Richmond axe three AFL players

Richmond coach Damien Hardwick has axed three AFL players in response to last week’s humiliating late capitulation to Collingwood.

The Tigers have dumped Taylor Hunt, Jacob Townsend and Ben Griffiths, while losing Dylan Grimes to a hamstring injury, for Saturday’s clash with an unchanged Adelaide side at Etihad Stadium.

Meanwhile, injury-hit Port Adelaide have summoned Darcy Byrne-Jones for his AFL debut in Friday night’s fixture against Essendon at Adelaide Oval.

The Power, without Chad Wingard (hamstring), Alipate Carlile (wrist), Hamish Hartlett (hamstring) and Jay Schulz (back), also recalled Karl Amon and Paul Stewart, while the Bombers didn’t make a change from their side which defeated Melbourne last weekend.

In other Saturday selections, Collingwood named former Demon Jeremy Howe for his first game for the club.

Howe was picked to play St Kilda at the MCG in the afternoon match as the Pies also omitted three players – Brent Macaffer, Corey Gault and Jack Frost – while Jackson Ramsay is unavailable after suffering a suspected anterior cruciate ligament tear which could sideline him for a year.

The Saints, seeking their first win of the season, recalled Darren Minchington at the expense of Jade Gresham.

Sydney and Greater Western Sydney both made one change each for their Saturday night encounter at the SCG – the Swans dropped Dean Towers and brought in Ben McGlynn, and the Giants recalled evergreen backman Joel Patfull to replace the injured Caleb Marchbank (ankle).

West Coast and Fremantle also made one alteration each for their grudge match in Perth on Saturday night.

The Eagles summoned Chris Masten in favour of Jamie Bennell (omitted) while Freo recalled Matt De Boer to replace Clancee Pearce (hamstring).

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