BREAKING NEWS: Swans’ shock superstar blow- see details…

At Windy Hill, the Bombers will be without 200cm winger Nik Cox due to a concussion and Alwyn Davey Jnr, who has been omitted. However, Sam Weideman is set to play his first game of 2024, alongside promising youngster Archie Perkins. Dyson Heppell, who may have played his final home game, will also miss out.

The Dockers, for the second consecutive week, will be without Josh Treacy and Sean Darcy. Coach Justin Longmuir has decided to give untried ruckman Liam Reidy his debut following an impressive WAFL season. Like Essendon’s Weideman, Nathan O’Driscoll will also play his first game of the year as the second inclusion. Meanwhile, tall forward Matt Taberner and Karl Worner have been dropped.

On the other hand, home team GWS will welcome back Stephen Coniglio and Kieran Briggs for their crucial match that could determine their top-four position, with Toby McMullin also returning after overcoming a groin injury. Replacing them are a managed Harvey Thomas, and the dropped Xavier O’Halloran and Max Gruzewski.

As for the Cats, Mitch Knevitt and Gary Rohan, who was a late withdrawal last week in Perth, have been called up to face St Kilda on Saturday night. Zach Tuohy, who is being managed, and a concussed Tanner Bruhn, will miss out.

St Kilda, their opponents, have ruled out Mattaes Phillipou for the second week in a row due to illness after he was a late exclusion against the Tigers last week. Hugo Garcia, in excellent VFL form, will replace Angus McLennan.

The Crows have lost star veteran Taylor Walker for the Showdown after eye surgery, with Lachie Gollant back for his first game six Round 6 after a monster eight-goal haul in the SANFL last week against West Adelaide.

Their cross-town rivals Port Adelaide will be without Todd Marshall (concussion), leaving Charlie Dixon as the sole tall in attack – a rare sight for Power fans.

Ryan Burton is the Power’s sole inclusion for the clash, with Esava Ratugolea expected to play up forward once again.

North Melbourne earlier ruled out Harry Sheezel today with an ankle injury, with George Wardlaw the likely replacement named on the extended bench.

Luke Beveridge has surprisingly dropped Riley Garcia and Nick Coffield alongside the injured Tim English, potentially opening the door for the exiled Jack Macrae to return on Sunday afternoon against the Roos after some serious VFL form.

As first reported by foxfooty.com.au, two-time All-Australian Gold Coast Touk Miller will return for the first time since Round 17 from a broken wrist, replacing the omitted Alex Sexton.

After a long week, the Demons will similarly only make one change, with last week’s late out Jake Bowey replacing Clayton Oliver (knee/ribs/hand), who’s season is now over.

Eric Hipwood returns for Brisbane’s Grand Final replay against Collingwood, who regain Wil Parker.

The teams for Sunday’s games will be confirmed at 5pm on Friday.

AFL ROUND 23 TEAMS AND FIXTURE (All times AEST)

ESSENDON v SYDNEY SWANS

Friday August 16, 7:40pm at Marvel Stadium

BOMBERS

B: J.Kelly, B.McKay, J.Laverde

HB: N.Martin, M.Redman, A.McGrath

C: A.Perkins, D.Parish, A.Roberts

HF: H.Jones, N.Caddy, S.Durham

F: K.Langford, J.Stringer, D.Shiel

FOLL: S.Draper, J.Caldwell, Z.Merrett – C

I/C: B.Hobbs, S.Weideman, J.Gresham, N.Bryan, J.Menzie

EMG: E.Tsatas, W.Setterfield, P.Wright

IN: A.Perkins, S.Weideman

OUT: N.Cox (Injured), A.Davey Jnr (Omitted)

SWANS

B: D.Rampe, T.McCartin, N.Blakey

HB: L.Melican, H.Cunningham, O.Florent

C: J.Lloyd, C.Mills – C, E.Gulden

HF: L.Parker, H.McLean, J.Jordon

F: L.McDonald, J.Amartey, W.Hayward

FOLL: B.Grundy, I.Heeney, J.Rowbottom

I/C: M.Roberts, B.Campbell, C.Cleary, T.Adams, Co.Warner

EMG: A.Francis, P.Ladhams, C.Mitchell

IN: L.Melican, Co.Warner

OUT: Ch.Warner (Injured), R.Fox (Injured)

GOLD COAST SUNS v MELBOURNE

Saturday August 17, 1:45pm at People First Stadium

SUNS

B: S.Lemmens, S.Collins, L.Weller

HB: B.Uwland, C.Ballard, W.Powell

C: N.Holman, N.Anderson, S.Clohesy

HF: J.Rogers, J.Walter, B.Humphrey

F: M.Rowell, M.Andrew, B.King

FOLL: J.Witts, S.Flanders, T.Miller – C

I/C: A.Davies, B.Long, D.Swallow, W.Graham, C.Budarick

EMG: A.Sexton, D.Macpherson, N.Moyle

IN: T.Miller

OUT: A.Sexton (Omitted)

