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Magpies’ Round 20 team

B: Murphy, Moore, Howe

HB: Crisp, Maynard, Quaynor

C: N.Daicos, Adams, Sidebottom

HF: Elliott, Cameron, Hoskin-Elliott

F: McCreery, De Goey, Johnson

FOLL: Cox, Pendlebury, J.Daicos

I/C: Lipinski, Bianco, Noble, Ginnivan

Team Tips: The Pies have been dealt a cruel blow on the eve of finals, with Taylor Adams (groin) ruled out for the remainder of the home and away season. Josh Carmichael has been influential as the medical sub in recent weeks and now likely gets another chance in the 22 playing in the guts. There was some concern for Jeremy Howe (corked buttock), but Craig McRae was optimistic he’d be fit to play. Brody Mihocek will need to prove his fitness after missing the club’s 10th-straight win over Port Adelaide with a hip injury, and if he gets up, it might come at the expense of Trent Bianco despite a solid three-game stretch. And of course, there’s big intrigue surrounding what the Pies do with Brodie Grundy, who got through his VFL return last weekend (11 touches, 21 hit-outs, equal team-high eight tackles) without really putting his hand up for a senior recall. Selecting the star ruckman would most likely spell the end of Mason Cox’s spot in the side, but the American did produce his best game of 2022 (and just short of a best-on-ground effort) when these two sides last met on the Queen’s Birthday in a 26-point Collingwood win. With Adams already missing against a star-studded Dees midfield, you sense McRae could well opt to inject Grundy into the mix.

HAWTHORN v GOLD COAST

Saturday August 6, 1:45pm at University of Tasmania Stadium

Hawks’ Round 20 team

B: Morris, Blanck, Hardwick

HB: Scrimshaw, Hardwick, Morrison

C: Maginness, Mitchell, Day

HF: Breust, Moore, Koschitzke

F: Gunston, Lewis, Macdonald

FOLL: McEvoy, Newcombe, O’Meara

I/C: Jiath, Nash, Butler, Ward

Team Tips: Josh Morris (shoulder) and Mitch Lewis (knee) both failed to finish Hawthorn’s loss to St Kilda to put them in doubt this week. Jarman Impey should return after getting managed against the Saints, and Ned Reeves could come into contention after missing with foot soreness. The Hawks could also be tempted to unveil some fresh blood such as Ned Long or Jai Serong, who were both named emergencies last week.

Suns’ Round 20 team

B: Graham, Collins, Lemmens

HB: Farrar, Andrew, Ellis

C: Sharp, Miller, Lukosius

HF: Ainsworth, Chol, Swallow

F: Rankine, Casboult, Holman

FOLL: Witts, Rowell, Anderson

I/C: Atkins, Hollands, Macpherson, Rosas

Team Tips: Brandon Ellis (shoulder) was a late out for last week’s win over West Coast and his return this week remains uncertain. The Suns otherwise got through the game with a clean bill of health. Brayden Fiorini us knocking down the door for a senior reprieve after racking up 33 touches and eight tackles and booting two goals in the VFL, while Josh Corbett booted five goals. It could put some pressure on the likes of Mac Andrew, Elijah Hollands and Rory Atkins.

GWS GIANTS v ESSENDON

Saturday August 6, 2:10pm at GIANTS Stadium

Giants’ Round 20 team

B: Cumming, Taylor, Haynes

HB: Kennedy, Himmelberg, Perryman

C: Ward, Kelly, Whitfield

HF: Taranto, Greene, Coniglio

F: Peatling, Hogan, Lloyd

FOLL: Preuss, Hopper, Green

I/C: Brown, Aleer, Ash, Wehr

Team Tips: Expect changes after Mark McVeigh’s brutal post-game criticism of GWS’ 73-point Sydney derby loss where he said players “checked out” and that only eight members of the side (Josh Kelly, Lachie Whitfield, Harry Perryman, Sam Taylor, Callan Ward, Jesse Hogan, Toby Greene and Adam Kennedy) “went to the wall.” McVeigh already showed last week he’s not afraid to swing the axe, dropping six players. Could he look to make a serious statement this week and drop a senior player underperforming? Stephen Coniglio should slot straight back into the side after missing last week with soreness, while Tanner Bruhn responded to his axing with 25 disposals and six tackles in the VFL and Matt Flynn could return from an ankle injury. You’d imagine any of the other 14 Giants McVeigh didn’t name are vulnerable to getting dropped.

