Stringer injury blow for Bombers in AFL
Shayne Hope |
Essendon star Jake Stringer has been ruled out of the AFL clash with Adelaide in a huge blow to the Bombers’ chances of registering their first win of the season.
Stringer, who missed the round-one defeat to Geelong with a groin injury, has now been sidelined by a hamstring issue.
James Stewart (calf) and Tom Cutler (virus protocols) are also out, while Alec Waterman, Brandon Zerk-Thatcher and Will Snelling return to the side.
The Bombers’ changes for Sunday’s game at Marvel Stadium come as Adelaide welcome back experienced duo Rory Sloane and Taylor Walker.
Sloane has overcome an adductor issue, while Walker is back after serving a six-match suspension for making a racist remark last August.
A selection squeeze has led to St Kilda leaving impressive recruit Jack Hayes out of their side for Sunday’s clash with Hawthorn at the MCG.
Paddy Ryder and Rowan Marshall will operate as a ruck-forward combination without Hayes and Jack Higgins (concussion) is out for the Saints, while Marcus Windhager will debut.
Hawthorn have lost Chad Wingard (corked calf) but regain Jarman Impey for his first game since round 14 last year.
Jack Scrimshaw has been named for the Hawks despite earlier fears he had fractured his scapula, which turned out to be bad bruising.
Gold Coast have swung the axe after their disappointing defeat to GWS in round three, dropping Rory Atkins, Alex Sexton, Caleb Graham and Jeremy Sharp.
Izak Rankine will return for the Suns against Carlton at Metricon Stadium after missing two weeks with a corked quadriceps, with Jy Farrar and Malcolm Rosas also recalled.
Carlton have regained running defender Adam Saad from virus protocols as they shoot for their first 4-0 start to a season since 1995 – their most recent premiership year.
Ruckman Marc Pittonet was named for the Blues despite being substituted out of last week’s win over Hawthorn with a back injury.
AAP