The teams are officially in for Thursday’s Round 18 clash between Sydney and the Western Bulldogs at the SCG.
While the Swans have made three changes with ruckman Tom Hickey the key omission, the Bulldogs made the most surprising call with big-money recruit Rory Lobb axed for the big game.
SEN Sportsday’s Gerard Healy, Brad Johnson and Kane Cornes reacted to the teams being released and the Lobb axing on Wednesday night.
Cornes: “Rory Lobb is not on the plane to Sydney and Sam Darcy is back in.
“I really like that move. I think Naughton and Ugle-Hagan are in pretty good form and the issue's been behind the ball without Jones, so Darcy plays back.
“You go a bit smaller in your forward line. Cody Weightman is flying as well.
“I just like the mix a little bit more with Lobb, not there, but it's a big omission considering the price they paid to get him at the trade period.”
Johnson: “Yeah, it is, but Sam Darcy with an opportunity and he's had a tough run along the way with the illnesses and the foot issues and the lung issue … he hasn't taken a trick yet.
“We've seen glimpses from Sam, he'll get the opportunity, which is good for good for him.
“The structure will be interesting, because at the moment you've got Ugle-Hagan and Naughton who are actually working quite well together.
“His (Ugle-Hagan’s) hands are as good as anyone in the competition at the moment, they’re working well together, they've started to work out who's jumping, they're not in each other's space as often.
“I think that's really, starting to take shape for the Dogs.
Healy: “For Sydney there’s no Chad Warner, that’s three weeks without him.
“But Tom Hickey has been omitted. They’re going to ruck with Hayden McLean and Joel Amartey.”
Cornes: “That’s interesting up against Tim English.”
Check out the teams for Thursday’s clash below.
Sydney
IN: Corey Warner, Joel Amartey, Sam Wicks
OUT: Aaron Francis (Sub), Angus Sheldrick (Injured), Jake Lloyd (Injured), Tom Hickey (Omitted)
B: Dane Rampe, Lewis Melican, Nick Blakey
HB: Oliver Florent, Tom McCartin, Harry Cunningham
C: Braeden Campbell, Luke Parker, Errol Gulden
HF: Will Hayward, Logan McDonald, Isaac Heeney
F: Joel Amartey, Lance Franklin, Tom Papley
FOLL: Hayden McLean, James Rowbottom, Callum Mills
I/C: Robbie Fox, Corey Warner, Justin McInerney, Sam Wicks
Emerg: Aaron Francis, Tom Hickey, Dylan Stephens, Ryan Clarke
Western Bulldogs
IN: Sam Darcy
OUT: Bailey Smith (Illness), Rory Lobb (Omitted)
B: Taylor Duryea, Ryan Gardner, James O'Donnell
HB: Bailey Dale, Alex Keath, Ed Richards
C: Caleb Poulter, Marcus Bontempelli, Bailey Williams
HF: Jack Macrae, Aaron Naughton, Adam Treloar
F: Cody Weightman, Jamarra Ugle-Hagan, Sam Darcy
FOLL: Tim English, Caleb Daniel, Tom Liberatore
I/C: Laitham Vandermeer, Lachlan McNeil, Rhylee West, Anthony Scott
Emerg: Riley Garcia, Buku Khamis, Robbie McComb, Jordon Sweet
The bounce for Thursday’s game at the SCG is set for 7:20 pm (AEDT) on Thursday.