Melbourne veteran Brad Green’s fall from grace at the AFL club has continued, with the ex-skipper dumped for Saturday’s crunch MCG clash with Richmond.
Stripped of the captaincy this season, the 31-year-old, 243-gamer has had a quiet first two rounds and was one of four players dropped from the team belted by 108 points by West Coast last round.
Green, the Demons’ 2010 best and fairest, was joined by Ricky Petterd, Jamie Bennell and Joel Macdonald as selection casualties.
Fellow veteran Aaron Davey, axed after the opening round, was among the replacements.
The Tigers’ only change was replacing the injured Jake King (knee) with Addam Maric.
Collingwood skipper Nick Maxwell and Carlton fullback Michael Jamison will both play their first games of the AFL season in Friday night’s MCG blockbuster.
The Magpies, who lost backman Chris Tarrant (calf), also regained midfielder Sharrod Wellingham and added ruck depth with the recall of Cameron Wood.
Nick Duigan joined Jamison in strengthening Carlton’s defence.
Brisbane skipper Jonathan Brown will return from facial fractures against Fremantle at Patersons Stadium on Saturday night.
Experienced defender Josh Drummond and AFL debutant ruckman Billy Longer were also among five inclusions for the Lions, who lost star on-baller Simon Black (hand).
The Dockers regained 2010 best and fairest David Mundy, who had the second half of last season ruined by a lower leg injury.
West Coast appear to have rested some key players for what shapes as a one-sided encounter with Greater Western Sydney at Blacktown on Sunday, although they were officially listed as injured.
While veteran Andrew Embley (shoulder) will be missing for up to four months, captain Darren Glass (groin) and midfielders Matthew Priddis (quad) and Matt Rosa (quad) were also omissions.
Gold Coast regained key defender Nathan Bock from a gambling-related suspension, among four changes for Saturday night’s Metricon Stadium clash with Essendon, but lost Campbell Brown (groin).
The Bombers have lost five players – David Hille (calf), Mark McVeigh (soreness), Nathan Lovett-Murray (hamstring), David Myers (hamstring) and Sam Lonergan (suspension).
Tom Bellchambers and Heath Hocking were among their inclusions.
Sydney ruckman Shane Mumford will return from a back injury for the Swans’ meeting with Port Adelaide at AAMI Stadium on Saturday, but the Swans have lost Lewis Roberts-Thomson (cheekbone) and Nick Smith (virus).
The Power welcome back talented forward Robbie Gray from a hamstring injury, but remain without key forward John Butcher.
Tough North Melbourne midfielder Jack Ziebell will return from suspension to boost the Kangaroos for Sunday’s encounter with Geelong at Etihad Stadium.
Hawthorn remain without injured skipper Luke Hodge for Sunday’s clash with Adelaide at the MCG and have lost running player Isaac Smith (back), while the Crows have lost Richard Douglas (hamstring).
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