Pie Pendlebury given an extended rest, Crows load up

Justin Chadwick |

Collingwood have decided to rest veteran Scott Pendlebury for the match against Port Adelaide.
Collingwood have decided to rest veteran Scott Pendlebury for the match against Port Adelaide.

AFL games record-holder Scott Pendlebury has been handed an extended rest, while Western Bulldogs veteran Tom Liberatore will make his long-awaited return this weekend.

In other big round 15 selection news, the Bulldogs have rested Cody Weightman just two games into his return from a knee injury, while Stephen Coniglio is back for GWS, and Adelaide have been boosted by the return of Mark Keane, Izak Rankine and Taylor Walker.

Pendlebury, who has racked up a record 435 AFL games, will effectively have a fortnight off, given Collingwood had a bye last week and the 38-year-old is being “managed” from Saturday night’s clash with Port Adelaide at the MCG.

Sam Swadling will make his AFL debut for Collingwood.
Sam Swadling will make his AFL debut for Collingwood against the Power at the MCG. (Adam Trafford/AAP PHOTOS)

Magpies midfielder Sam Swadling, 19, has been named for his AFL debut, while Ned Long and Steele Sidebottom are back.

Port regain Jack Lukosius following a two-month block of groin rehab, but Brownlow Medal winner Ollie Wines has been rested.

Richmond ruckman Toby Nankervis, who hasn’t played since injuring his hamstring in round two, has been named in the Tigers’ extended squad and is likely to face North Melbourne on Sunday.

Liberatore hasn’t played since injuring his knee and suffering a concussion in round six, but will return for Sunday’s meeting with St Kilda at Marvel Stadium.

Tom Liberatore
Tom Liberatore, who hasn’t played for the Bulldogs since round six, returns to take on St Kilda. (Rob Prezioso/AAP PHOTOS)

Adam Treloar (Illness) and Weightman (managed) go out, with the Saints naming Jack Higgins (knee) in their extended squad.

Crows defender Keane will play his first AFL game since a pre-season leg injury, with the Crows also bolstered by the return of Rankine (calf) and Walker (suspension) for Saturday’s battle with Melbourne in Adelaide.

The Demons have lost Harrison Petty (hamstring) and Lukas Cooke (face) to injury, and have recalled Matthew Jefferson, Caleb Windsor and Tom McDonald.

The Suns will unveil debutant Beau Addinsall for Friday night’s crunch encounter with Hawthorn, with Gold Coast also naming Nick Holman and ruckman Jarrod Witts.

Izak Rankine and Taylor Walker
Izak Rankine and Taylor Walker return to bolster the Crows’ attack against Melbourne. (Matt Turner/AAP PHOTOS)

Ben Jepson, Lachie Gulbin and Charlie Ballard were all dropped following Gold Coast’s third loss on the trot.

Hawthorn will again be without star forward Jack Gunston (foot), but welcome back Tom Barrass (hamstring).

Veteran midfielder Coniglio is back for GWS for their match against Carlton, with the in-form Blues recalling Matthew Cottrell.

Brisbane, Essendon, Sydney and West Coast all have a bye this week.

AAP