CARLTON has made a surprise inclusion for its must-win Smithy's VFL clash against Collingwood at the MCG, naming star midfielder George Hewett.
Hewett has missed the Blues' past four AFL matches with a back injury, but is one of five inclusions for the VFL team, with Jack Newnes and Lochie O'Brien also named.
Collingwood regains Trent Bianco, Callum Brown, Josh Carmichael and livewire forward Sam Fowler for the match where a win would secure a finals berth and likely consign their arch-rival to ninth place.
Bobby Hill will make an inspirational return for the GWS Giants in Saturday's clash with Footscray at Blacktown International Sports Park.
Hill, 22, had surgery at the start of June for testicular cancer, but after being medically cleared and then increasing his training loads, he has been named to return to the field this weekend.
The Bulldogs have made eight changes, with Alex Keath, Rhylee West, Lachlan McNeil and Anthony Scott among the inclusions.
Gold Coast has produced a surprise by naming AFL premiership player James Frawley to make his VFL debut for the club in its must-win clash with North Melbourne at Arden Street Oval on Saturday morning.
Frawley, 33, retired last year after 241 AFL matches with Melbourne, Hawthorn and St Kilda in a career that yielded All-Australian honours in 2010, two International Rules games for Australia in 2010-11 and the Hawks’ third premiership in 2015.
He joined the Suns in February as a development coach working with the backline and has been involved in Jackson Kornberg’s VFL coaching staff but will provide his expertise on the field as his new club strives for a maiden finals berth.
Gold Coast also regains Jeremy Sharp, with the promoted Alex Sexton and Hewago Oea dropping out alongside Rory Atkins (concussion).
Liam Shiels is one of six inclusions for Box Hill Hawks for their huge game against the Sydney Swans at Box Hill City Oval, where fourth place on the ladder is potentially at stake. Braeden Campbell has been named for Sydney, however speedster Lewis Taylor won't feature.
SMITHY’s VFL TEAMS, ROUND 22, click here
The Kangaroos have handed a debut to equal NAB League leading goalkicker Brandon Leary, who has booted 29 majors for Tasmania Devils this season, with Aaron Hall to make a surprise appearance in the VFL and Atu Bosenavulagi also returning, but they have had Jason Horne-Francis, Aiden Bonar, Flynn Perez, Jack Mahony and debutant Josh Goater all promoted to the AFL team, while Eddie Ford is suspended.
Southport has also plumped for experience, with former AFL and NRL-listed player Josh Hall called into the squad for his first game of the season in place of Jay Lockhart.
Junior high jump champion Hall, 32, played seven AFL and 50 NEAFL matches for the Suns before having a crack at rugby league with Penrith Panthers, playing 20 games in the NSW Cup for 11 tries and 54 goals, without being able to break into the NRL team.
He joined the Sharks in 2018 and has played a further 28 games, but only one since 2019 due to injury.
SMITHY’s VFL INJURY LIST, ROUND 22, to come
In other selection news, Casey Demons will be without gutsy midfielder Jimmy Munro for the first time since 2018 after he was ruled out of the trip to Brisbane with an ankle injury, but they will have Toby Bedford, Kade Chandler and James Jordan at their disposal; Mitch Robinson and Connor McFadyen are in for the Lions but Blake Coleman and Will Ashcroft go out.
Coburg recalled young ruckman Jono Marsh in place of Adam Swierzbiolek for Peter McEvoy’s last game – against the Sharks at Fankhauser Reserve; Ben De Bolfo returns in place of Liam Mackie for the Northern Bullants against Werribee, who gave Emmanuel Ajang a debut after being an emergency for most of the season.
Jason Castagna returns to Richmond’s team for its must-win clash with Frankston, which has been riddled by injury, losing skipper Josh Newman, Joe Lloyd, Blake O’Leary, Kai Owens and Austin Bradtke.
Sam Dunell will play his 167th and final VFL game when Sandringham makes the trip to his former home, Williamstown. A best and fairest winner with the Zebras and premiership player with the Seagulls, Dunell's final game will be a fitting end to a great career.
Geelong named Jon Ceglar, Luke Dahlhaus, Cooper Stephens and Ollie Dempsey to face Port Melbourne, losing Esava Ratugolea, Sam Simpson, James Willis and Oliver Tate, with the Borough regaining Marcus Lentini but losing Mitch Lewis, who received good news on his leg injury during the week – a four-week mid-foot sprain after looking like either a serious knee injury or broken leg.
