Kangaroos gun Wardlaw returns, Cats get Miers back
Shayne Hope |
Geelong welcome back Gryan Miers from concussion in round nine as George Wardlaw returns for North Melbourne against a Brisbane Lions outfit bolstered by the return of two premiership forwards.
The ladder-leading Lions have regained Logan Morris (calf) and Kai Lohmann (shoulder) for Sunday’s trip to Hobart, where they face a Kangaroos side desperate to snap a six-match losing run.
Wardlaw’s inclusion after a week off with a corked thigh is a boost for Alastair Clarkson’s side, who have also called up defenders Aidan Corr and Toby Pink.
Jackson Archer (hamstring) is unavailable while Kallan Dawson and Will Phillips have been dropped.
Sam Day (hamstring) is out for Brisbane, who have left out Conor McKenna and Will McLachlan, while premiership tall Darcy Fort is back to help No.1 ruckman Oscar McInerney.
Geelong forward Miers is back to take on GWS at GMHBA Stadium on Sunday after he was concussed by a high blow from Hawthorn’s Connor Nash on Easter Monday, which earnt Nash a four-match ban.
The Cats have also recalled Ted Clohesy and Jed Bews, who is back from a finger injury, while Lawson Humphries (concussion), Rhys Stanley (hamstring) and Oli Wiltshire (omitted) are out.
The Giants have handed a debut to draftee Cody Angove and recalled Jake Riccardi, with Toby Bedford (eye) and Darcy Jones (knee) unavailable.
Also on Sunday, Richmond will give key forward Tom Sims his debut against winless West Coast.
Kane McAuliffe returns for the Tigers, with Maurice Rioli and James Trezise dropped.
The Eagles have lost Jeremy McGovern (concussion) and Bo Allan (suspended), and dropped tall forward Jack Williams, for their first trip to the MCG this season.
Sandy Brock and Tom Gross will play at the home of football for the first time, while Bailey Williams has also been recalled.
AAP
