Under-fire Carlton coach Michael Voss has made a bombshell selection call, dropping his reigning club champion for the blockbuster Gather Round opener.
But 1-3 Adelaide have also swung the axe with three omissions, among a total of seven changes across the two sides.
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Last year’s best and fairest winner George Hewett is omitted for the Blues, one of three major outs alongside star defender Jacob Weitering (concussion) and suspended recruit Will Hayward.
The Hewett move is a likely attempt to add pace to a Carlton side too focused on contested footy, though it remains to be seen whether it’ll work, with the versatile Zac Williams, depth defender Nick Haynes and ruck Hudson O’Keeffe brought in.
The Crows are bolstered by the returns of Rory Laird, Isaac Cumming, Mitch Hinge and Luke Nankervis.
Ruckman Reilly O’Brien, brought in to try and counter Fremantle’s big ruck pair last week, loses his place along with Chayce Jones and Hugh Bond, while Luke Pedlar misses through concussion.
The teams for the rest of Round 5’s games will be announced Thursday 6:20pm.
For the latest selection intel, check out Team Tips.
ROUND 5 aka GATHER ROUND TEAMS AND FIXTURE (All times AEST)
ADELAIDE CROWS v CARLTON
Thursday April 9, 7:40pm at Adelaide Oval
CROWS
B: J.Borlase, N.Murray, M.Michalanney
HB: R.Laird, J.Worrell, W.Milera
C: I.Cumming, J.Dawson – C, B.Cook
HF: B.Keays, T.Walker, Z.Taylor
F: A.Neal-Bullen, R.Thilthorpe, I.Rankine
FOLL: L.McAndrew, S.Berry, J.Peatling
I/C: M.Hinge, J.Soligo, L.Nankervis, J.Rachele, F.Maley
EMG: H.Bond, T.Murray, B.Dowling
In: – R.Laird, I.Cumming, M.Hinge, L.Nankervis
Out: – H.Bond (Omitted), L.Pedlar (Injured), R.O’Brien (Omitted), C.Jones (Omitted)
BLUES
B: J.Boyd, L.Young, O.Florent
HB: L.Cowan, N.Haynes, N.Newman
C: O.Hollands, P.Cripps – C, M.Carroll
HF: F.Evans, M.McGovern, B.Ainsworth
F: E.Hollands, H.McKay, B.Kemp
FOLL: M.Pittonet, J.Smith, S.Walsh
I/C: W.Derksen, A.Cerra, Z.Williams, T.Byrne, H.O’Keeffe
EMG: F.Young, G.Hewett, B.Acres
In: – N.Haynes, Z.Williams, H.O’Keeffe
Out: – J.Weitering (Injured), G.Hewett (Omitted), W.Hayward (Suspension)
COLLINGWOOD v FREMANTLE
Friday April 10, 7:40pm at Adelaide Oval
MAGPIES
TBA Thursday evening
DOCKERS
TBA Thursday evening
NORTH MELBOURNE v BRISBANE LIONS
Saturday April 11, 12:35pm at Barossa Park
KANGAROOS
TBA Thursday evening
LIONS
TBA Thursday evening
ESSENDON v MELBOURNE
Saturday April 11, 1:15pm at Adelaide Oval
BOMBERS
TBA Thursday evening
DEMONS
TBA Thursday evening
SYDNEY SWANS v GOLD COAST SUNS
Saturday April 11, 4:15pm at Norwood Oval
SWANS
TBA Thursday evening
SUNS
TBA Thursday evening
HAWTHORN v WESTERN BULLDOGS
Saturday April 11, 7:35pm at Adelaide Oval
HAWKS
TBA Thursday evening
BULLDOGS
TBA Thursday evening
GEELONG v WEST COAST EAGLES
Sunday April 12, 12:30pm at Norwood Oval
CATS
TBA Thursday evening
EAGLES
TBA Thursday evening
GWS GIANTS v RICHMOND
Sunday April 12, 3:15pm at Barossa Park
GIANTS
TBA Thursday evening
TIGERS
TBA Thursday evening
PORT ADELAIDE v ST KILDA
Sunday April 12, 7:15pm at Adelaide Oval
POWER
TBA Thursday evening
SAINTS
TBA Thursday evening
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