Collingwood are facing the prospect of being without their two best midfielders for Saturday's clash against premiership fancies Greater Western Sydney after star Adam Treloar was left out of the Magpies side with an ankle injury.
Former Giant Treloar had been in doubt for the clash all week and was an absentee when the Pies named their team on Thursday night. While captain Scott Pendlebury has been picked, he remained in some doubt at the time of selection with wife Alex due to give birth. Pendlebury said earlier in the week he would leave Spotless Stadium during the match if Alex goes into labour.
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The Pies have however regained veteran Daniel Wells, while Jarryd Blair, Henry Schade and James Aish have been recalled. Tim Broomhead, Jackson Ramsay and Mason Cox have been dumped from the team that lost to Carlton last weekend at the MCG. The Pies enter the clash with the Giants as underdogs having won just two out of their seven games so far this year. GWS have made three changes to the team that lost to St Kilda last Friday night, with Lachie Whitfield picked to play his first game of the season following his AFL imposed-suspension.
Meanwhile Essendon have regained former captain Jobe Watson for Saturday night's date with Geelong at the MCG. Watson missed last weekend's loss to Fremantle in Perth but is one of three inclusions for the match against the Cats, joined by youngster Andrew McGrath and former GWS forward James Stewart, who will his first senior appearance as a Don. Brent Stanton has again been omitted, as have Aaron Francis and Martin Gleeson. Â
Seeking to snap a two-match losing streak, the Cats have made four changes to the team that was beaten last weekend by Gold Coast. Geelong have picked Mark O'Connor for his first game after promoting the Irishman off their rookie list in place of Brandan Parfitt. Â Tom Stewart, Jake Kolodjashnij and Zac Smith have been recalled, with Aaron Black, Jackson Thurlow, Jordan Murdoch and Darcy Lang dropped.
Western Bulldogs captain Bob Murphy will miss the Dogs' clash with West Coast at Domain Stadium on Friday night with general soreness. Jake Stringer (knee) and Josh Dunkley (shoulder) are also out of the team, with Lukas Webb, Bailey Dale and Jack Redpath picked to face the Eagles.Â
![Adam Treloar has succumbed to injury for the match against the Giants.](/web/20170515015844im_/http://www.watoday.com.au/content/dam/images/g/v/a/d/1/f/image.related.articleLeadwide.620x349.gw305h.png/1494495152156.jpg)
Elsewhere Jack Silvagni has been picked in the Carlton side to return to face St Kilda at Etihad Stadium on Saturday, while the Saints have included key forward Paddy McCartin in their emergencies, and Hawthorn have named big man Jack Fitzpatrick to face the Brisbane Lions in Launceston on Saturday after promoting the former Demon off their rookie list.