Collingwood and Brisbane are among the contenders with serious selection squeezes ahead of danger games.

Plus the Western Bulldogs are finally getting healthy, just in time for the second Grand Final rematch.

AFL ROUND 19 FIXTURE AND TEAMS (All times AEST)

RICHMOND v FREMANTLE

Friday July 22, 7:50pm at Marvel Stadium

Tigers’ Round 18 team

B: Grimes, Miller, Tarrant

HB: Broad, Vlastuin, Rioli

C: Pickett, Short, McIntosh

HF: Graham, Bolton, Baker

F: Riewoldt, Cumberland, Balta

FOLL: Nankervis, Prestia, Cotchin

I/C: Ralphsmith, Gibcus, Edwards, Sonsie

Team tips: The Tigers won’t regain Tom Lynch or Dustin Martin for a suddenly crucial Friday night clash with the Dockers, both declared unavailable on Monday evening due to their respective hamstring injuries. Josh Gibcus, subbed out of the shock loss to the Roos, could still play despite his shoulder injury while sub Jake Aarts will be under pressure to hold his spot - he’s already on the fringes of the side, and his last-minute brain-fade won’t help keep him in Damien Hardwick’s good books. In better news Ivan Soldo (thumb), Sydney Stack (fractured cheekbone) and Jack Ross (knee) are all likely to be available - though Toby Nankervis’ availability limits Soldo’s chances of a return. Hardwick was furious about the lack of pressure applied against North and Maurice Rioli, a somewhat surprising omission last week, could return to provide some.

 

Dockers’ Round 18 team

B: Clark, Cox, Young

HB: Walker, Ryan, Chapman

C: Mundy, Brayshaw, Acres

HF: Schultz, Fyfe, Frederick

F: Taberner, Lobb, Walters

FOLL: Darcy, Brodie, Serong

I/C: Aish, Banfield, Colyer, Logue

Team tips: A lack of energy and pressure let the Dockers down against Sydney, though it’s not clear if that’s a problem that can be fixed at selection. Liam Henry may be considered after his omission for Round 18 while Alex Pearce is a test to return following two weeks on the sidelines with a calf complaint. Let’s be honest though, the Dockers’ biggest ‘In’ this week is the 3D anchor on the front of the guernsey. That’s worth five goals on its own.

NORTH MELBOURNE v HAWTHORN

Saturday July 23, 1:45pm at Blundstone Arena

Kangaroos’ Round 18 team

B: Scott, McKay, Young

HB: McDonald, Corr, Bonar

C: Powell, Davies-Uniacke, Greenwood

HF: Curtis, Larkey, Horne-Francis

F: Zurhaar, Ziebell, Taylor

FOLL: Goldstein, Simpkin, Anderson

I/C: Stephenson, Coleman-Jones, Spicer, Perez

Team tips: Can you really make any changes to the 23 that stunned Richmond to break a 14-game losing skid? Well, yes. Last week the Roos said Aaron Hall was “better placed to return next week”, meaning the veteran defender is likely in the frame to return from a quad strain suffered against Geelong. Jaidyn Stephenson has spent time in defence in his stead and there’s no obvious reason that trial should end. Nick Larkey was subbed out in the fourth quarter of Saturday’s win with a heel concern.

Hawks’ Round 18 team

B: Jiath, Blanck, Grainger-Barras

HB: Scrimshaw, Hardwick, Sicily

C: Ward, Newcombe, Impey

HF: Moore, O’Meara, Breust

F: Lewis, McEvoy, Macdonald

FOLL: Reeves, Mitchell, Nash

I/C: Morrison, Day, Maginness, Morris

Team tips: The Hawks are getting a bit of stability, making just one change before last week’s second consecutive win, but could get even stronger as they seek a third. Jack Gunston is in line to return after personal leave following the tragic passing of his father Ray; he was unable to train last week and the club, understandably, isn’t trying to rush him back. There’s no obvious like-for-like out in the 22, since Jacob Koschitzke was already the sub, but they’ll find space for the veteran star.

SYDNEY SWANS v ADELAIDE CROWS

Saturday July 23, 1:45pm at the SCG

Swans’ Round 18 team

B: Rampe, T.McCartin, P.McCartin

HB: Lloyd, McInerney, Fox

C: Blakey, Parker, Mills

HF: Stephens, Reid, Heeney

F: Amartey, Franklin, Papley

FOLL: Hickey, Warner, Rowbottom

I/C: Florent, Hayward, Clarke, Gulden

Team tips: Struggling to find space for a champion like Josh Kennedy is a good problem for John Longmire. The veteran midfielder made a successful return through the VFL last weekend following the combo of a hamstring injury and suspension suffered trying to spoil Sam Docherty back in May. Longmire said plenty without saying much at all when asked about Kennedy’s chances of a return in his press conference on Monday. Likewise Logan McDonald was solid in the seconds, but Joel Amartey (shoulder) is expected to be fit and may hold his spot.

