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In-form Power, Blues welcome back key players

3 minute read

Port Adelaide have recalled two stars to face a Fremantle side still missing ruckman Sean Darcy, while unbeaten Carlton are bolstered by Sam Walsh's return.

SCOTT LYCETT of the Eagles and Sean Darcy of the Dockers contest the ruck during the AFL match between the West Coast Eagles and the Fremantle Dockers at Optus Stadium in Perth, Australia.
SCOTT LYCETT of the Eagles and Sean Darcy of the Dockers contest the ruck during the AFL match between the West Coast Eagles and the Fremantle Dockers at Optus Stadium in Perth, Australia. Picture: Paul Kane/Getty Images

Big guns Ollie Wines and Sam Powell-Pepper will be welcomed back for Port Adelaide's clash with Fremantle in round five, while Carlton star Sam Walsh is a confirmed starter for his first game of the season.

Powell-Pepper is straight back into the Power line-up after serving his four-match ban for a pre-season bump that concussed Adelaide's Mark Keane.

The physical forward will run out at Adelaide Oval on Saturday night alongside Brownlow medallist Wines, who returns after missing one week with a hamstring injury.

Travis Boak (back) and Jeremy Finlayson (suspended) are unavailable for Port Adelaide for a contest that pits two 3-1 sides against each other.

Opponents Fremantle are unable to call on ruck star Sean Darcy, who failed in his bid to return from a knee injury.

The Dockers made just one forced change, with Neil Erasmus replacing speedster Michael Frederick (hamstring).

Carlton coach Michael Voss flagged Walsh's return this week, after the gun midfielder sat out the first four games of 2024 with a back injury.

Walsh will feature for the unbeaten Blues against Adelaide at Marvel Stadium on Saturday, replacing Lachie Fogarty, who hurt his wrist in an incident that earned him a one-match ban for striking Fremantle's Nat Fyfe.

The winless Crows have called on Will Hamill as a replacement for injured defender Patrick Parnell (shoulder), while Lachie Gollant is in for Chris Burgess (omitted).

Calder Cannons product Hugo Garcia will be St Kilda's fourth debutant of the season when he lines up against Greater Western Sydney in Canberra on Saturday.

The 18-year-old, who boasts speed and endurance, is joined in the side by Marcus Windhager, who is back from suspension.

Key defender Dougal Howard will miss another week with a hamstring injury, while experienced midfielder Zak Jones and first-year player Angus Hastie have been dropped.

The unbeaten Giants will go into the clash with the same side that notched a fourth straight victory in Gather Round.

Gold Coast and Hawthorn have also named unchanged line-ups for their clash at People First Stadium on Saturday night.

The Hawks were unable to call on Changkuoth Jiath, with the dashing defender to miss at least one more week with a hamstring injury.

Geelong have played it safe with Patrick Dangerfield, leaving their hamstrung captain out of Sunday's clash with winless North Melbourne.

Cats teammates Jake Kolodjashnij (quad) and Zach Tuohy (ankle) have been named despite minor niggles, while the Kangaroos have lost forward Cameron Zurhaar to injury and dropped Jaidyn Stephenson.

Liam Baker is back from suspension for Richmond, who have named possible second ruck option Sam Naismith in their extended squad for the meeting with bottom side West Coast on Sunday.

Andrew Gaff has been named in the Eagles' extended squad, having been dropped following a quiet game in round two.

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