Gather Round is officially underway in Adelaide, and excitement is palpable as all nine games are set to take place across multiple venues in South Australia. Kicking off the festivities, the Adelaide Crows will host the Geelong Cats tonight at 7:40 PM AEST at the iconic Adelaide Oval. Fans are in for a treat as both teams look to make a statement early in this thrilling round of footy.
However, the Crows will have to navigate the match without Izak Rankine, who has been named to play but is under an injury cloud due to a calf issue that caused bleeding but no muscle damage. His performance will be closely monitored as he has been a crucial part of the Crows' forward line. To bolster their midfield, Matt Crouch returns after a one-week absence, potentially impacting the playing time of James Peatling, who had a strong showing last week.
On the other side, Geelong faces a significant setback with Tom Stewart ruled out due to gastroenteritis. Stewart's absence is a blow for the Cats, who will look to Mark Blicavs and Rhys Stanley to step up in his stead. The Cats have also made a tactical adjustment, with Sam De Koning moving to fullback in a taller back six, aiming to counter the Crows' powerful forward trio of Tex Walker, Riley Thilthorpe, and Darcy Fogarty.
As the teams prepare to clash, the stakes are high for both sides. The Crows are looking to capitalize on their home advantage, while the Cats are eager to prove their resilience despite the absence of key players. Will Rankine's potential performance make the difference? Or will Geelong's depth allow them to overcome their challenges? The answer will unfold in what promises to be an exhilarating contest.
Looking ahead, the action continues with the Collingwood Magpies taking on the Sydney Swans tomorrow night at the same venue. Collingwood has suffered from injuries, with Dan Houston suspended and Jordan De Goey and Lachie Schultz both ruled out. The Swans, on the other hand, are unchanged and will aim to exploit the Magpies' vulnerabilities.
In another matchup, the North Melbourne Kangaroos will face the Gold Coast Suns on Saturday afternoon at Barossa Park. North Melbourne has made several changes, dropping Bailey Scott, Matt Whitlock, and Robert Hansen Jr., while welcoming back Finn O’Sullivan, Zane Duursma, and Zac Fisher. The Suns, who remain undefeated, will be looking to maintain their momentum with Nick Holman returning in place of Connor Budarick, who is out due to a rib injury.
The Carlton Blues are also in the spotlight as they prepare to take on the West Coast Eagles. Harry McKay returns from personal leave, and the Blues are hoping his presence will reinvigorate their struggling squad. However, West Coast has made significant changes, with Tim Kelly and Tom Cole among the high-profile omissions. Experienced forwards Jake Waterman and Liam Ryan are back in the mix, aiming to turn the tide for the Eagles.
Meanwhile, the Western Bulldogs will clash with the Brisbane Lions, who are yet to make any changes to their winning lineup. The Bulldogs have welcomed back Jason Johannisen from injury and will see the debut of Cooper Hynes, adding fresh energy to their side.
As we look towards the evening matchups, the Melbourne Demons are gearing up to face Essendon, with both teams making strategic changes. Melbourne has dropped Daniel Turner for Xavier Lindsay, while Essendon has welcomed back Archie Perkins and Will Setterfield, who replace the injured Jye Caldwell and Tom Edwards.
Sunday promises more action as the Richmond Tigers prepare to take on the Fremantle Dockers. The Tigers will be without No.1 draft pick Sam Lalor and defender Noah Balta, who is awaiting sentencing for an alleged assault. The decision to leave Balta out comes amid ongoing scrutiny, with Victorian Premier Jacinta Allan questioning the implications of his potential return.
Richmond will look to debut Jonty Faull, a promising young talent who has made waves in the VFL. Faull, selected with pick 14 in the 2024 AFL Draft, has shown great potential with standout performances in the lower league, including two goals against Brisbane.
St Kilda will also be in action against the GWS Giants, with both teams making significant inclusions. Captain Jack Steele returns for the Saints, while the Giants welcome back Stephen Coniglio from injury. The Giants will have to cope with the loss of Brent Daniels, who is sidelined with an abdominal strain.
Finally, the round will conclude with Port Adelaide facing Hawthorn on Sunday night. The Power will be looking to capitalize on their home advantage, while the Hawks will see James Worpel return from an ankle injury to help fill the void left by Will Day, who is out for an extended period.
Gather Round is shaping up to be an action-packed weekend filled with excitement, drama, and crucial matchups that could define the season ahead. With so much at stake, fans won't want to miss a moment of the action as the AFL's best battle it out in Adelaide.