Twitter: @BRhodesVFL
18.NORTH MELBOURNE (4-13) v 7.GOLD COAST (11-6)
Saturday, August 20, 10.30am @ Arden St
(https://www.afl.com.au/fixture?Competition=7, 10.25am)
HEAD-TO-HEAD: Never Met
NORTH MELBOURNE
IN: A. Bosenavulagi, S. Collins, A. Hall, B. Leary, J. Lipscombe, Z. Monkhorst, H. Murphy, B. Stevens
OUT: A. Bonar, J. Goater, J. Horne-Francis, J. Mahony, F. Perez (AFL), K. Turner (AFL emerg), E. Ford (suspended), P. Cross (Gippsland Power)
DEBUT: Brandon Leary, 19, 177cm, North Launceston/Tasmania Devils
GOLD COAST
IN: J. Foggo, J. Frawley, J. Sharp
OUT: H. Oea, A. Sexton (AFL), R. Atkins (concussion)
NEW: James Frawley, 33, 183cm, 87kg, St Kilda
3.SOUTHPORT (12-5) v 19.COBURG (4-13)
Saturday, August 20, 11.35am @ Fankhauser Reserve
(https://www.afl.com.au/fixture?Competition=7, 11.30am)
HEAD-TO-HEAD: Never Met
SOUTHPORT
IN: J. Hall
OUT: J. Lockhart (ankle)
COBURG
IN: J. Marsh, D. Thomas
OUT: A. Swierzbiolek (ribs), T. Warren (omit)
Prediction: Southport by 61
2.BRISBANE LIONS (13-4) v 1.CASEY DEMONS (17-0)
Saturday, August 20, 11.35am @ Red Rooster Park, Moreton Bay
(https://www.afl.com.au/fixture?Competition=7, 11.30am)
HEAD-TO-HEAD: Never Met
BRISBANE LIONS
IN: J. Manly, C. McFadyen, M. Robinson
OUT: B. Coleman (concussion), W. Ashcroft (Sandringham Dragons), B. Reville (omit)
DEBUT: Jack Manly, 18, 178cm, Wilston Grange/Lions Academy
CASEY DEMONS
IN: R. Baldi, T. Bedford, K. Chandler, J. Jordan, T. Macrae
OUT: J. Harmes (AFL), J. Munro (ankle), K. George, R. Steele, J. Spencer (omit)
Prediction: Brisbane Lions by 10
10.GWS (8-8-1) v 12.FOOTSCRAY (8-9)
Saturday, August 20, 12.05pm @ Blacktown International Sports Park
(https://www.afl.com.au/fixture?Competition=7, 12pm)
HEAD-TO-HEAD: Footscray 1-0. At Blacktown: Footscray 1. Streak: Footscray 1 (never lost). Last Time: Footscray 21.9 135 def GWS 10.3 63 (April 22, 2021, Blacktown)
GWS
IN: X. Barry-Murphy, B. Hill, L. Lawrence, M. Monaghan, W. Mudge, B. Stewart, Z. Youlten
OUT: C. Brown, J. Stein (AFL), R. Bice, J. Conlan (Albury), N. Casalini, L. Fellows, M. Miller (omit)
FOOTSCRAY
IN: J. Ballantyne, H. Bromell, R. Garcia, J. Gilbee, A. Keath, L. McNeil, A. Scott, R. West
OUT: T. Duryea, L. Hunter, R. Smith (AFL), H. Crozier (ankle), A. Hodge (hand), C. Cormack, N. Drummond, D. Orgil (omit)
Prediction: Footscray by 27
5.BOX HILL HAWKS (11-6) v 4.SYDNEY (12-5)
Saturday, August 20, 12.35pm @ Box Hill City Oval
(3WBC 94.1FM, www.3wbc.org.au, 12pm; https://www.afl.com.au/fixture?Competition=7, 12.30pm)
HEAD-TO-HEAD: Never Met
BOX HILL HAWKS
IN: D. Brinker-Ritchie, J. Cunico, E. Jeka, J. Koschitzke, J. Serong, L. Shiels
OUT: D. Howe, N. Long, M. Lynch, J. Saunders (AFL), C. Beasley (concussion), V. Adduci (omit)
SYDNEY
IN: B. Campbell, L. McAndrew, C. Webster
OUT: L. Taylor (managed), A. Anderson, J. Endemann (omit)
Prediction: Box Hill Hawks by 7
11.WERRIBEE (8-9) v 21.NORTHERN BULLANTS (1-16)
Saturday, August 20, 2.05pm @ Avalon Airport Oval
(Casey Radio 97.7FM, www.caseyradio.com.au, 1.45pm; https://www.afl.com.au/fixture?Competition=7, 2pm)
HEAD-TO-HEAD: Werribee 36-24. At Chirnside Park: Werribee 17-11. Streak: Werribee 3 (last loss July 22, 2018). Last Time: Werribee 14.17 101 def Northern Bullants 10.11 71 (July 31, 2021, Preston City Oval)
WERRIBEE
IN: E. Ajang, T. Boyd, S. Paea, F. Young
OUT: M. Brennan, H. Stubbings, N. Gribble, L. Smart (omit)
