Magpies’ mega ins but big name among four axed; Hawks, Swans’ surprises — AFL Teams

Collingwood has dropped Mason Cox amid five changes for Friday night’s blockbuster against Hawthorn, who’s made its own big selection statement by axing Cam Mackenzie.

The Magpies regain Darcy Moore, Scott Pendlebury, Bobby Hill, Lachie Schultz and Steele Sidebottom in five huge ins for the ladder leaders. Meanwhile Jarman Impey replaces Mackenzie.

Elsewhere, Nat Fyfe, Sean Darcy and Josh Draper all return for Fremantle when it takes on Gold Coast at People First Stadium on Saturday in what would be Fyfe’s first game of 2025 following hamstring injuries.

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The trio replace Alex Pearce, who misses despite successfully overturned his three-match ban, Cooper Simpson (both injured) and Isaiah Dudley (personal reasons).

For the Suns, Leo Lombard comes in for his AFL debut alongside the returning Ned Mopyle, with Malcolm Rosas and Ethan Read making way.

Adelaide has managed Rory Laird and dropped Zac Taylor for Saturday night’s clash against Sydney as Brodie Smith and Taylor Walker return.

The Swans have dumped Oliver Florent in addition to Callum Mills (suspended) and Sam Wicks (injured) going out of the side that was demolished by Melbourne.

Florent will end his streak of 130 consecutive games played, the third-longest in the AFL behind only Jack Crisp and Callum Wilkie.

GWS is boosted by the return of Josh Kelly when it plays Richmond at home on Saturday night, with the Tigers losing Thomson Dow and Sam Lalor to injury and axing Samson Ryan and Maurice Rioli.

For the Sunday games, St Kilda has dropped Darcy Wilson and named the returning Dan Butler on field in an extended team when the Saints face Melbourne at Alice Springs.

The in-form Demons have named Jack Viney in their starting side and Bailey Laurie, potential debutant Jed Adams and Jack Henderson in an extended squad, while Charlie Spargo (injured) goes out.

West Coast regains Archer Reid, Bo Allan, Jack Williams, Hamish Davis and possible debutant Jobe Shanahan for its home clash with Geelong as Jake Waterman (Injured), Bailey J. Williams (Managed) go out of the side.

The Cats have named Connor O’Sullivan as well as Oliver Wiltshire and George Stevens on an extended bench with no outs for now.

Meanwhile Essendon has turned back to top-five draftee Elijah Tsatas, who’s one of three Bombers inclusions for their Thursday night clash against Brisbane at The Gabba.

Tsatas, as well as debutant Zak Johnson and first-year player Archer Day-Wicks, have been included in the Bombers’ best 23 to take on the Lions, who remain unchanged.

The Essendon trio replaces Ben McKay (foot), Zach Reid (hamstring) and Kyle Langford (quad), who all joined the club’s lengthy injury list this week.

Tsatas, who was taken at Pick 5 in the 2022 draft, has been in hot VFL form of late, averaging 35.3 disposals and 11.0 clearances for the Bombers’ reserves side. He’s struggled to hold his spot in Essendon’s AFL side, despite solid numbers from his three matches at the top level.

As the Bombers flagged on Monday, Johnson – last year’s Pick 70 – will be the club’s seventh AFL debutant this season, tying Richmond for most in the competition this year. The midfielder, who has been used across half-back in the reserves, has averaged 25.4 disposals across five VFL games.

The Lions made no change to their side, with Darcy Fort to again lead Brisbane’s ruck division after Oscar McInerney was held back for a third straight week.

Brisbane coach Chris Fagan on Wednesday was reluctant to reveal the specifics of McInerney’s fitness problems. He said he was happy to take a cautious approach with both McInerney and Keidean Coleman.

“He (McInerney) trained really well (on Tuesday). It’s the best he’s moved in ages, (but) it’s probably unlikely that he’ll play (against Essendon),” Fagan said.

“We’ll give him another week. He’s had quite a few different things going on as ruckman do. You do about 80 or 90 contests a game, and you keep doing that week in, week out, so we’re just looking after him.

“Darcy Fort’s playing really well, so we don’t feel like we need to rush Oscar back into the team.”

