Key AFL duo return in five Tigers’ changes

Key duo Brett Deledio and Ivan Maric have been added to Richmond’s AFL side to play Melbourne, coach Damien Hardwick making five changes in search of a winning combination.

Deledio and Maric have been named to play their first games of the season, but Deledio must prove he is over a quad injury at training on Saturday to take his place in Sunday night’s clash at the MCG.

Maric will shoulder the bulk of the ruck duties after Shaun Hampson’s (leg) withdrawal on Friday from the team.

Andrew Moore, Ben Lennon and Taylor Hunt have been dropped from the side after a third defeat in succession last week, while Nick Vlastuin has a leg injury.

Jake Batchelor, Anthony Miles and Steven Morris come into the team with Deledio and Maric.

Melbourne regain Bernie Vince from suspension and Jeff Garlett from injury as they look to record back-to-back wins for the first time since 2011.

Boom youngster Clayton Oliver has been rested while Matt Jones is out with general soreness.

The loser of Sunday’s clash between Fremantle and Carlton at Subiaco will stand alone as the last winless team this season.

Ross Lyon brought in Darcy Tucker, Brady Grey and Zac Clarke at the expense of Ed Langdon, Garrick Ibbotson and Nick Suban, who are the emergencies.

Veteran Blues defender Michael Jamison will spend another week in the VFL after Brendon Bolton opted to make just one change to the side beaten by the Western Bulldogs.

Forward Liam Jones is in for Nick Graham, who was dropped.

Greater Western Sydney’s attack has been bolstered by the returns of Jeremy Cameron and Devon Smith for their clash with St Kilda in Sunday’s early game at Etihad Stadium.

Cameron will play his first game of the season after serving a four-match ban for a high hit on Brisbane’s Rhys Mathieson in a spiteful NAB Challenge clash, while Smith is back from a leg injury.

The Saints regain Luke Dunstan and Jimmy Webster from injury at the expense of Eli Templeton and Blake Acres, who were both dropped.

Final line-ups will be released on Saturday for Monday’s Anzac Day blockbuster between Collingwood and Essendon.

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