A captain’s injury blow is worse than feared, as his club contemplates its next move.
Plus, assessing the Bombers’ options at selection after a disastrous fortnight. READ ON FOR ROUND 3 TEAM TIPS.
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ROUND 3 TEAMS AND FIXTURE (All times AEDT)
GEELONG CATS v ADELAIDE CROWS
Thursday March 26, 7.30pm at GMHBA Stadium
Cats’ Round 1 team
B: C.O’Sullivan, J.Henry, S.De Koning
HB: T.Stewart, O.Mullin, L.Humphries
C: M.O’Connor, B.Smith, O.Dempsey
HF: B.Close, S.Mannagh, J.Martin
F: J.Cameron, S.Neale, P.Dangerfield (c)
FOLL: M.Blicavs, T.Atkins, M.Holmes
I/C: Z.Guthrie, J.Clark, T.Bruhn, G.Miers, M.Edwards
EMG: J.Bowes, O.Henry, M.Knevitt
Team Tips: Fresh off their early bye, Geelong is unlikely to make a heap of changes from their impressive Round 1 win over Fremantle. They look likely to welcome back off-season recruit James Worpel from a finger infection that kept him out of the clash, which would create a squeeze that could leave the likes of recent debutant Mitch Edwards and Jhye Clark on the fringes. In the reserves’ Round 1 VFL clash, emergency Ollie Henry kicked 5.2 to push for a recall after his axing. He was well-assisted up forward by Jay Polkinghorne (4.6) and Oli Wilthsire (4.1), while George Stevens and Mitch Knevitt were unsurprisingly among the best midfielders with stuffed stat lines to show for it. With the exception of Tyson Stengle (personal reasons/conditioning), the club’s best 30 or so players are all fit and firing in ominous signs for Adelaide this Thursday night.
Crows’ Round 2 team
B: W.Milera, J.Butts, M.Michalanney,
HB: N.Murray, J.Worrell, R.Laird
C: B.Cook, J.Dawson (c), I.Cumming
HF: I.Rankine, R.Thilthorpe, J.Rachele
F: A.Neal-Bullen, T.Walker, D.Fogarty
FOLL: L.McAndrew, S.Berry, B.Keays
I/C: J.Peatling, C.Ah Chee, L.Pedlar, J.Soligo, C.Jones
EMG: R.O’Brien, J.Borlase
Team Tips: In a frustrating blow for the club and their star off-season recruit, Callum Ah Chee will spend an extended stint on the sidelines. The two-time premiership Lion left the field in the last quarter with what is a high-grade hamstring strain, which will see him miss six-to-eight weeks of football. There also remains a close watch on Rory Laird and Josh Worrell, who both played out last Friday night’s loss with calf complaints. It appears that Laird’s calf worry is the more serious of the two, with the veteran set for one-to-two weeks out, while Worrell has been listed as a ‘test’ by Adelaide. The Crows revealed on Monday that Finnbar Maley would make his club debut after crossing over in the offseason. Maley, who kicked three goals in the SANFL side’s trial game at the weekend, is set to provide ruck support to Lachie McAndrew and roll forward. Pre-game last Friday, Hugh Bond was a late withdrawal due to illness and would seem likely at this stage to retain his place in the side. His replacement, Chayce Jones, was solid despite the 11th-hour call-up. In theory, Jones could replace Ah Chee’s role in the side, which would then allow the club to manage Jake Soligo as they had initially planned last week. That plan became void once they opted to manage one-game ruck Toby Murray with a back injury. The 200cm ruck-forward seemingly won’t return this Thursday night, given Maley seems destined to play the second ruck role against Geelong. Should the Crows need an extra defensive reinforcement in the absence of Worrell, James Borlase would be well-placed to earn a call-up for his first AFL game of 2026. Uncapped third-year midfielder Charlie Edwards and exiled ruck Reilly O’Brien were among the SANFL side’s best in their trial game against South Adelaide.
