Get all your news in one place.
100’s of premium titles.
One app.
Start reading
AAP
AAP
Sport
Shayne Hope

Eagles decimated by COVID-19 protocols

Josh Kennedy is one of five West Coast players ruled out this weekend under AFL COVID protocols. (AAP)

West Coast may have to call on a pair of top-up players for their AFL round-two clash with North Melbourne after another five squad members were placed in the competition's health and safety protocols.

Premiership stars Josh Kennedy, Tom Barrass and Jack Redden are all unavailable for Sunday's game at Marvel Stadium, as are Zac Langdon and Isaiah Winder.

Former Kangaroo Declan Mountford and ex-Fremantle running machine Stefan Giro are among the Eagles' inclusions, both added from the approved list of state league top-up players.

In positive news for West Coast, captain Luke Shuey has been named to return alongside fellow stars Tim Kelly, Liam Ryan and Jack Darling.

Key forward Darling is back after spending time away from the club earlier this year while he considered his COVID-19 vaccination options.

The 29-year-old has also overcome a minor foot injury.

North Melbourne sprung a surprise for the clash, dropping livewire Jaidyn Stephenson, while defender Ben McKay (concussion) has been replaced by Josh Walker and wingman Jared Polec returns from an ankle issue.

Meanwhile, Geelong have named Jeremy Cameron for Friday night's clash with Sydney despite a huge collision in round one that left the key forward struggling to breathe.

Mitch Duncan and Jed Bews return for the Cats, with Shaun Higgins rested, while the Swans have regained two-time best-and-fairest winner Jake Lloyd from health and safety protocols.

Jake Stringer and Aaron Francis are back for Essendon's clash with Brisbane on Saturday but the Bombers have lost Kyle Langford (hamstring) and last week's five-goal debutant Nic Martin (health and safety protocols).

The Lions have lost hard-nut Mitch Robinson, who was handed a one-week suspension for his bump on Port Adelaide's Xavier Duursma.

Duursma hurt his collarbone in the incident but has been named to play against Hawthorn on Saturday night.

Power star Robbie Gray has been sidelined by a knee injury and former Brisbane defender Sam Skinner has been given the nod to replace All-Australian backman Aliir Aliir (ankle syndesmosis).

First-round draft pick Josh Sinn will debut for Port, while the Hawks have regained experienced pair Ben McEvoy and Luke Breust from health and safety protocols and dropped Liam Shiels.

Mason Cox is out of the Collingwood side to take on Adelaide on Saturday because of an ankle injury but Will Hoskin-Elliott (health and safety prootocols) is back to bolster the Magpies' forward line.

Fremantle have copped a COVID-19 hit with David Mundy and Brennan Cox ruled out, though ruckman Sean Darcy and key defender Joel Hamling have been named to return for Sunday's meeting with St Kilda.

Former Kangaroo and Bulldog Tom Campbell will play his first game for the Saints as ruck support for Rowan Marshall, with Paddy Ryder still unavailable.

Richmond, who meet GWS on Sunday, have lost Dion Prestia (hamstring) and Jack Riewoldt (thumb), while calling up Maurice Rioli Jr for his third senior game.

Tigers superstar Dustin Martin has been named despite uncertainty around his availability as he takes a few days of personal leave away from the club.

The Giants have managed Jacob Hopper and named Jesse Hogan to play after he missed round one on the back of an interrupted build-up.

Melbourne premiership defender Trent Rivers returns from injury to replace Christian Salem (knee) in Saturday night's clash with Gold Coast.

Sign up to read this article
Read news from 100’s of titles, curated specifically for you.
Already a member? Sign in here
Related Stories
Top stories on inkl right now
One subscription that gives you access to news from hundreds of sites
Already a member? Sign in here
Our Picks
Fourteen days free
Download the app
One app. One membership.
100+ trusted global sources.