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AFL round 9 teams: Western Bulldogs wield axe for trip to Geelong

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Tom Liberatore has been dropped while Travis Cloke, Bob Murphy and Mitch Wallis are all back as the Western Bulldogs have elected for wholesale change in their bid to beat Geelong for the first time since 2009.

The Bulldogs have made five changes to the side that lost to West Coast last Friday night in Perth, with 2014 best and fairest Liberatore axed for the game at Simonds Stadium after he had just eight disposals against the Eagles. Liberatore's premiership teammates Zaine Cordy, Fletcher Roberts and Toby McLean have also been dropped, with Matthew Boyd out of the side with a shoulder injury.  Wallis comes back for his first senior game since breaking his leg in round 18 last year, while Cloke returns after breaking ribs in the Good Friday match against North Melbourne. Murphy has been named after being spared the trip to Western Australia, while Tory Dickson and Dale Morris have also been included.

The Cats have made two changes, recalling Lachie Henderson and Scott Selwood, with Rhys Stanley (knee) and George Horlin-Smith (omitted) making way. 

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Hawthorn have recalled maligned big man Ty Vickery for their meeting with Collingwood on Saturday night at the MCG. Vickery hasn't played at AFL level since round three, but has been brought back alongside Kaiden Brand, Taylor Duryea and Brendan Whitecross. The raft of changes are necessary because of the injuries to Ben Stratton, Cyril Rioli and James Frawley, all of whom are set for lengthy stints on the sidelines, and another concussion for Jack Fitzpatrick, who was plagued by the impact of a head knock last year. The Pies welcome back star midfielder Adam Treloar, but have lost Ben Reid to a quad ailment.

Richmond have wielded the axe as they look to snap a three-game losing streak. Jake Batchelor, Todd Elton, Corey Ellis and Oleg Markov have all been dropped for Saturday's date with Greater Western Sydney at Spotless Stadium, while Dan Butler is out with a groin issue. Dion Prestia returns from injury for the Tigers, while Sam Lloyd, Ivan Soldo and Connor Menadue have been recalled. Youngster Shai Bolton has also been included for what would be his first game. Toby Greene returns from suspension for GWS, who have also named Harry Perryman for his debut. Harrison Himmelberg has been dropped, while Stephen Coniglio is out of the side because of a serious ankle injury.

St Kilda have recalled former No. 1 draft pick Paddy McCartin as one of three inclusions for Saturday's game against Sydney at Etihad Stadium, with fellow forward Josh Bruce dropped. The Swans have made three changes too, with Kurt Tippett returning.

Former No. 2 draft pick Josh Schache has been dropped by the Brisbane Lions for Saturday night's game against Adelaide. The Lions have also lost Tom Rockliff to a shoulder injury although his loss is offset by the return of Dayne Beams. Having lost two games in a row, the Crows have made three changes, naming Jordan Gallucci and Hugh Greenwood to debut while axing David Mackay and Josh Jenkins.

Meanwhile former North Melbourne captain Andrew Swallow looms as a possible inclusion for Sunday's game against Melbourne after he was named on an extended interchange bench.