AFL round 16 predicted teams: Sydney flags managing players, Collingwood set to regain key names

Three games clear of the rest of the competition following the byes, Sydney has the unusual luxury of almost having their position in finals locked up by round 15.

Longmire has never been one to take any opponent likely, but he did admit on Monday that getting more games into his wider squad could come into focus.

The Swans have used just 28 players at AFL level in 2024, GWS has used the next fewest with 31. Sydney has also had 16 players appear in every match and expanding their depth for the back half of the year could prove important.

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Caiden Cleary was the first to get a taste of the action after debuting against the Giants as the sub and grabbing a goal with his first kick in senior footy. Longmire is hopeful it won’t be the last we see of the Academy product this year.

“He only played about 15-20 minutes and did a good job,” he said.

“He’s adapted to a bit of a different role and we’d love to give him another opportunity.

“We’re making sure that that next group coming in get some experience but also some exposure, fitness and form so when they get their opportunity they’re ready to go.

“We’ve done it with Robbo (Matt Roberts), Braeden, we introduced Caiden. More exposure to senior footy is important. Getting the balance right between that and playing full games is something we’re mindful of and not going to get perfect all the time.

“We’d like to increase that exposure … but once again it’s hard to predict. We’re hoping that guys like Millsy and that start to come back into the team as well.”

Incredibly for the Swans, two players still yet to play their first games for the season are captain Callum Mills and former captain Luke Parker.

Parker currently has two weeks left of his six-week suspension for a high bump in the VFL. Meanwhile, Longmire also provided the most positive update yet on Mills that he is tracking well to get back to competitive footy in three weeks time.

It means that the Swans’ VFL side against North Melbourne on July 13 could feature both Parker and Mills in a sign they’ve got even more muscle to flex in 2024.

“ (Cal) trained really well today,” Longmire said.

“He won’t play this week and next week, the conversation will be the week after.

“Hopefully he gets through the end of next week in the sort of form he trained today and pulls up well.

“For want of a better term, it’s a mini pre-season. It’s getting enough work into him to be able to sustain a decent run of football and we’ve got to get that right. We’re giving him the opportunity to do that now.”

It’s a stark contrast for Longmire this season after the Swans were so cruelled by injuries for much of 2023. Last July, Sydney were the team second-most affected by injuries in the entire competition.

They’ve got a fresh bill of health for this Saturday’s game against the Dockers. That includes star midfielder Isaac Heeney who will be ready to go despite some concern over a shoulder knock he copped against the Crows a fortnight ago.

PREDICTED ROUND 16 TEAMS

MELBOURNE V BRISBANE

MELBOURNE

B: Petty, May, Rivers

HB: Bowey, Lever, McVee

C: Salem, Oliver, Langdon

HF: Tholstrup, McDonald, Brown

F: Pickett, Fritsch, van Rooyen

FOL: Gawn, Viney, Neal-Bullen

I/C: Howes, Sparrow, Chandler, Turner

SUB: Moniz-Wakefield

IN: Lever, Moniz-Wakefield

OUT: Tomlinson, Windsor

Caleb Windsor isn’t far off needing a rest as the long season takes a toll on the youngster, but the Demons might slide him in as the sub and reward Kynan Brown with a full game following his potentially game-saving tackle on the weekend. If not, Windsor could be managed for debutant Andy Moniz-Wakefield. The forward line continues to battle, but with Tom Fullarton seemingly on the outer we’ve flipped Harrison Petty and Tom McDonald. It can’t work any worse that what’s been happening the last month.

BRISBANE

B: Zorko, Payne, Lester

HB: Wilmot, Andrews, Starcevich

C: Fletcher, Rayner, Berry

HF: Cameron, Hipwood, McCluggage

F: Ah Chee, Daniher, Bailey

FOL: McInerney, Dunkley, Neale

I/C: Ashcroft, Morris, McKenna, Reville

SUB: Brain

IN: Ashcroft

OUT: Lohmann

Just when you thought the Lions couldn’t hit their straps any more after dismantling the Power, they welcome back No.1 draft pick and young gun Will Ashcroft. We’re still not sure if Lohmann will recover from a corked thigh in time to get up for Friday’s clash, so he’s the one who makes way. If he’s fit, then it’s likely Brain is dropped and Reville becomes the sub.

