BAILEY Smith and Zane Barzen lead a host of important inclusions for round five ahead of some tantalising clashes. Dandenong Stingrays and Oakleigh Chargers is set to be a beauty, while the likes of Sandringham Dragons and Western Jets will be hoping to bounce back with a victory after a week to forget last round. A number of AFL Academy players return, while the APS competition throws up some challenges with St Kevins playing its first game of the year, while Xavier College players are back in their TAC Cup teams.

SANDRINGHAM DRAGONS v. WESTERN JETS

Round 5 – Saturday, April 28, 10.30am
Trevor Barker Beach Oval, Sandringham

In the opening game of the round we have two sides who will be hoping to put last week’s performances behind them pretty quickly. Sandringham Dragons and Western Jets lost by a combined 191 points in round four, and will be hoping to bounce back with a win after both teams had won the week before. The Jets sit at 2-2 after four rounds, while the Dragons copped their first loss last week and will be looking to move to 4-1 with a victory in this game.

Captain Bailey Smith is a huge in for the Dragons, playing his first game since round one and will be hoping to pick up similar numbers in the midfield to his 37-possession game against the Northern Knights. James Rendell and Ethan Casey join Smith in the team, but the Dragons also have some key outs. The likes of Angus Hanrahan and Alastair Richards – two of their most in-form players – are out as is Kai Owens and Anthony Seaton who had also played well thus far this season. For the Jets, they have two huge ins, with Emerson Jeka lining up in a key position forward post, while Western missed the run-and-carry of 2017 club best and fairest winner Stefan Radovanovic who returns to the side.

Sandringham Dragons

B: 15. R. Ladds, 69. C. Watts, 16. J. Paul
HB: 36. M. Bergman, 20. H. Bede, 45. J. Voss
C: 50. T.  Deane-Johns, 7. L.  Stocker, 14. R. O’Meara
HF: 1. T. Long, 28. J. Rendell, 9. R. Macdermid
F: 3. T. Fogarty, 32. J. Griffiths, 56. J. Hannah
R: 30. E. Casey, 5. B. Smith, 11. N. Stamatis
Int: 34. C. Birmingham, 37. N. Bufalo, 55. J. Cowden, 24. H. Ferdinand, 25. O. McMASTER, 22. C. Millar, 58. K. Yorke
23P: 42. T. Murray

In: N. Bufalo, J. Cowden, T. Deane-Johns, R. Macdermid, B. Smith, M. Bergman, J. Voss, J. Rendell, K. Yorke, E. Casey
Out: C. Jones,  A. Seaton, S. Forbes,  L. Witts, K. Owens, A. Hanrahan,  A. Richards

Western Jets

B: 25. S. Johnson, 37. H. Murphy, 30. L. Pettigrove
HB: 28. J. Papachatzakis, 38. B. Khamis, 39. S. Radovanovic
C: 17. D.  Andrews , 33. X.  O’Halloran, 32. N.  Ellis
HF: 20. D. Cassar, 31. E. Jeka, 2. T. Rudic
F: 24. J. Honey, 45. A. Clarke, 10. S. Kyriazis
R: 47. D. Walters, 36. J. Rice, 12. C. Thar
Int: 11. Z. Butters, 29. D. Fruscalzo, 40. J. Grant, 22. O. Manton, 26. W. Smyth, 35. T. Warner, 7. J. Watkins
23P: 9. J. Dodemaide

In: E. Jeka, D. Fruscalzo, S. Radovanovic, W. Smyth
Out: K. Bharathi

OAKLEIGH CHARGERS v. DANDENONG STINGRAYS

Round 5 – Saturday, April 28, 1.45pm
Warrawee Park, Oakleigh

In the match of the round, Oakleigh Chargers take on Dandenong Stingrays in what is expected to be the match of the round. The Chargers have only lost the one game – to a Max King-inspired performance in round two – whilst the Stingrays have destroyed their last two opponents and are in top form.

Thanks to the weekly bye in the APS competition and return of the Level 1 AFL Academy players from their clash with New Zealand Oakleigh has some good talent heading back into the team including Ben Silvagni, Dylan Williams, Joseph Ayton-Delaney and Zac Hart in what will see at least three changes. Tom Hogan, James Rowbottom – who has been in great form – and Daniel Romero have been named as the three outs. For the Stingrays, Hayden Young leads a list of four inclusions, while Finlay Bayne is one of three who is out, as Dandenong keep a reasonably stable 23 from the team that easily accounted for the GWV Rebels and Western Jets.

