AFL Teams Round 20: Chopping Block - Brisbane forced to play Hipwood in defence?

Kieran Francis

AFL Teams Round 20: Chopping Block - Brisbane forced to play Hipwood in defence? image

Brisbane are facing an incredible defensive crisis with a gun forward tipped to shift down back.

While injuries are mounting at Carlton as they attempt to build for finals.

The Sporting News has all the latest AFL team selection news.

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Carlton vs. Port Adelaide teams

Tom De Koning (foot/lung) is a huge out for Carlton with the Blues clearly a much better team with him in it.

Marc Pittonet will be a straight swap for the in-form Carlton ruckman.

A swag of Blues face fitness tests including Blake Acres (foot), Mitch McGovern (hip), Orazio Fantasia (calf), Jordan Boyd (shin) and Caleb Marchbank (illness).

Depending on who is available, Jaxon Binns surely must be first in line for a senior opportunity after gathering 47 disposals and three goals in the VFL.

Jack Martin also got through the VFL unscathed and could make his senior return.

Port Adelaide will be hoping to regain Todd Marshall (hip), Kane Farrell (hamstring) and Lachie Jones (concussion).

If those three players return, Quinton Narkle, Ollie Lord and Dylan Williams look like the players that will be squeezed out.

North Melbourne vs. Geelong teams

After a competitive performance against Carlton, North Melbourne will be unlikely to make too many changes.

Jaidyn Stephenson collected 30 disposals and 11 marks in the VFL and should come in for small forward Robert Hansen Jr, who struggled to have an impact.

It will be interesting to see what Chris Scott's reaction is to Geelong being thrashed at home by the Bulldogs.

Tanner Bruhn is a certainty to return after 35 possessions in the VFL, while late outs Shannon Neale and Tom Atkins will also come in pending their fitness.

Several Geelong players will be fearing the axe including Brandan Parfitt, Mark O'Connor, Oisin Mullin, Jhye Clark, Mitch Knevitt and Ted Clohesy.

St Kilda vs. Essendon teams

Liam Henry's (knee) season is over and he could be the only change for the Saints after winning two of their last three games.

Paddy Dow is the probable replacement after picking up 32 possessions and 11 clearances in the VFL.

Anthony Caminiti (ankle) is listed as a test and could be brought straight back in if he is fit.

Another loss to Essendon and it will be another interesting night at selection.

Last week, Peter Wright and Dyson Heppell were axed but both could come back in after the defeat against Adelaide.

Darcy Parish (calf) could finally return to the senior team but might come back through the VFL.

Matt Guelfi (hamstring) is the only forced out, while Jye Menzie and Jake Kelly will be discussed at selection.

Gold Coast vs. Brisbane Lions teams

After picking up coaches votes last week, Ned Moyle could be the most unlucky man in football if Jarrod Witts returns from injury to take his Gold Coast senior position.

Rory Atkins, Brayden Fiorini and Tom Berry continue to dominate the VFL but Damien Hardwick seems to not be interested in selecting them at the moment.

Players nervous at selection will include Lloyd Johnston, Jed Walter and Alex Sexton.

Brisbane Lions have a defensive injury crisis with Harris Andrews (concussion) and Darragh Joyce (jaw) ruled out, while Jack Payne, Darcy Gardiner and Tom Doedee are already on the sidelines.

Ryan Lester is currently the only tall defensive option, with forward Logan Morris likely to be selected down back, while Eric Hipwood could also be shifted for a week.

Smaller utilties Jaxon Prior and Noah Answerth are also pushing for selection.

Melbourne vs. GWS teams

The Demons will be praying for the return of Max Gawn (ankle) after last week's thrashing at the hands of Fremantle.

Gawn will undergo a fitness test with his availability more likely than not.

Christian Salem (hamstring) misses more football with a soft tissue injury, while Koltyn Tholstrup is in concussion protocols.

Kynan Brown had an extraordinary 24 tackles in the VFL, along with 27 touches and a goal, while Blake Howes and Marty Hore also put their hands up.

Daniel Turner and Andy Moniz-Wakefield have the omission axe hanging over them after struggling efforts against the Dockers.

GWS should regain star defender Sam Taylor (testicle), while Stephen Coniglio (shoulder) is a good chance to return.

Isaac Cumming (hamstring) has been ruled out for six weeks, with Aaron Cadman and Toby McMullin putting in quiet performances against Gold Coast.

Nick Haynes, Conor Stone and Jacob Wehr were the Giants best in the VFL, but might struggle to get in the team if Taylor and Coniglio are selected.

Fremantle vs. West Coast Eagles teams

Fremantle captain Alex Pearce (broken arm) is set for another stint on the sidelines after a new fracture was detected.

Unlucky omission from last week, Josh Draper, should be elevated into the team as Pearce's replacement.

A big win against Melbourne should see the Dockers have a quiet selection night in general.

West Coast will likely swing the axe after their thrashing at the hands of St Kilda.

Jeremy McGovern, Jake Waterman, Elliot Yeo and Matthew Flynn could all return from injury with several players looking over the shoulders.

Josh Rotham, Jai Culley, Campbell Chesser, Jack Hutchinson and Jermaine Jones could face the axe if the Eagles get back their veteran reinforcements.

Collingwood vs. Richmond teams

Collingwood's season is on life support so this will be an interesting selection for coach Craig McCrae.

The forward line will be boosted by the returns of Lachie Schultz and Mason Cox, who comes in for the concussed Nathan Kreuger.

Jack Bytel and Finlay Macrae continue to put up big numbers in the VFL but neither have translated that senior form previously.

Billy Frampton could also return after being dropped for last week.

Richmond will get guns Dustin Martin and Tim Taranto back, if they get through training, while they are hopeful on Nick Vlastuin proving his fitness.

Toby Nankervis (concussion) will be out however with Samson Ryan asked to ruck alongside Jacob Koschitzke.

Sydney vs. Western Bulldogs teams

Tom Papley (ankle) and Dane Rampe (calf) are out for Sydney, who need Will Hayward (ankle) to prove his fitness.

Aaron Francis and Sam Wicks seem the like-for-like replacements for Rampe and Papley, while Angus Sheldrick is pushing for a first senior game of the season.

Joel Amartey's position may be discussed as he struggles to have impact on matches since his nine-goal haul against Adelaide.

A big win down in Geelong should see the Western Bulldogs make minimal changes for the trip to Sydney.

Despite Caleb Daniel and Riley Garcia performing well in the VFL, expect an unchanged team from Luke Beveridge.

Adelaide vs. Hawthorn teams

The Crows will lose captain Jordan Dawson (concussion) and full-back Jordon Butts (foot) for the match against a tricky Hawthorn side.

Taylor Walker (managed) should return, with Matt Crouch and Nick Murray listed as tests.

Dan Curtin continues to impress in the SANFL and must be close to some more senior game time.

Hawthorn are another flying team unlikely to make many changes with managed players Cam McKenzie and Jack Gunston no guarantee to return after the big win against Collingwood.

VFL top performers Seamus Mitchell, Harry Morrison and Jai Serong will likely have to bide their time with the senior team going so well.

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Kieran Francis

Kieran Francis Photo

Kieran Francis is a senior editor at The Sporting News based in Melbourne, Australia. He started at Sportal.com.au before being a part of the transition to Sporting News in 2015. Just prior to the 2018 World Cup, he was appointed chief editor of Goal.com in Australia. He has now returned to The Sporting News where his passions lay in football, AFL, poker and cricket - when he is not on holiday.