DEMONS

B: J.Lever, A.Tomlinson, J.McVee

HB: M.Hore, T.McDonald, C.Salem

C: E.Langdon, J.Viney, A.Neal-Bullen

HF: J.Billings, H.Petty, K.Chandler

F: K.Pickett, B.Fritsch, J.van Rooyen

FOLL: M.Gawn – C, T.Sparrow, T.Rivers

I/C: J.Bowey, J.Melksham, B.Howes, K.Tholstrup, D.Turner

EMG: M.Jefferson, T.Woewodin, K.Brown

IN: J.Bowey

OUT: C.Oliver (Injured)

GWS GIANTS v FREMANTLE

Saturday August 17, 1:45pm at ENGIE Stadium

GIANTS

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

HB: L.Whitfield, J.Buckley, H.Perryman

C: C.Ward, T.Green, F.Callaghan

HF: B.Daniels, A.Cadman, T.McMullin

F: D.Jones, J.Hogan, T.Greene – C

FOLL: K.Briggs, J.Kelly, S.Coniglio

I/C: T.Bedford, L.Keeffe, J.Peatling, H.Himmelberg, C.Stone

EMG: X.O’Halloran, H.Thomas, M.Gruzewski

IN: T.McMullin, K.Briggs, S.Coniglio

OUT: H.Thomas (Managed), X.O’Halloran (Omitted), M.Gruzewski (Omitted)

DOCKERS

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

HB: B.Walker, H.Chapman, J.Clark

C: J.O’Meara, H.Young, J.Sharp

HF: B.Banfield, S.Switkowski, M.Frederick

F: J.Amiss, P.Voss, L.Jackson

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

I/C: N.O’Driscoll, N.Fyfe, M.Johnson, C.Wagner, S.Sturt

EMG: K.Worner, N.Erasmus, M.Walters

IN: L.Reidy, N.O’Driscoll

OUT: M.Taberner (Omitted), K.Worner (Omitted)

COLLINGWOOD v BRISBANE LIONS

Saturday August 17, 4:35pm at the MCG

MAGPIES

B: B.Frampton, D.Moore – C, B.Maynard

HB: J.Noble, W.Hoskin-Elliott, I.Quaynor

C: S.Sidebottom, J.Crisp, J.Daicos

HF: B.Hill, L.Schultz, J.Elliott

F: B.McCreery, D.McStay, J.Howe

FOLL: D.Cameron, N.Daicos, S.Pendlebury

I/C: P.Lipinski, J.Bytel, N.Long, W.Parker, M.Cox

EMG: H.DeMattia, E.Allan, J.Richards

IN: W.Parker

OUT: J.Richards (Omitted)

LIONS

B: D.Zorko, H.Andrews – C, B.Starcevich

HB: D.Wilmot, R.Lester, D.Joyce

C: J.Fletcher, W.Ashcroft, H.McCluggage

HF: C.Rayner, J.Daniher, J.Berry

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

FOLL: O.McInerney, J.Dunkley, L.Neale

I/C: K.Lohmann, H.Sharp, E.Hipwood, Z.Bailey, S.Brain

EMG: D.Robertson, J.Madden, H.Smith

IN: H.Sharp, E.Hipwood

OUT: J.Prior (Omitted), H.Smith (Omitted)

PORT ADELAIDE v ADELAIDE CROWS

Saturday August 17, 7:30pm at Adelaide Oval

POWER

B: La.Jones, B.Zerk-Thatcher, M.Bergman

HB: L.Evans, A.Aliir, D.Houston

C: J.Burgoyne, O.Wines, W.Drew

HF: D.Byrne-Jones, E.Ratugolea, W.Rioli

F: T.Boak, C.Dixon, C.Rozee – C

FOLL: J.Sweet, J.Horne-Francis, Z.Butters

I/C: R.Burton, K.Farrell, J.Mead, F.Evans, Q.Narkle

EMG: J.McEntee, W.Lorenz, D.Visentini

IN: R.Burton

OUT: T.Marshall (Injured)

CROWS

B: M.Michalanney, M.Keane, M.Hinge

HB: H.Bond, N.Murray, J.Worrell

C: B.Keays, R.Laird, L.Sholl

HF: D.Curtin, R.Thilthorpe, I.Rankine

F: S.Berry, D.Fogarty, J.Rachele

FOLL: R.O’Brien, J.Dawson – C, M.Crouch

I/C: Z.Taylor, L.Nankervis, L.Gollant, J.Soligo, L.Murphy

EMG: C.Jones, B.Dowling, J.Borlase

IN: L.Gollant

OUT: T.Walker (Injured)

ST KILDA v GEELONG

Saturday August 17, 7:30pm at Marvel Stadium

SAINTS

B: J.Battle, D.Howard, C.Wilkie

HB: N.Wanganeen-Milera, J.Sinclair, L.Stocker

C: B.Hill, Z.Jones, R.Byrnes

HF: M.Wood, J.Higgins, M.Owens

F: A.Caminiti, T.Membrey, C.Sharman

FOLL: R.Marshall, J.Steele – C, H.Clark

I/C: P.Dow, D.Butler, D.Wilson, J.Webster, H.Garcia

EMG: B.Paton, T.Campbell, A.McLennan

IN: H.Garcia

OUT: A.McLennan (Omitted)

