ADELAIDE has mixed news at selection, losing speedy trio Stevie-Lee Thompson, Danielle Ponter and Justine Mules to AFL health and safety protocols, but regaining Chelsea Randall (hamstring) and retaining Anne Hatchard (foot).
Joining Randall in taking on Melbourne will be Caitlin Gould (who missed last week with concussion), Maddy Newman and Lisa Whiteley.
Brisbane spearhead Dakota Davidson has ended up missing just one match due to a foot injury, recalled for the clash against Geelong, with fellow tall forward Taylor Smith to miss with an ankle injury.
The Lions have also regained Sophie Conway (health and safety protocols) and Gabby Collingwood, with Ruby Svarc omitted and Maria Moloney – who coach Craig Starcevich said was still regaining fitness after contracting COVID – managed.
The Cats themselves have suffered a huge blow, losing Nina Morrison for its clash against Brisbane with calf soreness. It's not considered overly serious, but the Cats are keen to treat the star midfielder with caution, given she missed nearly two years with a torn ACL.
Talls Claudia Gunjaca and Rene Caris have been dropped, with Chloe Scheer (managed), Madisen Maguire and Annabel Johnson (health and safety protocols) recalled.
Melbourne will be boosted by the return of Lily Mithen and Maddi Gay from health and safety protocols, with Brenna Tarrant and Maggie Caris omitted.
Saturday, January 29
Adelaide v Melbourne at Norwood Oval, 2.40pm ACDT
ADELAIDE
B: N.Gore 7 M.Rajcic 32
HB: L.Whiteley 22 S.Allan 39 N.Allen 8
C: A.Considine 16 A.Hatchard 33 E.Jones 2
HF: E.Phillips 13 C.Randall - C 26 T.Charlton 25
F: A.Woodland 24 C.Biddell 12
Foll: C.Gould 1 E.Marinoff 10 R.Martin 5
I/C: M.McKinnon 21 J.Simmons 11 M.Newman 17 H.Button 6 A.Ballard 27
Emerg: J.Hewett 19 B.Tonon 28
In: L.Whiteley, C.Randall, C.Gould, M.Newman
Out: J.Hewett (Omitted), S.Thompson (HS Protocol), D.Ponter (HS Protocol), J.Mules (HS Protocol)
MELBOURNE
B: L.Birch 9 G.Colvin 32
HB: S.Heath 30 S.Lampard 8 S.Goldrick 23
C: E.McNamara 22 T.Hanks 5 C.Sherriff 18
HF: T.Harris 7 K.Hore 10 L.Mithen 14
F: D.Pearce - C 6 J.Parry 19
Foll: L.Pearce 15 E.Zanker 29 K.Paxman 4
I/C: M.Fitzsimon 24 M.Gay 3 E.West 11 A.Bannan 16 S.Scott 12
Emerg: A.Brown 28 M.Caris 21
In: L.Mithen, M.Gay
Out: B.Tarrant (Omitted), M.Caris (Omitted)
Brisbane v Geelong at Maroochydore Multi Sports Complex, 4.10pm AEST
BRISBANE
B: P.Monahan 11 S.Campbell 20
HB: I.Tahau 26 B.Koenen - C 3 J.Ellenger 5
C: E.Bates 1 C.Hodder 21 N.Grider 10
HF: Z.Farquharson 22 J.Wuetschner 23 G.Bodey 15
F: J.Wardlaw 30 A.Anderson 18
Foll: T.Hickie 2 I.Dawes 17 O.O'Dwyer 9
I/C: S.Webb 4 S.Conway 12 G.Collingwood 7 C.Svarc 25 D.Davidson 14
Emerg: R.Svarc 29 L.Pullar 24
In: S.Conway, G.Collingwood, D.Davidson
Out: T.Smith (Ankle), R.Svarc (Omitted), M.Moloney (Managed)
GEELONG
B: M.McMahon 24 M.Keryk 45
HB: C.Emonson 16 M.McDonald - C 11 G.Rankin 10
C: D.Moloney 4 G.Prespakis 41 S.Van De Heuvel 27
HF: J.Crockett-Grills 6 P.McWilliams 23 R.Kearns 22
F: C.Scheer 14 K.Darby 8
Foll: O.Fuller 13 R.Webster 21 A.McDonald 3
I/C: Z.Friswell 20 G.Featherston 32 M.Maguire 7 A.Johnson 30 J.Ivey 5
Emerg: R.Caris 1 C.Gunjaca 26
In: C.Scheer, M.Maguire, A.Johnson
Out: N.Morrison (Calf), C.Gunjaca (Omitted), R.Caris (Omitted)
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