AFL Team Line-ups: A Comprehensive Look Ahead
As the AFL season heats up, clubs are finalising their squads, with several teams seeing significant changes to their playing lists. Injuries, suspensions, and strategic omissions are shaping the weekend’s matchups, promising an exciting round of action. Here’s a detailed breakdown of the ins and outs for each club.
Hawthorn Hawks
The Hawks appear to be sticking with their core group, with no changes announced to their lineup. Their defensive unit will be anchored by J. Scrimshaw, T. Barrass, and J. Impey, with J. Battle, J. Sicily, and B. Hardwick providing support from the half-back line. The midfield will see D. Moore, C. Mackenzie, and K. Amon in the centre, with J. Ginnivan, C. Nash, and N. Watson looking to provide drive from the half-forward line. The forward division will be led by S. Butler, M. Lewis, and J. Gunston. The ruck will be handled by L. Meek, with J. Newcombe and J. Weddle rounding out the on-ball brigade. The interchange bench includes M. D’Ambrosio, J. Ward, N. Reeves, C. Macdonald, and M. Chol, with H. Morrison, C. Dear, and M. Hill listed as emergencies.
Sydney Swans
The Swans have been hit by injuries, with key players I. Heeney and E. Gulden both sidelined. Coming into the side are Co. Warner and C. Cleary, bolstering their attacking options. The defensive line-up features L. Melican, T. McCartin, and C. Mills, with S. Wicks, N. Blakey, and R. Bice providing a solid half-back structure. The midfield will be a battleground with J. Serong, J. McInerney, and M. Roberts, while M. Rosas, J. Jordon, and Co. Warner will aim to create opportunities from half-forward. The forward line is spearheaded by J. Amartey, T. Papley, and C. Curnow. The ruck will be managed by B. Grundy, supported by J. Rowbottom and Ch. Warner. The interchange includes D. Rampe, A. Sheldrick, C. Cleary, J. Lloyd, and L. McDonald. J. Hamling, P. Ladhams, and H. McLean are the emergencies.
Adelaide Crows
The Crows have made one significant inclusion, with I. Rankine coming into the side. T. Murray has been managed, meaning he will sit out this round. The defence is comprised of W. Milera, J. Butts, and H. Bond, with N. Murray, J. Worrell, and R. Laird forming the half-back line. The centreline will see B. Cook, J. Dawson, and I. Cumming working together. The half-forward division will be powered by I. Rankine, R. Thilthorpe, and J. Rachele. The forward targets are A. Neal-Bullen, T. Walker, and D. Fogarty. The ruck is in the capable hands of L. McAndrew, with S. Berry and B. Keays supporting in the midfield. The interchange bench features J. Peatling, C. Ah Chee, L. Pedlar, J. Soligo, and M. Michalanney. Emergencies are C. Jones, R. O’Brien, and J. Borlase.
Western Bulldogs
The Western Bulldogs have brought J. Croft into the team, while W. Lewis has been omitted. The defence will consist of L. Jaques, B. Khamis, and R. Lobb, with C. Budarick, J. O’Donnell, and B. Dale providing structure from half-back. The midfield is led by the influential S. Davidson, M. Bontempelli, and B. Williams. R. West, S. Darcy, and J. Freijah will be looking to impact from half-forward. The forward line is a potent mix of J. Croft, A. Naughton, and T. Liberatore. The ruck duties will fall to T. English, with M. Kennedy and E. Richards completing the on-ball group. The interchange includes M. Sellwood, O. Baker, C. Hynes, R. Sanders, and L. Bramble. A. Jones, W. Lewis, and J. Busslinger are the emergencies.