Bombers’ Round 20 team

B: Kelly, Laverde, Zerk-Thacher

HB: Redman, Ridley, Hind

C: Durham, Shiel, Heppell

HF: Guelfi, Snelling, Langford

F: Wright, Stringer, Jones

FOLL: Draper, Merrett, Caldwell

I/C: Kelly, Hobbs, Snelling, Guelfi

Team Tips: The Bombers got back to some of their best form last week in a 48-point win over North, although Jye Caldwell did get subbed out of the game with a calf issue. But there’s reinforcements on the way, with Darcy Parish (test) to come into the mix and Andy McGrath (HS protocols) likely to return. Dylan Shiel missed the Roos win with a hamstring issue and his return is unclear. You sense Ben Rutten wouldn’t want to make too many more changes his side that’s won four of its last six games.

WESTERN BULLDOGS v FREMANTLE

Saturday August 6, 4:35pm at Marvel Stadium

Bulldogs’ Round 20 team

B: Williams, Gardner, Khamis

HB: Hannan, Cordy, Dale

C: Richards, Liberatore, Smith

HF: Johannisen, Bruce, Dunkley

F: Weightman, Naughton, Ugle-Hagan

FOLL: English, Bontempelli, Macrae

I/C: West, McComb, Daniel, Garcia

Team Tips: Adam Treloar (calf) is no certainty to return despite his bid of playing last week only just falling short, while Anthony Scott (concussion) and Hayden Crozier (ankle) also face tests. There’s some concern around Marcus Bontempelli after he suffered a corky in the team’s 28-point loss to Geelong. Josh Bruce’s spot could come under threat after he’s struggled to make an impact upon returning from injury, while several more Bulldogs struggled to have an impact against the Cats. Alex Keath could come back into the side after his surprise axing, while Sam Darcy (20 disposals, 14 marks) continues to impress in the VFL. Lachie Hunter (24 disposals), Toby McLean (23 touches) and Josh Schache (three goals) were also solid in the twos to give Luke Beveridge plenty to ponder with his side’s finals hopes hanging by a thread.

Dockers’ Round 20 team

B: Chapman, Cox, Aish

HB: Young, Pearce, Ryan

C: Clark, Brayshaw, Acres

HF: Schultz, Lobb, Henry

F: Frederick, Taberner, Walters

FOLL: Darcy, Brodie, Serong

I/C: Logue, Colyer, Mundy, Walker

Team Tips: Justin Longmuir has plenty to consider himself as his troops look to stay in touch with the top four, falling to sixth place over the weekend after losing to Melbourne by 46 points. The Dockers are blessed with one of the healthiest lists in the competition too — outside of Nat Fyfe — and Peel Thunder enjoyed a big win in the WAFL. Darcy Tucker was enormous with 38 disposals, three goals, nine marks and seven tackles to potentially force his way back into the senior side, while Connor Blakely (34 touches, 11 marks) and Neil Erasmus (34 possessions, one goal, seven marks) showed plenty too. It could put pressure on the likes of Travis Colyer and Heath Chapman despite the Dockers’ 22 looking as well settled as it has all season.

GEELONG v ST KILDA

Saturday August 6, 7:25pm at GMHBA Stadium

Cats’ Round 20 team

B: O’Connor, De Koning, Z.Guthrie

HB: Kolodjashnij, Stewart, Henry

C: Duncan, Selwood, Smith

HF: Rohan, Cameron, Dangerfield

F: Close, Hawkins, Stengle

FOLL: Ceglar, C.Guthrie, Atkins

I/C: Bews, Holmes, Blicavs, Miers

Team Tips: Gary Rohan was subbed out of the Cats’ win over the Western Bulldogs with concussion and will miss this week as a result. Zach Tuohy should return from HS protocols, and Sam Menegola could also be ready to return from his own concussion. As unlucky as he’d be, Mark O’Connor was below his best against the Dogs and could miss for Menegola, although the sense the winger might come back through the twos. Cooper Stevens (27 touches), Luke Dahlhaus (21 disposals), Quinton Narkle (16 possessions, two goals) and Sam Simpson (25 touches) all played well in the VFL, but he top-of-the-ladder Cats are riding a 10-game winning streak, so it’s a hard line-up to crack into right now.