Crows’ Round 18 team

B: Doedee, Butts, Hamill

HB: Smith, Murray, Dawson

C: Hinge, Laird, Jones

HF: McAdam, Fogarty, Soligo

F: McHenry, Walker, Murphy

FOLL: O’Brien, Berry, Keays

I/C: Thilthorpe, Schoenberg, Milera, Parnell

Team tips: It was a strong performance against the Magpies without getting the four points, with the forward line looking particularly strong. That only helps the Crows’ plan to be cautious with Josh Rachele, who remains in doubt with a hip injury. Otherwise there’s not likely to be a huge amount of change here unless Matthew Nicks feels the need. Do they bring Lachie Sholl back into the side, knowing the Swans are a good chance of sending Ryan Clarke to Jordan Dawson in a bid to shut him down, so they keep some drive off half-back?

PORT ADELAIDE v GEELONG CATS

Saturday July 23, 4:35pm at Adelaide Oval

Power’s Round 18 team

B: Burton, Jonas, Clurey

HB: Byrne-Jones, Aliir, Houston

C: Amon, Drew, Farrell

HF: Butters, Marshall, Rozee

F: Gray, Dixon, Powell-Pepper

FOLL: Finlayson, Wines, Boak

I/C: Bergman, Georgiades, Bonner, Mead

Team tips: The Power are close to having a full, healthy squad as they make a last-ditch attempt to squeeze into the finals. Lachie Jones (hamstring) is close to a return while Trent Dumont (calf), Brynn Teakle (collarbone) and Orazio Fantasia (quad) will also be assessed this week. Of particular interest, Teakle’s return would allow the Power to have a recognised ruckman again and he impressed in his AFL debut against Sydney, while Riley Bonner wasn’t great against Melbourne and may lose his place. Scott Lycett required a wash-out of his right shoulder in hospital after signs of a potential infection and a timeframe is yet to be placed on his return.

Cats’ Round 18 team

B: Z.Guthrie, De Koning, Kolodjashnij

HB: Henry, Blicavs, Tuohy

C: Duncan, Atkins, Smith

HF: Rohan, Cameron, Dangerfield

F: Close, Hawkins, Stengle

FOLL: Stanley, C.Guthrie, Selwood

I/C: O’Connor, Holmes, Menegola, Miers

Team tips: The ladder leaders will be forced into at least one change, as Sam Menegola will miss due to concussion protocols. Brandan Parfitt is a strong replacement though with the midfielder due to return from a broken hand last week, before contracting Covid. Quinton Narkle, always on the fringes, would be in the mix to replace him otherwise. Sam Simpson made an encouraging return in the VFL last weekend while 2021 draftee James Willis finally got a run in the hoops after a knee injury. Tom Stewart has one week left on his suspension.

BRISBANE LIONS v GOLD COAST SUNS

Saturday July 23, 7:10pm at the Gabba

Lions’ Round 18 team

B: Gardiner, Payne, Answerth

HB: Starcevich, Andrews, Coleman

C: Ah Chee, Robinson, McCluggage

HF: Bailey, Hipwood, McCarthy

F: McStay, Daniher, Cameron

FOLL: Fort, Lyons, Neale

I/C: Cockatoo, Rayner, Sharp, Mathieson

Team tips: He’s been on the fringes for years but Rhys Mathieson made the most of his opportunity against the Giants, adding some much-needed grunt into the struggling Brisbane midfield. It’s hard to imagine him losing his spot but the Lions should have more good ins for a mega Pineapple Grapple, including the potential returns of Dayne Zorko, Daniel Rich, Jarrod Berry (all hamstrings) and Jaxon Prior (quad). Oscar McInerney should exit the Covid protocols and reclaim his spot as the No.1 ruck, meaning Chris Fagan will have to decide whether to keep Darcy Fort and his height in the 22.