Richmond Tigers
The Tigers have a number of inclusions this week, with N. Vlastuin, D. Prestia, M. Lefau, and T. Brown all coming into the side. Out are R. Mansell (injured), J. Faull (suspension), J. Gibcus (omitted), and C. Gray (omitted). The defence is formed by N. Balta, B. Miller, and N. Broad, with S. Banks, J. Short, and N. Vlastuin providing support from half-back. The centreline will be driven by H. Ralphsmith, J. Ross, and K. McAuliffe. The half-forward line features S. Campbell, D. Prestia, and M. Rioli. The forward targets are S. Lalor, T. Lynch, and H. Armstrong. The ruck role is taken by T. Nankervis, with T. Taranto and J. Hopper in the midfield. The interchange bench includes M. Lefau, J. Trezise, S. Green, T. Brown, and S. Grlj. Emergencies are C. Gray, T. Sonsie, and Z. Peucker.
Gold Coast Suns
The Suns have made two changes, with C. Ballard and B. Humphrey entering the team. O. Adams and J. Farrar have been omitted. The backline will be marshalled by C. Ballard, S. Collins, and B. Uwland, with J. Noble, M. Andrew, and D. Rioli providing a strong half-back presence. The centreline is comprised of L. Weller, W. Powell, and S. Clohesy. The half-forward line will see T. Miller, E. Read, and W. Graham looking to set up scoring opportunities. The forward line is a dangerous combination of B. Humphrey, B. King, and L. Lombard. The ruck is handled by J. Witts, with N. Anderson and C. Petracca in the midfield. The interchange bench includes A. Davies, J. Jeffrey, B. Long, J. Rogers, and Z. Uwland. N. Moyle, L. Gulbin, and J. Farrar are the emergencies.
GWS Giants
The GWS Giants have opted to keep their lineup unchanged. The defence is a solid unit with J. Laverde, J. Buckley, and C. Idun, supported by L. Whitfield, H. Himmelberg, and L. Ash from half-back. The midfield will be driven by R. Angwin, C. Oliver, and H. Thomas. The half-forward line will see C. Brown, P. Gothard, and X. O’Halloran working to create chances. The forward line is led by J. Stringer, J. Hogan, and J. Riccardi. The ruck duties will be performed by K. Briggs, with T. Greene and F. Callaghan in the midfield. The interchange bench includes J. Fonti, H. Rowston, M. Gruzewski, S. Coniglio, and J. Delana. Emergencies are C. Stone, J. Leake, and O. Hannaford.
St Kilda Saints
The Saints have brought R. Marshall and L. Stocker into their squad. J. Macrae is out due to injury, and I. Keeler has been omitted. The defence features J. Silvagni, C. Wilkie, and A. Caminiti, with J. Carroll, B. Hill, and N. Wanganeen-Milera providing support from half-back. The centreline is a dynamic trio of M. Windhager, M. Hall, and D. Wilson. The half-forward line will be a key area with H. Garcia, M. Wood, and M. Owens looking to set up attacks. The forward targets are J. Higgins, C. Sharman, and R. Marshall. The ruck is in the hands of T. De Koning, with S. Flanders and J. Sinclair in the midfield. The interchange bench includes L. Stocker, M. Phillipou, A. Tauru, L. Ryan, and H. Boxshall. L. Collard, D. Howard, and A. Hastie are the emergencies.
Fremantle Dockers
The Dockers have made one change, with C. Scerri coming into the side. H. Young is sidelined due to injury. The defence is anchored by O. McDonald, A. Pearce, and H. Chapman, with J. Clark, B. Walker, and J. McVee providing structure from half-back. The midfield will be a crucial battle with N. Erasmus, A. Brayshaw, and M. Johnson. J. Amiss, P. Voss, and S. Switkowski will be looking to impact from half-forward. The forward line is comprised of S. Bolton, J. Treacy, and M. Reid. The ruck is handled by S. Darcy, with L. Jackson and C. Serong in the midfield. The interchange bench includes C. Scerri, I. Dudley, N. O’Driscoll, K. Worner, and C. Wagner. M. Cox, L. Ryan, and J. Sharp are the emergencies.
