Pies Turn To First-gamers For Vital Clash

The Age

Friday August 8, 2008

Karen Lyon

COLLINGWOOD has put its faith in youth for its most critical game of the season against St Kilda at the MCG tomorrow night.

With their finals hopes on the line and with their hand forced by the suspensions to Heath Shaw and Alan Didak, the Magpies have named Chris Dawes, a 20-year-old forward, and 18-year-old midfielder John McCarthy to debut alongside Ryan Cook, who has played just six games over the past two seasons, and Danny Stanley, who has a career tally of three.

The Magpies also brought back defender Shane Wakelin while Ryan Lonie and Sharrod Wellingham were axed.

The Saints named defender Max Hudghton to replace Luke Ball, who will miss with a hamstring.

After weeks of speculation about the seriousness of his ankle injury, Gary Ablett returns for the Cats along with Shannon Byrnes. Darren Milburn is suspended and Travis Varcoe was dropped.

Geelong plays Melbourne, which named Nathan Carroll, James Frawley and Nathan Jones. Daniel Bell and Colin Garland are out with hamstring problems and Aaron Davey has a foot injury.

The Brisbane Lions have made three changes with Mitch Clark out with a quad injury and Anthony Corrie and Scott Clouston omitted for the clash with Hawthorn. Tim Notting is in along with Lachlan Henderson and James Hawksley.

The Hawks have made no changes for Shane Crawford's 300th game in Launceston.

Carlton made one change for its clash with Port Adelaide at the Telstra Dome tomorrow replacing Mark Austin with Jason Saddington.

Port Adelaide gets a boost by the return of Peter Burgoyne, who missed two weeks after a club-imposed suspension. Troy Chaplin and Damon White are also back. Making way at Port were Greg Bentley, Toby Thurstans and Nathan Lonie.

Sydney's top-four spot is under siege and the Swans have been bolstered by the return of Adam Goodes, who missed a week with a groin injury, and Leo Barry, who had hamstring problems. Jarrad Moore also comes in.

Luke Ablett is out and so is one of last week's debutants, Ryan Brabazon, as well as Jesse White.

North Melbourne named captain Adam Simpson for Sunday's clash with the Western Bulldogs after he missed a week with a hip injury.

Nathan Brown returns for Richmond after missing a week with a virus, while Tristan Cartledge and Greg Tivendale are in the squad.

Adelaide has Graham Johncock, Andrew Otten, Jared Petrenko, Brent Reilly and Kurt Tippett in its squad.

Essendon lost Kyle Reimers to a hamstring injury for the West Coast game on Sunday. The Bombers have named an extended bench, including Scott Lucas, who comes in after missing with a back injury and youngster Rhys Magin. Courtenay Dempsey, who has had hamstring problems, was named in a forward pocket while Heath Hocking comes into the team on a half-back flank.

© 2008 The Age

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