COLLINGWOOD v GWS GIANTS
Friday March 27, 7.40pm at Marvel Stadium
Magpies’ Round 1 team
B: B.Frampton, I.Quaynor, B.Maynard (c)
HB: D.Houston, J.Daicos, J.Crisp
C: E.Allan, N.Daicos, P.Lipinski
HF: L.Schultz, J.De Goey, B.McCreery
F: T.Membrey, J.Elliott, D.McStay
FOLL: D.Cameron, S.Pendlebury, H.Perryman
I/C: W.Parker, S.Sidebottom, N.Long, J.Buller, R.Steele
EMG: O.Steene, C.West, L.Sullivan
Team Tips: Coming off the early bye, the Magpies should be able to welcome back skipper Darcy Moore and fellow important defender Jeremy Howe for a big clash with the Giants, pending any further setbacks. Oscar Steene and Charlie West could be options for the Pies to consider as they seek forward-half answers amid recruit Jack Buller’s early struggles, while Dan McStay also went goalless against the Crows a fortnight ago. Meanwhile, Lachie Sullivan is waiting in the wings if Craig McRae wants a different look in the midfield, with Ed Allan managing two effective kicks in 65 per cent game time against Adelaide in Round 1. Reef McInnes is nearing a return from his knee injury, while Bobby Hill promisingly returned to Pies training on Monday. Collingwood’s VFL side had the bye to start the season.
Giants’ Round 2 team
B: J.Laverde, J.Buckley, C.Idun
HB: L.Whitfield, H.Himmelberg, L.Ash
C: R.Angwin, C.Oliver, H.Thomas
HF: C.Brown, P.Gothard, X.O’Halloran
F: J.Stringer, J.Hogan, J.Riccardi
FOLL: K.Briggs, T.Greene (c), F.Callaghan
I/C: J.Fonti, H.Rowston, M.Gruzewski, S.Coniglio, J.Delana
EMG: C.Stone, J.Leake, O.Hannaford
Team Tips: A couple of GWS youngsters continue to press their case for a shot at the big time, led by Ollie Hannaford, who had a big-time impact in the VFL side’s big win at the weekend. The dynamic forward-half player, who was an AFL emergency last Saturday, kicked 3.2 from 33 disposals and six marks. Meanwhile, Jack Ough was similarly impressive, kicking two goals from 36 possessions and six clearances. And there should be room this week for changes at selection after the Giants were sluggish early in a four-point loss to St Kilda. Meanwhile, a host of names are nearing a return, but they may need to wait another week or two before the cavalry truly starts to arrive. Toby Bedford (hamstring) could be a chance to play this week, while Aaron Cadman (pelvis) and Brent Daniels (hamstring) might be back in the frame in the next fortnight.
ST KILDA v BRISBANE LIONS
Saturday March 28, 12.35pm at Marvel Stadium
Saints’ Round 2 team
B: J.Silvagni, C.Wilkie, A.Caminiti
HB: J.Carroll, B.Hill, N.Wanganeen-Milera
C: M.Windhager, M.Hall, D.Wilson
HF: H.Garcia, M.Wood, M.Owens
F: J.Higgins, C.Sharman, R.Marshall
FOLL: T.De Koning, S.Flanders, J.Sinclair (c)
I/C: L.Stocker, M.Phillipou, A.Tauru, L.Ryan, H.Boxshall
EMG: L.Collard, D.Howard, A.Hastie
Team Tips: The Saints are on the board for 2026! Their four-point win over GWS last Saturday evening did come at a slight cost, though, with Anthony Caminiti ruled out in the first half of the opening term due to a hamstring complaint. In-game, young guns Alix Tauru (44% game time) and Mattaes Phillipou (57%) were carefully managed in greasy western Sydney conditions, and would ideally play bigger roles this weekend against the reigning premiers. Defender Hunter Clark will be pushing to make himself available from an adductor injury, though he may be welcomed back through the VFL. The reserves fielded their first stand-alone outfit in the state league since 2000 on Saturday afternoon, and it was first-year draftee Kye Fincher who caught the eye the most with 23 touches and a goal. Young defender Tobie Travaglia was compact in defence during the 44-point loss to the Giants, while unfortunately, Pick No.41 from last year’s draft, Charlie Banfield, was ruled out before quarter time with a shoulder injury.
