Michael Hurley will play his first game of footy since Round 18, 2020, after a hip infection threatened his career. Picture: AFL Photos

VETERAN Essendon backman Michael Hurley is the latest huge name to join the cavalcade of AFL stars making their returns from injury after being selected to line-up in the Bombers' Smithy's VFL clash with Gold Coast at Windy Hill on Sunday.

Hurley, 32, hasn't played since Round 18, 2020, with a serious hip infection early last year not only threatening his career but also his quality of life, but the 193-AFL gamer has defied the odds and got through a month of training to be able to run out against a Suns team that needs to win to keep its finals hopes alive.

Forgotten St Kilda star Dan Hannebery will also make his latest comeback from his soft tissue ailments when Sandringham faces Coburg in a must-win clash at Piranha Park on Saturday.

Hannebery, who hasn't played since St Kilda's big win over Fremantle in Round 23 last year, visited renowned German soft-tissue guru Hans-Wilhelm Müller-Wohlfahrt earlier this year in an effort to overcome the chronic injuries that have seen him play just 15 AFL games for the Saints in almost four years.

Coburg has suffered two major injury blows, with full-back Harry Nolan (knee) and wingman Tom McKenzie (shoulder) in a race against time to play again this season, while ruckman Adam Swierzbiolek (illness) will miss a second week.

SMITHY’S VFL TEAMS, ROUND 17, click here

Dan Hannebery playing for Sandringham in the VFL. Picture: Jonathan DiMaggio/AFL Photos
Jack Bytel is back for Sandringham after missing eight weeks with a foot injury. Picture: Darrian Traynor/AFL Photos

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

He will be joined in the Zebras' team by Jack Bytel, who injured his foot in the VFL Round 9 win over Carlton due to a foot injury.

Carlton has also picked two big names for its clash with Geelong at Ikon Park on Saturday, with ruckman Marc Pittonet to play his first match since AFL Round 6 after overcoming a knee injury and Mitch McGovern in for his first appearance since Round 2 following a series of hamstring issues to join Ed Curnow, who made a successful return last week.

Mitch McGovern plays his first game in four months for Carlton VFL on Saturday. Picture: Getty Images
Carlton ruckman Marc Pittonet hurt his knee in this collision with Fremantle's Sean Darcy in Round 6. Picture: Channel 7

 

 

 

 

The Cats have called on midfielder Sam Simpson, who hasn't suited up this season due to ongoing concussion dramas as well as No.32 NAB AFL Draft pick James Willis for his first game for the club, while Brisbane Lions will regain SSP signing and former Frankston star Mitch Cox, who hasn't played since Round 10.

North Melbourne sprung a surprise, naming former Carlton utility Tom Williamson in its team to face Richmond.

Williamson, 23, retired from the AFL last month due to mental health issues, but will line up in the royal blue and white stripes on Saturday.

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SYDNEY great Josh Kennedy will play his first VFL game in more than a decade when he makes his comeback from a serious hamstring injury in the Swans’ mouthwatering clash with Southport at Fankhauser Reserve on Friday night.

Former captain Kennedy has missed eight weeks with the injury he suffered against Carlton back in AFL Round 10 and has been asked to regain match fitness in the reserves for the first time in red and white colours, having not played in the VFL since he played 41 matches for Box Hill Hawks from 2007-09.

Sydney great Josh Kennedy will play VFL for the first time in 14 years when the Swans take on Southport on Friday night. Picture: Daniel Pockett/AFL Photos

The Swans have also included last week’s AFL late out Braeden Campbell and key forward Logan McDonald, who lost his spot in the top team for the win over Western Bulldogs, with AFL promotions Joel Amartey, Ryan Clarke and since injured Peter Ladhams, plus young ruckman Lachlan McAndrew, out of the team that thrashed Essendon in Round 15.

The Sharks are undefeated on their home deck since joining the VFL and have regained former Swan Zac Foot and ex-West Coast and Gold Coast player Ryan Davis in place of Jay Lockhart and Cameron Joyce.

Former Swan Zac Foot will return from injury for Southport against Sydney on Friday night. Picture: Jonathan DiMaggio/AFL Photos

Frankston and Northern Bullants have named one and two debutants respectively for their Friday night clash at Skybus Stadium, with Jimmy Cahill, the brother of former Essendon AFL and now Carlton VFL player Ned to play his first game, while Doutta Stars key forward John Roumeliotis and Heidelberg small Ben Nikolovski will debut for the Bullants.

SMITHY’S VFL INJURY LIST, ROUND 17, click here

The Dolphins have lost star full back Taylin Duman, half-back Ryley Stoddart and half-forward Bailey Lambert, with Joe Lloyd and Josh Stern being recalled, while the Bullants will be without their own full back in Doug Lawrence, in-form midfielder Jackson Barling and Ryan Gardner, with Narre Warren’s Peter Gentile also recalled for his sixth VFL game.

