Rocked by a sleeping-pill scandal, Richmond have made seven changes for Saturday’s AFL round-15 clash with Melbourne at the MCG.
The 11th-placed Tigers have dropped Todd Elton and ex-Demon Brad Miller on top of their five forced changes.
Emerging star Dustin Martin has been suspended for two weeks by the Tigers and Daniel Connors has been sacked after they were late to training on Tuesday, saying they had taken sleeping pills and slept through alarms.
Connors took his own prescription medication, while Martin took a friend’s sleeping tablets and had also been drinking alcohol.
Connors had a history of off-field problems at Richmond.
The Tigers have also lost Jake King (knee), Dylan Grimes (hamstring) and Daniel Jackson (suspended) from last week’s side which went down to the Crows in Adelaide.
Nathan Foley has been unable to force his way back into the side following a heel injury.
The Tigers included debutant Tom Derickx alongside Matthew White, Luke McGuane, Reece Conca, Jake Batchelor, Brett O’Hanlon and Addam Maric.
Melbourne recalled Nathan Jones and Jamie Bennell for injured pair James Sellar and Tom McDonald.
The Magpies regain Ben Sinclair for Friday’s clash with Carlton at the MCG. Caolan Mooney has been dropped.
Collingwood’s champion midfielder Scott Pendlebury has been given another week to regain full fitness after fracturing his tibia in round 10.
The Blues, seeking to end a four-game losing streak as coach Brett Ratten battles to hold his job, have dropped ruck/forward Robbie Warnock.
David Ellard and Josh Bootsma also make way for Andrew Collins, Ed Curnow and debutant Andrew McInnes, 20.
Hawthorn named the competition’s leading goalkicker Lance Franklin despite last week’s sore hamstring.
The Hawks host Greater Western Sydney at the MCG on Sunday. The Giants will regain Taylor Adams (suspension) and No.2 draft pick Stephen Coniglio (thumb).
North Melbourne are unchanged for Saturday’s Hobart clash with West Coast who are celebrating rover Daniel Kerr’s 200th game. The Eagles regain Sam Butler and Will Schofield for Mitch Brown and Brad Sheppard (ankle).
Brisbane will be without Ash McGrath (leg), Mitchell Golby (foot) and Jared Polec (foot) for Saturday’s game against the unchanged Swans at the SCG.
Clinton Jones is among five inclusions for St Kilda’s game against Essendon at Etihad Stadium on Saturday night, while the Saints will miss Brendon Goddard (suspended), Rhys Stanley (hamstring) and Jason Blake (ankle).
The Bombers recalled Ricky Dyson and Alwyn Davey for Stewart Crameri (suspended) and Cory Dell’Olio.
Port Adelaide included Jacob Surjan and midfield star Travis Boak for Saturday night’s showdown with Adelaide, who have included Shaun McKernan, Ricky Henderson and debutant Tim McIntyre.
Taylor Walker’s suspension is a blow for the Crows who will also be without Ian Callinan (calf) and Jared Petrenko (foot).
Geelong named Paul Chapman, David Wojcinski, Josh Hunt, Dawson Simpson and Mitch Brown in their squad for Sunday’s game at Metricon Stadium against Gold Coast.
Injured forwards Mitch Duncan and James Podsiadly are both out of the Geelong lineup.
Gold Coast named Campbell Brown, Jarrod Harbrow and Michael Rischitelli in their squad.
The Western Bulldogs will be without Dylan Addison (jaw), Rob Murphy (hamstring) and Brownlow Medallist Adam Cooney (soreness) on Sunday against Fremantle, while Liam Jones has been dropped.
The Dockers have dropped Zach Clarke, Alex Silvagni and Jayden Pitt.
