A month after his most recent concussion, Sydney defender Tom McCartin is set to return to the AFL lineup against Geelong. However, Patrick Dangerfield will not be making his comeback from a hamstring injury, as he was not included in Geelong’s team, and the Cats have also lost Ollie Henry to a hamstring injury.
McCartin sustained his concussion in round eight due to a high bump by GWS forward Callum Brown, resulting in a three-match suspension for Brown. This incident adds to McCartin’s history of concussions, as he missed nine games last season due to similar issues.
The 24-year-old key defender has been named at full-back for Sunday’s match at the SCG, while Geelong regains Mark Blicavs and Jhye Clark from suspension.
Essendon has included Kyle Langford and Todd Goldstein in their lineup to face Carlton. Langford has recovered from a hip issue that forced him off the field during the game against Gold Coast, while Goldstein, who had been managing an ankle injury, is back after missing last week’s match. However, Mason Redman is out due to a hamstring injury. Dylan Shiel, Will Setterfield, and Archie Roberts are all potential inclusions for Sunday’s match.
Coach Brad Scott expressed confidence in the team’s availability pending training outcomes but acknowledged potential challenges in determining the lineup.
On the other hand, Carlton will be without Orazio Fantasia due to an AC joint injury, and ruckman Marc Pittonet was not named due to a finger injury. However, twins Ben and Harry McKay have both been named, setting the stage for their first AFL-level showdown.
Tom Liberatore will return from concussion for the Western Bulldogs against Brisbane on Friday night. The Bulldogs have made changes with Buku Khamis coming in, while Sam Darcy (suspension) and James Harmes (hamstring) are sidelined.
Brisbane welcomes back Brandon Starcevich from injury and Eric Hipwood from suspension.
GWS sees the return of Callan Ward and Callum Brown, replacing Stephen Coniglio (knee) and Harry Perryman (hamstring) against an unchanged Hawthorn team on Saturday.
St Kilda has named Max King to face twin brother Ben’s Gold Coast at Marvel Stadium on Saturday night, with optimism surrounding King’s fitness. However, Brad Crouch is listed as an emergency for an unchanged team, while the Suns remain unchanged.
North Melbourne welcomes back co-captain Jy Simpkin from a lingering quad injury against West Coast. However, the Kangaroos are taking a cautious approach with sidelined No.2 draft pick Colby McKercher’s rehabilitation from a bone stress foot injury. Kallan Dawson returns, while Zane Duursma (managed) and Charlie Lazarro (omitted) make way.
West Coast is without suspended player Harley Reid but regains Jake Waterman, with mid-season draftee Jack Hutchinson making his debut and Jai Culley recalled.
