THE WESTERN Bulldogs are resting superstar Marcus Bontempelli for Sunday's game against Carlton.

With the Dogs locked into a wildcard spot, Bontempelli will miss his first game for 2026 ahead of the final home and away round.

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The Blues have named All-Australian defender Jacob Weitering in their starting 18 for his first game in 10 weeks after a successful return through the VFL last week following a calf injury.

In other round 23 team news, Patrick Dangerfield is back following two weeks on the sidelines, with Sam De Koning to miss for Geelong against an unchanged North Melbourne.

Adelaide has made six changes for its Friday night blockbuster against Fremantle in Perth, managing Taylor Walker as Darcy Fogarty returns following a three-match suspension.

The Dockers will be without young star Murphy Reid, who has succumbed to a groin injury, while Judd McVee has been left out.

Captain Alex Pearce returns though after being rested for last week's loss to Melbourne at the MCG.

Collingwood has been bolstered by the inclusions of Jordan De Goey (glute) and Scott Pendlebury (calf) for its bumper match against Hawthorn on Saturday night.

The Hawks have made two changes from the team belted by Brisbane last week, omitting Ned Reeves and Sam Butler.

The unchanged Lions will face a Gold Coast team that has named Sam Collins after the vice-captain missed last week with a rib injury.

Mitch Georgiades has overcome a viral infection to take his place in Port Adelaide's team, and he'll be joined by Jason Horne-Francis who escaped a serious knee injury last week.

St Kilda has made five changes to face Richmond, with young pair Alix Tauru and Tobie Travaglia both back into the 23.

Greater Western Sydney has named Jake Riccardi in its extended squad to face West Coast on Sunday.

In the final game of the round Essendon will be without injured Sam Durham, facing a Sydney team that welcomes back Brodie Grundy and Dane Rampe after the pair missed last week’s win over Port.

FRIDAY, AUGUST 14

Fremantle v Adelaide at Optus Stadium, 6.10pm AWST

FREMANTLE

In: A.Pearce, C.Scerri
Out: M.Reid (groin), J.McVee (omitted)

ADELAIDE

In: J.Borlase, L.Nankervis, D.Fogarty, L.McAndrew, J.Soligo, T.Murray
Out: A.Neal-Bullen (personal reason), T.Walker (managed), R.O'Brien (omitted), A.Ludowyke (omitted), B.Dowling (omitted), O.Ryan (omitted)

SATURDAY, AUGUST 15

Richmond v St Kilda at the MCG, 12.35pm AEST

RICHMOND

In: L.Trainor, H.Armstrong
Out: T.Sonsie (omitted), S.Ryan (omitted)

ST KILDA

In: A.Hastie, D.Butler, J.Macrae, T.Travaglia, A.Tauru
Out: M.Wood (calf), N.Wanganeen-Milera (hamstring), A.Caminiti (omitted), H.Clark (managed), L.Ryan (managed)

North Melbourne v Geelong at Marvel Stadium, 3.45pm AEST

NORTH MELBOURNE

In: Nil
Out: Nil

GEELONG

In: P.Dangerfield, M.Edwards
Out: S.De Koning (Injured), J.Martin (managed)

Brisbane v Gold Coast at the Gabba, 4.15pm AEST

BRISBANE

In: Nil
Out: Nil

GOLD COAST

In: S.Collins, B.Addinsall
Out: Z.Uwland (omitted), J.Farrar (personal reason)

Hawthorn v Collingwood at the MCG, 7.40pm AEST

HAWTHORN

In: B.Macdonald, M.Beattie
Out: N.Reeves (omitted), S.Butler (omitted)

COLLINGWOOD

In: J.De Goey, S.Pendlebury
Out: L.Sullivan (omitted), H.Harrison (omitted)

Port Adelaide v Melbourne at Adelaide Oval, 7.40pm ACST

PORT ADELAIDE

In: L.Jones, X.Bamert, J.Richards, M.Georgiades
Out: D.Byrne-Jones (suspension), C.Moraes (omitted), J.Mead (omitted), W.Lorenz (omitted)

MELBOURNE

In: Nil
Out: Nil

SUNDAY, AUGUST 16

Greater Western Sydney v West Coast at Engie Stadium, 1.40pm AEST

GREATER WESTERN SYDNEY

In: J.Riccardi, C.Angove, T.McMullin, J.Ough, C.Stone
Out: J.Laverde (lung), X.O'Halloran (hamstring)

WEST COAST

In: M.Flynn, H.Davis, H.Schoenberg
Out: Nil

Western Bulldogs v Carlton at Marvel Stadium, 3.15pm AEST

WESTERN BULLDOGS

In: L.Carmichael, L.Emmett, O.Baker, J.Busslinger, L.Kennedy, L.McNeil
Out: N.Coffield (omitted), M.Bontempelli (managed), T.English (knee)

CARLTON

In: J.Weitering, J.Ison, J.Boyd
Out: Nil

Essendon v Sydney at the MCG, 4.40pm AEST

ESSENDON

In: A.Clarke, E.Tsatas, H.Jones, N.Bryan, L.Blakiston
Out: S.Durham (soreness), Z.Johnson (omitted)

SYDNEY

In: D.Rampe, B.Grundy, C.Cleary, A.Sheldrick
Out: L.Melican (omitted)