AFL round 2 predicted teams: How every club is likely to line-up

The Saints will front up to the MCG on a five-day break after a narrow loss in Geelong on Saturday night, with Sinclair set to play if he gets through training this week.

Sinclair had to push through a main session on Tuesday before Wednesday’s captain’s run, when Ross Lyon’s coaching team will finalise their line-up.

All-Australian Sinclair had been battling a calf issue in recent weeks and was in the running for round 1 but didn’t make it to the line.

An ankle problem has taken out most of forward Butler’s pre-season, and the former Tiger appears most likely to return through the VFL.

St Kilda affiliate Sandringham kicks off the VFL season on Friday, hosting Collingwood at RSEA Park.

The only injury worry for the Saints out of the eight-point loss to the Cats was defender Liam Stocker, who limped to the bench feeling for his back after controversially giving away a free kick to Geelong skipper Patrick Dangerfield in the final quarter.

The five-day turnaround will make it tough for Stocker’s chances of getting up.

Lyon said post-match on Saturday that Marcus Windhager would be “better for the run” after playing in round 1 three weeks after a broken hand, while Mattaes Phillipou was quiet after dealing with a sore hip late in pre-season.

A loss on Thursday for St Kilda would leave the 2023 finalists 0-2 before a round 3 meeting with Essendon.

– Josh Barnes

Collingwood v St Kilda

COLLINGWOOD

B: Maynard, Moore, Howe

HB: Pendlebury, Quaynor, Hoskin-Elliott

C: Sidebottom, Daicos, Daicos

HF: Schultz, Frampton, Mihocek

F: Lipinski, Elliott, McCreery

R: Cameron, De Goey, Crisp

IC: Macrae, Hill, McInnes, Markov, Cox

SUB: Markov

IN: McInnes, Frampton

OUT: Johnson, Dean

Desperate for a win to kickstart their premiership defence, changes are coming at Collingwood. It’s just a matter of how many. Craig McRae effectively declared after the Sydney loss Ash Johnson would be dropped, with Reef McInnes or Billy Frampton set to come in. It’s possible both could play in a revamped attack or with Frampton starting in defence. Fin Macrae had enough impact as sub to earn a full game although his selection probably comes down to Tom Mitchell’s fitness. Mitchell’s inside-ball winning ability would be handy against a St Kilda midfield known for its contested ball. Dean would be unlucky to be dropped, but trained with the B team at training on Tuesday.

ST KILDA

B: Wanganeen-Milera, Cordy, Wilkie

HB: Bonner, Battle, Sinclair

C: Wood, Ross, Hill

HF: Wilson, Owens, Henry

F: Higgins, King, Membrey

R: Marshall, Steele, Crouch

IC: Windhager, Butler, Byrnes, Phillipou, Sharman

SUB: Byrnes

IN: Sinclair, Butler

OUT: Collard, Stocker

Jack Sinclair resumed training with the main group before round 1 and should be ready to be unleashed on Thursday. After pushing Geelong down the highway, the Saints could also regain forward Dan Butler. He would take the place of Round 1 debutant Lance Collard, while Liam Stocker is squeezed out of the defence by Sinclair’s return.

Adelaide v Geelong

ADELAIDE

B: Worrell, Butts, Smith

HB: Milera, Borlase, Michalanney

C: Soligo, Dawson, Jones

HF: Keays, Walker, Rankine

F: Rachele, Fogarty, Burgess

R: O’Brien, Laird, Crouch

INTER: Pedlar, Murphy, Hinge, Berry

SUB: Sholl

IN: Walker

OUT: Gollant

Taylor Walker’s importance to Adelaide’s structure hit home again on Saturday night, and the Crows will be sweating on his fitness ahead of the home clash with Geelong on Friday. Jake Soligo appears ready to take back his spot in the starting 22, but who gets pushed out into the subs vest? Sam Berry was solid in his return to the side on a difficult night, so it could be Lachy Sholl or Chayce Jones who make way for Soligo on a wing. Mark Keane is also breathing down the neck of key defender James Borlase.

