The teams are in for a crucial weekend of AFL action as the chaotic race for the finals comes down to the wire.
Top-four and top-two chances are also up for grabs and Brisbane are hoping to make a big move when they take on a depleted Collingwood in a Friday night cracker at Marvel Stadium.
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The Pies, who are already missing emerging superstar Nick Daicos, are now without midfield bull Jordan De Goey and captain Darcy Moore.
Small forward Bobby Hill is also out after he pulled up sore with hamstring concerns during training on Wednesday.
The Lions will be without veteran forward Jack Gunston, but they regain important defender Keidean Coleman, who missed the last two matches after suffering an eye injury in the derby defeat to Gold Coast.
Collingwood will certainly miss Jordan De Goey for the clash with the Lions. Credit: Getty Images
For Geelong, their bid for a finals spot has received a huge boost with the return of veteran spearhead Tom Hawkins for the mouth-watering battle against the Saints on Saturday night.
And in the important clash between Adelaide and Sydney at Adelaide Oval – which could spell the end for either team’s finals hopes – key stars have been named for both teams.
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FRIDAY, AUGUST 18
Collingwood v Brisbane at Marvel Stadium, 7.50pm AEST
COLLINGWOOD
In: S.Sidebottom, J.Ryan
Out: D.Moore (hamstring), B.Hill (hamstring), J.De Goey (glute)
R22 sub: Jack Ginnivan
BRISBANE
In: K.Coleman
Out: J.Gunston (knee), J.Prior (omitted)
R22 sub: Jaspa Fletcher
SATURDAY, AUGUST 19
Richmond v North Melbourne at the MCG, 1.45pm AEST
RICHMOND
In: T.Cotchin, J.Hopper
Out: J.Bauer (omitted), M.Coulthard (omitted), R.Mansell (sub)
R22 sub: Rhyan Mansell
NORTH MELBOURNE
In: D.Howe, W.Phillips, H.Greenwood, T.Powell
Out: J.Archer (omitted), C.Lazzaro (omitted), J.Stephenson (thumb), B.Cunnington (retired), G.Wardlaw (managed)
R22 sub: Charlie Lazzaro
Gold Coast v Carlton at Heritage Bank Stadium, 2.10pm AEST
GOLD COAST
In: L.Johnston, B.Fiorini, C.Budarick, B.King, A.Sexton
Out: D.Macpherson (omitted), J.Farrar (omitted), S.Day (omitted), E.Hollands (omitted), N.Holman (knee), J.Tsitas (sub)
R22 sub: James Tsitas
CARLTON
In: H.McKay
Out: L.Fogarty (soreness), E.Curnow (sub)
R22 sub: Ed Curnow
Greater Western Sydney v Essendon at Giants Stadium, 4.35pm AEST
GREATER WESTERN SYDNEY
In: T.Bedford, B.Daniels
Out: N.Haynes (illness), T.McMullin (sub), J.Wehr (sub)
R22 sub: Jacob Wehr
ESSENDON
In: S.Draper, J.Stringer
Out: N.Bryan (omitted), W.Snelling (sub), K.Baldwin (omitted)
R22 sub: Will Snelling
St Kilda v Geelong at Marvel Stadium, 7.25pm AEST
ST KILDA
In: Nil
Out: H.Clark (sub)
R22 sub: Hunter Clark
GEELONG
In: T.Hawkins, J.Bews
Out: G.Rohan (hamstring), R.Stanley (hip/adductor), B.Parfitt (sub)
R22 sub: Brandan Parfitt
Adelaide v Sydney at Adelaide Oval, 7.10pm ACST
ADELAIDE
In: I.Rankine
Out: L.Pedlar (omitted), L.Nankervis (omitted)
R22 sub: Josh Rachele
SYDNEY
In: D.Rampe, B.Campbell, J.Buller
Out: A.Francis (omitted), M.Roberts (omitted), J.Amartey (hamstring), R.Clarke (sub)
R22 sub: Ryan Clarke
SUNDAY, AUGUST 20
Western Bulldogs v West Coast at Marvel Stadium, 1.10pm AEST
WESTERN BULLDOGS
In: L.Cleary, L.McNeil, A.Scott, J.Sweet
Out: T.Liberatore (concussion)
R22 sub: Oskar Baker
WEST COAST
In: R.Maric, J.Petruccelle, Z.Trew, C.Jamieson
Out: G.Clark (suspension)
R22 sub: Greg Clark
Melbourne v Hawthorn at the MCG, 3.20pm AEST
MELBOURNE
In: C.Spargo, B.Laurie, A.Tomlinson, J.Schache
Out: M.Hibberd (sub)
R22 sub: Michael Hibberd
HAWTHORN
In: T.Brockman, J.Serong, B.Ryan, M.Ramsden, H.Hustwaite, N.Long
Out: C.Wingard (Achilles), M.Lewis (foot), B.Macdonald (sub)
R22 sub: Bailey Macdonald
Fremantle v Port Adelaide at Optus Stadium, 2.40pm AWST
FREMANTLE
In: N.Wilson, T.Emmett, T.Colyer, B.Banfield
Out: M.Walters (calf)
R22 sub: Neil Erasmus
PORT ADELAIDE
In: T.Boak, J.Mead, H.Jackson
Out: None
R22 sub: Francis Evans
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