BOOST FOR CATS —
GEELONG will welcome back champion midfielder Gary Ablett and veteran defender Harry Taylor for Sunday’s blockbuster against a rejuvenated Collingwood.
Ablett has missed the past four games with another hamstring problem but will rejoin Joel Selwood and Patrick Dangerfield in the Geelong engine room at the MCG.
Collingwood supremo Scott Pendlebury and Daniel Wells have both been included in the Magpies’ extended squad, although the captain will have a last-minute test on his injured ankle.
Richmond onballer Dion Prestia has been sidelined with a calf problem for Sunday’s clash against North Melbourne.
Skipper Trent Cotchin will take Prestia’s place in the middle after missing one game with a knock to the leg, while gun defender Brandon Ellis is also in the extended squad.
Western Bulldogs regain superstar onballer Marcus Bontempelli for tomorrow night’s clash against Fremantle, but second-year ruckman Tim English has been dropped.
Essendon speedster Orazio Fantasia will make his comeback for the Bombers alongside Shaun McKernan in place of injured spearhead Joe Daniher (groin) and line-breaker Andrew McGrath (calf).
Carlton’s new recruit Darcy Lang will make his debut for the Blues against the Bombers, but captain Marc Murphy will miss another week with a foot problem.
No.1 draft pick Jacob Weitering will also remain in the VFL despite a strong perform- ance in the reserve side last week.
St Kilda was boosted by the inclusion of versatile utility Blake Acres, while Ed Phillips will make his debut against the Dockers.
Paddy McCartin will miss with whiplash and Ben Long is out for 10 weeks with a fractured foot.
Melbourne’s Jayden Hunt was dropped again for Christian Salem.
Adelaide has suffered a major blow with Rory Sloane succumbing to a fresh foot complaint. The star midfielder will miss tomorrow’s Showdown with Port Adelaide and is expected to remain sidelined for at least a fortnight, having reinjured his troublesome right foot at training.
Skipper Taylor Walker has returned from injury as expected alongside Myles Poholke, replacing Wayne Milera (hamstring) and Darcy Fogarty (omitted).
The Crows say Sloane suffered a mild ligament strain in an “innocuous” training incident, describing the injury as slightly different to the foot issue that had kept him sidelined since Round 4.