AFL form guide: Port dump five, Crows unchanged
Port Adelaide coach Ken Hinkley has swung the axe with five omissions for the visit of GWS Giants.
Tom Clurey, Andrew Moore, Sam Colquhoun, key ruckman Matthew Lobbe and Aaron Young have all been axed, with all but Colquhoun to line up in tonight’s SANFL match against Glenelg at the Bay.
Colquhoun is the emergency for the Power’s Saturday afternoon home game.
Coming into the team are Brendon Ah Chee, Tom Jonas, Nathan Krakouer, Kane Mitchell and Angus Monfries.
The Giants have some significant omissions, including key midfielder Stephen Coniglio who will miss out due to concussion. As well as Coniglio, the GWS midfield has also been weakened with the loss of Tom Scully and Adam Treloar due to injury. Tom Bugg, Jack Steele and Zac Williams come into the team.
Essendon can count on David Myers again after a long lay-off and Tayte Pears for the first time since 2013, as they attempt to snap a four-week losing streak when they play Adelaide on Saturday afternoon.
The Crows are unchanged for the trip to Etihad Stadium, but Myers’ return from a shoulder dislocation suffered in round one is among three Bombers changes.
Collingwood will throw the kitchen sink at their last shot at an unlikely AFL finals campaign, naming power forward Travis Cloke for Friday night’s match at the SCG.
The contested marking king missed the past three weeks with a calf complaint but has proved his fitness for Nathan Buckley’s side.
Cloke will line up alongside Ben Reid and youngster Darcy Moore for the first time, with the match a must-win for the Magpies’ fading finals ambitions.
They’ll confront a Sydney outfit short of their best form and without two stars in Lance Franklin and Ben McGlynn, though the return of Gary Rohan (hamstring) after five matches and Mike Pyke (knee) will boost the Swans.
Sydney assistant coach Stuart Dew said he was looking forward to Rohan’s return.
“His ability to take a mark in the forward line and kick a goal when we need it has been sorely missed … he’s such an important player for us,” Dew said.
“We’ve won before without Buddy, so other guys need to step up.”
The Magpies also recalled Jordan De Goey, dropping Matthew Scharenberg and Brayden Maynard.
On Saturday night, Steve Johnson will celebrate his 250th match by returning from suspension to face Hawthorn.
Johnson will replace George Horlin-Smith for the marquee occasion, while Hawthorn have made three changes in James Frawley’s 150th game.
Daniel Howe will play his second career game, with rested pair Brian Lake and David Hale returning to the line-up at the expense of Jonathon Ceglar (back) and dropped duo Ryan Schoenmakers and Taylor Duryea.
North Melbourne have named Shaun Higgins (knee) and Ben Brown (calf) for their trip to Hobart, despite the pair reporting injury niggles after their win over Melbourne.
Michael Firrito’s return from suspension is the Kangaroos’ sole inclusion, while opponents St Kilda have made four forced changes.
Darren Minchington, Billy Longer, Jimmy Webster and Josh Saunders replace Daniel McKenzie (concussion), Shane Savage (hip), Paddy McCartin (soreness) and Jack Lonie (leg) after their bruising loss to Fremantle.
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In preliminary squads for the table-topping Western derby, Fremantle star Nat Fyfe has been named as expected. Eagles ruckman Nic Naitanui remains on compassionate leave after the death of his mother.
FRIDAY, Aug 14
Sydney v Collingwood at SCG 7.50pm
Head to Head: Swans 81 Magpies 140 drawn 1
Last clash: Round 2 2014 – Magpies 12.17 (89) bt Swans 10.9 (69) at ANZ Stadium
Tab Sportsbet: Swans $1.42 Magpies $2.90
William Hill: Swans $1.40 Magpies $3.00
Sydney’s top four aspirations hinge on downing the Magpies, who despite their recent woes still remain a finals chance – two games outside the eight. Collingwood do have a great record at this ground and recall Travis Cloke but beyond that it’s hard to make a case for Nathan Buckley’s side. They’ll meet the fifth-placed Swans looking for a return to form from their deep and talented midfield. But Lance Franklin misses again with a sore back.
