Get the low-down on all of the important inclusions for round 18.
Hawthorn has named the return of big guns Lance Franklin and Sam Mitchell to their starting side for the AFL blockbuster between the Hawks and the Essendon Bombers tomorrow night.
The game looms as a litmus test for both sides who have intentions on winning the flag this year, with the inclusions possibly tipping the favoritism the way of Alistair Clarkson’s side.
There have been changes to the Bombers side for the game with Stewie Crameri (ankle) and Dustin Fletcher (back) out of the team with David Zaharakis coming back in.
Hear from Essendon coach James Hird about the selections and the ongoing Australian Sports Anti-Doping Agency investigation at the club.
The other big name to make his return to a run-on side is Collingwood defender Harry O’Brien after he was named to take on Greater Western Sydney.
O’Brien has been out of the Magpies side for three weeks after his fall-out with coach Nathan Buckley and ankle injury concerns.
The clash against the winless Giants allows Collingwood to blood their prize draftee Brodie Grundy, with the talented ruckman to make his AFL debut.
Geelong has rested Mark Bilcavs ahead of its clash with St Kilda, but the Cats welcome back Stevie Johnson, Taylor Hunt, Mitch Brown, George Horlin-Smith too help the side rebound from their shock lass last weekend to Adelaide.
West Coast’s depth will be further tested this weekend when they take on the Western Bulldogs without Nic Naitanui, Darren Glass, Luke Shuey and Mark LeCras.
The Bulldogs have made their own changes for the game with Brett Goodes (broken arm) and Nathan Hrovat (soreness) left out while the inclusion of captain Matthew Boyd helps the side’s chances.
Jonathan Brown is the big in for the Brisbane Lions ahead of their clash against Port Adelaide, after overcoming a niggling hip injury, which kept him out of the side’s win over Melbourne last weekend.
Brisbane has also recalled Brent Moloney, Mitch Golby and Jack Crisp with Pearce Hanley (broken hand) the only omission so far.
Gold Coast has recalled forward/ruckman Charlie Dixon for Saturday’s game against Carlton at Metricon Stadium.
Dixon has played just one game since Round 6 due to a nagging ankle injury.
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