NORTH MELBOURNE V WESTERN BULLDOGS

NORTH MELBOURNE

B: Corr, Comben, McDonald

HB: Archer, Sheezel, McKercher

C: Powell, Davies-Uniacke, Scott

HF: Taylor, Teakle, Ford

F: Curtis, Larkey, Zurhaar

FOL: Xerri, Wardlaw, Simpkin

I/C: Hansen Jr, Shiels, Phillips, Fisher

SUB: Stephens

IN: McKercher, Hansen Jr

OUT: Pink, Tucker

Roos fans may riot if Colby McKercher doesn’t come straight back into the team after starring at VFL level. The young gun sat out the first quarter in his return but still finished with 31 disposals and eight marks in an incredible performance. It could be a case of now or never for Robert Hansen Jr, who slotted four goals in the VFL. The Roos have been crying out for an electric small forward and he could be ready to make the jump.

WESTERN BULLDOGS

B: Bramble, Jones, O’Donnell

HB: Duryea, Darcy, Dale

C: Richards, Treloar, Williams

HF: Weightman, Lobb, Gallagher

F: Vandermeer, Ugle-Hagan, West

FOL: English, Bontempelli, Liberatore

I/C: Naughton, Freijah, Macrae, Sanders

SUB: Daniel

IN: Naughton, Darcy

OUT: Khamis, Scott

The selection squeeze is on at the Dogs with Aaron Naughton (knee) likely to make his return after a long stint on the sidelines and Sam Darcy set to come straight back in after serving his suspension. Nick Coffield (shoulder) is also on the cusp of returning to the side but may have to wait another week.

SYDNEY V FREMANTLE

SYDNEY

B: Rampe, McCartin, Melican

HB: Florent, Blakey, Cunningham,

C: McInerney, Warner, Gulden

HF: Wicks, McDonald, Adams

F: Papley, Amartey, Hayward

FOL: Grundy, Heeney, Rowbottom

I/C: Lloyd, Campbell, Wicks, McLean

SUB: Cleary

UNCHANGED

The ladder leader has no reason to force changes after getting through the Sydney derby unscathed. Matt Roberts performed strongly in the VFL after being dropped, while Robbie Fox is still on the fringes. John Longmire was impressed enough with Caiden Cleary to suggest he will stay in the side as sub.

FREMANTLE

B: Chapman, Cox, Davies

HB: Wagner, Ryan, Clark

C: Sharp, Fyfe, O’Meara

HF: Sturt, Jackson, Frederick

F: Treacy, Amiss, Switkowski

FOL: Darcy, Serong, Brayshaw

I/C: Banfield, Young, Johnson, Aish

SUB: Sexton

IN: Cox

OUT: Pearce

Brennan Cox had 15 disposals and four marks in the WAFL reserves, marking his return from a long hamstring lay-off. The Dockers might have no choice but to accelerate their return plan for Cox after Alex Pearce’s arm injury. The other option is recalling Josh Draper, who was left out last round for debutant Hugh Davies. Round 15 sub Karl Worner would also be an option but it would risk leaving Fremantle exposed by the Swans’ talls.

GOLD COAST V COLLINGWOOD

GOLD COAST

B: Andrew, Collins, Powell

HB: Flanders, Ballard, Uwland

C: Ainsworth, Miller, Clohesy

HF: Graham, King, Swallow

F: Long, Day, Lukosius

FOL: Witts, Anderson, Rowell

I/C: Berry, Humphrey, Ellis, Fiorini

SUB: Sexton

IN: King, Fiorini

OUT: Jeffrey, Rogers

Hard to predict Damien Hardwick after a loss given his penchant for making bulk changes. Max King plays if he is fit but Sam Day kicked three goals in the loss to Fremantle last week so might get another crack. Ethan Read also bagged five goals in the VFL if Hardwick wants to add another forward target. Joel Jeffrey and Jake Rogers were very quiet against the Dockers, while Brayden Fiorini had it on a string in the seconds if Hardwick is willing to give him another crack.