Key: Magpie captain Scott Pendlebury will need to produce one out of the box. His poise around the packs and prolific ball-winning are a vital component in countering Sydney’s heralded onball brigade.
Tip: Swans by 24 points
SATURDAY, Aug 15
Essendon v Adelaide at Etihad Stadium 1.45pm
Head to Head: Bombers 18 Crows 15
Last clash: Round 14 2014 – Bombers 15.11 (101) bt Crows 14.8 (92) at Etihad Stadium
Tab Sportsbet: Bombers $4.00 Crows $1.23
William Hill: Bombers $3.70 Crows $1.25
A crucial match for Adelaide’s ambitions to rise above their current ninth spot. The Crows, with ruckman Sam Jacobs and his prime midfielders Patrick Dangerfield and Scott Thompson in brilliant touch, have won three of five under interim coach Scott Camporeale. But they remain on knife’s edge, out of the eight on percentage. The dismal season of the Bombers (15th, five wins) is heading towards an inevitable conclusion in what looms as another testing month for coach James Hird.
Key: Can Crows captain Taylor Walker kick straight? The Adelaide powerhouse potted only two of nine shots last week, continuing an inaccurate season which has returned 41 goals 34 behinds.
Tip: Crows by 30 points
North Melbourne v St Kilda at Blundstone Arena 2.10pm
Head to Head: Kangaroos 74 Saints 76 drawn 2
Last clash: Round 17 2014 – Kangaroos 13.14 (92) bt Saints 3.15 (33) at Blundstone Arena
Tab Sportsbet: Kangaroos $1.22 Saints $4.25
William Hill: Kangaroos $1.23 Saints $4.20
North Melbourne are in a tight squeeze: while the sixth-placed Roos are just a win behind fourth spot, they’re also just a win ahead of 10th. But the Kangas will fancy their chances against a Saints side staring a third consecutive loss.
Key: North ruckman Todd Goldstein not only leads the competition for hit outs, averaging more than 45 a game, he’s also collecting 15 disposals a game. The Saints must curtail him to stand a chance.
Tip: Kangaroos by 48 points
Port Adelaide v Greater Western Sydney at Adelaide Oval 4.35pm
Head to Head: Power 3 Giants 1
Last clash: Round 7 2014 – Power 20.12 (132) bt Giants 15.7 (97) at Manuka Oval
Tab Sportsbet: Power $1.40 Giants $3.00
William Hill: Power $1.40 Giants $3.00
Port’s season of disappointment was confirmed in defeat last week: they’ll miss the finals for the first time in three years under coach Ken Hinkley. The Power’s defensive inability is telling – in three of their past four games, opponents have kicked 17 goals or more. The 10th-placed Giants, just two points shy of eighth, need to pinch a win or two on the road in the run home to sneak into the finals for the first time.
Key: Can Jeremy Cameron be contained? The star Giant forward needs two more goals to reach the 50-goal milestone and looms as the game-breaker.
Tip: Port by 12 points
Geelong v Hawthorn at MCG 7.20pm
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Head to Head: Cats 85 Hawks 71 drawn 1
Last clash: Round 1 2015 – Hawks 17.21 (123) bt Cats 8.13 (61) at MCG
Tab Sportsbet: Cats $4.00 Hawks $1.25
William Hill: Cats $3.90 Hawks $1.26
Hawthorn’s win in the west has them eyeing a top two finish, while Geelong will likely be tipped from the top eight with a loss. The Cats, ranked last in the competition for contested possessions, will need their veteran big guns to fire another shot at their modern-day arch rivals with the output of Jimmy Bartel and Steve Johnson vital to their chances. The celebrated duo need to help Geelong break even in the midfield, otherwise Hawthorn’s multi-threat forward line will feast on opportunities.