GEELONG

B: Stewart, De Koning, Z.Guthrie

HB: Holmes, J.Henry, Duncan

C: Blicavs, Dangerfield, Tuohy

HF: Close, Stengle, Hawkins

F: Cameron, Dempsey, O.Henry

R: Stanley, Bruhn, Atkins

INTER: Kolodjashnij, Miers, O’Connor, Clark

SUB: Bowes

IN: Bowes

OUT: Mannagh

It would be harsh to drop mature-age debutant Shaun Mannagh after half a game as the sub, but Jack Bowes is set to return, and coach Chris Scott and All Australian defender Tom Stewart have lauded Jhye Clark, despite the second-gamer having little impact against the Saints.

North Melbourne v Fremantle

NORTH MELBOURNE

B: McDonald, Corr, Dawson

HB: Fisher, Pink, Tucker

C: Stephens, Davies-Uniacke, Scott

HF: Zurhaar, Coleman-Jones, Stephenson

F: Powell, Larkey, Duursma

R: Xerri, Wardlaw, Sheezel

IC: McKercher, Lazzaro, Simpkin, Ford

SUB: Curtis

IN: Jy Simpkin, Luke McDonald

OUT: Josh Goater, Liam Shiels

North Melbourne could regain co-captains Jy Simpkin and Luke McDonald as the club attempts to bolster its defence for Saturday’s clash against Fremantle.

Simpkin missed the Round 1 loss to GWS Giants due to concussion but could return against the Dockers after the massive bumpfrom Jimmy Webster which cost the Saint a seven-match ban.

Big man Charlie Comben is also pressing for a senior berth potentially in place of former Tiger Callum Coleman-Jones who was substituted out with six touches on Saturday.

The Roos could name Simpkin on Thursday night but make the final call on Friday to see how the jet on-baller pulls up from training in-line with the AFL’s bolstered concussion protocols.

North will not play Simpkin, 26, if he is experiencing any ongoing symptoms such as fatigue, headaches or sleep issues, following three concussions in the past 12 months.

McDonald, 29, is also an important addition to a young back half which is at risk of being exposed this year after losingfree agent Ben McKay to Essendon.

- Jay Clark

FREMANTLE

B: Ryan, Pearce, Hughes

HB: Clark, Davies, Aish

C: Sharp, Young, Erasmus

HF: Banfield, Amiss, Emmett

F: Switkowski, Treacy, Walters

R: Jackson, Serong, Brayshaw

IC: Fyfe, Banfield, Frederick, Voss

SUB: Johnson

IN: Hugh Davies, Patrick Voss

OUT: Brennan Cox, Oscar McDonald

The Dockers paid a terrible toll in their win over Brisbane, with Oscar McDonald, Brennan Cox and Karl Worner all going down with nasty injuries, with the first two likely to be long-term. In their place, Fremantle could name two debutants. Erasmus took Worner’s spot on the field and will likely keep it next week, but the Dockers are less blessed in their key defensive stocks. Hugh Davies was named emergency several times last year and likely comes in to make his debut against the Roos. Brennan Cox spent most of the round 1 game up forward and his absence could pave the way for pre-season pickup Patrick Voss to come in. A slew of candidates could become the sub, with Banfield and Johnson possibles.

Hawthorn v Melbourne

HAWTHORN

B: Hardwick, Frost, Weddle

HB: Amon, Sicily, Impey

C: Macdonald, Nash, D’Ambrosio

HF: Moore, Lewis, Gunston

F: Ginnivan, Chol, Breust

R: Reeves, Newcombe, Worpel

IC: Scrimshaw, Watson, Maginness, Ward

SUB: Mackenzie

UNCHANGED

The Hawks will be sweating over the availability of captain James Sicily as the star defender heads to the tribunal on Tuesday night. If Sicily misses then you can lock in Ethan Phillips to play his first game for the club, but he might get the nod to debut either way. Melbourne could recall Harrison Petty to a forward line that already has Jacob van Rooyen and Ben Brown, so an extra tall defender is an option for Hawthorn. Scrimshaw and Weddle can both play on taller forwards so it will be an interesting selection call. We’ve left them unchanged for now with just Cam Mackenzie dropping out of the 22 to become the sub. Finn Maginness as sub was a peculiar choice against the Bombers given his best asset is his tank and ability to run out full matches tagging the best players in the competition. Sam Mitchell used Maginness to tag Clayton Oliver last season and it paid dividends with the star Demon restricted to just 14 disposals, so that looms as a possibility again this Saturday.

