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Besieged Bombers shun AFL selection axe

Shayne HopeAAP
Devon Smith's return is the only change in Essendon's team to face Richmond in the Dreamtime clash.
Camera IconDevon Smith's return is the only change in Essendon's team to face Richmond in the Dreamtime clash. Credit: AAP

Under-fire Essendon have resisted the urge to swing the AFL selection axe as Jamie Elliott returns after shoulder surgery to give Collingwood added firepower in round 10.

Bombers midfielder Dylan Shiel has kept his place for the Dreamtime clash with Richmond on Saturday night after a week under an intense spotlight.

Shiel was mocked by Sydney's Luke Parker for not going hard enough in a contest, which was emblematic of his team's overall performance in round nine.

The horror display sparked fierce criticism from club great Matthew Lloyd, among other prominent past players, and led to an old-school physical training session on Thursday.

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But the return of Devon Smith is the only change to Ben Rutten's team this week, with Jye Caldwell (shoulder) out injured.

Riding a three-match winning streak, Richmond have brought back Josh Gibcus and Robbie Tarrant for the Sir Doug Nicholls Round feature match at the MCG.

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Marlion Pickett, who designed the Tigers' Indigenous jumper, will miss through suspension and Noah Balta has a hamstring injury.

There are few changes for Friday night's Carlton-Sydney blockbuster at Marvel Stadium, with Colin O'Riordan replacing suspended Swans teammate James Rowbottom.

The Blues have recalled Liam Stocker and Lewis Young to bolster their injury-hit defence.

Geelong superstar Patrick Dangerfield has been named to face Port Adelaide on Saturday despite illness concerns, while teammate Gary Rohan will play his first game of the season after overcoming a back injury.

The Power have dropped Xavier Duursma and Orazio Fantasia, with captain Tom Jonas returning.

The Western Bulldogs have received a boost with key forward Aaron Naughton cleared to play against unchanged Gold Coast in Ballarat on Saturday after overcoming a jarred knee.

Tim O'Brien replaces Taylor Duryea (illness) but ruckman Tim English remains sidelined with lingering effects from his illness.

Facing a huge test against unbeaten Melbourne in the Saturday twilight fixture, North Melbourne have dropped Jaidyn Stephenson again and regained important midfield duo Jason Horne-Francis and Jy Simpkin.

Atu Bosenavulagi and Callum Coleman-Jones have both been dropped, while the Demons had the luxury of recalling experienced forward Jake Melksham.

Adelaide have brought back Lachlan Murphy and Riley Thilthorpe for their Adelaide Oval clash with St Kilda, who have lost Jack Higgins (concussion) and Jack Steele (shoulder).

Collingwood small forward Elliott missed five weeks after shoulder surgery but has been named as one of seven inclusions for the Magpies' clash with Fremantle on Sunday.

Captain Scott Pendlebury, energetic youngster Jack Ginnivan and tall forward Mason Cox were also selected.

Fremantle named Matt Taberner (hamstring), Michael Walters and Sam Switkowski (both concussion) to return from injuries.

Hawthorn midfielder Tom Mitchell has overcome illness and will take on Brisbane in Launceston, as will Changkuoth Jiath, who is back after four weeks out with a hamstring injury.

GWS will make at least six changes for their first match under caretaker coach Mark McVeigh, against West Coast on Sunday.

The Giants have lost Conor Stone (hamstring), Finn Callaghan (shoulder) and Lachie Whitfield (ankle) to injury, while Nick Haynes (illness) is also unavailable.

Cooper Hamilton and Lachie Keeffe have been dropped.

Giants forward Jesse Hogan returns from illness and is one of 10 inclusions in the extended squad, which will be trimmed on Friday, while Zach Sproule is set to play his first game of the season.

Captain Luke Shuey and Andrew Gaff were among six inclusions for the Eagles.

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