Pies’ pocket rocket may be solution
COLLINGWOOD will deploy a much smaller forward line to help cure its goalkicking problems against Greater Western Sydney tomorrow.
The Magpies have replaced suspended big man Mason Cox with pocket rocket Callum Brown to help chalk up their first win of the season at the MCG.
It means former Fremantle Docker Chris Mayne will remain in the VFL after only three games in his debut season at Collingwood last year.
And Geelong is set to welcome back superstar Brownlow Medallist Patrick Dangerfield for Easter Monday’s blockbuster against Hawthorn.
Dangerfield has been named for the MCG showdown after missing Round 1 in his recovery from a hamstring problem.
Cats’ livewire Nakia Cockatoo and rookie defender Jack Henry are also in the extended squad as Geelong considers options to replace injured veteran backman Harry Taylor.
The Geelong defence will be tested without Taylor, with Mark Blicavs in line to play an increased role in the back half.
Inspirational captain Joel Selwood has been named but is in a race against time to recover from a leg injury he suffered against Melbourne.
Carlton has made the bold move to drop father-son pick Jack Silvagni after only one game for tomorrow’s match against Gold Coast.
Silvagni was quiet in the first-up loss to Richmond and will make way for defender Cameron O’Shea and speedster David Cuningham.
Blues’ midfielder Matthew Kennedy will miss with an ankle injury and ruckman Matthew Kreuzer will remain under an injury cloud with a groin problem.
Western Bulldogs have turned to experienced midfielder Mitch Wallis to help fill the void left by the injured Tom Liberatore against West Coast on Sunday.
Liberatore will miss the rest of the season as he undergoes a second knee reconstruction.
Premiership star Tom Boyd will also make his comeback while Luke Beveridge will unleash debutant Ed Richardson.
The return of Boyd could allow captain Easton Wood to return to the backline after a quiet game in his new attacking role in last week’s loss to Greater Western Sydney.
At Collingwood, firstround draft pick Matthew Scharenberg will also make his return in place of injured defender Josh Smith (hamstring) after an impressive VFL practice match last weekend.