Lyons axed but Lynch returns

THE Suns will be strengthened by the return of co-captain Tom Lynch from injury and fellow key-position player Sam Day from suspension.

However Jarryd Lyons, the club’s leading possession winner this year, was omitted.

Ladder leaders West Coast welcome back midfield tyro Luke Shuey for Saturday night’s clash against St Kilda.

Fellow mid Dom Sheed was a shock omission.

The slumping Western Bulldogs have been strengthened by the return of veteran defender Dale Morris from a knee injury for tomorrow’s vital clash with Melbourne.

After damaging his ACL in February, Morris will play his first senior match of the year against the high-flying Demons, who have named an unchanged lineup. The only other addition to the Bulldogs team which was held goalless after halftime last week against Collingwood is Mitch Honeychurch. Zaine Cordy (concussion) and Bailey Dale (foot) were forced omissions, while Mitch Wallis remains on the outer and was not even listed among the emergencies.

Richmond and Essendon made one forced change apiece for their annual Dreamtime clash at the MCG.

Dylan Grimes replaces the injured Bachar Houli in the Tigers’ lineup, while Michael Hurley comes in for Patrick Ambrose to bolster the Bombers’ defence.

Tigers spearhead Jack Riewoldt proved his fitness after being concussed in the opening minutes of last weekend’s win over St Kilda.

But star indigenous forward Daniel Rioli came up just short in his bid to return for his first senior match since suffering a badly broken ankle in last year’s grand final.

“He’s such an important player to our footy club and the way he plays ... he probably needs one more game at VFL level to make sure he gets through,” said Tigers coach Damien Hardwick.

“He plays the game at such a high intensity - we’d hate to put him in underdone, because the way he plays the game there’s a chance of re-injuring himself.”