Essendon interim coach Dean Solomon has made five changes to his squad for Sunday's clash with Brisbane at the Gabba, following a 67-point loss to St Kilda last week. Ben McKay, Will Setterfield, Nik Cox and Saad El-Hawli have been dropped, while Jordan Ridley has been managed after pulling up sore.
McKay's forward experiment fails
McKay is the biggest name to be axed, given Solomon had expressed high hopes of the key backman thriving as a forward. The 28-year-old former Kangaroo showed promise with 2.2 and two contested marks in the round 13 loss to Carlton. However, with just 6.7 from the past five matches — including 1.0 from five disposals against St Kilda — McKay has been dropped again.
Inclusions for the Bombers
Archie Roberts returns after a quicker-than-expected recovery from a dislocated shoulder. Angus Clarke, Harrison Jones, Max Kondogiannis and Lachlan Blakiston are the other inclusions for the last-placed Bombers (1-15).
Brisbane's returns and injury
Brisbane have been bolstered by the return of co-captain Hugh McCluggage and veteran Dayne Zorko. However, Darcy Gardiner will miss four to six weeks with a hamstring injury.
Western Bulldogs make five changes
The Western Bulldogs have made five changes for Sunday's meeting with West Coast at Marvel Stadium. Coach Luke Beveridge has kept faith in ruckman Tim English, despite his struggles in last week's 35-point loss to Sydney. Nick Coffield (concussion), Connor Budarick (ankle) and Ryley Sanders (hand) are out through injury, while Lachie McNeil and Will Lewis were dropped. Bailey Williams returns from injury, with Luke Cleary, Sam Davidson, Rhylee West and Jedd Busslinger also called up.
West Coast unchanged
West Coast have named an unchanged squad, despite reports key defender Rhett Bazzo is in doubt with illness.
Richmond debutant and returns
Richmond goalsneak Zane Peucker, taken with pick No.31 in last year's national draft, has been named for his AFL debut in Sunday's clash with Melbourne. Dion Prestia (hamstring) and Sam Grlj return, but Jack Ross (concussion), Jayden Short (corked quad) and Steely Green (omitted) go out. The Demons have gone in unchanged.
