Ablett among the Round 7 outs
GEELONG has been cautious with Gary Ablett, leaving him out of its side to play Greater Western Sydney at GMHBA Stadium tonight.
Ablett’s manager Liam Pickering said on Tuesday the two-time Brownlow medallist was “ready to go”, having recovered from a hamstring injury suffered against West Coast in Round 3.
However, the Cats held a consistent line that they would take no risks with the midfielder, who is 34 this month.
Midfielder Scott Selwood (concussion) has been recalled, along with ruckman Zac Smith who replaces Rhys Stanley (omitted).
The Cats named former Essendon and Bulldogs player Stewart Crameri to make his debut for a third club. It will be his 100th career match overall.
The Giants will have two debutants – former Collingwood utility Lachlan Keeffe and former Carlton midfielder Dylan Buckley. They replace Brett Deledio (hamstring) and Jeremy Cameron (toe).
Essendon has brought defender Conor McKenna straight back from a threegame ban to play Hawthorn tomorrow. James Sicily (suspension) is back for the Hawks.
Port Adelaide ruckman Paddy Ryder (achilles) returns against West Coast for his first match since Round 1.
Adelaide’s Eddie Betts (hamstring) returns to tackle his old side Carlton at Adelaide Oval tomorrow night.
North Melbourne has named Shaun Higgins, who has shown no lingering effects from the concussion suffered in a collision with Hawthorn’s Ryan Burton in Round 5. The Kangaroos also recalled forward Mason Wood after a sixgoal VFL haul while defender Sam Wright (ankle) is set to play his first AFL game since Round 11, 2016.
Richmond named premiership players Brandon Ellis and Jacob Townsend in an extended squad for Sunday’s MCG clash against Fremantle.
Brisbane utility Matt Eagles, who won Season 2 of Foxtel reality series The Recruit, is set to make his AFL debut at age 28. He was named on an extended bench for Sunday.