AFL Teams Round 14: Chopping Block - Hawthorn selection squeeze

Tom Naghten

Kieran Francis

AFL Teams Round 14: Chopping Block - Hawthorn selection squeeze image

Hawthorn has a tough night ahead at selection with stars returning for the blockbuster against Adelaide.

St Kilda and Western Bulldogs will both welcome back a gun for Thursday night's clash.

The Brisbane could bring in up to four experienced players if they get through training.

MOREAll the latest AFL injury news

Read on for all the latest round 14 team news and tips:

St Kilda vs. Western Bulldogs team news, selection, injuries

Big ins for both St Kilda and the Bulldogs, with the Saints' star recruit Jack Macrae returning from a punctured lung.

Liam Stocker (foot) is also available and will likely brought in based on his ability to play numerous positions.

Mattaes Phillipou (calf) has been ruled out despite Ross Lyon saying he was a chance to get up for after the team's bye.

Sam Darcy is the massive inclusion for the Bulldogs, returning from a knee injury that he incidentally injured against the Saints in Round 6.

With Darcy in attack, Rory Lobb will likely return to defence and the omission of Ryan Gardner seems a strong chance, particularly as he struggled against the Hawks.

Liam Jones could also be called upon although the Saints aren't exactly flush with tall key forwards.

Hawthorn vs. Adelaide team news, selection, injuries

James Sicily will still remain out indefinitely for Hawthorn with his abdominal issue, which is not ideal with Adelaide's tall forward line.

However, Jack Scrimshaw (ankle) and Nick Watson (illness) should come straight in to play crucial roles.

It could be horses-for-courses with last in Seamus Mitchell and Sam Butler the unlucky possible omissions.

Cam McKenzie and Henry Hustwaite are also banging the door down with their VFL performances.

Adelaide's gentle season with injury continues although they will need to replace James Peatling (suspended).

Sid Draper, Zac Taylor and Brodie Smith will all be contenders for a Crows squad that is tough to break into.

Nick Murray (knee) is fit again after having knee surgery but he will probably come through the SANFL with Adelaide's key defence looking solid currently.

Brisbane Lions vs. GWS team news, selection, injuries

A few changes look likely for Brisbane with Oscar McInerney (soreness), Brandon Starcevich (concussion), Darcy Gardiner (soreness) and Sam Day (hamstring) all facing tests to prove their fitness.

Darcy Fort would be the omission if McInerney returns, while debutant Ty Gallop would be the unlucky out if either Gardiner or Day are selected.

It's interesting times at GWS, who are struggling to perform and it really isn't apparent why they have dropped off so much.

The Giants will be hopeful Finn Callaghan (shoulder) gets through training after missing the last few matches, while Toby Greene (corked glute) also needs to pass a test.

Leek Aleer (ribs) is in doubt but Jake Stringer (hamstring) is still at least a week away and Stephen Coniglio (glute) doesn't have a return timeline.

Essendon vs. Geelong team news, selection, injuries

The Bombers will be without Sam Durham from the team that loss to Carlton, while Mason Redman is set to remain sidelined.

Forwards Isaac Kako, Ben Hobbs and Nate Caddy were all quiet against the Blues but Brad Scott has a long injury list to deal with so will more than likely stick with them again this week.

In the VFL, Elijah Tsatas had 28 disposals, while ruckman Vigo Visentini was solid with 19 touches and 27 hitouts, giving the Bombers an option should Todd Goldstein need a rest after seven straight games.

Dylan Shiel, last week's emergency, remains in the mix.

Bailey Smith, Jack Bowes and Shannon Neale face fitness tests for Geelong ahead of this clash.

Among the replacement options are Jhye Clark, George Stevens, Mitch Knevitt and Oli Wiltshire, who all had big games in the twos last week.

North Melbourne vs. Fremantle team news, selection, injuries

Key defender Charlie Comben has been sidelined with a shoulder injury, paving the way for Kallan Dawson's recall.

The Roos weren't convincing against the Eagles but got the four points, which will likely spare some players the axe.

In the VFL, Will Phillips made an incredible 21 tackles and picked up 22 disposals, while Bailey Scott had 26 touches.

Coming off the bye, the Dockers will put Karl Worner, Jaeger O'Meara and Michael Walters through their paces at training this week.

Isaiah Dudley looks set to be available after missing round 12 for personal reasons, while Nathan O'Driscoll successfully returned from injury through the VFL.

Midfielder Jeremy Sharp's spot looks under threat after a quiet outing in the win over Gold Coast.

Port Adelaide vs. Melbourne team news, selection, injuries

Jason Horne-Francis appears ready to come back in following his hamstring injury, giving a boost to the side which defeated GWS.

Last week's sub Christian Moraes shapes as the obvious option to miss out to make way for JHF, while Ken Hinkley is unlikely to tinker too much with a winning team.

The Demons could welcome back Jack Viney after concussion and hand issues, with Caleb Windsor, who started in the sub vest in round 13, potentially the one to miss out.

In the VFL, Bailey Laurie responded well to his dropping with 28 disposals and a goal, although he may find it difficult to force his way back in.

West Coast vs. Carlton team news, selection, injuries

Bo Allan could be set for a run in West Coast's best 22 after coach Andrew McQualter admitted he had been the sub too often.

Clay Hall continues to be the Eagles' best player in the WAFL, while mid-season top draft pick Tom McCarthy continues to perform solidly at reserves level as he waits for an AFL debut.

Coming off a win against Essendon, it's hard to see Carlton making too many changes and Michael Voss will be looking to reward his winning players.

Harry McKay (knee) missed the Bombers match and is still listed as a test, with either Orazio Fantasia or Will White shaping as the likely axing if  the big forward comes back.

Tom Naghten

Tom Naghten is a senior editor at The Sporting News Australia where he's been part of the team since 2017. He predominantly covers boxing and MMA. In his spare time, he likes to watch Robbie Ahmat's goal against the Kangaroos at the SCG in 2000.

Kieran Francis

Kieran Francis is a senior editor at The Sporting News based in Melbourne, Australia. He started at Sportal.com.au before being a part of the transition to Sporting News in 2015. Just prior to the 2018 World Cup, he was appointed chief editor of Goal.com in Australia. He has now returned to The Sporting News where his passions lay in football, AFL, poker and cricket - when he is not on holiday.