Lions’ Round 1 team
B: K.Coleman, Z.Zakostelsky, R.Lester
HB: D.Wilmot, J.Fletcher, D.Zorko
C: B.Reville, W.Ashcroft, J.Berry
HF: C.Cameron, O.Allen, L.Ashcroft
F: S.Draper, C.Rayner, T.Gallop
FOLL: D.Fort, J.Dunkley (c), L.Neale
I/C: K.Lohmann, L.McCarthy, D.Annable, J.Tunstill, N.Answerth
EMG: S.Marshall, R.Torrent, D.Joyce
Team Tips: After starting their season 0-2, Brisbane’s early bye couldn’t have come at a much better time last week. Thankfully, they’ll welcome back Zac Bailey and Darcy Gardiner from one-week suspensions as two of several potential inclusions. The club is confident both Hugh McCluggage (calf) and Logan Morris (hand) will have overcome their respective niggles before Saturday afternoon to further bolster the reigning premiers. It leaves coach Chris Fagan needing to drop several players, and it may be a case of ‘last in, first out’ for most. Debutant Daniel Annable may be one of those to exit the best 23 despite a decent debut in just 60% game time, while Zane Zakostelsky and James Tunstill could be unlucky omissions. Eight-gamer Ty Gallop was very quiet in their Round 1 loss to Sydney, with he or Lincoln McCarthy the likely player to be squeezed out to make room for Morris in their forward line.
FREMANTLE v RICHMOND
Saturday March 28, 4.15pm at Optus Stadium
Dockers’ Round 2 team
B: O.McDonald, A.Pearce (c), H.Chapman
HB: J.Clark, L.Ryan, J.McVee
C: N.Erasmus, A.Brayshaw, M.Johnson
HF: J.Amiss, P.Voss, S.Switkowski
F: S.Bolton, J.Treacy, M.Reid
FOLL: S.Darcy, L.Jackson, C.Serong
I/C: C.Scerri, I.Dudley, N.O’Driscoll, K.Worner, C.Wagner
EMG: M.Cox, J.Sharp
Team Tips: There are only good selection problems to come out of Cockburn this week ahead of a Saturday afternoon date with Richmond, but their biggest headache may revolve around the deployment of Sean Darcy. While Fremantle’s second ruck has been heavily managed in the club’s first two games this season, his impact around the ground has been far from his best when he has played. It would be a shock to see Justin Longmuir drop the 27-year-old, but with SSP signing Mason Cox waiting in the wings and in great form, it’s now a genuine possibility. According to The West Australian, Cox compiled 17 disposals, 38 hit-outs, four marks and a goal in Peel Thunder’s loss to Claremont in a WAFL pre-season fixture. Elsewhere, Brandon Walker (general soreness) was a late out for Dockers last weekend and replaced by two-time All-Australian Luke Ryan, who looked to make the most of his last-minute opportunity. That being said, it may be hard for Ryan to keep his spot with Brennan Cox (calf) expected to be listed as a test this weekend. 118-gamer Bailey Banfield also impressed off half-back in Peel’s practice match, and will continue to be a consideration in future weeks.
Tigers’ Round 2 team
B: N.Balta, B.Miller, N.Broad
HB: S.Banks, J.Short, N.Vlastuin
C: H.Ralphsmith, J.Ross, J.Trezise
HF: S.Campbell, D.Prestia, M.Rioli
F: S.Lalor, T.Lynch, H.Armstrong
FOLL: T.Nankervis (c), T.Taranto, J.Hopper
I/C: M.Lefau, S.Green, T.Brown, S.Grlj, T.Sonsie
EMG: C.Gray, Z.Peucker
Team Tips: TO COME.
ESSENDON v NORTH MELBOURNE
Saturday March 28, 7.35pm at Marvel Stadium
Bombers’ Round 2 team
B: J.Prior, B.McKay, Z.Reid
HB: A.Roberts, M.Redman, A.McGrath (c)
C: X.Duursma, J.Caldwell, B.Fiorini
HF: S.Durham, N.Caddy, A.Perkins
F: I.Kako, P.Wright, K.Langford
FOLL: L.Blakiston, D.Parish, Z.Merrett
I/C: D.Sharp, M.Kondogiannis, H.El Achkar, Z.Johnson, J.Nguyen
EMG: J.Gresham, A.May, S.El-Hawli
Team Tips: In perhaps the understatement of the week, changes are coming at selection for Essendon. It’s just a matter of how many Brad Scott elects to make, and whether he makes one or two ‘statement’ axings. But while there were some good performers at reserves level, the VFL Bombers also got whacked by 85 points in a worrying sign of the club’s depth quality. Jacob Farrow could hold his head high after 31 disposals and a goal, and he could get a look-in for a debut with Mason Redman out for an extended period as he prepares to undergo surgery for a torn meniscus. However, given that Saad El-Hawli was an emergency last Sunday, he might be closer than Farrow to a call-up. Elijah Tsatas, a player of massive intrigue among Dons fans, had 23 disposals and eight clearances in the VFL, while in the forward half, Jade Gresham has been overlooked to start the year and might be a dynamic alternative for Scott to ponder over. Essendon’s supporters will be pining for Sully Robey to get his first crack at AFL level sooner rather than later, though you’d think he’ll need a considerable ramp-up period after back stress hampered his start to AFL life. Jordan Ridley continues to inch closer to a return from his calf injury, while Tom Edwards is almost back healthy from his knee injury. From the bad Port Adelaide loss, aside from Redman’s injury, Dyson Sharp left sore with an ankle injury and could be in some doubt this week.