ROUND 12 TEAMS AND FIXTURE (All times AEST)

BRISBANE LIONS v ESSENDON

Thursday May 29, 7:30pm at the Gabba

LIONS

B: D.Zorko, J.Payne, R.Lester

HB: N.Answerth, H.Andrews, D.Wilmot

C: J.Fletcher, H.McCluggage, Z.Bailey

HF: C.Cameron, E.Hipwood, W.Ashcroft

F: C.Rayner, L.Morris, C.Ah Chee

FOLL: D.Fort, J.Dunkley, L.Neale (c)

I/C: K.Lohmann, D.Robertson, J.Berry, L.Ashcroft, D.gardiner

EMG: L.Beecken, T.Gallop, O.McInerney

In: –

Out: –

BOMBERS

B: A.McGrath, J.Laverde, A.Roberts

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

C: Z.Duursma, Z.Merrett (c), A.Clarke

HF: A.Perkins, N.Caddy, N.Martin

F: B.Hobbs, P.Wright, I.Kako
FOLL: T.Goldstein, J.Caldwell, S.Durham

I/C: E.Tsatas, J.Gresham, W.Setterfield, M.Guelfi, A.Day-Wicks

EMG: D.Shiel, J.Menzie, V.Visentini

In: Z.Johnson, E.Tsatas, A.Day-Wicks

Out: B.McKay, Z.Reid, K.Langford (all injured)

COLLINGWOOD v HAWTHORN

Friday May 30, 7:40pm at the MCG

MAGPIES

B: J.Howe, B.Frampton, J.Daicos

HB: I.Quaynor, D.Moore – C, D.Houston

C: J.Crisp, S.Pendlebury, P.Lipinski

HF: B.Hill, T.Membrey, B.McCreery

F: J.Elliott, B.Mihocek, L.Schultz

FOLL: D.Cameron, N.Long, N.Daicos

I/C: H.Perryman, E.Allan, S.Sidebottom, W.Hoskin-Elliott, L.Sullivan

EMG: O.Steene, O.Markov, W.Hayes

In: – D.Moore, S.Pendlebury, B.Hill, L.Schultz, S.Sidebottom

Out: – B.Maynard (Injured), W.Hayes (Omitted), O.Markov (Omitted), W.Parker (Omitted), M.Cox (Omitted)

HAWKS

B: J.Battle, T.Barrass, J.Sicily – C

HB: C.Jiath, B.Hardwick, M.D’Ambrosio

C: K.Amon, J.Ward, H.Morrison

HF: J.Weddle, N.Watson, D.Moore

F: J.Ginnivan, M.Chol, J.Gunston

FOLL: L.Meek, J.Newcombe, J.Worpel

I/C: J.Scrimshaw, C.Nash, J.Impey, C.Macdonald, F.Maginness

EMG: M.Ramsden, S.Butler, S.Mitchell

In: – J.Impey

Out: – C.Mackenzie (Omitted)

GOLD COAST SUNS v FREMANTLE

Saturday May 31, 1:20pm at People First Stadium

SUNS

B: B.Uwland, M.Andrew, S.Collins

HB: J.Noble, W.Powell, D.Rioli

C: S.Clohesy, M.Rowell, B.Fiorini

HF: B.Ainsworth, S.Flanders, T.Miller

F: B.Long, J.Walter, B.King

FOLL: J.Witts, B.Humphrey, N.Anderson – C

I/C: N.Holman, N.Moyle, D.Swallow, L.Lombard, J.Jeffrey

EMG: E.Read, B.Jepson, J.Farrar

In: – N.Moyle, L.Lombard

Out: – M.Rosas (Omitted), E.Read (Omitted)

DOCKERS

B: L.Ryan, J.Draper, B.Cox

HB: H.Chapman, K.Worner, J.Clark

C: J.Sharp, S.Bolton, M.Johnson

HF: M.Frederick, S.Switkowski, M.Reid

F: P.Voss, J.Treacy, J.Amiss

FOLL: L.Jackson, C.Serong, A.Brayshaw – C

I/C: N.Fyfe, N.Erasmus, C.Wagner, S.Darcy, B.Banfield

EMG: H.Davies, J.Aish, N.O’Driscoll

In: – J.Draper, N.Fyfe, S.Darcy

Out: – A.Pearce (Injured), I.Dudley (Personal Reason), C.Simpson (Injured)

GWS GIANTS v RICHMOND

Saturday May 31, 4:15pm at ENGIE Stadium

GIANTS

B: C.Idun, S.Taylor, L.Aleer

HB: L.Whitfield, J.Buckley, L.Ash

C: H.Himmelberg, J.Kelly, C.Ward

HF: H.Thomas, A.Cadman, D.Jones

F: C.Brown, J.Hogan, T.Greene – C

FOLL: K.Briggs, T.Bedford, T.Green

I/C: T.McMullin, X.O’Halloran, J.Fonti, J.Riccardi, C.Angove

EMG: J.Delana, H.Rowston, J.Wehr

In: – J.Kelly, T.McMullin

Out: – J.Wehr (Omitted), H.Rowston (Omitted)

