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Dockers, Eagles swing axe for AFL derby

Ruckmen Nic Naitanui and Aaron Sandilands will return for the Perth AFL derby, with West Coast and Fremantle making four changes each for the game.

West Coast and Fremantle have settled on four changes each for their AFL derby in Perth.

Eagles ruckman Nic Naitanui returns on Sunday after recovering from an achilles injury, and will play his first game since round 12 alongside Thomas Barrass, Elliot Yeo and Jackson Nelson.

West Coast dropped Eric Mackenzie and Malcolm Karpany, while Sam Butler (groin) and Liam Duggan (calf) will miss the game because of injuries.

Dockers giant Aaron Sandilands is back for his first match since round three, when Naitanui broke three of his ribs in a marking contest.

Sandilands, Hayden Ballantyne, Michael Apeness and Ethan Hughes were promoted at the expense of Zac Dawson (suspended), Matt Taberner, Matt de Boer and Cameron Sutcliffe (all omitted).

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Meanwhile, Geelong confirmed Scott Selwood would make his club debut against Essendon on Sunday.

The Cats called up Selwood, Lachie Henderson and Josh Caddy in place of Lincoln McCarthy (adductor), Jake Kolodjashnij (managed) and Tom Ruggles (omitted).

Carlton promoted veterans Dale Thomas and Andrew Walker, squeezing Andrejs Everitt and Liam Sumner out of their team.

Walker will play his final game on Sunday, when the Blues battle St Kilda at the MCG.

Defender Sam Fisher will return for the Saints in place of Daniel McKenzie.


2 min read

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Source: AAP



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