MELBOURNE

B: Rivers, May, Lever

HB: McVee, McDonald, Salem

C: Langdon, Petracca, Windsor

HF: Fritsch, Van Rooyen, Pickett

F: Neal-Bullen, Petty, Chandler

R: Gawn, Viney, Oliver

IC: Sparrow, Billings, Hore, Brown, Howes

SUB: Sparrow

IN: Petty

OUT: Woewodin

The Demons are coming off a convincing victory over the Bulldogs, so won’t want to change much. Harrison Petty was close to playing last week so should be available to face Hawthorn. His like-for-like replacement would be Ben Brown, but the former Roo played his role in the Dees’ first win of 2024 — kicking two goals. An extra tall forward isn’t a bad idea however, with Hawthorn stretched for height in defence. Tom Sparrow is struggling for form so could drop out of the 22 to become sub, with Taj Woewodin pushed out of the team altogether. Draftee Koltyn Tholstrup is another name they could consider.

Sydney v Essendon

ESSENDON

B: Heppell, Ben McKay, Laverde

HB: Martin, Cox, McGrath

C: Tsatas, Setterfield, Duursma

HF: Perkins, Gresham, Caldwell

F: Stringer, Wright, Langford

R: Goldstein, Merrett, Durham,

IC: Kelly, Draper, Parish, Menzie

SUB: Hobbs

IN: Laverde, Parish, Hobbs, Draper

OUT: Reid (injured), Redman (suspended), Guelfi (injured), Jones

Many Dons fans were surprised to see Laverde miss Round 1 while Ridley was unavailable, and he’ll likely come in for the hamstrung Zach Reid against Sydney’s tall timber. Nik Cox went back after Reid went down on Saturday and is likely to line up there on the weekend to cover the suspended Redman. That brings Elijah Tstatas out of the sub vest and onto the wing, and Darcy Parish returns, with Durham and Perkins — despite a career-best game on the weekend — looking at less midfield minutes to make room for him. Matt Guelfi will miss the game with a calf complaint. Sam Draper comes in for Harry Jones if he’s at full fitness, but if not we think Brad Scott backs the youngster in, and Ben Hobbs lines up as the sub after dominating the final VFL practice match of the year.

SYDNEY

B: Melican, McCartin, Rampe

HB: Florent, Blakey, Cunningham

C: Lloyd, Warner, McInerny

HF: Fox, McDonald, Heeney

F: Papley, Amartey, Hayward

R: Grundy, Gulden, Rowbottom

IC: McLean, Campbell, Jordon, Roberts

SUB: Wicks

UNCHANGED

Why change a winning formula? The Swans have won two on the trot against two top-four sides from 2023 and are absolutely flying. Sam Wicks might get a start after two games as the sub purely for match fitness, and Joel Amartey might be out of favour after being subbed out in both games, but in all likelihood Sydney will announce an unchanged line-up, with Roberts the likely sub if Wicks is given a full game.

Western Bulldogs v Gold Coast

WESTERN BULLDOGS

B: Bramble Jones Dale

HB: Johannisen Keath Richards

C: Treloar Macrae Gallagher

HF: West Darcy Sanders

F: Ugle-Hagan Naughton Weightman

R: English Bontempelli Liberatore

IC: Daniel Coffield Williams Khamis

SUB: Poulter

IN: Darcy, Macrae, Keath, Poulter

OUT: Harmes (suspension), Lobb, McNeil, Vandermeer

Who knows what Luke Beveridge will throw up this week? He left out Caleb Daniel from the 22 and Jack Macrae from the 23 against Melbourne, but after a 45-point loss we’ve thrown both back into the starting team. There’ll be at least one change with James Harmes suspended, leaving a window open for a Macrae return. Then Sam Darcy, who kicked five goals in a VFL practice match, replaces Rory Lobb who managed just seven touches and a goal on Sunday. Laitham Vandermeer and Lachlan McNeil both failed to have much impact in round 1, which made it more of a surprise when Beveridge subbed Ryley Sanders who looked promising on debut. Alex Keath adds some height to the defence while Caleb Poulter rounds out the additions and could be the sub.