TIGERS

B: B.Miller, C.Gray, N.Broad

HB: L.Trainor, T.Brown, N.Vlastuin

C: S.Banks, D.Prestia, H.Ralphsmith

HF: J.Ross, S.Campbell, R.Mansell

F: T.Sims, T.Lynch, J.Faull

FOLL: T.Nankervis – C, T.Taranto, J.Hopper

I/C: K.Smith, K.McIntosh, K.McAuliffe, T.Sonsie, S.Green

EMG: S.Ryan, J.Trezise, J.Alger

In: – D.Prestia, T.Lynch, T.Nankervis, T.Sonsie

Out: – T.Dow (Injured), S.Lalor (Injured), S.Ryan (Omitted), M.Rioli (Omitted)

SYDNEY SWANS v ADELAIDE CROWS

Saturday May 31, 7:35pm at the SCG

SWANS

B: L.Melican, T.McCartin, D.Rampe

HB: M.Roberts, N.Blakey, J.McInerney

C: J.Lloyd, I.Heeney, Co.Warner

HF: B.Campbell, J.Hamling, J.Jordon

F: W.Hayward, H.McLean, T.Adams

FOLL: B.Grundy, Ch.Warner, J.Rowbottom – C

I/C: R.Bice, C.Mitchell, A.Sheldrick, C.Cleary, P.Ladhams

EMG: O.Florent, B.Paton, J.Buller

In: – L.Melican, J.McInerney, C.Mitchell

Out: – S.Wicks (Injured), C.Mills (Suspension), O.Florent (Omitted)

CROWS

B: J.Worrell, J.Butts, M.Hinge

HB: B.Smith, M.Keane, W.Milera

C: I.Cumming, J.Dawson – C, D.Curtin

HF: B.Keays, R.Thilthorpe, J.Rachele

F: A.Neal-Bullen, T.Walker, D.Fogarty

FOLL: R.O’Brien, I.Rankine, J.Soligo

I/C: J.Peatling, S.Berry, S.Draper, M.Michalanney, L.Pedlar

EMG: C.Burgess, Z.Taylor, H.Bond

In: – B.Smith, T.Walker

Out: – R.Laird (Managed), Z.Taylor (Omitted)

MELBOURNE v ST KILDA

Sunday June 1, 3:20pm at TIO Traeger Park

DEMONS

B: J.Bowey, S.May, C.Salem

HB: C.Windsor, J.Lever, X.Lindsay

C: K.Chandler, C.Petracca, E.Langdon

HF: H.Langford, B.Fritsch, T.Sparrow

F: J.Melksham, H.Petty, K.Pickett

FOLL: M.Gawn, C.Oliver, J.Viney

I/C: J.McVee, D.Turner, B.Laurie, T.Rivers, J.Adams, H.Sharp, A.Johnson, J.Henderson

IN: J.Viney, B.Laurie, J.Adams, J.Henderson

OUT: C.Spargo (injured)

SAINTS

B: I.Keeler, C.Wilkie, J.Webster

HB: M.Windhager, N.Wanganeen-Milera, T.Travaglia

C: M.Wood, J.Sinclair, B.Hill

HF: J.Higgins, M.Phillipou, D.Butler

F: C.Sharman, A.Caminiti, M.Owens

FOLL: R.Marshall, Z.Jones, J.Steele

I/C: H.Clark, R.Byrnes, J.Carroll, A.Hastie, H.Boxshall, M.Hall, M.Heath, L.O’Connell

IN: D.Butler, J.Carroll, A.Hastie, M.Heath

OUT: D.Wilson (omitted)

WEST COAST EAGLES v GEELONG

Sunday June 1, 7:20pm at Optus Stadium

EAGLES

B: R.Maric, H.Edwards, R.Ginbey

HB: L.Duggan, S.Brock, L.Baker

C: J.Hutchinson, T.Kelly, J.Hunt

HF: J.Graham, A.Reid, E.Hewett

F: T.Brockman, O.Allen, L.Ryan

FOLL: M.Flynn, B.Hough, H.Reid

I/C (from): N.Long, B.Allan, T.Gross, T.Cole, J.Williams, J.Shanahan, H.Davis, T.Dewar

IN: A.Reid, B.Allan, J.Williams, J.Shanahan, H.Davis

OUT: J.Waterman (injured), B.Williams (managed)

CATS

B: C.O’Sullivan, S.De Koning, J.Henry

HB: Z.Guthrie, T.Stewart, M.O’Connor

C: M.Blicavs, M.Holmes, O.Dempsey

HF: G.Miers, S.Mannagh, B.Close

F: S.Neale, J.Cameron, T.Stengle

FOLL: R.Stanley, B.Smith, T.Atkins

I/C: J.Bews, L.Humphries, O.Mullin, O.Henry, T.Clohesy, M.Duncan, O.Wiltshire, G.Stevens

IN: C.O’Sullivan, O.Wiltshire, G.Stevens

OUT: Nil