Oakleigh Chargers

B: 35. X. Fry, 36. C. Beasley, 22. D. Williams
HB: 12. N. Answerth , 18. B. Silvagni, 41. I. Quaynor
C: 3. J.  Ayton-Delaney, 10. C.  Whitehead, 24. S. Harte
HF: 13. A. Bosenavulagi, 7. J. Robertson, 6. M. Day
F: 26. J. Gasper, 63. S. Elliott, 25. D. Scala
R: 65. L. Harry, 5. X. O’Neill, 1. R. Collier-Dawkins
Int: 2. L. Bugeja, 39. S. Fernandez, 56. M. Fewings, 38. Z. Hart, 74. H. Mastras, 42. K. Viccars, 50. V. Zagari
23P: 27. J. May

In: D. Williams, B. Silvagni, C. Whitehead, H. Mastras, J. Ayton-Delaney, Z. Hart
Out: T. Hogan,  J. Rowbottom, D. Romero

Dandenong Stingrays

B: 37. B. Angwin, 43. W. Geurts, 2. H. Young
HB: 16. J. Frawley, 20. S. De Koning, 12. M. Gahan
C: 9. Z.  Foot, 23. C.  Hustwaite, 27. L.  McDonnell
HF: 3. J. Plumridge, 29. B. Williams, 7. J. Taylor
F: 57. R. Nanscawen, 28. B. Schmidt, 8. J. Smith
R: 13. R. Bowman, 58. W. Hamill, 47. J. Hickey
Int: 33. J. Carosella, 49. M. Cottrell, 52. C. Ellison, 41. L. Stenning, 50. L. Williams, 10. L. Young
23P: 11 E. Cahill

In: L. Stenning, J. Smith, H. Young, L. Williams
Out: D. Frampton, J. Burton, F. Bayne

GREATER WESTERN VICTORIA REBELS v. MURRAY BUSHRANGERS

Round 5 – Saturday, April 28, 2pm
RAMS Arena, Craigieburn

Two teams heading into round five with vastly different formlines are the Murray Bushrangers and Greater Western Victoria (GWV) Rebels. The Bushrangers have strung together three wins on the trot since an opening round defeat at the hands of Gippsland Power, while the Rebels have dropped the past two games, leaving them with just the one win against the Geelong Falcons in Round 2.

The Rebels welcome Joel O’Connell and Connor Hinkley into the team among at least three changes, while Josh Chatfield, Tynan Shannon and Jed Henderson are out. For the Bushrangers, Zane Barzen is a huge inclusion for Murray, having missed through injury since round one. He is joined in the side by ruck Ben Kelly, who will team will with Mark Marriott after the former showed some good form in the Under 18 Academy Series. Jake Bradshaw and Nick Murray are a couple of big losses for the Bushrangers however after Bradshaw was named in the best last week but will miss with injury.

Greater Western Victoria Rebels

B: 48. J. Cleaver, 18. B. Helyar, 10. J. Lohmann
HB: 3. S. Carlin, 8. H. Butler, 5. H. Jennings
C: 12. A.  Gove, 2. M.  Schnerring, 27. E.  Lamb
HF: 14. J. Hill, 28. C. Giddings, 35. C. Hinkley
F: 7. M. Martin, 20. T. Watts, 6. C. Wilson
R: 29. P. Glanford, 9. L. Dawson, 13. T. Berry
Int: 4. B. Annett, 17. T. Clark, 47. T. Mahony, 34. J. O’Connell
Emg: 32. M. Burgess, 41. B. Dodd, 16. E. Harvey
23P: 37. J. Bibby

In: C. Giddings, J. O’Connell, M. Burgess, B. Dodd, E. Harvey, C. Hinkley
Out: T. Shannon,  J. Chatfield, J. Henderson

Murray Bushrangers

B: 19. J. Boyer, 2. J. Butts, 22. A. Dang
HB: 12. L. Ash, 34. T. Boyd, 4. L. Vandermeer
C: 26. R.  Bice, 5. E.  Smith, 6. W. Chandler
HF: 7. Z. Barzen, 8. J. Koschitzke, 54. F. O’Dwyer
F: 14. J. Chalcraft, 18. H. Garoni, 10. P. Warner
R: 23. M. Marriott, 17. N. Amery, 38. D. Clarke
Int: 28. K. Clarke, 33. F. Ellis, 13. B. Frauenfelder, 3. B. Kelly
Emg: 11. E. Adams, 32. E. Dayman, 24. M. Oates
23P: 40. N. Irvine

