Adelaide, Collingwood sweating on pivotal pair

Steve Larkin | April 28, 2023

Adelaide and Collingwood are both sweating on the fitness of star players ahead of Sunday’s AFL blockbuster.

The Crows’ triple club champion Rory Laird is battling a calf injury but has been named for the Adelaide Oval encounter between his fifth-placed side and the second-placed Pies.

And Collingwood have included Steele Sidebottom in their team despite the stalwart missing Friday training because of illness.

Both Laird and Sidebottom face last-minute fitness tests ahead of the twilight fixture.

The Magpies confirmed ex-captain Scott Pendlebury will miss the clash because of an eye injury while Trey Ruscoe has been dropped.

Midfielder Taylor Adams and Nathan Murphy return to Collingwood’s line-up.

Geelong’s Jed Bews is back for Sunday’s game against Essendon with Cam Guthrie sidelined by a toe injury.

The Bombers have swung five changes – Alwyn Davey and Will Snelling have been dropped, Dyson Heppell and Jye Menzie are being managed while Jayden Laverde is out with a shoulder injury.

Skipper Zac Merrett returns from suspension while Nick Hind, Massimo Ambrosio, Anthony McDonald-Tipungwuti return.

Richmond have summoned Nathan Broad, Ivan Soldo, Tyler Sonsie and Jack Ross for their Sunday encounter against Gold Coast.

The Tigers lost Dion Prestia (managed) and Maurice Rioli Jnr (hamstring) while Rhyan Mansell, Judson Clarke and Hugo Ralphsmith were omitted.

The Suns will be without captain Touk Miller (knee) and Levi Casboult (rested) while dropping Mac Andrew and Malcolm Rosas. Alex Sexton, Rory Atkins Alex Davies come into their side.