Big changes for Dons as form slides
ESSENDON has done it the toughest of the four teams involved in the Anzac blockbusters, and the Bombers have made at least five changes for Sunday’s AFL clash with Melbourne.
The 13th-ranked Bombers have rested ruckman Tom Bellchambers and midfielder David Myers, dropped defender Michael Hartley and lost Josh Green and Josh Begley to injury.
Matthew Leuenberger goes in as a straight swap in the ruck for Bellchambers. Essendon could end up making up to nine changes from the team thumped by Collingwood on Anzac Day, with the line-up to be finalised tonight.
The Demons may welcome back key position player Tom McDonald for his first match of the season in an Etihad Stadium clash between two clubs coming off short breaks and heavy losses.
But Melbourne will be without Christian Petracca (finger) and Dean Kent (hamstring).
Geelong and Sydney will be without their leading goalkickers of the 2018 season for tomorrow’s clash at GMHBA Stadium, with Dan Menzel (groin) and Lance Franklin (heel) injured.
Menzel has been replaced by Cory Gregson, while spearhead Tom Hawkins returns after missing last weekend’s win over Port Adelaide, having suffered back spasms in the warm-up.
Port’s week from hell continued yesterday when its defender Hamish Hartlett suffered a serious knee injury during a routine training drill.
With Lindsay Thomas ruled out because of suspension, the Power brought in Dom Barry and Aidyn Johnson for tomorrow’s Etihad Stadium clash with North Melbourne. The high-flying Kangaroos were unable to consider clever forward Shaun Higgins, who was knocked out and forced to undergo lip surgery after receiving a heavy knock from Hawk Ryan Burton last week.
Higgins’ place in the side went to young star Luke Davies-Uniacke.
Nick Shipley will create a piece of GWS club history against Brisbane tomorrow when he becomes the first product of western Sydney to come through the Giants Academy and proceed all the way to AFL level.
But star forward Toby Greene will miss with a foot injury.
The Lions have rested Luke Hodge and dropped Ryan Bastinac.
Adelaide is strengthened by the return of key midfielders Matt Crouch and David Mackay for tomorrow night’s home clash against Gold Coast, but Rory Sloane will miss at least one more week.