Grundy to face rookie
JOURNEYMAN Andrew Phillips will make his Essendon debut after the Bombers chose to manage fellow ruckman Tom Bellchambers for tonight’s clash with Collingwood.
Phillips will go at it alone in the ruck against Brodie Grundy in what is set to be only his 12th AFL game in four seasons.
The former Carlton and Greater Western Sydney ruckman played in Essendon’s preseason games and impressed in a scratch match against Carlton’s reserves last weekend.
The Bombers have recalled Jayden Laverde, who kicked three goals in that scratch match against the Blues, while former North Melbourne midfielder Mitchell Hibberd is set to join Phillips in making his Essendon debut.
However, Conor McKenna has been left out of the side despite being eligible to return after serving his quarantine period following a positive COVID-19 test.
Matt Scharenberg and Travis Varcoe will play their first games for Collingwood since last year, as will Adam Treloar.
The trio replace Jeremy Howe (knee), Steele Sidebottom (suspension) and John Noble (omitted).
Richmond has dropped Sydney Stack and Jack Ross for its clash with Melbourne on Sunday, but Daniel Rioli returns as part of an extended interchange bench.
Noah Balta and Ryan Garthwaite have also been added as possible replacements for injured defender David Astbury (knee).
The Western Bulldogs have named key forward Josh Schache to play his first game of the year, while Easton Wood and Lin Jong return from injury for tomorrow night’s clash with North Melbourne.
Defender Jeremy McGovern will return for West Coast’s clash with Sydney tomorrow, while Adelaide has named Matt Crouch on the extended interchange bench for its clash with fellow struggler Fremantle on Sunday after sensationally dropping the midfielder last week.