Newman could make AFL return

West Coast forward Murray Newman could play his first AFL game since 2012 after the Eagles put him on their senior list.

The 21-year-old was included in the Eagles’ senior squad for the big home game on Sunday against Sydney after his promotion from rookie status on Thursday in place of injured defender Mitch Brown.

Newman served six months of a 12-month jail term last year for assault.

He missed almost two months this season with a ruptured finger tendon.

The most recent of Newman’s four AFL games was in round 17, 2012.

Another player who has had serious off-field issues, Gold Coast midfielder Harley Bennell, is among five inclusions for Saturday’s away game against Adelaide.

Bennell has served a two-game club suspension, while the Suns also welcome back tall forward Charlie Dixon.

Luke Russell, Sean Lemmens and Henry Schade were also named.

Jarrod Harbrow is a new father and will not make the trip.

Mitch Hallahan has an arm injury, a quad injury will sideline Tom Nicholls and Clay Cameron and Peter Wright were dropped.

Matt Crouch is the unlucky omission for star Crows onballer Rory Sloane, who could wear headgear when he returns from a fractured jaw.

Crouch has had 20-plus disposals in his last three games.

Essendon ruckman Jonathan Giles has again failed to break into the senior team for Saturday night’s game against Port Adelaide.

Giles is yet to make his AFL debut with Essendon.

The Bombers will persist with Shaun McKernan as their main ruck option, despite coming up against North Melbourne’s Todd Goldstein, who is fresh off a dominant performance last round.

“We just think we’re too tall if we have two ruckmen, with the sort of taller players we have at both ends of the ground,” coach James Hird told the club website.

“We think Shaun deserves another chance … we back him to bounce back.”

The Power recalled Matt White, Andrew Moore and Sam Colquhoun for Nathan Krakouer (hamstring), Paul Stewart and Brendon Ah Chee.

Geelong regained captain Joel Selwood, but dropped veteran midfielder Mathew Stokes for Saturday’s must-win game against GWS in Canberra.

The Cats also recalled Billie Smedts for Jed Bews.

The Giants dropped Cam McCarthy and Matt Buntine is out because of concussion.

North Melbourne recalled small forward Lindsay Thomas for Brent Harvey’s 400th game on Saturday night against Brisbane at the `Gabba.

Drew Petrie is back from suspension and Luke McDonald was also recalled.

The Kangaroos lost Jamie Macmillan (hamstring) and Aaron Mullett, while Aaron Black was dropped.

The Lions brought in Liam Dawson for Ryan Harwood (hip).

Ben Griffiths and Sam Lloyd are back for Richmond ahead of Saturday’s must-win MCG match against Fremantle, who recalled Clancee Pearce for Hayden Ballantyne (pectoral muscle).

Carlton lost Andrew Carrazzo (foot) for Friday night’s game at Etihad Stadium against Hawthorn.

They also dropped Tom Fields as Liam Jones and Blaine Boekhorst were named.

The Hawks promoted Jonathan O’Rourke and Bradley Hill for Ben Stratton (ankle) and Liam Shiels (quad).

Tyson Goldsack and Darcy Moore are in Collingwood’s squad for the Sunday game against the Western Bulldogs.

They are the most obvious options to replace key forward Travis Cloke (calf).

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