The stakes could not be much higher as we rush towards the AFL finals and there are plenty of surprise ins and outs for Round 18.
Of course, the bombshell call of the week was made by Melbourne, deciding to dump high-profile recruit Brodie Grundy for their huge Friday night blockbuster against Brisbane.
WATCH THE VIDEO ABOVE: Luke Beveridge defends out-of-form AFL star Bailey Smith.
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While the Dees lose an All-Australian, Geelong has gained one, with Jeremy Cameron returning for his team’s massive clash with Essendon at GMHBA Stadium on Saturday night.
Cameron has not been seen since Round 15 when he was accidentally KO’d by his own teammate, Gary Rohan.
The Bombers have been forced to shuffle the magnets after losing ruck Andrew Phillips to suspension during the week. It’s a big blow for the Dons who are already without their No.1 ruck Sam Draper due to a hip injury.
Collingwood have brought in a host of stars for their clash with the struggling Dockers on Saturday afternoon.
Tough defender Brayden Maynard, classy veteran Steele Sidebottom, and high-profile recruit Dan McStay are all welcome ins for the flag favourite.
Friday, July 14
Melbourne v Brisbane at the MCG, 7.50pm AEST
MELBOURNE
In: J.van Rooyen
Out: B.Grundy (omitted), J.Smith (sub)
R17 sub: Joel Smith
BRISBANE
In: L.McCarthy, J.Berry
Out: J.Madden (shoulder), D.Robertson (omitted), K.Lohmann (sub)
R17 sub: Kai Lohmann
Saturday, July 15
Collingwood v Fremantle at the MCG, 1.45pm AEST
COLLINGWOOD
In: B.Maynard, S.Sidebottom, D.McStay
Out: W.Hoskin-Elliott (hand), D.Cameron (back), T.Mitchell (managed), T.Bianco (sub)
R17 sub: Trent Bianco
FREMANTLE
In: J.Hamling, C.Wagner, S.Sturt, B.Banfield
Out: C.Serong (suspension), B.Cox (ankle), H.Young (ankle), M.Frederick (soreness), K.Worner (calf)
R17 sub: Karl Worner
Gold Coast v St Kilda at Heritage Bank Stadium, 2.10pm AEST
GOLD COAST
In: E.Hollands, B.Long
Out: L.Weller (Injured), B.Fiorini (omitted), J.Farrar (omitted)
R17 sub: Jy Farrar
ST KILDA
In: J.Battle, B.Hill, J.Peris
Out: Z.Cordy (concussion), S.Ross (hamstring), M.King (shoulder), J.Billings (thumb)
New: Jack Peris
R17 sub: Ryan Byrnes
Carlton v Port Adelaide at Marvel Stadium, 4.35pm AEST
CARLTON
In: T.De Koning
Out: Le.Young (omitted), M.Kennedy (knee)
R17 sub: George Hewett
PORT ADELAIDE
In: T.Jonas, X.Duursma, O.Lord, S.Lycett, J.Mead, J.Burgoyne
Out: R.Burton (omitted), S.Hayes (omitted), Q.Narkle (omitted), T.McKenzie (ankle), C.Dixon (injured), J.Horne-Francis (Injured), J.Rioli (personal reason)
R17 sub: Quinton Narkle
Geelong v Essendon at GMHBA Stadium, 7.25pm AEST
GEELONG
In: J.Kolodjashnij, I.Smith, J.Cameron
Out: O.Mullin (omitted), E.Ratugolea (managed), Z.Tuohy (managed), O.Dempsey (sub)
R17 sub: Oliver Dempsey
ESSENDON
In: N.Bryan
Out: A.Phillips (suspension), D.Shiel (Injured)
R17 sub: Dylan Shiel
Adelaide v Greater Western Sydney at Adelaide Oval, 7.10pm ACST
ADELAIDE
In: J.Butts, S.McAdam
Out: J.Soligo (omitted), N.McHenry (omitted), H.Schoenberg (sub)
R17 sub: Harry Schoenberg
GREATER WESTERN SYDNEY
In: B.Daniels, R.Angwin
Out: X.O’Halloran (thumb), L.Keeffe (hamstring), N.Haynes (suspension)
R17 sub: Nick Haynes
Sunday, July 16
North Melbourne v Hawthorn at Marvel Stadium, 1.10pm AEST
NORTH MELBOURNE
In: G.Wardlaw, C.Taylor, D.Howe, J.Archer, L.Shiels, J.Goater
Out: G.Logue (knee), J.Simpkin (concussion), F.Perez (Injured)
R17 sub: Jack Ziebell
HAWTHORN
In: J.Sicily, M.Ramsden, L.Meek, L.Breust
Out: J.Blanck (concussion)
R17 sub: Harry Morrison
West Coast v Richmond at Optus Stadium, 2.40pm AWST
WEST COAST
In: S.Hurn, L.Shuey, S.Petrevski-Seton, L.Edwards
Out: X.O’Neill (omitted)
R17 sub: Tom Cole
RICHMOND
In: I.Soldo, S.Ryan, H.Ralphsmith, J.Clarke, R.Mansell
Out: J.Bauer (hamstring), T.Nankervis (suspension)
R17 sub: Jack Ross
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