Hi Everyone,
A couple of the usual injuries from left field we didn't see coming but a big surprise inclusion for coaches who have a certain Sydney Goal kicking machine in their team.
Adelaide v Western Bulldogs
We all knew that Mcgovern and Tex were going to be out injured this week to deplete the Crows Forward Line but there was another shock with Matt Crouch out with a hamstring injury again!
The Crows kept that one quiet during the week and they also lose reliable small defender Brown so they have got some real problems, might be time to check out the puppy dogs odds for this week.
In for Crows are Hartigan, Fogarty, Murphy and Gibson will play his first game after the Crows threw him a lifeline in the off season.
The Dogs get some backline relief with Easton Wood and Trengrove returning.
Big man Roughhead is also back.
Out goes young gun Defender Naughton who has injured his ankle.
Young and Honeychurch have been omitted.
Gold Coast Suns v Port Adelaide Power
The Suns have named a first games for the China trip.
Jacob Heron becomes the first AFL footballer to debut outside of Australia.
Heron came through the Gold Coast Academy and is known for his pace.
Day is the unlucky Sun to miss out on the China trip due to his suspension.
When you win a derby match over local rival Adelaide no one gets dropped.
No change for Power this week.
North Melbourne v GWS Giants
No Change for the Kangas this week after that brilliant performance against the Tigers that only just came up short.
No injury relief for the Giants this week with stars, Kelly, Deledio and Greene still out and further paid.
Skipper Davis will miss due to that nasty concussion and De Boer is out with a hamstring injury.
No return of Patton either after he failed to impress in the NEAFL after being dropped last week.
In comes journeyman key defender Mohr and exciting young Academy prospect, Perryman gets another chance after impressing in the NEAFL.
Essendon v Geelong
The struggling Bombers have made 5 changes after that shocking loss to arch rival Carlton last week.
Essendon lose one of their most important players in key Defender Hurley to injury.
Experienced Midfielder Myers is also out while Mutch, Parish and McNiece have been omitted.
In comes a bunch of youngsters in what might be a sign to come for the rest of the season.
Guelfi, Dea, Langford and first gamers Ridley & Clarke all come in.
Ridley was a pick 22 in the 2016 draft so is a cash cow to keep an eye on and Clarke was taken later in that same draft.
For the Cats, Star Forward Tom Hawkins returns from that suspension whilst young cult hero Ratugolea is out with injury.
Sydney Swans v Fremantle
Buddy is back!!
After Longmire earlier in the week ruled him out, Buddy has surprisingly been named.
Either the Swans are playing some games and toying with Fremantle or Buddy made some huge improvements in the last few days.
Star Midfielder Hannebery is also back to further strengthen the Swans.
Out goes Robinson and the under performing Towers who is not delivering on the potential he showed earlier in his career.
The Dockers also regain a couple of very good players of their own.
Super fast long kicking Defender Wilson is back and so is exciting Forward Walters.
Young Defender Duman has been omitted as has journeyman Pearce.
St Kilda v Collingwood
The Saints desperately need the 4 points as they incredibly have not won a game since Round 1.
They are surely too good a side for this to continue and a win must be around the corner but injuries could derail their chances for this week.
The Saints have lost their most important Defender Carlisle after he suffered a nasty concussion courtesy of Fyfe last week.
Gilbert also misses with injury as was expected but Acres is also out with a sore groin in a further blow to the Saints.
Still no big Paddy McCartin but the Saints do regain the speedy Jack Sinclair who will bolster their Midfield.
Small Forward Lonie is also back in the side and the Saints have finally handed a debut to Bailey Rice.
Rice is the son of former Saints and Blues player Dean Rice.
He was a Father Son selection for St Kilda and taken at Pick 49 in the 2015 Draft.
Injuries have delayed his debut but after impressing in the VFL he gets his chance.
The kid can really play from all reports so is a definite Cash Cow to keep a close eye on this weekend.
Collingwood have made 3 changes headlined by the return of their skipper and star player Pendlebury.
Forward Fasolo is also finally back in the seniors after an injury interrupted pre season while Langdon is back to bolster their backline.
Moore is out with another hamstring injury and surprisingly Brown has been dropped.
Brown has been pretty good this year and looked to be a budding member of the Midfield rotation.
He still will be but obviously hasn't cemented his spot in the Pies best 22 yet.
Crocker is also omitted and whilst he can impress in patches, I think he is fast running out of time to make his mark.
Carlton v Melbourne
Into Sunday teams now so extended interchange benches.
The big news here is Ed Curnow is out after the AFL appealed his fine from the tribunal and it was upgraded to a suspension.
This is a blow to Fantasy Coaches as given he is the 2nd highest ranked player of the year, he is sure to of been traded in to a lot of teams.
In some great news for Blues fans, skipper Marc Murphy returns from his foot injury this week to replace Curnow in that Midfield.
Weitering, Silvagni are named on the extended bench as are Shaw who was recruited from Gold Coast and Kerr who was a drifter to 65 in the 2016 Draft but does have some wraps on him.
The Demons also regain an important player this week with the return of Jack Viney to bolster that Midfield.
Pederson, Hunt, Garlett and Tim Smith are named on the extended bench.
Young Forward Weideman is out with injury.
West Coast v Richmond
The Eagles are flying having not lost since Round 1 and they have some big ins this week.
Mcgovern and Naitanui are guaranteed starters while Dom Sheed, speedster Jetta and youngster Murtimer have been named on the extended bench.
The only out so far is McInnes who has been omitted.
For the Tigers no outs as yet with Soldo, Grigg, B Ellis and Stengle all named on the extended interchange bench.
I would expect Grigg to be a certainty to play now he has recovered from injury.
Brisbane Lions v Hawthorn
The Lions are still looking for win number 1 this year and have no confirmed outs as yet.
Mayes could get a reprieve after strong NEAFL form while Walker, Keays and Barrett have also all been named on the extended interchange.
In another injury kept quiet during the week Jaeger is a shock out but is only expected to miss the one match with a corked calf.
Puopolo returns from injury and is named on the extended bench along with some cash cows that have failed to impress thus far in Cousins, Worpel and Mirra.
A name that caused much amusement in the footy world when he was drafted in 2016, Mitchell Lewis could also get a debut.
He was of course drafted in on the back of Sam Mitchell going to WC the year before and Jordan Lewis heading to the Demons that year.
I hope the ins and outs have been good to your Fantasy teams and best of luck in your league matches this weekend.
Don't forget to get your tips in @footytips for your chance to win some SBD.
Thanks for Reading :)
Cheers from @aflfantasy owners @dahmsy79 & @o07