GOLD COAST

B: Uwland Ballard Collins

HB: Budarick Powell Sexton

C: Fiorini Miller Ellis

HF: Ainsworth Casboult Humphrey

F: Berry King Lukosius

R: Witts Rowell Anderson

IC: Flanders Swallow Holman Macpherson

SUB: Atkins

IN: Atkins

OUT: Rosas (suspension)

Darcy Macpherson is an obvious replacement for Malcolm Rosas Jnr who copped a one-week ban. Macpherson has been the sub for the previous two weeks and is due to play a full match. Rory Atkins might be the next man in take the sub vest after being named as an emergency for the Suns clash with the Crows. Joel Jeffrey and James Tsitas are other forward options. Mac Andrew is also a chance at being recalled if Gold Coast want an extra tall to combat the Dogs’ attack — Damien Hardwick has huge wraps on the defender.

Richmond v Port Adelaide

RICHMOND

B: Grimes, Miller, Vlaustin

HB: Broad, Balta, Short

C: McIntosh, Taranto, Ross

HF: Rioli, Koschitzke, Baker

F: Bolton, Lynch, Martin

R: Nankervis, Hopper, Dow

IC: Rioli, Campbell, Mansell, Pickett

SUB: McAuliffe

IN: McAuliffe, Koschitzke, Miller

OUT: Gibcus (knee), Young (concussion), Prestia (hamstring)

Well, where exactly to start for the Tigers? A valiant effort against the Blues was marred by three key injuries, with Gibcus done for the year due to an ACL blow, Prestia to miss weeks with another hamstring injury and Tylar Young out due to the concussion protocols. Expect this to put a temporary halt to the Noah Balta forward experiment and give Jacob Koschitzke a reprieve.

PORT ADELAIDE:

B: Jones, Ratugolea, Zerk-Thatcher

HB: Houston, Aliir, Burton

C: Bergman, Horne-Francis, Boak

HF: Byrne-Jones, Marshall, Finlayson

F: Rioli, Dixon, Mead

R: Soldo, Butters, Rozee

IC: Wines, Drew, Farrell, Evans

SUB: Burgoyne

IN: Burgoyne

OUT: McEntee (concussion)

The Power will be without small forward Jed McEntee due to concussion, with sub last week Francis Evans an apt replacement in Travis Boak’s 350th game. Jase Burgoyne has been knocking down the door all pre-season, and he gets his chance this weekend.

West Coast v GWS

WEST COAST

B: Witherden, Barrass, Hough

HB: Duggan, McGovern, Cole

C: Hunt, Reid, Ginbey

HF: Long, Darling, Petruccelle

F: Waterman, Allen, Cripps

R: Williams, Kelly, Yeo

IC: Chesser, Jones, Edwards, Jamieson

SUB: Brockman

IN: Jones

OUT: Gaff (dropped)

The Eagles were spirited yet couldn’t go with a rampant Power side, with veteran Andrew Gaff facing the axe after being subbed with four disposals in round 1.

GWS

B: Perryman, Taylor, Idun

HB: Whitfield, Buckley, Ash

C: Wehr, Kelly, Callaghan

HF: Daniels, Riccardi, Bedford

F: Greene, Hogan, Brown

R: Briggs, Coniglio, Green

IC: Himmelberg, Thomas, O’Halloran, Cadman

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SUB: Haynes

UNCHANGED

For the Giants, it’s business as usual, if it ain’t broke as they say no need to try and fix it as they try to go 3-0.