AFL round 3 predicted teams: How every club is likely to line-up
The selection pressure is on around the country – for different reasons. Collingwood and Adelaide need a win, while the Blues need to make room for their injured stars. And that’s not all.
In-form goalkicker Cody Weightman says Western Bulldogs players now know “you do really have to earn your spot” as midfielder Jack Macrae closes in on a return to the senior side.
Three-time All-Australian Macrae was not an automatic selection this season after a hamstring injury late in the pre-season slowed down his summer and he played in the VFL on Sunday, gathering a ridiculous 46 disposals and 16 clearances.
Former best-and-fairest winner Caleb Daniel was also demoted to start as the sub in round 1 before earning a starting-22 spot on the weekend in a win over Gold Coast.
Dogs coach Luke Beveridge went with recruits Nick Coffield and James Harmes, plus draftees Harvey Gallagher and Ryley Sanders in round 1 over some established players.
Weightman said Macrae was ready to come back as soon as he was picked, with Coffield (shoulder) and Ed Richards (concussion) to miss Sunday’s meeting with West Coast.
Tall defender James O’Donnell (concussion) will likely come in to replace Coffield, while James Harmes is available after he missed round 2 with suspension.
SCROLL DOWN TO SEE THE PREDICTED TEAMS FOR EVERY CLUB
“We are in a really good space with our list now and those younger guys pushing the older guys so you do really have to earn your spot so it’s great to have a selection squeeze at the club and I’m glad it’s Bevo’s job not mine,” Weightman said.
“Jack is always ready and it is a great problem to have for the club when a guy of his ability isn’t playing, we obviously want selection problems.
“It’s not just Jack, it is guys like Riley Garcia, who kicked two goals and had 40 (disposals) as well (in the VFL) and is looking really impressive.
“If Ryley Sanders and Gallagher and those guys are holding their spot and keeping those guys out, it is a really good problem to have. Injuries happen and stuff so when we do need to call on Jack, whether it is this week or not, he will play senior footy for us.”
Weightman also squashed any external talk about full-forward Aaron Naughton being shifted to defence, after he kicked three goals in the opening two rounds.
“We will keep him up forward, Naughty is great to play with,” he said.
“I don’t think we will see him down back and I think the boys (Liam) Jonesy and (Buku Khamis) have made that their own for now so I think we are right to keep him.”
Weightman equalled his career-high with six goals in the Suns win and while he tried to reset at quarter time – when he had four majors on the board – the goalsneak did admit to some “intrusive” thoughts entering his mind.
“Dom Bedendo has a theory, he kicked two in the first (quarter) one day and thought he was on for eight so I did think about 16,” he laughed.
PREDICTED ROUND 3 TEAMS
Brisbane v Collingwood
BRISBANE
B: Starcevich, Lester, Doedee
HB: Zorko, Andrews, Wilmot
C: Fletcher, Neale, Berry
HF: Bailey, Hipwood, McCarthy
F: Cameron, Daniher, Rayner
R: McInerney, Dunkley, McCluggage
IC: Answerth, Lyons, Ah Chee, Lohmann, Tunstill
IN: Doedee, Neale, Tunstill
OUT: Gardiner (knee), McKenna (hamstring), Robertson
Tom Doedee is set to complete a rapid return from a mid-season ACL injury and make his Brisbane debut on Thursday night against the Pies. It comes at a handy time for the Lions, who are set to be without Darcy Gardiner as they await scans on the knee injury he suffered against the Dockers. Jack Payne is available but spent time forward in the VFL last weekend and might not be an automatic recall as the Lions ponder a smaller look in defence against Collingwood. James Tunstill and Jaxon Prior were VFL standouts and could earn an opportunity after the Magpies looked vulnerable against St Kilda’s leg speed, while Brownlow medallist Lachie Neale should return.
COLLINGWOOD
B: Howe, Frampton, Maynard
HB: Quaynor, Moore, Noble
C: J Daicos, Lipinski, Crisp
HF: Hill, Mihocek, McCreery
F: Schultz, McInnes, Elliott
R: Cameron, De Goey, N Daicos
IC: Hoskin-Elliott, Macrae, Pendlebury, Cox, Allan
IN: Hoskin-Elliott, Noble, Allan
OUT: Markov, Sidebottom, Mitchell
How much does Craig McRae rock the boat this week? It’s the senior players who he is most frustrated with after a 0-3 start to the season, but McRae likes cricket analogies and his premiership stars have plenty of runs on the board. Of the Collingwood veterans, Steele Sidebottom looks most off the pace and could be dropped for the first time since his debut season in 2009. Will Hoskin-Elliott, who was managed last week, and John Noble could return to defence at the expense of last week’s sub Oleg Markov, while Jack Crisp needs to be pushed further up the ground. Jakob Ryan isn’t far behind that pair for a spot at half-back, while McRae has named Harvey Harrison as a “hungry” potential inclusion and could also look at debuts for VFL standouts Ed Allan and Lachie Sullivan.