Saints’ Round 20 team

B: Wilkie, Battle, Sharman

HB: Hill, Webster, Sinclair

C: Ross, Crouch, Wood

HF: Membrey, King, Butler

F: Clark, Higgins, Marshall

FOLL: Campbell, Steele, Hannebery

I/C: Lienert, Windhager, Paton, Long

Team Tips: Brett Ratten pulled a sneaky selection move last week in bringing Mitch Owens in late for Tom Campbell. You can’t imagine that move would switch back either given Owens impressed against the Hawks and with Geelong only playing one traditional ruckman in Jonathon Ceglar. Dougal Howard could return for St Kilda in a big boost to its defensive stocks, potentially for Cooper Sharman.

PORT ADELAIDE v RICHMOND

Saturday August 6, 7:40pm at Adelaide Oval

Power’s Round 20 team

B: Burton, Jonas, McKenzie

HB: Byrne-Jones, Aliir, Burgoyne

C: Amon, Boak, Duursma

HF: Butters, Marshall, Farrell

F: Gray, Dixon, Powell-Pepper

FOLL: Finlayson, Wines, Rozee

I/C: Bergman, Georgiades, Jones, McEntee

Team Tips: The Power should welcome back Dan Houston (concussion) and Riley Bonner (HS protocols) this week, likely at the expense of Jed McEntee or Lachlan Jones. Ken Hinkley shouldn’t pull too many other moves after a solid performance against the Pies, but with the club’s finals hopes now all but ended, could the Power look to give some rest to veterans such as Travis Boak and Robbie Gray? If so the likes of Willem Drew, Jackson Mead and Sam Mayes would come into the mix.

Tigers’ Round 20 team

B: Grimes, Tarrant, Miller

HB: Vlastuin, Rioli, Broad

C: Pickett, Cotchin, McIntosh

HF: Graham, Edwards, Bolton

F: Riewoldt, Cumberland, Lynch

FOLL: Nankervis, Prestia, Baker

I/C: Ross, Sonsie, Balta, Short

Team Tips: Richmond kept its finals hopes alive in a gutsy win over Brisbane, but it came at a cost, with Dylan Grimes potentially set to miss the rest of the home and away season with a hamstring issue. It likely opens the door for Josh Gibcus to return to the senior side. Richmond’s 22 otherwise looks well settled after strong performances from youngsters Tyler Sonsie and Noah Cumberland, while it’s hard to see Ivan Soldo coming back in against Port’s Jeremy Finlayson-Charlie Dixon ruck combo.

NORTH MELBOURNE v SYDNEY

Sunday August 7, 1:10pm at Marvel Stadium

Kangaroos’ Round 20 team

B: Bonar, McKay, Dawson

HB: Archer, McDonald, La. Young

C: Taylorm Simpkin, Scott

HF: C.Coleman-Jones, Larkey, Anderson

F: Stephenson, Zurhaar, Ziebell

FOLL: Goldstein, L.Davies-Uniacke, Horne-Francis

I/C: Greenwood, Powell, Lazzaro, Mahony

Team Tips: The Roos should welcome back a few from health and safety protocols including Aidan Corr, Aaron Hall and Paul Curtis, while Flynn Perez will also be available to return from his one-match ban. That could see the likes of Phoenix Spicer, Charlie Lazzaro, Jackson Archer and Kallan Dawson make way, although Leigh Adams will also want to continue to get games into the youngsters in a tricky balance. Lachie Young and Jack Mahony were both late outs and will come back into the frame too.

Swans’ Round 20 team

B: Rampe, T.McCartin, Blakey

HB: McInerney, P.McCartin, Lloyd

C: Gulden, Mills, Stephens

HF: Hayward, Reid, Heeney

F: Papley, Franklin, Clarke

FOLL: Hickey, Parker, Rowbottom

I/C: Fox, Florent, Warner, Amartey

Team Tips: Sydney’s side is perhaps the most settled in the competition right now, making no changes last week ahead of its 73-point trashing of GWS to climb into the top four with only a handful of names on the injury list. The interesting watch is Josh Kennedy, who impressed again in the VFL with 25 touches, but as they say, if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.

