Bombers gun back, two debutants as FIVE injuries force mass changes: AFL Round 3 Teams

A whopping five injuries across the two sides have forced plenty of changes for Essendon and Port Adelaide’s Round 3 opener at Marvel Stadium.

But the Bombers look better off, regaining star backman Jordan Ridley from concussion while handing a debut to speedster Saad El-Hawli for Thursday night’s clash. They lose Archie Perkins (quad strain) and Elijah Tsatas (broken finger).

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El-Hawli was a midseason draft selection last year after an impressive run of form in the VFL, which he continued once joining the Essendon setup.

He’s the third Essendon debutant in as many games, following draftee Isaac Kako and preseason supplemental selection period pick-up Tom Edwards, and the first graduate of the Bachar Houli Academy to make an AFL list.

At the Power, Jack Lukosius begins an estimated few months on the sidelines due to a fractured kneecap, while Ryan Burton (hip flexor strain) and Lachie Jones (adductor) couldn’t recover in time due to the five-day break between games.

Ken Hinkley has opted for more height to battle the Bombers with Esava Ratugolea and second ruck Ivan Soldo both named, along with rookie draftee and debutant Tom Cochrane.

Cochrane, the son of former Power and Kangaroos player Stuart Cochrane, will become the first AFL player with Tourette’s syndrome – a neurological disorder which can cause sudden and unwarranted movements and vocal tics, such as swearing.

However the condition does not impact him while playing footy.

The rest of the Round 3 teams will be announced at 6:20pm AEDT on Thursday.

ROUND 3 TEAMS AND FIXTURE (All times AEDT)

ESSENDON v PORT ADELAIDE

Thursday March 27, 7:30pm at Marvel Stadium

BOMBERS

B: A.McGrath, B.McKay, J.Ridley

HB: M.Redman, Z.Reid, J.Prior

C: X.Duursma, J.Caldwell, A.Roberts

HF: J.Gresham, N.Caddy, N.Martin

F: H.Jones, S.Draper, I.Kako

FOLL: N.Bryan, Z.Merrett – C, S.Durham

I/C: B.Hobbs, D.Shiel, J.Menzie, S.El-Hawli, T.Edwards

EMG: W.Setterfield, L.Hayes, A.Day-Wicks

In: J.Ridley, S.El-Hawli

Out: A.Perkins (Injured), E.Tsatas (Injured)

POWER

B: J.Sinn, A.Aliir, M.Bergman

HB: L.Evans, E.Ratugolea, K.Farrell

C: T.Boak, C.Rozee – C, J.Burgoyne

HF: J.Mead, M.Georgiades, W.Rioli

F: D.Byrne-Jones, S.Powell-Pepper, J.Richards

FOLL: J.Sweet, J.Horne-Francis, W.Drew

I/C: J.Berry, O.Wines, I.Soldo, T.Cochrane, C.Moraes

EMG: J.Finlayson, J.Lai, D.Williams

In: E.Ratugolea, I.Soldo, T.Cochrane

Out: La.Jones (Injured), R.Burton (Injured), J.Lukosius (Injured)

CARLTON v WESTERN BULLDOGS

Friday March 28, 7:40pm at Marvel Stadium

BLUES

TBA

BULLDOGS

TBA

MELBOURNE v GOLD COAST SUNS

Saturday March 29, 1:20pm at the MCG

DEMONS

TBA

SUNS

TBA

ST KILDA v RICHMOND

Saturday March 29, 4:15pm at Marvel Stadium

SAINTS

TBA

TIGERS

TBA

HAWTHORN v GWS GIANTS

Saturday March 29, 7:35pm at UTAS Stadium

HAWKS

TBA

GIANTS

TBA

BRISBANE LIONS v GEELONG

Saturday March 29, 7:35pm at the Gabba

LIONS

TBA

CATS

TBA

ADELAIDE CROWS v NORTH MELBOURNE

Sunday March 30, 3:20pm at Adelaide Oval

CROWS

TBA

KANGAROOS

TBA

WEST COAST EAGLES v FREMANTLE

Saturday March 29, 6:10pm at Optus Stadium

EAGLES

TBA

DOCKERS

TBA