Round 9 begins with a double header on Friday night. Richmond host Geelong at the MCG, and West Coast host Gold Coast at Optus Stadium.
TEAM SELECTION
Trent Cotchin returns for the Tigers in place of Noah Cumberland, and Brandan Parfitt and Ollie Dempsey comes into the Geelong 22 for the injured Patrick Dangerfield and suspended Brad Close. Last year’s first round selection Jhye Clark ($175,800 MID) has been confirmed to debut as the tactical sub for the Cats.
West Coast and Gold Coast have both made three changes each. Among them, Shannon Hurn is out for West Coast through injury, and Sam Flanders has been omitted.
Sydney will be without Peter Ladhams and Tom McCartin for their clash against Fremantle, and Aaron Francis has been brought into the 22 for Sydney as well after starting as the substitute last week. The Dockers have gone unchanged meaning Nat Fyfe will once again be deployed as the tactical sub.
Hugh Greenwood has returned to the North Melbourne team to face the Power, while bubble boy Ollie Lord ($123,900 FWD/DEF) has replaced the injured Charlie Dixon in the Port Adelaide team.
Hawks have made a whole raft of changes, among them is Sam Butler ($197,600 FWD) coming into the team after a strong run of VFL form, but Fergus Greene has been omitted after a quiet run. Charlie Spargo and Michael Hibberd have returned the Melbourne team.
Brisbane are fairly settled with only one change, Dayne Zorko has returned after a calf complaint. Essendon have been hit though with Jake Kelly, Darcy Parish and Jordan Ridley all missing through injury, The Bombers welcome back Sam Durham from suspension, Kaine Baldwin has been brought in giving them options for defence and Jye Menzie has been brought back into the 22.
Carlton have omitted trio Ed Curnow, Josh Honey and Brodie Kemp and have included Matthew Cottrell and Matthew Owies in their 22. Western Bulldogs have handed a debut to Cat B rookie, former cricketer James O’Donnell ($102,400 DEF)
For the Sunday teams, Patrick Parnell returns for the Crows to replace the injured Nick Murray, while Anthony Caminiti has come back into the Saints team after serving his suspension, good news for those that held.
Largely an unchanged line-up for the Magpies with only Ginnivan graduating from the substitute and Frampton out through injury. Cam Fleeton ($123,900 DEF) has been named to debut for the Giants, he replaces Isaac Cumming who is dealing with a calf issue.
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