Harley Reid will again play for the Blues this weekend. The Giants regain inaugural captain Phil Davis from a calf injury, while AFL emergencies Daniel Lloyd (who could make his VFL debut and play State league for the first time since 2019), Kieren Briggs and James Peatling are also in the mix.Ĭarlton has added up to six AFL-listed players for its meeting with undefeated Brisbane Lions, with Matt Owies returning through the VFL from a Round 3 hamstring injury and Jack Carroll to also play, while all four AFL emergencies – Lachlan Cowan (who would make his VFL debut), Zac Fisher, Lachie Fogarty and Matt Kennedy – have been named as well. Toby McLean and Robbie McComb will be given a full game at VFL level, Laitham Vandermeer is back from his rib injury and Hayden Crozier returns from a rest, while Lachie McNeil and Jordan Sweet have also been selected pending AFL duties, with the promoted Ryan Gardner, rested Sam Darcy and injured Jay Rantall being the key outs. Just as important is the contest in the middle of the ladder between GWS Giants and Footscray, and the Bulldogs have rolled out a host of big names for the Blacktown battle. Gold Coast has lost Thomas Berry and Sam Flanders to AFL selection and Jed Anderson has been managed, with Alex Sexton returning from the top level if not selected as the sub.Ĭasey has lost Luke Dunstan for at least six weeks with a knee issue and Tom McDonald to injury, while last week’s sub James Harmes is expected to fill that role again, but the Demons will have the services of AFL premiership player Charlie Spargo, who returns from concussion for his first VFL appearance since 2019 alongside Andy Moniz-Wakefield and possibly Josh Schache.

The match of the round, which is being played as a curtain raiser to the AFL game between the Suns and Melbourne, could feature as many as 36 AFL-listed players (20 for the Suns, 16 for the Demons), plus former AFL players Matt Buntine and Mitch White at Casey.

Gold Coast Suns and Casey Demons have named powerful squads for their Smithy’s VFL top-of-the-table showdown at Heritage Bank Stadium on Saturday.

Blake by martin delany