Kangaroos’ Round 2 team
B: T.Pink, G.Logue, C.Comben
HB: F.O’Sullivan, C.Daniel, T.Blamires
C: J.Simpkin, T.Powell, D.Stephens
HF: P.Curtis, C.Trembath, J.Konstanty
F: C.Zurhaar, N.Larkey (c), L.Dovaston
FOLL: T.Xerri, L.Davies-Uniacke, H.Sheezel
I/C: Z.Duursma, C.McKercher, L.McDonald, L.Parker, J.Darling
EMG: C.Coleman-Jones, Z.Banch, R.Hansen Jr
Team Tips: TO COME.
PORT ADELAIDE v WEST COAST EAGLES
Sunday March 29, 12.3opm at Adelaide Oval
Power’s Round 2 team
B: J.Burgoyne, E.Ratugolea, T.Marshall
HB: M.Bergman, A.Aliir, K.Farrell
C: L.Evans, C.Rozee (c), J.Wehr
HF: J.Horne-Francis, M.Georgiades, J.Berry
F: D.Byrne-Jones, J.Whitlock, J.Richards
FOLL: J.Sweet, Z.Butters, W.Drew
I/C: C.Durdin, E.Mackinlay, J.Watkins, J.Mead, J.Lukosius
EMG: D.Visentini, J.Lai, W.Brodie
Team Tips: In highly disappointing news for the Power, Connor Rozee will miss an extended period with a high-grade hamstring tendon damage after pulling up lame against Essendon on Sunday. Port Adelaide says a specific timeline will become clearer “following surgical consultation”, adding on Monday: “He also experienced significant numbness in his leg following the incident, caused by the forceful traction of the nerve.” Rozee’s absence is likely to be months-long. Meanwhile, Miles Bergman won’t play in Josh Carr’s side this Sunday after sustaining an ankle injury against West Coast. “Scans show the 24-year-old has a sprain to the medial ankle, along with bruising of the heel,” Port Adelaide said, adding that he’ll be assessed further next week. Positively, though, Ollie Wines is available for selection this week, following his suspension.
Eagles’ Round 2 team
B: R.Ginbey, T.Young, B.Hough
HB: L.Duggan, H.Edwards, L.Baker (c)
C: H.Davis, E.Yeo, D.Robertson
HF: J.Graham, J.Shanahan, W.Duursma
F: A.Reid, J.Waterman, J.Cripps
FOLL: M.Flynn, H.Reid, T.McCarthy
I/C: T.Kelly, C.Duff-Tytler, B.Allan, J.Newton, M.Murdock
EMG: J.Lindsay, R.Maric, H.Schoenberg
Team Tips: TO COME.
CARLTON v MELBOURNE
Sunday March 29, 3.15pm at the MCG
Blues’ Round 1 team
B: H.Dean, J.Weitering, L.Young
HB: O.Hollands, M.McGovern, O.Florent
C: C.Lord, P.Cripps (c), C.Chesser
HF: W.Hayward, B.Kemp, E.Hollands
F: Z.Williams, H.Mcay, B.Ainsworth
R: M.Pittonet, J.Smith, S.Walsh
I/C: L.Cowan, G.Hewett, M.Carroll, L.Fogarty, H.O’Keeffe
EMG: T.Byrne, J.Boyd, A.Moir
Team Tips: TO COME.
Demons’ Round 2 team
B: D.Turner, J.Lever, C.Jiath
HB: B.Howes, X.Lindsay, C.Salem
C: T.Sparrow, J.Steele, H.Sharp
HF: K.Pickett, J.van Rooyen, E.Langdon
F: B.Fritsch, B.Mihocek, L.Pickett
FOLL: M.Gawn (c), C.Windsor, T.Rivers
I/C: H.Langford, K.Tholstrup, J.Culley, H.Petty, K.Chandler
EMG: B.Laurie, T.McDonald, M.Heath
Team Tips: TO COME.
BYE: Gold Coast Suns, Hawthorn, Sydney, Western Bulldogs
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