DEBUT: Emmanuel Ajang, 20, 190cm, 81kg, Geelong West; Flynn Young, 20, 181cm, 69kg, Grovedale
NORTHERN BULLANTS
IN: B. De Bolfo
OUT: L. Mackie (soreness)
Prediction: Werribee by 40
9.RICHMOND (10-7) v 17.FRANKSTON (6-11)
Saturday, August 20, 2.10pm @ Swinburne Centre
(Channel 7 and www.7plus.com.au, 2pm; https://www.afl.com.au/fixture?Competition=7, 2.05pm)
HEAD-TO-HEAD: Richmond 5-1-2. At Punt Rd: Richmond 1-0. Streak: Richmond 4 (last loss April 23, 2016). Last Time: Richmond 15.9 99 def Frankston 12.11 83 (Frankston Park, August 1, 2021)
RICHMOND
IN: J. Castagna, B. Melville
OUT: T. Bracher, M. Faimalo (omit)
FRANKSTON
IN: W. Arthurson, J. Butland, M. Massarotti, C. Nayna, T. Small, J. Stern, B. Welsh
OUT: J. Newman (leg - retired), A. Bradtke (thigh), J. Lloyd (ankle), B. O'Leary (groin), K. Owens (thigh), J. Florent, L. Williams (omit)
Prediction: Richmond by 47
8.CARLTON (10-7) v 6.COLLINGWOOD (11-6)
Sunday, August 21, 11.45am @ MCG
(https://www.afl.com.au/fixture?Competition=7, 11.30am)
HEAD-TO-HEAD: Collingwood 9-5. At MCG: Carlton 1-0. Streak: Carlton 1 (last loss March 26, 2000). Last Time: Carlton 21.9 135 def Collingwood 11.8 74 (Princes Park, July 9, 2000)
CARLTON
IN: G. Hewett, J. Honey, J. Newnes, L. O'Brien, H. Ramshaw
OUT: A. Mirkov (knee), P. Dozzi, M. Lewis, M. Moschetti, O. Sanders (omit)
NEW: George Hewett, 26, 187cm, 85kg, Sydney
COLLINGWOOD
IN: T. Bianco, N. Bradshaw, C. Brown, J. Carmichael, S. Fowler
OUT: F. Macrae (AFL), Y. Ashwin (Oakleigh Chargers), V. Blackmore-Moore, C. Lane, K. Schreiber (omit)
Prediction: Collingwood by 15
16.GEELONG (7-10) v 15.PORT MELBOURNE (7-10)
Sunday, August 21, 1.05pm @ GMHBA Stadium
(https://www.afl.com.au/fixture?Competition=7, 1pm)
HEAD-TO-HEAD: Geelong 23-20-4. At Kardinia Park: Geelong 11-9-2. Streak: Port Melbourne 1 (last loss August 4, 2019). Last Time: Port Melbourne 12.15 87 def Geelong 7.5 47 (North Port Oval, 1st Semi Final, August 31, 2019)
GEELONG
IN: J. Ceglar, L. Dahlhaus, O. Dempsey, S. Donegan, J. Evans, M. Herbert, C. Stephens
OUT: E. Ratugolea (AFL), T. Clohesy (Geelong Falcons), T. Feely (concussion), S. Simpson, J. Willis (managed), L. Bond, O. Tate (omit)
DEBUT: Sam Donegan, 19, St Albans/Ocean Grove
PORT MELBOURNE
IN: J. Johnston, M. Lentini
OUT: M. Lewis (ankle), D. Koenen (hip)
Prediction: Geelong by 11
20.WILLIAMSTOWN (3-14) v 14.SANDRINGHAM (7-9-1)
Sunday, August 21, 1.35pm @ Williamstown Cricket Ground
(https://www.afl.com.au/fixture?Competition=7, 1.30pm)
HEAD-TO-HEAD: Williamstown 79-64-2. At Williamstown: Williamstown 43-21-2. Streak: Sandringham 2 (last loss June 17, 2018 – the rain game). Last Time: Sandringham 13.9 87 def Williamstown 11.12 78 (Trevor Barker Oval, May 15, 2021)
WILLIAMSTOWN
IN: J. Cousins, D. Henderson, N. Gown, N. Lever
OUT: D. Andrews, L .Conway, N. Mellington, C. Rich
SANDRINGHAM
IN: S. Dunell, M. Harms, N. Hodgson, J. Nowell, J. Peris, M. Sinclair
OUT: T. Campbell (AFL), R. Byrnes, D. Kent (AFL emerg), C. Henness (concussion), A. McLennan (Sandringham Dragons), S. Beilby (omit)
DEBUT: Matthew Harms,19, 175cm, 63kg, Beaumaris
Prediction: Williamstown by 19
BYE: Essendon
Brendan Rhodes’ winners: Last Round: 5. Season: 131/179
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 afl.com.au and the AFL Live Official App. Radio stations 3WBC and Casey Radio are also broadcasting 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)