CATS

B: L.Humphries, J.Henry, J.Kolodjashnij

HB: M.Holmes, M.Blicavs, Z.Guthrie

C: S.Mannagh, T.Atkins, O.Dempsey

HF: T.Stengle, B.Close, G.Miers

F: S.Neale, J.Cameron, O.Henry

FOLL: R.Stanley, P.Dangerfield – C, T.Stewart

I/C: M.Knevitt, J.Bowes, G.Rohan, O.Mullin, M.Duncan

EMG: J.Bews, Z.Tuohy, M.Hardie

IN: M.Knevitt, G.Rohan

OUT: Z.Tuohy (Managed), T.Bruhn (Injured)

WESTERN BULLDOGS v NORTH MELBOURNE

Sunday August 18, 1:10pm at Marvel Stadium

BULLDOGS

B: T.Duryea, L.Jones, B.Khamis

HB: L.Bramble, R.Lobb, B.Dale

C: J.Freijah, A.Treloar, B.Williams

HF: E.Richards, A.Naughton, L.McNeil

F: C.Weightman, J.Ugle-Hagan, L.Vandermeer

FOLL: S.Darcy, M.Bontempelli – C, T.Liberatore

I/C (FROM): C.Daniel, H.Gallagher, A.Jones, A.Keath, J.Macrae, C.Poulter, R.West

IN: J.Freijah, H.Gallagher, A.Jones, A.Keath, J.Macrae, J.O’Donnell

OUT: N.Coffield (Omitted), T.English (Injured), R.Garcia (Omitted)

KANGAROOS

B: A.Corr, C.Comben, L.McDonald

HB: J.Archer, D.Tucker, C.McKercher

C: B.Scott, L.Davies-Uniacke, D.Stephens

HF: Z.Fisher, B.Teakle, E.Ford

F: P.Curtis, N.Larkey, C.Zurhaar

FOLL: T.Xerri, T.Powell, J.Simpkin – C

I/C (FROM): G.Wardlaw, Z.Duursma, L.Shiels, M.Bergman, W.Phillips, K.Dawson, R.Hansen Jr

IN: D.Stephens, Z.Fisher, G.Wardlaw, K.Dawson

OUT: H.Sheezel (Injured)

HAWTHORN v RICHMOND

Sunday August 18, 3:20pm at the MCG

HAWKS

B: K.Amon, S.Frost, H.Morrison

HB: J.Scrimshaw, J.Sicily – C, W.Day

C: J.Weddle, D.Moore, J.Impey

HF: J.Newcombe, L.Breust, J.Gunston

F: J.Ginnivan, M.Chol, C.Mackenzie

FOLL: L.Meek, J.Worpel, C.Macdonald

I/C (FROM): B.Hardwick, F.Maginness, M.D’Ambrosio, J.Serong, J.Ward, C.Dear, C.Nash

IN: F.Maginness, J.Serong, J.Ward

OUT: Nil

TIGERS

B: B.Miller, N.Balta, N.Vlastuin

HB: N.Broad, J.Trezise, D.Rioli

C: K.McIntosh, D.Prestia, S.Banks

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

F: S.Bolton, J.Koschitzke, H.Ralphsmith

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

I/C (FROM): J.Short, J.Bauer, S.Ryan, T.Dow, K.Smith, M.Coulthard, J.Blight

IN: J.Ross, M.Coulthard, J.BlighOUT: Nil

WEST COAST EAGLES v CARLTON

Sunday August 18, 4:40pm at Optus Stadium

EAGLES

B: T.Cole, H.Edwards, B.Hough

HB: L.Duggan – C, J.McGovern, J.Hunt

C: A.Gaff, T.Kelly, R.Ginbey

HF: J.Cripps, J.Waterman, T.Dewar

F: J.Darling, O.Allen, L.Ryan

FOLL: B.Williams, E.Yeo, H.Reid

I/C (FROM): J.Petruccelle, A.Witherden, H.Johnston, Z.Trew, C.Hall, R.Maric, J.Hutchinson

IN: H.Edwards, J.Petruccelle, J.Hutchinson

OUT: Nil

BLUES

B: B.Kemp, J.Weitering, L.Cowan

HB: Le.Young, M.McGovern, N.Newman

C: J.Binns, P.Cripps – C, B.Acres

HF: O.Hollands, E.Hollands, Z.Williams

F: M.Owies, M.Kennedy, J.Motlop

FOLL: M.Pittonet, S.Walsh, G.Hewett

I/C (FROM): A.Cincotta, C.Lord, J.Carroll, C.Durdin, H.Lemmey, A.Moir, D.Akuei

IN: Le.Young, J.Binns, C.Lord, J.Carroll, C.Durdin, H.Lemmey, B.Wilson, A.Moir, D.Akuei

OUT: A.Saad (Injured), H.McKay (Injured), J.Martin (Injured), L.Fogarty (Injured), C.Curnow (Injured), J.Boyd (Injured)

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