Essendon v Western Bulldogs
Friday April 11, Telstra Dome
ESSENDON will be missing its two best forwards when it takes on the Western Bulldogs on Friday night after the Bombers decided to rest captain Matthew Lloyd, who works to overcome a calf injury.
Lloyd will join Scott Lucas on the sidelines, leaving the Bombers short on attacking tall forwards after Courtney Johns was again overlooked at the selection table.
Ruckman Jason Laycock has been named at full-forward and is likely to rotate with David Hille.
Leroy Jetta is also out after tearing his hamstring last week, while Nathan Lovett-Murray and Henry Slattery have been named.
The Bulldogs have their own concerns, with veteran midfielder Scott West given time off to recover from a knee injury. Nathan Eagleton takes his place after being a late withdrawal last week.
NORTH NAMES DEBUTANT
North Melbourne v Melbourne
Saturday April 12, MCG
Ben Ross will debut for North Melbourne after the Kangaroos made three changes for Saturday’s clash with Melbourne at the MCG.
Dean Laidley’s side has lost big man David Hale with a quad injury while Andrew Swallow and Leigh Harding have been left out of the 22 to take on the Demons.
Ross, 19, was the third pick in the 2006 pre-season draft and comes into the side along with Ed Lower and Jesse Smith.
Melbourne, after a much-improved effort against the Cats last week, has made two changes.
Paul Johnson’s broken hand means he’s poised to miss at least a month while Colin Garland has been omitted.
Matthew Whelan and big man Mark Jamar have come into the Demons side.
MAGUIRE BACK FOR SAINTS
St Kilda v Geelong
Saturday April 12, Telstra Dome
St Kilda has recalled key defender Matt Maguire for its round four blockbuster with Geelong at Telstra Dome.
And former Sydney defender Sean Dempster will make his St Kilda debut after the club made two changes to the side that lost to the Western Bulldogs by 38 points.
Raphael Clarke and Jarryn Geary have both been omitted.
But it is Maguire who will provide a big boost for Ross Lyon’s team as it tries to contain the high-scoring Cats. The 23-year-old will play his first senior game of the season after starting with the Saints’ VFL affiliate - the Casey Scorpions - in recent weeks.
Geelong has made just the one change to the team that beat Melbourne by 30 points at Skilled Stadium last week.
Athletic forward Ryan Gamble, a late withdrawal from last week’s team with a hip injury, returns to the side at the expense of small forward Shannon Byrnes.
COX CLEARED TO PLAY
Sydney v West Coast Eagles
Saturday April 12, ANZ Stadium
West Coast has made wholesale changes to its line-up ahead of its showdown with nemesis Sydney at ANZ Stadium.
In good news for Eagles fans, it appears Dean Cox will play or at least make the trip to the Harbour City, named to start in the ruck.
Defender Matt Spangher, the 34th selection in the 2005 NAB AFL Draft, will play his first game of AFL football - becoming the fourth West Coast Eagle to debut in 2008.
Coach John Worsfold and his selection panel will also give chances to midfield types Steven Armstrong, Jamie McNamara, Matt Rosa and young gun Chris Masten.
Matt Priddis (knee) and David Wirrpanda (hamstring) are forced changes while Chad Fletcher, Mark Nicoski and youngster Brad Ebert have all been omitted.
The Sydney Swans go into their first match of the year at the Olympic Stadium with a line-up unchanged from the one that downed the Brisbane Lions last week.
POWER STICKS WITH THE SAME
Port Adelaide v Brisbane Lions
Saturday April 12, AAMI Stadium
Despite engaging in one of the most brutal Showdowns ever last week, Port Adelaide has named an unchanged line-up for Saturday night’s clash with the Brisbane Lions at AAMI Stadium.
However, the Lions have decided to re-shape their midfield by dropping Robert Copeland and Albert Proud in favour of Troy Selwood and Cheynee Stiller.
Small forward Justin Sherman has retained his spot on the bench despite a performance well below his best last week.
DECIMATED CROWS MIGHT PLAY DANGERFIELD
Hawthorn v Adelaide
Sunday April 13, Aurora Stadium
The Adelaide Crows could turn to two debutants to help fill their stocks for Sunday’s round four clash with Hawthorn at Aurora Stadium in Launceston.
Last year’s No. 10 draft selection Patrick Dangerfield is among the contenders to make his debut, selected in the 25-man squad along with fellow draftee Jarrhan Jacky.
Adelaide is still feeling the effects of last week’s bruising Showdown with Port Adelaide and will be forced to make at least two changes to its side.
Kris Massie (hamstring) and Luke Jericho (cracked sternum) are certain to miss the clash while the club will monitor the fitness of Nathan Bassett and Jonathon Griffin, who both suffered heavy knocks against the Power. Jason Porplyzia (shoulder) is another who will need to prove his fitness before travelling to Tasmania on Saturday afternoon.
But it is Dangerfield’s possible inclusion that has sparked the most interest.
The Geelong Falcon, who turned 18 last weekend when he made his SANFL league debut for West Adelaide, has returned to his hometown and his schooling.
While many believed the club had not planned for Dangerfield to play senior football this year, committed to the Falcons and his studies, coach Neil Craig said the Crows would pick the lightning-quick midfielder if required.
"As I have said previously, the fact Patrick is back in Victoria will not stop us from selecting him if that's the way we want to go," Craig told afc.com.au
Bryce Campbell, Robert Shirley and Ivan Maric are the other inclusions to the 25-man squad.
A few familiar faces – and a familiar name – are in the mix for Hawthorn.
Jordan Lewis will miss the game through suspension, but champion midfielder Shane Crawford is one of four inclusions.
Tim Clarke and clever forward Mark Williams are on a seven-man interchange bench while Josh Kennedy could possibly make his debut.
The son of John junior and the grandson of John senior (the club’s first premiership coach), Kennedy was selected with pick 40 in the 2006 NAB AFL Draft under the father/son rule.
IRISH EYES FOR PIES
Carlton v Collingwood
Sunday April 13, MCG
Collingwood's Irish midfielder Martin Clarke will be offered a swift chance to turn some disappointing form around on Sunday after being named for the Magpies’ blockbuster match with Carlton.
Tyson Goldsack and Danny Stanley have also been included in the Pies' initial 25-man squad, with no players left out so far.
For Carlton, 2007 draftee Steven Browne - a midfielder from Western Australia - could make his debut for the club after he was named on an extended interchange bench.
Adam Bentick, Shaun Grigg and Setanta O’hAilpin have also been listed as inclusions, with Shaun Hampson omitted.
TARRANT, SOLOMON RETURN FOR FREO
Fremantle v Richmond
Sunday April 13, Subiaco Oval
Last week's impressive derby win over West Coast has not discouraged Fremantle from swinging the axe ahead of Sunday’s match with Richmond at Subiaco Oval.
Highly-regarded midfield pair Heath Black and Matthew Carr have been dropped, while Chris Tarrant and Dean Solomon return from injury and suspension respectively to lead the inclusions.
Defender Scott Thornton, midfielder Garrick Ibbotson and utility player Luke McPharlin have also been named in Fremantle’s extended squad.
At Richmond, young key position prospect Jack Riewoldt will be given the chance to bring his strong VFL form to the senior side after being promoted.
Riewoldt made his debut to play eight games in 2007 and is one of five inclusions for the Tigers alongside Luke McGuane, Shane Edwards, Daniel Connors and Chris Hyde.
Greg Tivendale has been omitted and Kayne Pettifer will miss through suspension.
Click here to view the weekend's teams in full.
