Essendon will celebrate its superstar skipper while giving a veteran a farewell home game, while Carlton chooses not to trigger a contract extension for a defender.
The Bombers regain Zach Merrett, who will play his 250th game, and Dylan Shiel while omitting Saad El-Hawli and Ben Hobbs for Thursday night’s Round 24 opener.
AFL Media reported on Wednesday there was a “mutual agreement” between Essendon and Shiel for him to depart the club at the end of the season, meaning this is set to be his final home game in the sash.
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The Blues’ decision not to select Mitch McGovern means he will not hit a contract trigger guaranteeing him a deal for 2026, though he could yet be recontracted separately.
Instead McGovern is an emergency with Lucas Camporeale and Will White coming into Michael Voss’ side, replacing injured pair Lachie Fogarty and Cooper Lord.
Meanwhile Gold Coast confirmed Suns Academy graduate Lachie Gulbin will make his AFL debut as they look to clinch their first ever finals berth on Friday night against Port Adelaide.
The 187cm forward was a pre-selection in last year’s Rookie Draft and has played 15 VFL games this year. He is the Suns’ fourth debutant of the season, joining fellow Burleigh Bombers junior Leo Lombard, Ben Jepson and Oscar Adams.
The rest of the Round 24 teams, excluding next Wednesday night’s Suns-Bombers game, will be announced on Thursday evening.
ROUND 24 TEAMS AND FIXTURE (All times AEST)
ESSENDON v CARLTON
Thursday August 21, 7:30pm at the MCG
BOMBERS
B: A.McGrath, J.Laverde, J.Nguyen
HB: M.Redman, L.Blakiston, A.Roberts
C: X.Duursma, Z.Merrett – C, L.Lual
HF: M.Guelfi, P.Wright, J.Gresham
F: K.Langford, L.McMahon, I.Kako
FOLL: T.Goldstein, A.Perkins, S.Durham
I/C: D.Shiel, J.Prior, J.Menzie, A.Clarke, R.Unwin
EMG: K.Gerreyn, Z.Johnson, S.El-Hawli
In: – Z.Merrett, D.Shiel
Out: – S.El-Hawli (Omitted), B.Hobbs (Omitted)
BLUES
B: A.Saad, J.Weitering, M.Carroll
HB: L.Cowan, L.Young, N.Haynes
C: S.Walsh, P.Cripps – C, O.Hollands
HF: Z.Williams, H.McKay, B.Acres
F: F.Young, T.De Koning, F.Evans
FOLL: H.O’Keeffe, G.Hewett, A.Moir
I/C: B.Wilson, C.Durdin, J.Motlop, L.Camporeale, W.White
EMG: B.Camporeale, M.Pittonet, M.McGovern
In: – L.Camporeale, W.White
Out: – L.Fogarty (Injured), C.Lord (Injured)
COLLINGWOOD v MELBOURNE
Friday August 22, 7:10pm at the MCG
MAGPIES
TBA Thursday evening
DEMONS
TBA Thursday evening
PORT ADELAIDE v GOLD COAST SUNS
Friday August 22, 8:10pm at Adelaide Oval
POWER
TBA Thursday evening
SUNS
TBA Thursday evening
NORTH MELBOURNE v ADELAIDE CROWS
Saturday August 23, 1:20pm at Marvel Stadium
KANGAROOS
TBA Thursday evening
CROWS
TBA Thursday evening
RICHMOND v GEELONG
Saturday August 23, 4:15pm at the MCG
TIGERS
TBA Thursday evening
CATS
TBA Thursday evening
WEST COAST EAGLES v SYDNEY SWANS
Saturday August 23, 7:35pm at Optus Stadium
EAGLES
TBA Thursday evening
SWANS
TBA Thursday evening
GWS GIANTS v ST KILDA
Sunday August 24, 12:20pm at ENGIE Stadium
GIANTS
TBA Thursday evening
SAINTS
TBA Thursday evening
WESTERN BULLDOGS v FREMANTLE
Sunday August 24, 3:15pm at Marvel Stadium
BULLDOGS
TBA Thursday evening
DOCKERS
TBA Thursday evening
BRISBANE LIONS v HAWTHORN
Sunday August 24, 7:20pm at the Gabba
LIONS
TBA Thursday evening
HAWKS
TBA Thursday evening
GOLD COAST SUNS v ESSENDON
Wednesday August 27, 7:20pm at People First Stadium
SUNS
TBA Tuesday evening
BOMBERS
TBA Tuesday evening
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