COLLINGWOOD

FB: Maynard, Moore, Dean

HB: Quaynor, Howe, Noble

C: Sidebottom, Pendlebury, J.Daicos

HF: Hill, Kreuger, Schultz

FF: Lipinskip, Mihocek, Hoskin-Elliott

FOL: Cameron, Crisp, N.Daicos

I/C: De Goey, Markov, McCreery, Sullivan

SUB: Harrison

IN: Markov, Mihocek, Pendlebury, De Goey

OUT: Jiath, McInnes, Macrae, Frampton

Finally the Pies are getting some troops back. Brody Mihocek will slot straight back in to a forward line that has missed him, but Nathan Kreuger deserves another look as a partner up forward. Scott Pendlebury comes straight in, Oleg Markov is fit and Jordan De Goey will be a test with that pesky abdomen injury but he plays if fit. Billy Frampton is tipped out after playing some time forward recently, while Harvey Harrison is unlucky to be moved to the sub role. Scary prospect for the rest of the league if Collingwood is only just getting into shape.

ADELAIDE V GWS GIANTS

ADELAIDE

B: Murray, Butts, Hinge

HF: Nankervis, Keane, Laird

C: Jones, Soligo, Sholl

HF: Dawson, Keays, Rachele

F: Cook, Walker, Fogarty

FOL: O’Brien, Michalanney, Rankine

I/C: Murphy, Borlase, Hamill, Curtin

SUB: Dowling

IN: Walker, O’Brien, Curtin

OUT: Strachan, Schoenberg, Berry

The Crows have confirmed Riley Thilthorpe will play SANFL this week if he proves his fitness after a lengthy injury layoff. Taylor Walker seems more likely than unlikely to return, while Reilly O’Brien has paid his penance in the SANFL. The last spot might come down to Daniel Curtin or Zac Taylor, who has been putting up solid state league numbers.

GWS GIANTS

B: Idun, Buckley, Himmelberg

HF: Whitfield, Aleer, Ash

C: Ward, Green, Bedford

HF: Daniels, Riccardi, Brown

F: Greene, Hogan, Thomas

FOL: Briggs, Callaghan, Kelly

I/C: Coniglio, O’Halloran, Angwin, Gruzewski

SUB: Gothard

IN: Gothard, Coniglio

OUT: McMullin, Peatling

The Giants don’t have a lot of options to shake up their team and put their top-four aspirations back on track. First-round draft bolter Phoenix Gothard had 20 disposals and kicked a goal in the VFL’s win over Sydney, so should come into the mix to debut. Aaron Cadman was also prominent with three goals. Stephen Coniglio almost played last week so should be close to returning from injury.

GEELONG V ESSENDON

GEELONG

B: Stewart, De Koning, Z. Guthrie

HF: Duncan, Kolodjashnij, J. Henry

C: Atkins, Holmes, Blicavs

HF: Dempsey, Cameron, Close

F: Close, Neale, O. Henry

FOL: Conway, Knevitt, Dangerfield

I/C: Stengle, Bowes, Tuohy, Miers

SUB: Clark

IN: Knevitt, Conway, Neale

OUT: Mullin, Hawkins, Rohan

Patrick Dangerfield avoiding suspension gives Geelong one less selection headache this week. Mitch Knevitt had 24 touches and 10 tackles in the VFL last week, while Shannon Neale kicked 3.3 from 18 touches and eight marks. Toby Conway also had 38 hitouts and 20 disposals, likely ending Sam De Koning’s stint at the No.1 ruck.