North Melbourne v Carlton
NORTH MELBOURNE
B: Corr, Pink, McDonald
HB: Sheezel, Dawson, McKercher
C: Scott, Powell, Tucker
HF: Duursma, Comben, Stephenson
F: Curtis, Larkey, Zurhaar
R: Xerri, Davies-Uniacke, Wardlaw
IC: Fisher, Simpkin, Shiels, Lazzaro, Ford
IN: Comben, Shiels
OUT: Coleman-Jones, Stephens
The Roos showed their tricks against Fremantle and had no injury concerns out of the clash, but Alastair Clarkson said they still needed to “pull their socks up” after being overrun in the second half. The coach will be mulling whether to back wing recruit Dylan Stephens in after the former Swan struggled for impact in his first two matches, and will be tempted to recall his trusted foot soldier Liam Shiels after the veteran had 33 disposals, six clearances and six tackles in the VFL on Saturday. SSP recruit Tyler Sellers was outstanding with 6.1 from 15 disposals in the win over the Bullants but only stands at 193cm and has not been rucking – meaning if the out-of-form Callum Coleman-Jones is dropped, Charlie Comben or Hugh Greenwood loom as more likely replacements. Comben had an assured VFL game in defence but could revert to his forward-ruck role against the Blues. He also gives Clarkson an extra option to swing back if Curnow and McKay get their tails up.
CARLTON
B: McGovern, Weitering, Saad
HB: Boyd, Young, Newman
C: O Hollands, Hewett, Acres
HF: Cuningham, McKay, Fogarty
F: Owies, Curnow, Kennedy
R: De Koning, Cripps, Cerra
IC: Williams, Carroll, Cottrell, Martin, Motlop
IN: Martin, Motlop, Weitering
OUT: Durdin, Fantasia, Kemp
A selection crunch looms at the Blues after their 2-0 start if the full quartet of Weitering (calf), Marchbank (illness), Martin (knee) and Motlop (toe) are available to face the Roos.
Brodie Kemp looms as the very unlucky defender to make way for Weitering after Lewis Young was brilliant against the Tigers, while Orazio Fantasia was subbed off after a quiet game and is set to make way for another small forward. If both Martin and Motlop return, the latter is the likely sub after Owies did enough to keep his spot in the 22. Elijah Hollands is available after serving his two-match suspension, but Jack Carroll’s emergence could force the former Sun to work his way in through the VFL despite an impressive pre-season.
Fremantle v Adelaide
FREMANTLE
B: Aish, Pearce, Walker
HB: Ryan, Hughes, Clark
C: Johnson, Brayshaw, Sharp
HF: Frederick, Treacy, Banfield
F: Switkowski, Amiss, Walters
R: Jackson, Serong, Young
IC: Fyfe, Taberner, Draper, Emmett, O’Meara
UNCHANGED
After injury forced three changes last weekend, the Dockers could take a settled line-up into the Good Friday clash with the Crows. Coach Justin Longmuir subbed off Nat Fyfe the moment he saw the star veteran getting some work on the sidelines against the Roos – he should be fine, but it might not be the only time it happens this year. Draftee Cooper Simpson is making his case in the WAFL and is one to watch early this season.
ADELAIDE
B: Worrell, Butts, Michalanney
HB: Milera, Keane, Hinge
C: Soligo, Dawson, Jones
HF: Rankine, Walker, Keays
F: Burgess, Fogarty, Rachele
R: O’Brien, Laird, Crouch
IC: Smith, Pedlar, Sholl, McHenry, Hamill
IN: Sholl, Hamill
OUT: Berry, Murphy
Tough midfielder Sam Berry was subbed out in the loss to the Cats and, while he wasn’t alone, will Matthew Nicks opt for someone with a bit more polish? Kicking was a problem for the Crows last week and Lachie Sholl – who was training with the ‘A’ side on Tuesday – and Will Hamill, offer a bit more precision. Luke Pedlar isn’t probably going to get a shutdown role on Docker Luke Ryan this week, but it would be harsh if he was squeezed out as a result of what happened against Geelong. Brayden Cook and Patty Parnell are waiting for their chance, though.
