Supercoach Group Supercoach: Round 8 at selection news

2009 is a war of attrition, with more and more fantasy favourites getting injured each week.  Among the losses this week are Fraser, Thomas, Kerr, Hodge, Ziebell and Salopek.  Good luck fielding a full team this week!

Adelaide

@ Brisbane

No Changes

Adelaide will field an unchanged team, but some doubt still remains over Simon Goodwin. He's tough, so will still likely play. Taylor Walker broke out last week with 124 points, but I'm still not convinced that he's worthy of a roster spot right now. Likewise, Jared Petrenko continues to play, but limited time on ground is affecting his fantasy value.

Brisbane

v Adelaide

In: Austin
Out: Troy Selwood (concussion)

Matt Austin comes in for his debut at the expense of injured Troy Selwood. The Lions haven't been a great fantasy team in 2009, with just Josh Drummond averaging more than 100 ppg at the moment. Veterans Jonathan Brown, Luke Power and Simon Black are the others rounding out the leading players.

Carlton

@ Collingwood

In: Browne, Fisher, Robinson
Out: -

Mitch Robinson and the forgotten Brad Fisher are the possible inclusions for Carlton this week. Robinson has spent several weeks in the VFL. Hopefully his second stint in the seniors will be better than his first. Carlton could dominate this week against an injury-ravaged Collingwood, so look for regulars Chris Judd, Marc Murphy, Bryce Gibbs and Jarrad Waite to star. Ryan Houlihan will miss a second week with his immediate fantasy future not looking great.

Collingwood

v Carlton

In: Reid, Beams, Wood, Cook, Davis, Medhurst, Anthony, Cox
Out: Josh Fraser (knee), Dale Thomas (knee), Travis Cloke (hamstring), Anthony Rocca (groin), Danny Stanley

A shocking week for the Pies with Josh Fraser (99 ppg), Dale Thomas (72 ppg), Travis Cloke (55 ppg) and Anthony Rocca all out with injury. Their losses will leave many fantasy coaches scrambling for replacements. John Anthony returns from suspension and will head an inexperienced Collingwood attack. This week he could be a great fantasy option. Dayne Beams, Leon Davis and Paul Medhurst also return from injury and will no doubt pick up where they left off. Cameron Wood will head the ruck for the first time this year, but won't have much fantasy value unless Fraser is out for a significant amount of time. The inexperienced Pies will be looking at youngster Steele Sidebottom, Brent Macaffer and Jaxson Barham to step up. This week will be a good time to buy any of them.

Essendon

@ St Kilda

In: Jetta, Nash, T Slattery
Out: -

The Bombers haven't made any changes yet, with Leroy Jetta, Jay Nash and Tyson Slattery among the possible inclusions. Brent Stanton and Jason Winderlich have been sensational lately, but will be hard pressed to follow up this week. This week is looking tough for all Essendon players as they take on St Kilda. However knowing Essendon, they could well surprise this week.

Fremantle

v Hawthorn

In: Broughton
Out: Luke Pratt

The Dockers have swapped youngsters for their clash with Hawthorn - Greg Broughton brought in for Luke Pratt. Broughton scored 70 points in his only game this year, so could be a handy fantasy player this week. Byron Schammer has been in great form this year, averaging close to 100 ppg, and will do well this week. Aaron Sandilands has also improved of late, and could have another field day against the Hawthorn ruckmen.

Geelong

v North Melbourne

No changes

As announced during the week, Gary Ablett won't line up against the Kangaroos. Last week Joel Corey, Joel Selwood and Steven Johnson played well above their season average. This week, expect Jimmy Bartel and Paul Chapman to come out firing as they look to make amends.

Hawthorn

@ Fremantle

In: Guerra, Morton
Out: Luke Hodge (groin), Cameron Stokes (hamstring)

This was usually a game that you'd expect Hawthorn to comfortably win, but with their injuries this year, it's no certainty. Luke Hodge is out for a month with a groin injury, but he had been battling poor form for several weeks. Brent Guerra and Jarryd Morton return for the Hawks. Cyril Rioli and Grant Birchall are looking like the Hawks most likely to perform well this week.

