AFL live: Collingwood takes on North Melbourne with finals spots on the line - blog, scores and stats

Sorry Kyle forgive my ignorance but what’s a TGIF ?

- Phillip

Fair call Phillip, I mentioned TGIF in another post and didn't explain what it was.

It simply means "thank God it's Friday" and is usually used in the office setting for celebrating the fact the week is over.

Having worked in sports journalism now for more than a decade I can confirm it is not a feeling I am familiar with.

The teams for Sunday have been released, and as we reported yesterday the Lions are welcoming back premiership stars Dayne Zorko and Hugh McCluggage to the team to face Essendon, which should result in a collective shudder for all other teams in the flag window.

The Bombers have made the big call to drop key defender Ben McKay as one of five changes to their team, while the Bulldogs have also made five changes for their clash against the Eagles.

WESTERN BULLDOGS

In: L.Cleary, S.Davidson, R.West, J.Busslinger, B.Williams

Out: N.Coffield (concussion), C.Budarick (ankle), W.Lewis (omitted), L.McNeil (omitted), R.Sanders (hand)

WEST COAST

No change

MELBOURNE

No change

RICHMOND

In: D.Prestia, Z.Peucker, S.Grlj

Out: J.Ross (concussion), J.Short (quad), S.Green (omitted)

BRISBANE

In: D.Zorko, H.McCluggage

Out: D.Gardiner (hamstring), J.Tunstill (omitted)

ESSENDON

In: A.Roberts, A.Clarke, H.Jones, M.Kondogiannis, L.Blakiston

Out: W.Setterfield (omitted), J.Ridley (managed), B.McKay (omitted), N.Cox (omitted), S.El-Hawli (omitted)

Feel like it's been a while since North Melbourne played in prime time on a Friday night?

You'd be right.

While the Kangaroos have played every Good Friday for the past few years, and did play a night game against the Dockers in 2022 that butted up against a game in Adelaide, this is the first time since Round 20, 2019, that the Kangaroos have played a standalone Friday night match in primetime.

That night they beat the Hawks by 22 points as Shaun Higgins found the ball 28 times and kicked two goals, while Ben Brown kicked four majors.

Only Cam Zurhaar, Jy Simpkin, Nick Larkey and Luke Davies-Uniacke remain from that game.

The Adelaide Crows have confirmed a player was involved in an accident with a pedestrian this morning, and while the club did not name him, we understand it was Josh Worrell.

"The Adelaide Football Club can confirm one of its players was in a vehicle accident involving a pedestrian this morning," a club statement read.

"The matter has been reported to South Australia Police and at this stage, the club is not in a position to provide any further comment."

Worrell missed training as a result of the incident but isn't expected to miss Adelaide's crucial game against the Gold Coast.

There is no update yet on the well-being of the pedestrian.

First off let's have a look at the teams for tonight, and it's one change for the Pies and four for the Kangaroos.

Games record holder Scott Pendlebury comes in for the rested Harvey Harrison at Collingwood, while Riley Hardeman, Paul Curtis, Matt Whitlock and Zac Banch come in for George Wardlaw, Josh Goater, Wil Dawson and Jacob Konstanty.

The Curtis inclusion is a big one for North, but equally big is the loss of Wardlaw, who just can't stay on the park.

In this blogger's humble opinion he's one of North's most important players and the midfield just lacks a bit of grunt when he's not around.

Hello footy fans and welcome back to ABC Sport's live online coverage of this weekend's AFL action.

My name is Kyle Pollard and I am still buzzing from the show the Dockers put on last night, but I'm also excited for what should be a super interesting game tonight.

It's Collingwood vs North Melbourne at Docklands, and finals spots are on the line.

Let's get into it.

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