Essendon v St Kilda
ST KILDA
B: Battle, Cordy, Wilkie
HB: Stocker, Sinclair, Wanganeen-Milera
C: Bonner, Ross, Hill
HF: Wilson, Membrey, Owens
F: Sharman, Caminiti, Higgins
R: Marshall, Steele, Phillipou
IC: Winghager, Byrnes, Jones, Collard, Crouch
OUT: King, Henry, Wood
IN: Caminiti, Collard, Crouch
The Saints’ injury list has grown even longer with the loss of Mason Wood and Liam Henry, with Zak Jones likely sliding into the best 22 after starting as the sub on Thursday. Does it make room for Brad Crouch to return? Perhaps, but it’s hardly a like-for-like replacement. Does Ross Lyon give speedy draftee Hugo Garcia a run in Henry’s spot, or does Round 1 debutant Lance Collard come back into the frame and Darcy Wilson and Mitch Owens move up the ground? Anthony Caminiti comes in for King if the Saints are unable to overturn his ban.
ESSENDON
B: McGrath, McKay, Laverde
HB: Redman, Heppell, Martin
C: Tsatas, Caldwell, Cox
HF: Durham, Langford, Perkins
F: Stringer, Jones, Gresham
R: Draper, Setterfield, Merrett
IC: Hobbs, Goldstein, Duursma, Menzie, Hind
IN: Redman, Jones
OUT: Wright, Davey Jr
Peter Wright is going to miss a chunk of time, and the big question at Tullamarine is if the Bombers recall Harry Jones, who was invisible in Round 1, or hand a debut to prized draftee Nate Caddy. Caddy was solid in the VFL with very limited forward supply, while Jones didn’t play after flying to Sydney as an emergency. Caddy probably isn’t ready just yet, meaning Jones comes back in, while Nick Hind makes way for a returning Mason Redman. Nick Bryan was also one of the Dons’ best in the VFL, and would be a chance to slide in for Todd Goldstein if Sam Draper is ready to take the reins for a full game.
Port Adelaide v Melbourne
PORT ADELAIDE
B: Burton, Ratugolea, Zerk-Thatcher
HB: Farrell, Aliir, Houston
C: Bergman, Wines, Boak
HF: Byrne-Jones, Marshall, Rozee
F: Finlayson, Dixon, Rioli
R Soldo, Butters, Drew
IC: Burgoyne, Evans, Mead, Jones, Williams
UNCHANGED
Ken Hinkley said post-match on Sunday that the club would be cautious with Jason Horne-Francis after the young star was sidelined with a hamstring issue. “We’re optimistic that he’ll be there but we won’t take the risk. It’s too early in the season whether it’s Jason or another player,” Hinkley said. Mitch Georgiades is waiting in the wings but it would be hard to change up a tall forward line that fire against Richmond. Todd Marshall, Charlie Dixon and Jeremy Finlayson booted nine goals between them and will look to take advantage of star Melbourne defender Steven May’s absence in round 3. Lachie Jones was subbed out with a calf issue but should be good to go. Dylan Williams, the sub last week, is in line to replace him, if not.
MELBOURNE
B: McVee, McDonald, Howes
HB: Rivers, Lever, Salem
C: Langdon, Petracca, Neal-Bullen
HF: Sparrow, Brown, Pickett
F: Fritsch, van Rooyen, Chandler
R: Gawn, Viney, Oliver
I/C: Petty, Tomlinson, Windsor, Billings, Hore
IN: Tomlinson
OUT: May
Steven May has been ruled out of this weekend’s clash with the Power, but the news is better for defensive partner Jake Lever, who has been cleared of any major damage and is likely to be available. Tom McDonald and Harry Petty can cover May in defence, while Adam Tomlinson was unlucky to miss out last week, and appears the obvious inclusion with Port’s talls firing against the Tigers.
Western Bulldogs v West Coast
WESTERN BULLDOGS
FB: Bramble, Jones, Williams
HB: Dale, Khamis, Johannisen
C: Gallagher, Treloar, Poulter
HF:Macrae, Naughton, Weightman
FF: West, Ugle-Hagan, Darcy
R: English, Bontempelli, Liberatore
IC: Sanders, Daniel, Vandermeer, Baker, Garcia
IN: Macrae, Garcia
OUT: Coffield (shoulder), Richards (concussion)
A pair of injuries to Nick Coffield and Ed Richards has paved the way for Jack Macrae to return to the AFL fold for the first time this season. The three-time All Australian piled up 46 disposals in a VFL clash last weekend and should come into the senior side. Riley Garcia also had 41 touches in the Footscray win over the Giants, so will come in. He’ll likely be the starting sub after Oskar Baker booted three majors and deserves a starting spot.
