Crows make six changes, Freo young gun to miss big game
Roger Vaughan |
Murphy Reid and Taylor Walker will miss the AFL blockbuster between Fremantle and Adelaide, with the Crows confirming mass changes.
The Western Bulldogs will rest captain Marcus Bontempelli for Sunday’s game against Carlton, while Geelong skipper Patrick Dangerfield will return on Saturday against North Melbourne.
Reid did not train on Wednesday after the Dockers young gun suffered a hit to his groin early in last weekend’s upset loss to Melbourne.
It will be the first game that Reid will miss since making his debut in round one last season.
Three days after announcing he would retire at the end of the season, Walker was among six omissions from the fifth-placed Crows’ line-up for Friday night’s clash against the ladder leaders.
Walker was in the 26-player squad that travelled to Perth and coach Matthew Nicks had said it would be a tough decision.
Adelaide want Walker ready for the finals and Nicks noted the veteran forward would come up for six consecutive games – the last two of the regular season and potentially four finals.
As Darcy Fogarty returns from suspension, the Crows also regained top ruckman Lachlan McAndrew from a one-game spell.
Defender James Borlase and utility Luke Nankervis are back from injury, while Jake Soligo and Toby Murray were also recalled.
Alex Neal-Bullen is out for personal reasons and Adelaide also dropped Archie Ludowyke, Oscar Ryan, Reilly O’Brien and Billy Dowling.
Fremantle will regain captain Alex Pearce and Chris Scerri, while Judd McVee was dropped.
The Bulldogs are guaranteed a wildcard berth and Bontempelli will miss his first game this season.
Carlton have named top defender Jacob Weitering, who has been out since round 13 with a calf injury, in their squad.
Dangerfield will return from a two-week spell against the Kangaroos, who are unchanged. The Cats lost Sam De Koning to injury and regained Mitch Edwards, with Jack Martin managed.
Collingwood will regain veterans Scott Pendlebury and Jordan De Goey for Saturday night’s big game against Hawthorn, who will give Max Beattie his AFL debut.
They also brought back Bailey Macdonald for axed pair Ned Reeves and Sam Butler.
Gold Coast vice-captain Sam Collins will return from injury for the Q-clash against the Brisbane Lions.
AAP