Lions ‘Recruit’ Eagles eliminated from the cold, fan-favorite Higgins

BRISBANE will move on to another relatively untested key position hoping to face the Western Bulldogs on Saturday. Rookie Matt Eagles returns for his first appearance in more than two years.

Eagles, who won Foxtel’s reality TV show ‘The Recruit’ in 2016 to earn a spot on an AFL list, is one of four inclusions for the Lions, who also includes veterans Daniel Rich and Grant Birchall, and key striker Dan Win back McStay returns from suspension.

Young trio Sam Skinner, Connor Ballenden and Jack Payne have all been dropped while former No. 1 draft pick Cam Rayner is sidelined due to injury.

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The Western Bulldogs win back young star striker Aaron Naughton for the duel in Gabba, while Bailey Dale and Ryan Gardner also return.

Round one Cody Weightman was dropped alongside Roarke Smith while Intercept defender Hayden Crozier is out due to injury.

Richmond has ditched promising youngster Jack Higgins for his duel with Port Adelaide on Saturday while captain Trent Cotchin was led after a return from a hamstring injury.

Premiership duo Josh Caddy and Daniel Rioli return to the Adelaide Oval to face the leading power squad.

Port Adelaide made two changes of its own. Veteran swingman Justin Westhoff was out when aspiring midfielder Sam Mayes lifted his suspension for a game against Josh Dunkley earlier this week.

Seasoned ruckman Scott Lycett and young defender Jarrod Lienert return to the team.

Saturday 8th August

Port Adelaide v Richmond, Adelaide Oval, 4:55 p.m. ACST

PORT ADELAIDE
In the: J. Lienert, S. Lycett
Out: S. Mayes (suspension), J. Westhoff (omitted)

RICHMOND
In the: J. Caddy, D. Rioli
Out: T.Cotchin (administered), J.Higgins (omitted)

Brisbane v Western Bulldogs, Gabba, 7:40 p.m. AEST

BRISBANE
In the: D. Rich, D. McCay, G. Birchall, M. Eagles
Out: S. Skinner (omitted), C. Ballenden (omitted), J. Payne (omitted), C. Rayner (thigh)

WESTERN BULLDOGS
In the: A. Naughton, B. Dale, R. Gardner
Out: R. Smith (omitted), H. Crozier (toe), C. Weightman (omitted)