WEST COAST
FB: Jamieson, Barrass, Hough
HB: Hunt, McGovern, Chesser
C: Duggan, Reid, Edwards
HF: Cripps, Darling, Petruccelle
FF: Long, Waterman, Brockman
R: Williams, Yeo, Kelly
IC: Barnett, Ginbey, Cole, Gaff, Maric
IN: Gaff
OUT: Jones
Andrew Gaff has put himself in line for a senior recall after just one reserves practice match against Subiaco. Gaff kicked a goal from 27 disposals in a promising display and will be a chance to return. Harry Barnett is set to hold onto his senior spot, with coach Adam Simpson indicating he was eager to see the 20 year old clash with Tim English this week. Jamaine Jones was poor against the Giants last week and will likely be the sole change.
Richmond v Sydney
RICHMOND
B: Grimes, Young, Broad
HB: Short, Vlastuin, D Rioli
C:Sonsie, Taranto, McIntosh
HF: Campbell, Bolton, Mansell
FF: Balta, Martin, Lynch
R: Nankervis, Dow, Baker
IC: Ross, M Rioli, Brown, Pickett, Lefau
IN: Young, M Rioli, Broad, Sonsie
OUT: Trezise, Miller, Clarke, Banks
The Tigers should get some cattle back to defence this week, with Nathan Broad (calf) and Tylar Young (concussion) due to return. Maurice Rioli (back) should be fit after he was a late withdrawal on Sunday. Mykelti Lefau was thrust into the start 22 after Rioli’s injury and might be suited to spend a game as sub, while Sam Banks only had five touches. Tyler Sonsie dominated the VFL with 30 touches and a goal so deserves a look in now his VFL suspension is up.
SYDNEY
B: Melican McCartin Rampe
HB: Blakey, Florent, Roberts
C: McInerney, Ch Warner, Lloyd
HF: Gulden, McDonald, Papley
FF: Hayward, Amartey, Wicks
R: Grundy, Heeney, Rowbottom
IC: McLean, Campbell, Jordon, Co Warner, Mitchell
IN: Mitchell
OUT: Cunningham
Harry Cunningham will miss with concussion. Taylor Adams is a chance to push his case this week but may be given another week, with 186cm youngster Caleb Mitchell in prime position to come in after 30 disposals in the twos on the weekend. Corey Warner was lively, if unpolished, when brought on as sub against Essendon so should get a chance for more gametime.
Hawthorn v Geelong
HAWTHORN
FB: Weddle Frost Sicily
HB: Impey Hardwick D’Ambrosio
C: Amon, Moore, Ward
HF: Ginnivan, Lewis, Nash
FF: Breust, Chol, Watson
R:Meek, Newcombe, Worpel
IC: Scrimshaw, Mackenzie, Hustwaite, Phillips, Macdonald
IN: Phillips, Hustwaite, Meek
OUT: Maginness, Gunston, Reeves
The Hawks were smashed in the middle against the Demons and Sam Mitchell has forecast changes. Ruck Ned Reeves is in trouble after Lloyd Meek was one of the best on ground in the VFL, while young onballer Henry Hustwaite collected a team-high eight clearances for Box Hill and should come into the frame. With James Sicily burned by Bayley Fritsch, the Hawks are going to need another lockdown tall to match Tom Hawkins and Jeremy Cameron, and Ethan Phillips was also impressive in the VFL. Finn Maginness doesn’t have a tagging role if Patrick Dangerfield doesn’t play, while Jack Gunston is struggling.
GEELONG
FB: Stewart, De Koning, Kolodjashnij
HB: Blicavs, J Henry, Z Guthrie
C: Holmes, Atkins, O Henry
HF: Close, Hawkins, Stengle
FF: Dempsey, Cameron, Miers
R: Stanley, Clark, O’Connor
IC:Bruhn, Tuohy, Mannagh, Duncan, Mullin
More Coverage
IN: Duncan, Atkins, Bruhn
OUT: Dangerfield, Knevitt, Parfitt
Unusually, given the Cats had a strong win in Adelaide, plenty of changes will be on the agenda this week. Patrick Dangerfield will miss a couple of weeks with a hamstring. Mitch Duncan (family) and Tom Atkins (groin) were both late withdrawals against the Crows and are walk-up starts if fit. So too is Tanner Bruhn (foot). Sub Mitch Knevitt is most likely to be demoted after playing just 72 seconds on Friday, while Brandan Parfitt could be in trouble. Rhys Stanley’s form has only been OK and youngster Toby Conway is ready to play ruck, but the Cats might just give Stanley one more crack.
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