Suns’ Round 18 team

B: Graham, Collins, Lemmens

HB: Bowes, Ballard, Ellis

C: Flanders, Anderson, Swallow

HF: Ainsworth, Chol, Lukosius

F: Rankine, Holman, Casboult

FOL: Witts, Rowell, Miller

I/C: Day, Fiorini, Markov, Oea

Team tips: The Suns’ worst performance of the season came at a terrible time, and now Stuart Dew must figure out how to end their run of Pineapple Grapple defeats and keep their fading finals hopes alive. Making matters worse the 23 selected to face Essendon was one of their strongest possible; excluding players ruled out for the season, only Alex Davies and Malcolm Rosas were unavailable through injury. Both were listed as 1-2 weeks away before the game so may be considered.

WESTERN BULLDOGS v MELBOURNE

Saturday July 23, 7:25pm at Marvel Stadium

Bulldogs’ Round 18 team

B: Richards, Gardner, Khamis

HB: Hannan, Keath, Dale

C: Williams, Liberatore, Macrae

HF: West, Bruce, Smith

F: Bontempelli, Sweet, Weightman

FOLL: English, Dunkley, Treloar

I/C: Johannisen, Ugle-Hagan, Garcia, McNeil

Team tips: All four players forced into the Covid protocols are set to be available for the Grand Final rematch, with Aaron Naughton, Lachie Hunter, Josh Schache and Zaine Cordy all set to be considered to take on Melbourne. You’d suggest the first two are automatic ins, with Jordon Sweet almost certain to lose his place as Luke Beveridge finally gets a look at the Naughton/Josh Bruce/Jamarra Ugle-Hagan trio in 2022 (if he wants it). Inclusions Lachie McNeil and Luke Cleary may drop out. Stefan Martin will be available but only at VFL level while Anthony Scott is still being assessed following his concussion suffered against Sydney. Caleb Daniel (knee) is still 1-2 weeks away.

Demons’ Round 18 team

B: Hibberd, May, Tomlinson

HB: Harmes, Lever, Salem

C: Brayshaw, Petracca, Langdon

HF: Sparrow, Gawn, Neal-Bullen

F: Fritsch, Brown, Spargo

FOLL: Jackson, Viney, Pickett

I/C: Bedford, Melksham, Jordon, Rivers

Team tips: Jake Lever and Clayton Oliver are the two big names here. Lever has been cleared of substantial damage to his shoulder after an incident in the first quarter of Sunday’s game. He’ll be managed “conservatively”, the club says, making it unlikely he’ll play this week. Oliver completed conditioning sessions last week and is back into skills training after surgery on a broken thumb, so he should make a return. Harry Petty is available to replace him if needed after entering the Covid protocols last week. Jake Bowey, somewhat surprisingly omitted, will be in the mix to return.

CARLTON v GWS GIANTS

Sunday July 24, 1:10pm at Marvel Stadium

Blues’ Round 18 team

B: Newman, Young, Saad

HB: Newnes, Weitering, Plowman

C: Hayes, Cripps, Cerra

HF: Kennedy, McKay, Silvagni

F: Durdin, C.Curnow, Fisher

FOLL: De Koning, Walsh, Hewett

I/C: Stocker, Docherty, Cottrell, Motlop

Team tips:Will Hayes comes out for Carlton after copping a two-game suspension for a dangerous tackle, with Lochie O’Brien (17 touches, one goal), Will Setterfield (40 disposals), Lachie Fogarty (26 touches) and Paddy Dow (30 disposals) all putting their hand up for a reprieve after strong VFL outings. The spots of Jack Newnes, Liam Stocker and Lachie Plowman could also come under threat after the club’s 30-point loss to Geelong, with Mitch McGovern likely to replace the latter after getting through his VFL return unscathed. Marc Pittonet will also be in the mix after coming back from his knee injury via the twos. Jack Martin and Matt Owies are nearing their returns from calf issues, but likely won’t come into the senior selection frame this week.

Giants’ Round 18 team

B: Idun, Taylor, Cumming

HB: Himmelberg, Keeffe, Ward

C: O’Halloran, Green, Ash

HF: Kelly, Haynes, Riccardi

F: Taranto, Hogan, Greene

FOLL: Flynn, Hopper, Coniglio

I/C: Lloyd, Peatling, Bruhn, Wehr

Team tips: GWS will have forced changes from its loss to Brisbane, with Josh Kelly and Connor Idun ruled out with injury. Kelly suffered a concussion in the dying minutes of the Lions loss, while Idun suffered a broken foot and will be out for four-to-six weeks. Braydon Preuss had a day out in the VFL with 23 disposals, 11 marks and 44 hit-outs, and Kieren Briggs (18 touches, one goal, seven marks, six tackles, 19 hit-outs), Jake Stein (25 disposals, seven marks) and Jarrod Brander (21 disposals, eight marks) also impressed. Last week’s medical sub Callum Brown will also be in the mix, while Lachie Whitfield has been listed as a test after missing last week with a hip issue. Matt Flynn could well come out for Preuss, while Adam Kennedy should be available after a concussion in round 17. The likes of Tanner Bruhn, Jacob Wehr and James Peatling could face the selection axe.

