Hawthorn have dropped 2014 finals hero Will Langford for their trip to Tasmania to play league leaders Fremantle.
While the Dockers are unchanged, Hawthorn have made two changes for the Launceston blockbuster, with a change of ruckmen and Billy Hartung coming in for Langford.
Hawthorn football boss Chris Fagan said the change was more about promoting Hartung rather than dropping Langford.
“Billy displayed great form for Box Hill Hawks last weekend and has managed to force his way back in,” Fagan told the club’s website.
“Will is unlucky to find himself out of the team.”
Langford has shown consistent but not spectacular form for the premiers after his breakout performance in last year’s finals series.
In contrast, Hartung has been a huge improver in 2015, almost doubling his average possession count and providing the Hawks with line-breaking pace.
Hawks coach Alastair Clarkson has also dropped Jon Ceglar for Ben McEvoy after several dominant VFL performances from the latter.
Defender Ted Richards will miss Sydney’s trip to Brisbane after suffering concussion as a result of a sling tackle from Jay Schulz last weekend against Port Adelaide.
While Schulz controversially avoided suspension for the sling tackle, Swans football chief Tom Harley said Richards was not fit enough to play against the Lions.
“We have monitored Ted’s progress during the week and after a good period of rest, he felt well enough to resume training, however he relayed to our medical staff that he was not feeling 100 per cent,” Harley said.
Both the Swans and Brisbane have strong inclusions for Sunday’s late match, with Lance Franklin and Kurt Tippett among Sydney’s ins, while for Brisbane ball magnets Pearce Hanley and Tom Rockliff return.
St Kilda are unchanged as they look to build on last weekend’s 110-point thumping of Essendon, while opponents GWS Giants have recalled Adam Tomlinson and Stephen Coniglio.
Giants coach Leon Cameron said he was pleased to be able to name Tomlinson after a toe complaint that had sidelined him since round two.
“It was unfortunate for him to suffer the first serious injury of his career after a really strong pre-season but he moved well for the UWS Giants in the NEAFL last weekend and we’re looking forward to having him back in the line-up,” Cameron said.
“Adam has been playing a key role for us as he’s established himself in the Giants side over the last 18 months; whether it be up forward, pinch-hitting in the ruck or on the wing.”
Forgotten Giant forward Jon Patton will play his first match of football since re-tearing his anterior cruciate ligament last season, returning through the NEAFL in the curtain raiser to St Kilda’s visit.