ESSENDON

B: McGrath, McKay, Ridley
HB: Martin, Laverdge, Redman

C: Duursma, Durham,

HF: Gresham, Stringer, Perkins

F: Langford, Wright, Guelfi

FOL: Draper, Merrett, Caldwell

I/C: Kelly, Heppell, Caddy, Hind

SUB: Cox

IN: Gresham

OUT: Menzie

Essendon will be hoping Jade Gresham will return after missing last week due to a personal reason. Nik Cox was subbed out after hurting his knee, but Essendon is expecting him to play at this stage. Todd Goldstein has a run in the VFL.

ST KILDA V PORT ADELAIDE

ST KILDA

B: Schoenmaker, Battle, Wilkie

HB: Wanganeen-Milera, Cordy, Sinclair

C: Hill, Windhager, Wood

HF: Butler, Owens, Henry

F: Higgins, King, Caminiti

FOL: Marshall, Steele, Dow

I/C: Clark, Wilson, Campbell, Jones

SUB: Ross

IN: Wanganeen-Milera

OUT: Bonner

Despite going down to Brisbane before their bye, the Saints performed well and scored more than they have most games this year. The main selection call this week is whether impressive first-gamer Arie Schoenmaker holds his spot ahead of Riley Bonner. With Nasiah Wanganeen-Milera returning, the Saints don’t need both of the left-footers at halfback.

RICHMOND V CARLTON

CARLTON

B: Cowan Weitering Kemp

HB: Newman McGovern Saad

C: O. Hollands Cripps Acres

HF: Fogarty McKay Williams

F: E. Hollands Curnow Owies

R: De Koning Walsh Hewett

INT: Boyd Kennedy Cincotta Cerra

SUB: Fantasia

IN: Cerra

OUT: Durdin

Adam Cerra will make his return from a hamstring injury, with Corey Durdin to make way after getting limited time as the sub. Orazio Fantasia to be named as the sub, a role he has filled several times in his first year as a Blue.

RICHMOND

B: Broad Balta Miller

HB: D. Rioli Vlastuin T. Brown

C: McIntosh Baker Ralphsmith

HF: Graham Cumberland Bolton

F: Martin Koschitzke Campbell

R: Nankervis Taranto Hopper

INT: Short Dow Sonsie Prestia SUB: Mansell

IN: Prestia, Hopper

OUT: Lynch, McAuliffe

A huge loss for the Tigers over the bye with Tom Lynch going down with a hamstring injury. Jacob Koschitzke will start at full forward in place of Lynch. Jacob Hopper will return from a hamstring injury, with Dion Prestia also to come back into the side after a calf injury. Rhyan Mansell will make way after a quiet outing against Hawthorn, with Kane McAuliffe also making way after starting as sub last time out.

WEST COAST V HAWTHORN

WEST COAST

B: Hough, Barrass, Witherden

HB: Cole, McGovern, Duggan

C: Hunt, Yeo, Ginbey

HF: Cripps, Allen, Jones

F: Waterman, Darling, Ryan

FOL: Flynn, Kelly, Reid

I/C: Brockman, Rotham, Williams, Chesser

SUB: Maric

IN: Kelly, Reid

OUT: Hutchinson, Petrucelle

The Eagles will welcome back two key midfielders in Tim Kelly and Harley Reid. It may well cut down Liam Ryan’s midfield minutes after the high-flying forward spent time in the middle against Essendon.

HAWTHORN

B: Impey, Frost, Scrimshaw

HB: Amon, Sicily, Day

C: D’Ambrosio, Worpel, Jiath

HF: Moore, Gunston, Hardwick

F: Dear, Chol, Ginnivan

FOL: Meek, Newcombe, Jiath

I/C: Weddle, McKenzie, Nash, McDonald

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SUB: Breust

Unchanged

The Hawks have a full list to pick from aside from Sam Butler and James Blanck, who are both missing for the season. Chad Wingard could come in for Luke Breust after a run in the VFL, although the veteran has made a strong impact in several matches as sub.