Collingwood’s debilitating run of injuries this AFL season continues, with big men Darren Jolly and Ben Reid the latest casualties.
Jolly is not the only top ruckman out of action this weekend, with Richmond also losing Adam Maric.
Jolly will miss the Magpies’ big away match on Saturday against Port Adelaide with a toe injury.
Reid is one of Collingwood’s top defenders and he is also out of the side because of a hamstring problem.
While Collingwood football manager Geoff Walsh told the club website their absences are not expected to be long-term, the timing is awful for them.
Collingwood are seventh, only one game ahead of Port Adelaide, and the Power will fancy their chances after last week’s stunning upset win over Sydney.
One positive for the `Pies is that star onballer Luke Ball returns from a calf injury, with Jordan Russell also recalled and Ben Hudson taking Jolly’s place.
Youngster Adam Oxley was the third omission.
Port regained captain Travis Boak and Travis Trengove for Matt Thomas and Campbell Heath.
Richmond lost Maric with groin soreness for Sunday’s match against St Kilda at the MCG and David Astbury (hamstring) is also out.
But the Tigers are confident key defender Troy Chaplin will play after hurting his knee last weekend.
Top side Hawthorn lost three players through injury for Sunday’s Launceston game against Brisbane.
After announcing earlier this week that Grant Birchell (knee) will be out of action for around six weeks, they also have left Brent Guerra (back) and Max Bailey (knee soreness) out of their squad.
Brendan Whitecross was named in the extended squad for the first time since his knee reconstruction last September.
Carlton recalled Chris Yarran for Friday night’s SCG match against Sydney.
He was dropped after reacting badly to having the substitute’s role in the round-11 loss to Essendon.
The Blues lost captain Marc Murphy (fractured cheekbone) and dropped Sam Rowe, with Simon White also returning.
Adam Goodes’ knee injury put him out of action and the Swans dropped Tony Armstrong as Andrejs Everitt and Brandon Jack return.
Steve Johnson’s suspension means Josh Caddy rejoins the Geelong side for their Saturday night home game against Fremantle, who lost Michael Barlow (jaw) and recalled Tom Sheridan.
Gold Coast emerged from the bye with five changes for Saturday’s home game against Adelaide.
Karmichael Hunt is back for his first game since round six and the Suns also named Greg Broughton, Maverick Weller and Steven May.
Adam Boston will make his senior debut.
Apart from losing Michael Rischitelli (elbow), Luke Russel (hip) and Tom Lynch (knee), the Suns dropped Liam Patrick and Jack Hutchins.
Adelaide recalled Brent Reilly, Aidan Riley and Brad Crouch for David Mackay, Ian Callinan and Shaun McKernan.
James Frawley and Max Gawn return for Melbourne, who lost Jake Spencer to suspension and dropped Cam Pedersen ahead of Saturday night’s MCG game against the Western Bulldogs.
Ayce Cordy, Mitch Wallis and Tory Dickson are back for the `Dogs and Brett Goodes has a wrist injury.
The Bulldogs dropped Lukas Markovic and Liam Picken.
