Sydney’s cavalry continues to return to action, while Richmond has gained AFL experience for Thursday's clash at Swinburne Centre to open Round 16 of the Smithy's VFL.
Matt Roberts and Sam Wicks return to the Swans' VFL team among five changes for the clash with the Tigers.
Inside midfielder Roberts hasn’t played since suffering a knee injury in the AFL team’s disastrous loss to Geelong at GMHBA Stadium in Round 6, while Wicks is back from a two-week suspension incurred for striking in the Round 14 loss to Brisbane Lions.
Last week’s unused substitute Ryan Clarke has also been named in the VFL, as has Aaron Francis, who has been replaced in the AFL line-up by the returning Tom McCartin.
Richmond’s VFL team will also take on a new look as AFL coach Andrew McQualter wielded the axe following the Tigers’ hefty loss to the Lions last week.
Jack Ross, Samson Ryan, Noah Cumberland, Hugo Ralphsmith and Judson Clarke all dropped back to the early game.
Three of their spots have been taken by AFL debutants Jacob Bauer – the dual VFL after-the-siren hero in the past month – and Sam Banks, while Maurice Rioli has also earned another chance at the top level.
Brad Melville and Austin Johnson were surprising VFL-listed omissions but will be front of the line to earn the reprieve created by held-over AFL players.
All matches in the 2023 Smithy’s VFL and rebel VFLW seasons will be live streamed free via the AFL website and AFL Live Official App.
RICHMOND vs SYDNEY SWANS
Thursday 6 July, 2:05pm, Swinburne Centre
Head-to-head: Sydney 17-2-1. At Swinburne Centre: Sydney 4-2-1. Streak: Sydney 5½
RICHMOND
B: M. El Nour (57), B. Nyuon (47), J. Trezise (36)
HB: H. Ralphsmith (13), T. Brown (30), L. Teal (66)
C: J. Ross (5), T. Dow (27), G. McDonagh (53)
HF: M. Coulthard (26), S. Green (48), J. Clarke (42)
F: S. Ryan (32), N. Cumberland (38), K. Bradtke (37)
R: I. Soldo (20), T. Sonsie (40), L. Street (55)
INT: C. Olden (58), A. Hicks (52), M. Lefau (72), J. Nathan (65), H. Broderick (69)*
EMG: W. Bravo (70), M. Faimalo (64), B. Melville (54), A. Johnson (51), M. Yassine (80)
IN: J. Clarke, N. Cumberland, G. McDonagh, H. Ralphsmith, J. Ross, S. Ryan
OUT: J. Bauer, S. Banks, M. Rioli (AFL), W. Bravo, A. Johnson, B. Melville
SYDNEY SWANS
B: W. Edwards (28), A. Francis (10), W. Gould (17)
HB: L. Rankin (41), H. Arnold (38), J. Magor (32)
C: C. Mitchell (35), C. Warner (37), R. Clarke (4)
HF: H. Hall-Kahan (45), B. Laws (57)*, E. Grace (65)
F: S. Wicks (15), J. Buller (47), C. Owen (40)
R: L. McAndrew (46), N. Shipley (52), D. Stephens (3)
INT: M. Roberts (34), J. Crocker (54), J. Bartholomaeus (53), H. Morrison (55), J. Brown (50)
EMG: M. Geddes (61), O. Davis (54), M. Velthuis (62), J. Tidemann (63)
IN: J. Brown, R. Clarke, A. Francis, M. Roberts, S. Wicks
OUT: T. McCartin (AFL), O. Davis, R. Fitzroy, M. Geddes, J. Tidemann
UMPIRES
FIELD: 13.Shamus Dundon, 31.Matt Pongracic, 41.Tom Lyon. BOUNDARY: Kaitlin Barr, Trent Bowes, Melissa Sambrooks. GOAL: Matt Edwards, Nelson Tucker.