COLLINGWOOD v ESSENDON

Sunday July 24, 3:20pm at the MCG

Magpies’ Round 18 team

B: Murphy, Howe, Moore

HB: Pendlebury, Maynard, Bianco

C: Daicos, Crisp, Noble

HF: Elliott, Cox, Mihocek

F: McCreery, Lipinski, Hoskin-Elliott

FOLL: Cameron, Sidebottom, Daicos

I/C: Carmichael, Johnson, Ginnivan, Ruscoe

Team tips: The red-hot Pies are faced with their biggest selection conundrum of 2022. Taylor Adams (concussion) and Isaac Quaynor (HS protocols) are both set to return to a side that’s won eight in a row, and Jordan De Goey (quad) is also a chance to get up. Ash Johnson (two goals), Josh Carmichael (24 disposals, eight tackles, one goal) and Trent Bianco (20 disposals, six tackles), who’d be three of the most vulnerable Pies to come out, all put in strong performances against the Crows. Johnson is holding out Ollie Henry, who kicked four goals in the VFL to add to their selection squeeze. Trey Ruscoe probably misses for Quaynor, while one (or two) of Carmichael, Johnson, Bianco and perhaps Will Hoskin-Elliott and John Noble could be the very unlucky one/s to make way for Adams and De Goey. Good luck Craig McRae!

Bombers’ Round 18 team

B: Ridley, Laverde, Zerk-Thatcher

HB: Redman, McGrath, Kelly

C: Durham, Shiel, Heppell

HF: Martin, Guelfi, Langford

F: Wright, Stringer, Jones

FOL: Phillips, Merrett, Caldwell

I/C: Hind, Hobbs, Snelling, Draper

Team tips: The only injury concern to come out of the Bombers’ win over Gold Coast was a shoulder issue to Ben Hobbs in the first quarter, although the young gun played out the match. Archie Perkins could be ready to return from a calf problem and Aaron Francis could also be available. But who comes out of an in-form side that’s won three on the trot? Brandon Zerk-Thatcher’s return to the side has coincided with its three-game winning streak, so surely holds his spot, while Will Snelling might be the unlucky one if Perkins comes in.

 

WEST COAST EAGLES v ST KILDA

Sunday July 24, 4:40pm at Optus Stadium

Eagles’ Round 18 team

B: Hurn, Barrass, Bazzo

HB: Jones, Edwards, Duggan

C: Hough, Kelly, Gaff

HF: Cripps, Darling, Culley

F: Waterman, Kennedy, Ryan

FOLL: Williams, Redden, Shuey

I/C: Witherden, O’Neill, Foley, Jamieson

Team tips: West Coast’s big man stocks took another hit on the weekend after Callum Jamieson was struck down with an adductor issue. With Nic Naitanui still sidelined with a knee injury, the Eagles will hope Hugh Dixon is ready to return from an ankle injury to give Bailey Williams a chop out in the ruck. Elsewhere, Josh Rotham (27 touches, 11 marks), Patrick Naish (30 disposals, nine marks) and Greg Clark (23 touches, eight tackles) all put in strong WAFL performances to put pressure on the likes of Luke Foley and Brady Hough. Mid-season draftee Jai Culley will surely hold his spot after a promising debut (12 disposals, game-high 11 tackles).

B: Wilkie, Battle, Paton

HB: Highmore, Webster, Sinclair

C: Billings, Gresham, Hill

HF: Membrey, Wood, Butler

F: Marshall, King, Higgins

FOLL: Ryder, Steele, Crouch

I/C: Byrnes, Sharman, Wanganeen-Milera, Jones

Team tips: The Saints will need to replace Paddy Ryder, with the ruckman set to miss the rest of the season with a calf injury. But with Naitanui out for the Eagles, who are light on in big man stocks, St Kilda won’t necessarily need to replace Ryder with another tall. Hunter Clark could be ready for return from his nasal fracture, while Tom Campbell impressed in the VFL with 26 touches, 45 hit-outs and one goal. Beyond Ryder, Brett Ratten could be tempted to make a selection statement after his team’s poor showing against the Bulldogs, with Jack Bytel (25 disposals) and Jarrod Lienert (21 touches) also putting their hand up for selection and Dan Hannebery (29 disposals) getting through his return in the seconds unscathed.