The Smithy’s VFL teams for Round 17.
Brisbane Lions forward Oscar Allan returns from a foot injury for Friday’s round-opening clash with the Sydney Swans at Tramway Oval.
Allan last appeared in the Lions' AFL Round 7 win over the Adelaide Crows, having since been sidelined for close to three months. His return is welcome news for the Lions on the eve of the AFL finals series, where they will be chasing a threepeat.
Allan is joined in the Lions’ line-up by Lincoln McCarthy and fellow AFL-listed duo Luke Lloyd and Tai Hayes.
Meanwhile, potential Academy prospect Cooper Hodge also returns having completed representative duties with the Allies at the Marsh AFL National Championships U18 Boys.
Joel Hamling, Caiden Cleary, Tom Hanily and Harry Kyle have been named in Sydney’s team, as cover for promoted trio Riley Bice, Braeden Campbell and Malcolm Rosas.
BROADCAST: ABC – St Kilda vs Geelong; Kayo Sports – Essendon vs Coburg
STREAMING: All matches in the 2026 Smithy’s VFL season will be live streamed free via the AFL website, AFL Live Official App and VFL App.
SYDNEY SWANS vs BRISBANE LIONS
Friday 17 July, 12:35pm, Tramway Oval
SYDNEY SWANS
B: J. Hamling (29), P. Snell (41), R. Andrew (20)
HB: N. Bowman (23), H. Kyle (32), J. O'Loughlin (60)
C: J. Tidemann (57), N. Shipley (52), C. Warner (37)
HF: J. Phillipou (18), B. Cootee (25), J. Harrison (65)
F: K. Gibbs (70), J. Dattoli (9), J. Longmire (56)
R: W. Green (45), T. Hanily (40), C. Cleary (33)
INT: H. Cameron (69), C. Peters (53), A. Norris (46), H. Meaney (68), T. Ryan (64)
23rd Player: H. Meaney (68)
EMG: K. Harbour (66), O. Clifton (72), J. Medved (62)
IN: C. Cleary, J. Hamling, T. Hanily, H. Kyle, H. Meaney
OUT: R. Bice, B. Campbell, M. Rosas Jnr (AFL), L. Melican (injured), J. Sutton (injured)
NEW: Henry Meaney, 17, Sydney Swans Academy/Manly Warringah Wolves
BRISBANE LIONS
B: D. Joyce (41), L. Lloyd (19), T. Doedee (12)
HB: T. Abberley (48), L. McCarthy (11), S. Brain (34)
C: L. Beecken (17), D. Annable (14), T. Hayes (42)
HF: K. Coleman (18), B. Murphy (39), S. Tilley (67)
F: O. Allen (4), Z. Zakostelsky (21), K. Evans (24)
R: H. Smith (25), S. Marshall (20), R. Torrent (36)
INT: C. Curtin (37), C. McCarthy (49), D. Smith (51), E. Duke (63), C. Hodge (69)
23rd Player: C. Hodge
EMG: K. Dunkley (52), H. Moore (53), A. Pope (54), B. McDonald (55), C. Offermans (56), W. Greenaway (59), B. Hahn (61), J. Fazldeen (62), L. Jones (68)
IN: O. Allen, T. Hayes, C. Hodge, L. Lloyd, L. McCarthy
OUT: F. McFadyen (managed), W. McLachlan (managed), W. Greenaway, L. Jones, A. Watts (omitted)
Head-to-head: Brisbane Lions 18-16; At Tramway Oval: Brisbane 1-0; Streak: Brisbane Lions 9; Last time: Brisbane Lions 15.7 (97) def Sydney 13.14 (92) – Round 17, 2024, Brighton Homes Arena