Key: Can Geelong restrict Hawk Jack Gunston? The canny forward is quietly compiling a standout season – 40 goals and third-most marks in the league.
Tip: Hawks by 30 points
Brisbane Lions v Carlton at Gabba 7.20pm
Head to Head: Lions 14 Blues 14
Last clash: Round 6 2015 – Lions 12.12 (84) bt Blues 11.9 (75) at Etihad Stadium
Tab Sportsbet: Lions $1.81 Blues $2.00
William Hill: Lions $1.80 Blues $2.00
A clash of the also-rans but also a chance for either club to grab a valuable win. This is Brisbane’s opportunity to get off the bottom of the ladder – they’re a win and some percentage behind the 17th-placed Blues. That fact alone should ensure a spicy fixture between clubs with the worst defensive records in the competition. The Lions, winners just twice this season, also have the least-potent attack in the league.
Key: Will Carton captain Marc Murphy, still top 20 in the comp for disposals, be able to shake an expected hard tag and give his side enough midfield grunt?
Tip: Lions by 10 points
SUNDAY, Aug 16
Richmond v Gold Coast at MCG 1.10pm
Head to Head: Tigers 1 Suns 3
Last clash: Round 1 2014 – Suns 12.15 (87) bt Tigers 10.9 (69) at Metricon Stadium
Tab Sportsbet: Tigers $1.18 Suns $4.90
William Hill: Tigers $1.17 Suns $5.00
Richmond’s top-four hopes took a hit with a loss in Adelaide last week but the Tigers, although seventh, are still only a win behind fourth-placed Western Bulldogs – making this result vital. The Suns are limping towards the end of their season and should be easy prey for a finals-bound side. Richmond, with a midfield headed by Trent Cotchin and Dustin Martin, appear to have too many weapons for the Suns to silence.
Key: Will Richmond’s Alex Rance quell Gold Coast attacker Tom Lynch, who has struck a rich vein of form to become arguably the form forward in the competition.
Tip: Tigers by 24 points
Western Bulldogs v Melbourne at Etihad Stadium 3.20pm
Head to Head: Bulldogs 74 Demons 85 drawn 1
Last clash: Round 8 2015 – Demons 15.13 (103) bt Bulldogs 9.10 (64) at MCG
Tab Sportsbet: Bulldogs $1.22 Demons $4.25
William Hill: Bulldogs $1.20 Demons $4.60
People keep waiting for the Dogs to fall but they keep winning. They’re still fourth and hot favourite to stay there with a win against a disappointing Melbourne, stuck in 14th spot with six wins.
Key: A duel for the purists: Bulldog Matthew Boyd and Demon Nathan Jones may not be the flashiest players but their sheer bloody-mindedness sets up a gruelling match-up vital to the outcome.
Tip: Bulldogs by 48 points
Fremantle v West Coast at Domain Stadium 4.40pm
Head to Head: Dockers 20 Eagles 21
Last clash: Round 3 2015 – Dockers 17.9 (111) bt Eagles 12.9 (81) at Domain Stadium
Tab Sportsbet: Dockers $1.55 Eagles $2.45
William Hill: Dockers $1.53 Eagles $2.50
The match of the round, this is the most anticipated derby in ages. Ladder leaders Freo appear assured of a coveted top-two spot. But the second-placed Eagles hold just a two-point buffer from Hawthorn in third position. Will the Dockers’ stingy defence, which has conceded fewer scores than any this season, prevail against a free-scoring West Coast featuring likely Coleman medallist Josh Kennedy? Aaron Sandilands is likely to rule the ruck if Nic Naitanui, who was not named, does not return from compassionate leave.
Key: How does Freo coach Ross Lyon stop West Coast duo Matt Priddis and Andrew Gaff? The pair have been relentless ball-hunters all season and lead the league for disposals.
Tip: Dockers by 9 points
– with AAP
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