BRISBANE v CARLTON

Sunday August 7, 3:20pm at Gabba

Lions’ Round 20 team

B: Gardiner, Adams, Zorko

HB: Starcevich, Andrews, Coleman

C: Ah Chee, J.Berry, McCluggage

HF: Bailey, Hipwood, McCarthy

F: McStay, Daniher, Cameron

FOLL: McInerney, Neale, Rayner

I/C: Robinson, Lyons, Mathieson, Answerth

Team Tips: Zac Bailey was subbed out of last week’s fade out loss to Richmond with a sternum issue and went to hospital, but remarkably remains a chance to play this week. Chris Fagan conceded playing Darcy Fort as medical sub was the “wrong decision,” so expect the Lions to look elsewhere if they need to replace Bailey. Ryan Lester and Kai Lohmann (both 22 disposals, two goals) would be at the front of the queue after strong VFL performance. Deven Robertson had 25 disposals himself in the seconds to potentially put pressure on Rhys Mathieson, while Brandon Starcevich should reclaim his spot from Nakia Cockatoo after being a late out.

Blues’ Round 20 team

B: Plowman, Weitering, Docherty

HB: Newman, McGovern, Saad

C: Cottrell, Cripps, Kennedy

HF: Fisher, De Koning, Owies

F: McKay, Curnow, Durdin

FOLL: Pittonet, Walsh, Cerra

I/C: Le. Young, O’Brien, Setterfield, Motlop

Team Tips: Just when the Blues were starting to get healthy again, Matthew Kennedy (concussion), Corey Durdin (shoulder) and Nic Newman (knee) all got struck down with injury against the Crows. Jack Silvagni should walk back into the side after his shock axing, while George Hewett could be available to return from a back issue. Other Blues putting their hand up to come into the senior side include Lachie Fogarty (28 touches) and Brodie Kemp (20 disposals, one goal) after encouraging VFL performances, and don’t discount Jack Martin, Paddy Dow, Caleb Marchbank, Josh Honey and Jack Newnes. The spots of Matt Owies, Jesse Motlop, Lachie Plowman and Matthew Cottrell could all come under threat after quiet performances in the club’s 29-point loss to Adelaide ahead of an important run home for the Blues, with finally suddenly not a sure thing.

WEST COAST v ADELAIDE

Sunday August 7, 4:10pm at Optus Stadium

Eagles’ Round 20 team

B: Hurn, Barrass, Duggan

HB: Foley, Edwards, Jones

C: Hough, Kelly, Gaff

HF: Cripps, Waterman, Rioli

F: Williams, Darling, Ryan

FOLL: Naitanui, Redden, Shuey

I/C: Petruccelle, O’Neill, West, Culley

Team Tips: Jai Culley (hamstring, two-match suspension) is the only forced change for the Eagles after their three-point loss to the Suns. If they’re ready to return from injury, Josh Rotham (ankle) or Alex Witherden (hamstring) should return to the 22, while Zac Langdon, Sam Petrevski-Seton and Greg Clark will also be thereabouts. Brady Hough, Harry Edwards and Jake Waterman were all below their best form against Gold Coast and could face selection pressure if Adam Simpson opts to tinker with his line-up.

Crows’ Round 20 team

B: Worrell, Butts, Hamill

HB: Smith, Murray, Dawson

C: Hinge, Laird, Jones

HF: McAdam, Fogarty, Soligo

F: Milera, Walker, Murphy

FOLL: O’Brien, Berry, Keays

I/C: Thilthorpe, Schoenberg, McHenry, Parnell

Team Tips: The Crows are coming off arguably their best win for the season in knocking off the Blues by 29 points, so don’t expect too many, if any, changes. The only obvious inclusions are Tom Doedee and Riley Thilthorpe if they’re free to return from injury, Elliott Himmelberg, Patrick Parnell and Nick Murray seemingly the most vulnerable to drop out, while Josh Worrell impressed.