pm
Head to Head: Cats 119 Swans 97 Drawn 0
Last clash: Round 7, 2015 – Swans 18.12 (120) bt Cats 11.11 (77) at ANZ Stadium
Tab Sportsbet: Cats $2.15 Swans $1.70
William Hill: Cats $2.20 Swans $1.67
The outcome of this clash will go a long way towards shaping the top eight. But the biggest focus of the match will centre on the return of Swans champion Adam Goodes. The way Cats fans welcome him to their fortress will be a big talking point. In terms of ladder positions, neither side can really afford to lose. Sydney need to win to keep their top-four hopes on track. And Geelong might slip out of the top eight unless they come up trumps. Star Swans forward Lance Franklin has been sidelined by a back injury for the second time in three weeks, while the Cats are without suspended star Steve Johnson.
Key: Taming Tippett – With Lance Franklin injured, a lot will rest on the shoulders of Swans forward Kurt Tippett if his team are to kick a winning score.
Tip: Swans by 3 points
West Coast v Hawthorn at Domain Stadium 7.40pm
Head to Head: Eagles 24 Hawks 19 Drawn 0
Last clash: Round 12, 2014 – Hawks 19.9 (123) bt Eagles 12.7 (79) at York Park
Tab Sportsbet: Eagles $2.25 Hawks $1.65
William Hill: Eagles $2.20 Hawks $1.67
This is the battle for second spot. West Coast are in the box seat, but a loss to Hawthorn would throw the gates wide open. The Hawks’ aura of invincibility was shattered in last week’s loss to Richmond. But that could spell bad news for West Coast. Hawthorn have built a reputation for their unsociable football, but can you imagine how unfriendly they’ll be after a loss? The return of Eagles defender Jeremy McGovern is a major boost to the home side as they attempt to tame Hawthorn’s potent forward line.
Key: Midfield might – West Coast have the forward firepower to match Hawthorn. But they’ll need to at least halve the midfield battle if they are to get the spoils.
Tip: Hawks by 7 points
SUNDAY, Aug 9
Melbourne v North Melbourne at the MCG 1.10pm
Head to Head: Demons 83 Kangaroos 72 Drawn 1
Last clash: Round 23, 2014 – Kangaroos 19.9 (123) bt Demons 14.9 (93) at Etihad Stadium
Tab Sportsbet: Demons $3.75 Kangaroos $1.28
William Hill: Demons $3.65 Kangaroos $1.28
North Melbourne supporters must be feeling nervous heading into this one – and it’s not hard to understand why. This SHOULD be an easy victory for the ‘Roos. After all, they’ve won their past 13 matches against the Demons. But the Kangaroos have had a knack in recent years for dropping games they really shouldn’t. Melbourne have shown far more fight this season, and they’ll aim for another impressive result following their upset win over Collingwood last week.
Key: The Demons boast a match-winning forward in Jesse Hogan. But whether they can give him enough supply to work his magic is the big question.
Tip: Kangaroos by 39 points
GWS v Essendon at Spotless Stadium 3.20pm
Head to Head: Giants 0 Bombers 4 Drawn 0
Last clash: Round 12, 2014 – Bombers 11.15 (81) bt Giants 9.12 (66) at Spotless Stadium
Tab Sportsbet: Giants $1.25 Bombers $4
William Hill: Giants $1.28 Bombers $3.65
If the Bombers aren’t at rock bottom, they are pretty close to it. The future of coach James Hird is again up in the air following a series of demoralising results. Last week’s 87-point loss to the Bulldogs was eerily similar to the 110-point defeat to the Saints in round 14. A few more results like that, and Hird could be gone. The Giants were gallant against the Dockers last week, and coach Leon Cameron will hope for a better run from the umpires after a series of shocking decisions.
Key: Fight – are the Bombers’ players still behind Hird? It sure didn’t look like it last week. If they want their coach to stay in the job, they’ll need to produce far more spirit.
Tip: Giants by 41
St Kilda v Fremantle at Etihad Stadium 4.40pm
Head to Head: Saints 17 Dockers 13 Drawn 0
Last clash: Round 18, 2014 – 17.16 (118) bt Dockers 9.6 (60) at Etihad Stadium
Tab Sportsbet: Saints $2.90 Dockers $1.42
William Hill: Saints $2.95 Dockers $1.40
The Saints have proven to be somewhat of a bogey side for the Dockers. St Kilda have won 10 of their past 12 meetings, including the most recent two. Fremantle have appeared vulnerable over the past two months. And with a top-two berth all but locked up, you could forgive Dockers players for holding back a touch. St Kilda were disappointing in last week’s 63-point loss to the Power, but the return of skipper Nick Riewoldt will give them a sharper edge. Fremantle will again be without star midfielder Nat Fyfe.
Key: Being a shark – St Kilda won’t win the ruck battle against Aaron Sandilands but, if they can shark the majority of his taps, then it could pave the way for yet another upset win.
Tip: Dockers by 41 points
– AAP