Melbourne Demons
The Melbourne Demons have elected to keep their playing list unchanged for this round. The defence will be led by D. Turner, J. Lever, and C. Jiath, with B. Howes, X. Lindsay, and C. Salem providing a strong half-back line. The centreline features T. Sparrow, J. Steele, and H. Sharp. The half-forward line will see K. Pickett, J. van Rooyen, and E. Langdon aiming to create scoring opportunities. The forward targets are B. Fritsch, B. Mihocek, and L. Pickett. The ruck duties are performed by the experienced M. Gawn, with C. Windsor and T. Rivers in the midfield. The interchange bench includes H. Langford, K. Tholstrup, J. Culley, H. Petty, and K. Chandler. B. Laurie, T. McDonald, and M. Heath are the emergencies.
Port Adelaide Power
Port Adelaide has made several inclusions, with J. Sweet, J. Lai, W. Brodie, J. Mead, and J. Lukosius coming into the squad. L. Jones is out injured, and O. Lord has been omitted. The defence is formed by J. Burgoyne, E. Ratugolea, and T. Marshall, with M. Bergman, A. Aliir, and K. Farrell providing a solid half-back line. The centreline will be driven by L. Evans, C. Rozee, and J. Wehr. The half-forward line features J. Horne-Francis, M. Georgiades, and J. Berry. The forward targets are D. Byrne-Jones, J. Whitlock, and J. Richards. The ruck duties are in the hands of J. Sweet, with Z. Butters and W. Drew in the midfield. The extended interchange bench includes C. Durdin, E. Mackinlay, J. Lai, D. Visentini, W. Brodie, J. Watkins, J. Mead, and J. Lukosius.
Essendon Bombers
Essendon has brought I. Kako, J. Gresham, and S. El-Hawli into their lineup. No players have been listed as out. The defence is comprised of J. Prior, B. McKay, and Z. Reid, with A. Roberts, M. Redman, and A. McGrath providing support from half-back. The centreline features X. Duursma, J. Caldwell, and B. Fiorini. The half-forward line will see S. Durham, N. Caddy, and A. Perkins looking to create chances. The forward line is led by I. Kako, P. Wright, and K. Langford. The ruck is handled by L. Blakiston, with D. Parish and Z. Merrett in the midfield. The extended interchange bench includes J. Gresham, D. Sharp, A. May, M. Kondogiannis, H. El Achkar, Z. Johnson, S. El-Hawli, and J. Nguyen.
West Coast Eagles
The West Coast Eagles have seen a number of players come into the side, including H. Edwards, L. Baker, T. Kelly, and H. Schoenberg. T. Cole has been omitted. The defence is formed by R. Ginbey, T. Young, and B. Hough, with L. Duggan, H. Edwards, and L. Baker providing a strong half-back structure. The centreline features H. Davis, E. Yeo, and D. Robertson. The half-forward line will see J. Graham, J. Shanahan, and W. Duursma aiming to impact the game. The forward line is comprised of A. Reid, J. Waterman, and J. Cripps. The ruck is in the hands of M. Flynn, with H. Reid and T. McCarthy in the midfield. The extended interchange bench includes J. Lindsay, T. Kelly, C. Duff-Tytler, R. Maric, B. Allan, J. Newton, M. Murdock, and H. Schoenberg.
North Melbourne Kangaroos
North Melbourne has made three inclusions: C. Coleman-Jones, Z. Banch, and R. Hansen jnr. No players have been listed as out. The defence is a solid unit with T. Pink, G. Logue, and C. Comben, supported by F. O’Sullivan, C. Daniel, and T. Blamires from half-back. The midfield will be driven by J. Simpkin, T. Powell, and D. Stephens. The half-forward line will see P. Curtis, C. Trembath, and J. Konstanty working to create chances. The forward line is led by C. Zurhaar, N. Larkey, and L. Dovaston. The ruck duties will be performed by T. Xerri, with L. Davies-Uniacke and H. Sheezel in the midfield. The extended interchange bench includes Z. Duursma, C. McKercher, L. McDonald, C. Coleman-Jones, L. Parker, J. Darling, Z. Banch, and R. Hansen jnr.
