A trio of Gold Coast injuries have landed the final brutal blow to Damien Hardwick’s side to tie off a horror 2026 season.
Plus, Port Adelaide has revealed Zak Butters’ chances of returning for his club’s final game of the year. More in Round 24 Team Tips!
ROUND 24 TEAMS AND FIXTURE (all times AEST)
Thursday August 20, 7:30pm at Marvel Stadium
B: J.Silvagni, C.Wilkie (c), L.O’Connell
I/C: T.Travaglia, M.Phillipou, A.Tauru, H.Garcia, C.Lake
In: – A.Hastie, D.Butler, J.Macrae, T.Travaglia, A.Tauru
Out: – M.Wood (Injured), N.Wanganeen-Milera (Injured), A.Caminiti (Omitted), H.Clark (Managed), L.Ryan (Managed)
Team Tips: With their finals hopes officially gone, there’s a chance any Saints that have been playing underdone get put on ice. The likes of Jack Silvagni and Tom De Koning battled through to play in recent weeks but might sit out the final game and get sent in for any operations required. Alix Tauru looked sore but played out the win over Richmond after a thigh knock and could also be a watch. Liam Henry (32 disposals, one goal), Kyle Fincher (29 touches, 11 marks) and Jack Carroll (26 disposals) were among their standout VFL performers and Hunter Clark and Liam Ryan were both managed as other options to come in.
C: S.Clohesy, N.Anderson (c), B.Addinsall
I/C: C.Ballard, J.Jeffrey, E.Read, B.Long, J.Rogers
Out: – Z.Uwland (Omitted), J.Farrar (Personal Reason)
Team Tips: They’ve been reasonably stable in recent weeks, but Damien Hardwick’s side will now have some forced changes to finish off a horror second half of the year. Christian Petracca (foot), Sam Collins (ribs) and Wil Powell (shoulder) will all miss season finale through injury, the club confirmed on Tuesday evening. Retiring two-club veteran Nick Holman will get one last call-up, which will see his AFL career finish at 154 games. In the reserves, Zeke Uwland responded to his axing with 30 disposals and a goal. Ben Jepson had 36 touches, while Jai Murray (32 disposals), Jamarra Ugle-Hagan (four goals) and Dylan Patterson (23 touches) were also running around in the twos. A win could see them leapfrog North Melbourne, so it wouldn’t be a shock if a few Suns were rested for their final hit-out of 2026.
I/C: J.Daicos, S.Pendlebury, W.Hayes, N.Long, R.Steele
Out: – L.Sullivan (Omitted), S.Sidebottom (Illness)