Kangaroos

@ Geelong

In: Wright, Rawlings, Urquhart
Out: Jack Ziebell (leg), Matt Campbell (hamstring), Shannon Watt

The tough fantasy year continues with Jack Ziebell out for round 8 with a leg injury. He has been one of brightest stars in 2009, and a staple in many fantasy teams. Brady Rawlings, averaging 93 ppg, and Gavin Urquhart, averaging 85 ppg, both come back into the team. Last week Daniel Wells returned with an impressive 124 points. He along with Adam Simpson and Andrew Swallow are now the engine room of the North midfield.

Melbourne

v Western Bulldogs

In: Whelan, Cheney, Valenti
Out: Jared Rivers (ankle), James Frawley (thigh), Jamie Bennell

Kyle Cheney is back in the seniors this week after a month in the VFL. Although he scored 100+ in round one, keep your expectations in check this week. Matthew Whelan is also back for his first game of the year. Last week Jack Grimes played extremely well for his 92, so watch how he follows up this week before acting. Defenders Jared Rivers and James Frawley miss this week, both have been averaging in the 60s this season.

Port Adelaide

v Richmond

In: Hamish Hartlett, Marlon Motlop, Matt Westhoff, Toby Thurstans
Out: Steven Salopek (shoulder)

Youngster Hamish Hartlett returns after a week out. He had been averaging 63 ppg, but will likely improve each week. Gun midfielder, Steven Salopek will miss with a shoulder injury, with Kane Cornes named, but still under some doubt. Travis Boak broke out last week with 142 points, but has been unreliable all season.

Richmond

@ Port Adelaide

In: Brown, Cotchin, Morton, Pettifer, Raines, Thursfield
Out: Alex Rance (cheekbone), Jarrad Oakley-Nicholls, Jay Schulz

Some significant possible inclusions for the Tigers. Nathan Brown (averaging 89 ppg) and Mitch Morton (67 ppg) both return. Also back from injury are Andrew Raines, Trent Cotchin (for his first game) and possibly Kane Pettifer. Raines was highly touted early in the year, and if you still own him, you could be in for some good times. Cotchin is a class midfielder, and once back at full strength, will be a decent fantasy option. Rance, Oakley-Nicholls and Schulz are the omissions.

St Kilda

v Essendon

In: Armitage, King, R. Clarke
Out: -

David Armitage, Steven King and Raph Clarke are the only additions to the team that thrashed Collingwood. King had missed several weeks with a hamstring, and his return may allow Justin Koschitzke to recapture his early season form up forward. All St Kilda players are firing at the moment, although Luke Ball has been quiet of late, averaging just 79 ppg over his last four games.

Sydney

v West Coast

In: Ablett, Bird, White
Out: Nick Malceski, Mike Pyke, Kristin Thornton

Out of form defender Nick Malceski has seen his role eaten away by the red hot Rhyse Shaw, to the point that Malceski has been dropped this week. I think he's already shown his best this year, so feel free to look for a replacement. Luke Ablett, Craig Bird and Jesse White come back in.

Western Bulldogs

@ Melbourne

No Changes

The Bulldogs will field an unchanged lineup this week. Shaun Higgins won't be risked with his groin strain, but should be right next week. Adam Cooney and Lindsay Gilbee both had long overdue returns to form last week, and will be hoping to turn their season around. Against Melbourne, both must be started.

West Coast

@ Sydney

In: Mackenzie, Priddis, Seaby, Brown
Out: Daniel Kerr (groin), Adam Hunter (shoulder), Matt Spangher, Will Schofield

Injury also hits West Coast, with Daniel Kerr (86 ppg) and Adam Hunter (63 ppg) out this week. Star midfielder Matt Priddis returns and will be looking for another 100+ score, while young forward Mitch Brown comes in after a week out.