Joe Lloyd is back in Frankston's team to face the Northern Bullants on Friday night. Picture: Kelly Defina/AFL Photos

2.SOUTHPORT (11-2) v 5.SYDNEY (8-4)

Friday, July 15, 7.05pm @ Fankhauser Reserve
(https://www.afl.com.au/fixture?Competition=7, 7pm)
HEAD-TO-HEAD: Sydney 5-2. At Fankhauser: Southport 1-0. Streak: Southport 1 (last loss July 13, 2019). Last Time: Southport 12.16 88 def Sydney 10.13 73 (Lakeside Oval, June 5, 2021)

SOUTHPORT
IN: R. Davis, Z. Foot
OUT: J. Lockhart (shoulder), C. Joyce (omit)

SYDNEY
IN: T. Alker, B. Campbell, W. Edwards, J. Kennedy, L. McDonald
OUT: J. Amartey, R. Clarke (AFL), P. Ladhams (thumb), L. McAndrew (managed), C. Webster (Allies)

Prediction: Southport by 12

15.FRANKSTON (5-8) v 21.NORTHERN BULLANTS (1-12)

Friday, July 15, 7.35am @ Skybus Stadium
(https://www.afl.com.au/fixture?Competition=7, 7.30pm)
HEAD-TO-HEAD: Northern Bullants 37-28-1. At Skybus Stadium: Frankston 20-13. Streak: Frankston 1 (last loss May 18, 2019). Last Time: Frankston 13.15 93 def Northern Bullants 10.5 65 (Skybus Stadium, April 24, 2022)

FRANKSTON
IN: J. Cahill, J. Lloyd, J. Stern
OUT: T. Duman, B. Lambert (shin), R. Stoddart
DEBUT: Jimmy Cahill, 19, 184cm, 80kg, Frankston YCW

NORTHERN BULLANTS
IN: P. Gentile, B. Nikolovski, J. Roumeliotis (debut)
OUT: R. Gardner (Covid), D. Lawrence (tightness), J. Barling
DEBUT: John Roumeliotis, 23, 190cm, 89kg, Doutta Stars

Prediction: Frankston by 26

4.GWS (8-4-1) v 3.BRISBANE LIONS (9-3)

Saturday, July 15, 11.35am @ Blacktown International Sports Park
(https://www.afl.com.au/fixture?Competition=7, 11.30am)
HEAD-TO-HEAD: Brisbane Lions 16-11-1. At Blacktown ISP: Brisbane Lions 3-0. Streak: GWS 1 (last loss August 18, 2019). Last Time: GWS 11.20 86 def Brisbane Lions 8.11 59 (July 25, 2021, Austworld Centre)

GWS
IN: L. Aleer, B. Barnes, C. Brown, L. Fellows, S. Quirk, B. Stewart
OUT: J. Hopper, X. O'Halloran, J. Riccardi (AFL), R. Bice, J. Conlan (Albury), E. Hollard (omit)

BRISBANE LIONS
IN: W. Barry, M. Cox, J. Madden, C. Offermans, B. Reville, J. Tunstill
OUT: N. Cockatoo, D. Fort, M. Robinson, H. Sharp (AFL), J. Prior (quad), K. Lane (managed)

Prediction: GWS by 9

18.COBURG (3-10) v 12.SANDRINGHAM (6-6-1)

Saturday, July 15, 1.05pm @ Piranha Park
(https://www.afl.com.au/fixture?Competition=7, 1pm)
HEAD-TO-HEAD: Sandringham 72-67-1. At Coburg City Oval: Coburg 43-22-1. Streak: Sandringham 1½ (last loss June 24, 2017). Last Time: Sandringham 9.14 68 def Coburg 8.10 58 (Piranha Park, June 2, 2019)

COBURG
IN: D. Thomas, T. Warren
OUT: H. Nolan (knee), T. McKenzie (shoulder)

SANDRINGHAM
IN: J. Bytel, D. Hannebery, N. Hodgson, D. Joyce, J. McHale, T. Milne
OUT: R. Byrnes, B. Paton, C. Sharman (AFL), F. Bayne, J. Lohmann, J. Peris

Prediction: Sandringham by 21

9.BOX HILL HAWKS (7-6) v 6.WERRIBEE (8-5)

Saturday, July 15, 2.05pm @ Box Hill City Oval
(3WBC 94.1FM, www.3wbc.org.au, 1pm https://www.afl.com.au/fixture?Competition=7, 2pm)
HEAD-TO-HEAD: Werribee 52-40. At Box Hill: Werribee 22-21. Streak: Werribee 5 (last loss July 23, 2017). Last Time: Werribee 13.12 90 def Box Hill Hawks 8.5 53 (Box Hill, May 8, 2021)

BOX HILL HAWKS
IN: K. Hartigan, J. Koschitzke, L. Shiels
OUT: N. Long (managed), S. Horner, C. Porter (omit)

WERRIBEE
IN: S. Conway, H. Garoni, O. Hanrahan
OUT: M. Brennan, S. Paea (omit), J. Driscoll

Prediction: Werribee by 5

19.NORTH MELBOURNE (3-10) v 10.RICHMOND (7-6)

