Cats duo ‘expect’ to play big clash against Lions; top 10 pick to debut — AFL Teams

Carlton have been dealt a big blow, with star forward Harry McKay ruled out of Friday night’s clash with the Western Bulldogs.

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The Blues put out a four-line statement on Thursday morning confirming the news, noting that following last Thursday night’s game against Hawthorn — which he was a late withdrawal from due to ‘illness’ — McKay didn’t return to Ikon Park for a number of days.

“The Club is providing the appropriate support to McKay, with his availability for Round 4 to be determined next week,” the statement ended by saying.

Both Tom Stewart and Bailey Smith will be on the plane to Brisbane later this week, according to K Rock Football’s Tom King.

“We expect them to play,” Chris Scott told media on Thursday afternoon.

The Geelong star duo have been in some doubt given Smith missed round two with a calf problem, while Stewart was subbed out early with a knee issue.

Over in the west, Jack Graham (hip) and Jake Waterman (back/calf), participated in drills and moved freely, according to Channel 9’s Owen Leonard.

The duo were both absent from last week’s loss to Brisbane but are hoping to prove their fitness ahead of a big Western Derby.

Meanwhile, Melbourne are in line for a triple boost for their huge clash against the Suns this week, with the club confirming defensive duo Steven May and Jake Lever will return.

Fox Sports News’ Drew Jones also reports veteran forward Jake Melksham is “in the mix”. May (fractured larynx) and Lever’s (ankle) return comes at the perfect time for the Dees, who are staring down the barrel of an 0-3 start.

“We’ll start getting some players back which is good for our footy team,” coach Simon Goodwin said on AFL 360 on Wednesday night.

St Kilda is set to welcome back key forward Cooper Sharman, while top draft pick Tobie Travaglia is set to make his AFL debut.

The Saints are fresh off a brilliant win over Geelong in round 2 and have the chance to move ahead of the ledger with a win over Richmond this Saturday.

Despite losing Liam Stocker (concussion) and Hunter Clark (abdominal), the Saints will have Sharman return from a thumb injury, while Pick 8 draftee Travaglia is coming off a big VFL showing (22 disposals, one goal, nine tackles).

Saints coach Ross Lyon confirmed Isaac Keeler would hold his spot and said Travaglia was among “a couple” who were vying for senior selection.

“He’s (Travaglia) in the mix, we’ve got a couple to get through today but we did lose a couple,” Lyon said.

“Stocker with concussion, can you have a low level concussion? I think it is because all his markers are back.

“It was a great tackle and chase down, I am still marinating in that one, and then Hunter Clark has an abdominal issue.

“We’re really disappointed in that one (Clark) because we need continuity to build a great season.

“(Cooper) Sharman will definitely play as long as he gets through today. He looks a million bucks, then from there we have to make a decision on the balance of the team.”

Meanwhile, AFL Media’s Josh Gabelich is reporting that Hawthorn veteran Luke Breust is the likely replacement for injured forward Connor Macdonald.

Macdonald is set to spend a couple of weeks on the sidelines with an ankle problem, opening the door for Breust’s first appearance of 2025.

“He hasn’t had his opportunity yet, but I suspect he will get it at some stage. When he does, he’ll know he has a role to help us on-field, rather than at the moment he is doing a lot to help us win, it’s just not on the field at this stage,” Hawthorn coach Sam Mitchell said on Thursday morning.

The Hawks veteran booted three goals in a VFL match last week – his first since 2011 – proving he still has plenty to offer.

Elsewhere, a whopping five injuries across the two sides have forced plenty of changes for Essendon and Port Adelaide’s Round 3 opener at Marvel Stadium.

But the Bombers look better off, regaining star backman Jordan Ridley from concussion while handing a debut to speedster Saad El-Hawli for Thursday night’s clash. They lose Archie Perkins (quad strain) and Elijah Tsatas (broken finger).

El-Hawli was a midseason draft selection last year after an impressive run of form in the VFL, which he continued once joining the Essendon setup.

He’s the third Essendon debutant in as many games, following draftee Isaac Kako and preseason supplemental selection period pick-up Tom Edwards, and the first graduate of the Bachar Houli Academy to make an AFL list.

At the Power, Jack Lukosius begins an estimated few months on the sidelines due to a fractured kneecap, while Ryan Burton (hip flexor strain) and Lachie Jones (adductor) couldn’t recover in time due to the five-day break between games.

Ken Hinkley has opted for more height to battle the Bombers with Esava Ratugolea and second ruck Ivan Soldo both named, along with rookie draftee and debutant Tom Cochrane.

Cochrane, the son of former Power and Kangaroos player Stuart Cochrane, will become the first AFL player with Tourette’s syndrome – a neurological disorder which can cause sudden and unwarranted movements and vocal tics, such as swearing.

However the condition does not impact him while playing footy.

The rest of the Round 3 teams will be announced at 6:20pm AEDT on Thursday.

ROUND 3 TEAMS AND FIXTURE (All times AEDT)

ESSENDON v PORT ADELAIDE

Thursday March 27, 7:30pm at Marvel Stadium

BOMBERS

B: A.McGrath, B.McKay, J.Ridley

HB: M.Redman, Z.Reid, J.Prior

C: X.Duursma, J.Caldwell, A.Roberts

HF: J.Gresham, N.Caddy, N.Martin

F: H.Jones, S.Draper, I.Kako

FOLL: N.Bryan, Z.Merrett – C, S.Durham

I/C: B.Hobbs, D.Shiel, J.Menzie, S.El-Hawli, T.Edwards

EMG: W.Setterfield, L.Hayes, A.Day-Wicks

In: J.Ridley, S.El-Hawli

Out: A.Perkins (Injured), E.Tsatas (Injured)

POWER

B: J.Sinn, A.Aliir, M.Bergman

HB: L.Evans, E.Ratugolea, K.Farrell

C: T.Boak, C.Rozee – C, J.Burgoyne

HF: J.Mead, M.Georgiades, W.Rioli

F: D.Byrne-Jones, S.Powell-Pepper, J.Richards

FOLL: J.Sweet, J.Horne-Francis, W.Drew

I/C: J.Berry, O.Wines, I.Soldo, T.Cochrane, C.Moraes

EMG: J.Finlayson, J.Lai, D.Williams

In: E.Ratugolea, I.Soldo, T.Cochrane

Out: La.Jones (Injured), R.Burton (Injured), J.Lukosius (Injured)

CARLTON v WESTERN BULLDOGS

Friday March 28, 7:40pm at Marvel Stadium

BLUES

TBA

BULLDOGS

TBA

MELBOURNE v GOLD COAST SUNS

Saturday March 29, 1:20pm at the MCG

DEMONS

TBA

SUNS

TBA

ST KILDA v RICHMOND

Saturday March 29, 4:15pm at Marvel Stadium

SAINTS

TBA

TIGERS

TBA

HAWTHORN v GWS GIANTS

Saturday March 29, 7:35pm at UTAS Stadium

HAWKS

TBA

GIANTS

TBA

BRISBANE LIONS v GEELONG

Saturday March 29, 7:35pm at the Gabba

LIONS

TBA

CATS

TBA

ADELAIDE CROWS v NORTH MELBOURNE

Sunday March 30, 3:20pm at Adelaide Oval

CROWS

TBA

KANGAROOS

TBA

WEST COAST EAGLES v FREMANTLE

Saturday March 29, 6:10pm at Optus Stadium

EAGLES

TBA

DOCKERS

TBA