Big guns named for NAB Challenge

Star recruit Dayne Beams will pull on Brisbane Lions colours for the first time in Saturday’s NAB Challenge clash with St Kilda.

Beams, who was traded from Collingwood to the Lions last year, heads a strong 29-man squad named by coach Justin Leppitsch, which also includes former Carlton midfielder Mitch Robinson.

Daniel Rich, Jack Redden, Brent Staker and Luke McGuane will also return from long injury lay-offs to take on the Saints, but Brisbane’s other big recruit – Allen Christensen – will be rested along with Stefan Martin and Matt Maguire.

St Kilda has named No.1 draft pick Paddy McCartin for his first official game for his new club.

The Western Bulldogs have also rolled out the big guns for their meeting with Richmond at Whitten Oval, and a capacity crowd is expected to be on hand to watch big-money spearhead Tom Boyd make his first appearance for his new club.

Most of the Bulldogs’ experienced heads are also in the squad but they will face a Tigers side without the likes of Trent Cotchin, Brett Deledio, Jack Riewoldt, Ivan Maric, Dustin Martin and Alex Rance.

Former Sydney defender Nick Malceski will help lead a Gold Coast Suns outfit in the absence of skipper Gary Ablett when they face Geelong on Sunday in Townsville.

The Cats will leave behind star pair Joel Selwood and Steve Johnson, but Mitch Clark will play his first AFL game since 2013.

He quit the game last year citing clinical depression during his injury-ridden stint with Melbourne, before announcing his decision to come out of retirement.

Adelaide has left out Patrick Dangerfield and Scott Thompson from their side for Sunday’s match against North Melbourne in Port Lincoln, but the Kangaroos have named Shaun Higgins, Jarrad Waite, Jack Ziebell, Daniel Wells, Nick Dal Santo and Brent Harvey.

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