Sydney have been struck a hammer blow ahead of facing Brisbane, with stars Lance Franklin and Isaac Heeney ruled out through injury.
The Swans are 5-7 heading into Friday night’s AFL clash at the Gabba, but face an uphill battle after Heeney (concussion) and Franklin (knee soreness) joined their lengthy injury list.
The Swans have called upon mid-season recruit Jack Buller to debut after he booted five goals in the VFL.
Co-captain Luke Parker returns from suspension.
“Jack Buller hasn’t been here for long, but he’s playing his first game, which is great for the team,” coach John Longmire said.
“We thought he did a great job last week. It was only his first game, but he was a real presence in the forward half in the VFL.”
Tagger Ryan Clarke has been omitted, with last week’s substitute Joel Amartey named in the 22.
Veterans Jack Gunston and Daniel Rich have been dropped from Brisbane’s team, with coach Chris Fagan saying the pair told him they didn’t deserve to be selected.
There is no room for Dayne Zorko after the veteran served his one-match suspension, but Keidean Coleman returns to the starting 22 after acting as the substitute last week.
Jaspa Fletcher, the son of former Lion Adrian Fletcher, will make his debut for Brisbane, and Kai Lohmann will play his first game of the season.
Darcy Fort and Ryan Lester have been recalled.
The Western Bulldogs have swung the axe ahead of facing North Melbourne.
Josh Bruce, who was well beaten by Port Adelaide’s Charlie Dixon, youngster Artie Jones, who didn’t get a touch against the Power, and tall James O’Donnell have all been dropped.
Six players have been added to the Bulldogs’ extended squad, but only Tim O’Brien has been named in the starting 18.
North Melbourne have regained Jy Simpkin and Hugh Greenwood from concussion.
Carlton have dropped Jack Silvagni and Jesse Motlop ahead of facing Gold Coast.
Marc Pittonet and Nic Newman return from injury, while David Cuningham, Jaxon Binns and Lachie Fogarty are on the Blues’ extended bench.
GWS welcome back gun defender Sam Taylor and vice-captain Josh Kelly from hamstring injuries against Fremantle, but Isaac Cumming has been listed as an emergency after his calf injury.
Fremantle regain Jaeger O’Meara from suspension, but James Aish (concussion) misses and Sam Sturt has been dropped.
Mac Andrew is among five inclusions in the Suns’ extended squad, while Jy Farrar has been dropped.
With Marlion Pickett unavailable for Richmond this week, the Tigers have called upon versatile tall Ben Miller to face St Kilda.