Saturday, July 15, 2.35pm @ Arden Street
(https://www.afl.com.au/fixture?Competition=7, 2.30pm)
HEAD-TO-HEAD: North Melbourne 27-21-4. At Arden Street: North Melbourne 13-6-2. Streak: North Melbourne 1 (last loss July 14, 2018). Richmond has won seven of the past nine. Last Time: North Melbourne 17.7 109 def Richmond 11.14 80 (June 1, 2019, Arden Street)

NORTH MELBOURNE
IN: J. Archer, N. Beattie, S. Collins, J. Mahony, K. Turner, J. Walker, T. Williamson
OUT: J. Horne-Francis (AFL), K. Hayden (managed), W. Doquile (calf), C. Smith (shoulder), J. Guthrie, J. Lipscombe (omit), C. Weightman
DEBUT: Nathan Beattie, 20, Seymour
NEW: Tom Williamson, 23, 183cm, 82kg, Carlton

RICHMOND
IN: S. Banks, J. Castagna, J. Davies, M. Rioli, J. Sexton, T. Young
OUT: N. Cumberland, B. Miller, T. Sonsie (AFL), J. Nathan (jaw), S. Stack (cheekbone), M. Colina (managed)
Prediction: Richmond by 26

7.CARLTON (8-5) v 14.GEELONG (6-7)

Saturday, July 15, 2.35pm @ Ikon Park
(https://www.afl.com.au/fixture?Competition=7, 2.30pm)

HEAD-TO-HEAD: Geelong 24-10-4. At Princes Park: Geelong 9-8-2. Streak: Geelong 1 (last loss May 13, 2021). Last Time: Geelong 24.16 160 def Carlton 6.10 46 (Princes Park, June 8, 2002).

CARLTON
IN: B. Crocker, J. Honey, B. Kemp, M. McGovern, M. Moschetti, L. O'Brien, M. Pittonet, W. Setterfield
OUT: L. Stocker (AFL), J. Carroll (managed), J. Cripps, P. Dozzi, L. Goetz, H. Sinnott, O. Sanders, J. Trudgeon (omit)
DEBUT: Mitchell Moschetti, 18, 176cm, 71kg, Phillip Island

GEELONG
IN: J. Bews, S. Simpson, J. Willis
OUT: T. Conway (concussion), J. Evans, B. Lloyd (omit)
DEBUT: James Willis, 19, 183cm, 80kg, North Adelaide

Prediction: Carlton by 18

16.PORT MELBOURNE (5-8) v 8.COLLINGWOOD (8-5)

Sunday, July 16, 12.01pm @ ETU Stadium
(Channel 7 and www.7plus.com.au, 12pm)

HEAD-TO-HEAD: Collingwood 13-12. At North Port Oval: Port Melbourne 7-6. Streak: Port Melbourne 1 (last loss August 11, 2018). Last Time: Port Melbourne 15.16 106 def Collingwood 10.4 64 (North Port, June 2, 2019).

PORT MELBOURNE
IN: J. O'Sullivan
OUT: O. Manton (omit)

COLLINGWOOD
IN: Y. Ashwin, T. Brown, O. Henry, K. Schreiber
OUT: T. Bianco, A. Johnson (AFL), S. Fowler (hamstring), B. Andrews (omit)
DEBUT: Yuyu Ashwin, 18, 185cm, 77kg, Doncaster/Oakleigh Chargers

Prediction: Collingwood by 8

17.ESSENDON (4-9) v 11.GOLD COAST (7-6)

Sunday, July 16, 1.05pm @ Windy Hill
(https://www.afl.com.au/fixture?Competition=7, 1pm)
HEAD-TO-HEAD: Never Met

ESSENDON
IN: M. D'Ambrosio, J. Harrod, M. Hurley, S. McKay, J. Stewart
OUT: J. Menzie (AFL), E. Mackinlay (Holbrook), J. Brown, D. Landt, K. Weightman (omit)
DEBUT: Solly McKay, 18, 186cm, 68kg, Tyntynder/Bendigo Pioneers

GOLD COAST
IN: R. Atkins, M. Corbett, L. Johnston, J. Sharp
OUT: J. Eckersley, J. Lockett, N. Stevens (omit), B. Little
DEBUT: Lloyd Johnston, 17, 183cm, Wanderers/NT Thunder Academy

Prediction: Essendon by 11

BYE: Casey Demons, Footscray, Williamstown

Brendan Rhodes’ winners: Last Round: 7. Season: 103/137

All Smithy’s VFL matches in 2022 can be viewed live and free. The VFL Match of the Round will be televised each week on Channel 7, with all other matches livestreamed via vfl.com.au and the AFL Live Official App. Radio station 3WBC will also again be broadcasting Box Hill Hawks matches.
To access live scores, results, ladder, stats and to link to live streams/replays, download the VFL/W Official App from the Apple or Google Play app stores.
Keep track of your Smithy’s VFL team via our VFL Match Centre, which features live scores, team and player stats, match timeline, events summary and Fantasy points. Check it out at (https://www.afl.com.au/vfl/fixture)