Essendon vs Western Bulldogs
Friday, July 17, Metricon Stadium, 7:50 pm (all times AEST)
TEAM NEWS
ESSENDON
The AFL Tribunal on Tuesday upheld Dylan Shiel's two-match ban for his bump on Kangaroo Curtis Taylor. The Bombers were unsuccessful in their challenge to reduce the ban.
Shiel will miss this week's game against the Bulldogs while Martin Gleeson will also come out of the side as the Bombers decide to rest him.
Essendon have recalled defender Mason Redman and will unveil first-gamer and goalsneak Ned Cahill. Cahill was taken with pick No. 56 in the 2019 AFL Draft.
Conor McKenna has been named to play and will be given every chance to run out on Friday night after finger surgery on Tuesday.
WESTERN BULLDOGS
The Bulldogs have wielded the axe at the selection table this week, dropping four players.
Schache, West, McLean and Butler will all sit out this week's match.
The Dogs bring back in Crozier after serving his one-game suspension, as well as Suckling, Young. Small forward C
Cody Weightman will make his debut, who was taken with pick No.15 in last year's draft.
Prediction: Essendon by 11 points.
GWS vs Brisbane Lions
Saturday, July 18, Giants Stadium, 1:45pm
TEAM NEWS
GWS
Veteran midfielder Callan Ward will miss at least the next four weeks with knee soreness, while Jackson Hately and young gun Tom Green have both been dropped.
The Giants have also had two late withdrawals, with Toby Greene (knee) and Daniel Lloyd (managed) coming out of the side.
Reigning best and fairest winner Tim Taranto is back for his first game this season after suffering a shoulder injury in early March.
Taranto, Zac Langdon, Bobby Hill and Jye Caldwell are the three additions to the Giants line-up this week.
BRISBANE
The Lions take an unchanged team into their match against the Giant, sticking with the same side that went down to Geelong last week.
Both Hugh McCluggage and Mitch Robinson are expected to play after shoulder and quad soreness respectively following last week's game.
Both Noah Answerth and Alex Witherden are next-in-line for a defensive role if needed.
Prediction: Giants by 15 points.
Sydney Swans vs Gold Coast
Saturday, July 18, SCG, 4:35pm
TEAM NEWS
SYDNEY
Two of Sydney's most important players in Josh Kennedy and Isaac Heeney both make way due to injury. Kennedy is out for up to six weeks with a knee injury and Heeney will miss the rest of the season due to a dislocated and ruptured ankle.
Sam Gray and Hayden McLean have both been dropped.
Aliir Aliir comes back into the side after being omitted following the West Coast loss, while Callum Sinclair and Tom McCartin return after recovering from their injuries to provide some much-needed forward targets.
Elijah Taylor will make his AFL debut after booting four goals in Sydney's scratch match.
GOLD COAST
Youngster Will Powell comes back into the Gold Coast side, with Brayden Fiorini making way.
Prediction: Gold Coast by 20 points.
Richmond vs North Melbourne
Saturday, July 18, Metricon Stadium, 7:40pm
TEAM NEWS
RICHMOND
The Tigers take an unchanged line-up into round seven to face North Melbourne after hanging on to beat the Swans by eight points last week.
Trent Cotchin will miss again through a hamstring injury. Riley Collier-Dawkins will be in the frame for a near-future debut.
Marlion Pickett holds his spot, although struggled again to make a significant impact against the Swans.
NORTH MELBOURNE
North Melbourne have been forced to replace exciting forward Tarryn Thomas through injury (ankle), while Paul Ahern has been dropped for underperforming.
The additions of skipper Jack Ziebell, Mason Wood, who kicked four goals in North's scratch match, and Aiden Bonar will provide the Roos with a boost.
Majak Daw will be pushing for selection in the upcoming weeks. Tom Campbell also comes out of the side due to underperformance.
Prediction: Tigers by 24
Carlton vs Port Adelaide
Sunday, July 19, Gabba, 1:05pm
TEAM NEWS
CARLTON
Skipper Patrick Cripps and former captain Marc Murphy are both expected to play after pulling up sore after the game against the Bulldogs.
The Blues go into this one unchanged after their dominant 52-point win over Carlton.
Jack Silvagni could come into the selection frame in the upcoming weeks.
PORT ADELAIDE
Utility Cam Sutcliffe will miss the next two weeks with a hamstring injury he suffered in his side's win over the Giants. The reliable Brad Ebert will miss due to a suspension and Scott Lycett through injury.
Peter Ladhams, Sam Mayes and Xavier Duursma come in for the Power.
Prediction: Power by 18 points
Hawthorn vs Melbourne
Sunday, July 19, Giants Stadium, 3:35pm
TEAM NEWS
HAWTHORN
Big-name recruit Jonathon Patton will miss the next four weeks with a hamstring injury.
Shaun Burgoyne returns to the side after he was rested last week. Mitch Lewis has been named and will take Patton's spot in the forward 50 if he can get through Hawthorn's last training session for the week. Lewis is currently recovering from hip soreness.
Darren Minchington will make his Hawks debut, with Jonathon Ceglar to miss through injury.
Tom Scully has had a less than an impressive month, although retains his spot in the side.
MELBOURNE
Melbourne Forward Tom McDonald will miss following a serious eye injury he sustained last week. Luke Jackson takes his place.
Prediction: Melbourne by 8 points.
Fremantle vs West Coast Eagles
Sunday, July 19, Optus Stadium, 6:35pm
TEAM NEWS
FREMANTLE
Fremantle captain Nat Fyfe will miss the Derby after his hamstring failed to recover in time. Hayden Young will also miss this week's clash due to a serious ankle injury that will keep him out of action for an extended period.
Sean Darcy will be given every chance to play after suffering a concussion last week. Brennan Cox and Michael Frederick come in for Fremantle.
WEST COAST
After overcoming a hamstring injury, skipper Luke Shuey comes into the side for Brayden Ainsworth.
Lewis Jetta has not played for two weeks now after being dropped after the Sydney win.
Prediction: Eagles by 21 points.
Adelaide Crows vs St Kilda
Monday, July 20, Adelaide Oval, 7:40pm
TEAM NEWS
ADELAIDE
Skipper Rory Sloane has been ruled out for a month with a hand surgery.
Paul Seedsman is a likely inclusion after being named as an emergency last week.
Tyson Stengle or Shane McAdam could also come out of the side after they had quiet games last week.
Small forward Lachie Murphy is also available for selection after serving his one-game suspension and is a likely inclusion.
ST KILDA
After a heavy hit on Fremantle's Sean Darcy, Ben Long will miss the next two games through suspension.
Jonathon Marsh and Dean Kent would be feeling some pressure to keep their spots in the side after quiet games in the loss to Fremantle.
Jimmy Webster or Shane Savage might come in as a direct swap for Ben long, with Paddy Ryder also to be considered after missing the last three games.
Debutant Ryan Byrnes will be unleashed and Jake Sinclair is a good chance to come in.
Prediction: Saints by 26 points.
