Lance Franklin has been passed fit and is set to take his place as the headline act in Friday night’s eagerly awaited AFL match between Sydney and Hawthorn at ANZ Stadium.
Franklin and Kurt Tippett were named in the Swans’ team for the game against the table-topping Hawks, with Mike Pyke (hamstring) and Brandon Jack making way.
Franklin trained well on Wednesday and coach John Longmire confirmed on Thursday he had recovered from a knee injury and would be right to tackle his old club.
“He got through the training session fine and pulled up really well, which is a really good sign for him,” Longmire said.
The Hawks made three changes, two of them forced due to injured veterans Sam Mitchell (hamstring) and Brian Lake (calf).
Angus Litherland was dropped as Hawthorn coach Alastair Clarkson called on Will Langford, Kyle Cheney and Ben Stratton.
Fremantle’s hopes of upsetting Port Adelaide were damaged by the confirmed omission of key defenders Luke McPharlin (quad) and Zac Dawson (ankle).
But the Dockers regained gun midfielder Stephen Hill and Alex Silvagni for the clash with Port, who made three changes to the side that comfortably downed GWS.
Hamish Hartlett, Alipate Carlile and Kane Mitchell were promoted for the Power at the expense of Tom Jonas (groin), Benjamin Newton and Paul Stewart.
Jack Viney was named in Melbourne’s side after successfully challenging a two-match ban.
The Demons made one change, bringing in Colin Garland for Alex Georgiou, while their opposition on Saturday night, the Western Bulldogs, axed Michael Talia, Marcus Bontempelli and Koby Stevens.
The Bulldogs recalled Daniel Giansiracusa, Jason Tutt and Fletcher Roberts.
Brisbane were boosted by the return of experienced trio Jonathan Brown, Pearce Hanley and Matt Maguire, while forward Jackson Paine was also promoted for Saturday night’s fixture against Essendon at the Gabba.
Forward Luke McGuane will miss the match due to a knee injury, while James Polkinghorne, Mitch Golby and Rohan Bewick were dropped.
Kurt Aylett is set to play his first game for the Bombers, coming into the team alongside Patrick Ambrose and Martin Gleeson.
Jason Ashby (omitted), Ben Howlett (rested) and Jason Winderlich (knee) are out for the Bombers.
West Coast included Xavier Ellis, Mark LeCras and Sharrod Wellingham in their extended squad for Sunday’s clash with GWS in Perth.
The Giants will be without Adam Treloar (ankle), Curtly Hampton (ankle) and Jeremy Cameron (ear) for the game, with 2012 No.1 draft pick Lachie Whitfield among the inclusions.
Carlton dropped Kane Lucas and named hamstrung Chris Yarran in their extended squad for Monday’s match at Etihad Stadium against St Kilda, who axed Shane Savage and Tom Simpkin.
