AFL teams: Dal Santo, Gibbs, Bont return
North Melbourne has called on midfielder Nick Dal Santo for the first time in 10 rounds with the midfielder finally overcoming a hamstring strain.
Not since round two has Dal Santo appeared for the Kangaroos after requiring surgery on his hamstring.
But after positive noises from Kangaroos interim boss Darren Crocker during the week, the 31-year-old has been recalled, along with Shaun Atley, to face a shaken-up GWS Giants side.
Ryan Bastinac and Shaun McMahon make way for the returning duo, but North Melbourne’s two changes have nothing on the six made by the Giants.
Will Hoskin-Elliot and James Stewart have been dropped, joining the injured foursome of co-captain Phil Davis, Shane Mumford, Joel Patfull and Stephen Coniglio on the sidelines.
Caleb Marchbank and Jack Steele will debut for the young Giants side, which could drop to eighth if they lose to the Kangaroos.
After Richmond enjoyed a week off celebrating their fine win over previously unbeaten Fremantle in Perth, the Tigers will take on West Coast with an unchanged line-up.
Richmond assistant coach Brendon Lade said being able to name the same 22 made the Tigers coaching group a happy bunch.
“It’s been a long time coming,” he told the club’s website.
“We took a lot of confidence out of last week and hopefully we can take that into West Coast this week.”
The Eagles named Matt Rosa for the first time since round four, but opted against recalling Jeremy McGovern, giving the talented defender a two-week break from a thigh strain.
Carlton caretaker John Barker has shown his forgiving side, recalling Chris Yarran after his internal ban for repeated lateness.
Yarran and Bryce Gibbs come into the Blues team for retired legend Chris Judd and Jason Tutt respectively for their battle with Port Adelaide.
Power coach Ken Hinkley has made his frustration with his side known at selection, axing Tom Clurey, Sam Gray and Aaron Young.
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Jackson Trengove has overcome an ankle injury and joins Kane Mitchell as one of five new faces for Port Adelaide.
Both Western Bulldogs and Brisbane Lions have been able to recall key names ahead of their meeting at Etihad Stadium on Saturday night.
Marcus Bontempelli and Liam Picken, who signed a two-year extension with the Bulldogs this week, return for the first time since round nine at the expense of Stewart Crameri (ankle) and Lin Jong (omitted).
For the Lions, Jed Adcock (calf) Jack Redden (back) and Daniel McStay (finger) return, adding 330 games of experience into Brisbane’s line-up.
Round 12 form guide
FRIDAY, June 19
Richmond v West Coast at MCG 7.50pm
Head to Head: Tigers 16 Eagles 23
Last clash: Round 18 2014 – Tigers 8.11 (59) bt Eagles 6.6 (42) at Domain Stadium
Tab Sportsbet: Tigers $1.70 Eagles $2.15
William Hill: Tigers $1.75 Eagles $2.10
A week may be a long time in football, but a month can seem an eternity. Just ask Richmond coach Damien Hardwick, who was starting to come under pressure after his side’s 2-4 start to the season. The Tigers have since banked four consecutive wins, the most impressive being their upset of ladder-leading Fremantle in Perth. Having named an unchanged team for the first time this season, the Tigers face an in-form West Coast side that are in the box seat for a top-four berth.
Key: The weather. Hardwick hinted he may re-jig his forward line and leave out either Ty Vickery or Ben Griffiths if it rains as predicted. If it’s bucketing down, which side will be better placed to win ugly?
Tip: Tigers by 2 points
SATURDAY, June 20
Carlton v Port Adelaide at MCG 1.40pm
Head to Head: Blues 11 Power 15 drawn 1
Last clash: Round 22 2014 – Power 20.20 (140) bt Blues 5.7 (37) at Adelaide Oval
Tab Sportsbet: Blues $3.55 Power $1.30
William Hill: Blues $3.40 Power $1.32
Port were billed as genuine premiership contenders throughout summer, but halfway through the season they’re 5-6 and face a huge fight to scramble into the top four before September. They simply can’t afford to drop games like this, but that will be easier said than done if Carlton show the same spirit they did in a last-start loss to Adelaide.
Key: The midfield battle. No Chris Judd, but Bryce Gibbs and Chris Yarran are back for the Blues. Will the hosts be able to match Port’s running power on the wide expanses of the MCG?
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Tip: Power by 22 points
Greater Western Sydney v North Melbourne at Spotless Stadium 4.35pm
Head to Head: Giants 0 Kangaroos 4
Last clash: Round 20 2014 – Kangaroos 19.12 (126) bt Giants 7.9 (51) at Manuka Oval
Tab Sportsbet: Giants $2.75 Kangaroos $1.45
William Hill: Giants $2.80 Kangaroos $1.44
The Giants’ season of promise hit a serious hurdle at the MCG last Sunday. They were thumped by Collingwood, but more concerning are the serious injuries suffered by Shane Mumford, Phil Davis and Joel Patfull. Coach Leon Cameron says it will be no excuse against North, but Mumford is arguably the side’s most important player. The Kangaroos’ hot-and-cold season continued last weekend when they went down to Sydney.
Key: Todd Goldstein is the form ruckman of the competition and GWS will quickly learn how tough life will be without Mumford. They also have to find a way to quell North’s three key forwards without Patfull and Davis.
Tip: Kangaroos by 29 points
Western Bulldogs v Brisbane Lions at Etihad Stadium 7.20pm
Head to Head: Bulldogs 27 Lions 21
Last clash: Round 12 2014 – Lions 14.11 (95) bt Bulldogs 13.9 (87) at Etihad Stadium
Tab Sportsbet: Bulldogs $1.27 Lions $3.75
William Hill: Bulldogs $1.33 Lions $3.30
Both sides enjoyed a week off and it came at a good time for the Lions, who regain Jack Redden and Jed Adcock from injury. The Bulldogs were the toast of the AFL after knocking off Sydney at the SCG in round five, but they’ve won only one of five games since. Nonetheless they’re expected to get the job done against the lowly Lions, having recalled Marcus Bontempelli and Liam Picken after injuries.
Key: After a five-game stint in the seconds, veteran ruckman Will Minson impressed against GWS and Port Adelaide. The 2013 All-Australian’s battle with Stefan Martin and Matthew Leuenberger will be crucial.
Tip: Bulldogs by 31 points
SUNDAY, June 21
Geelong v Melbourne at Simonds Stadium 3.20pm
Head to Head: Cats 126 Demons 83 drawn 2
Last clash: Round 17 2014 – Cats 14.18 (102) bt Demons 5.6 (36) at MCG
Tab Sportsbet: Cats $1.14 Demons $5.75
William Hill: Cats $1.15 Demons $5.50
Geelong backed up their thumping of Essendon with an impressive win over Port Adelaide. Injuries to Rhys Stanley and James Kelly hurt the Cats, but they’re in form and should be well and truly up for this one given it is Corey Enright’s 300th match. In sharp contrast the Demons snatched defeat from the jaws of victory against St Kilda when they took the lead with 41 seconds left, but couldn’t get men behind the ball.
Key: Mentality of both sides. If the Cats play at their best they should win this comfortably, but will complacency creep in at all? Can Melbourne pick themselves up after such a heartbreaking loss?
Tip: Cats by 34 points
– AAP