In: B. Kelly, F. O’Dwyer, Z. Barzen, M. Oates, E. Adams
Out: J. Bradshaw, N. Murray

EASTERN RANGES v. GIPPSLAND POWER

Round 5 – Saturday, April 28, 2.30pm
Healesville Sporting Complex

In the final Saturday game, Gippsland Power travels to Healesville to take on the winless Eastern Ranges. The Power will feel confident going into this game after drawing with the Northern Knights and winning two of their first three – dropping a game to the top-of-the-table Stingrays as their only blemish. The Ranges are yet to get a win, but will be hoping to make the most of the game at Healesville.

Caleb Quirk leads a list of five inclusions named on an extended bench for the Ranges, with Cody Hirst still out injured. Kye Quirk and James Blanck have been solid this season and will be looking to continue that form against a Gippsland Power side with a few good inclusions. Captain Xavier Duursma and the exciting forward Sam Flanders are two players named in the team, with ruck Rylan Henkel the only confirmed out.

Eastern Ranges

B: 6. M. Brown, 53. J. Drake, 21. J. Ross
HB: 20. B. Cardamone, 31. J. Blanck, 12. J. Gilbee
C: 4. R.  Clausen, 7. L.  Stapleton, 30. T.  Edwards
HF: 8. J. Burleigh, 34. J. Riddle, 2. A. Kalcovski
F: 27. J. Jaworski, 18. B. McCormack, 45. M. Zalac
R: 58. R. Smith, 24. K. Quirk, 10. C. Black
Int: 1. B. Bredin, 41. J. Corless, 50. T. Hardstaff, 42. T. Lockman, 11. M. Mellis, 26. C. Norris, 22. C. Quirk
23P: 37. J. Weichard

In: T. Hardstaff, M. Brown, J. Riddle, C. Quirk, R. Smith
Out: J. Duffy,  F. Smith

Gippsland Power

B: 12. B. Smith, 14. T. Hourigan, 15. R. Sparkes
HB: 18. M. McGannon, 25. K. Reid, 7. B. Patterson
C: 8. B.  Beck, 5. X.  Duursma, 29. B.  Motton
HF: 9. I. Mosquito, 23. N. Gown, 20. H. Neocleous
F: 4. S. Flanders, 16. J. Smith, 19. F. Phillips
R: 27. L. Munns, 6. R. Baldi, 13. N. Lowden
Int: 10. L. Connolly, 1. T. Hayes, 3. M. McGannon, 43. Z. Skinner, 35. J. van der Pligt, 38. J. Wykes, 45. A. Young
23P: 36. M. Bentvelzen

In: L. Munns, S. Flanders, Z. Skinner, X. Duursma
Out: R. Henkel

CALDER CANNONS v. GEELONG FALCONS

Round 5 – Sunday, April 29, 11.30am
RAMS Arena, Craigieburn

On Sunday, the Calder Cannons will be hoping to break their yo-yo form with a win over the Geelong Falcons at home. The Cannons formline reads L-W-L-W from the opening four rounds, while for Geelong, it took until last week for a taste of victory, but they will have gained vital confidence from the win over Eastern Ranges at Werribee.

Daniel Hanna, Campbell Barton and Luke Goater return to the side, but the loss of Rhylee West to school football with St Kevins returning after a bye is likely to be felt by the Cannons. Devereux Pretty and Ned Gentile are also confirmed outs. For the Falcons, Jack Grigsby and Brady Campi come into the side at the expense of Bailey Scott and Jesse Clark.

Calder Cannons

B: 17. N. Doyle, 43. L. Cavallaro, 33. J. Evans
HB: 4. K. Baker, 38. B. Newman, 28. L. Goater
C: 9. C.  Barton, 27. T.  Browning, 2. D. Landt
HF: 48. S. Ramsay, 29. J. Riccardi, 5. C. Taylor
F: 11. J. Firebrace, 23. D. Hanna, 39. L. Sultana
R: 54. C. Lamb, 42. N. Croft, 16. J. Bytel
Int: 1. D. Mott, 3. I. Moussa , 12. J. O’Sullivan, 8. L. Sholl
Emg: 51. W. Jury, 52. B. Reddick, 55. A. Righele
23P: 34. O. Sasalu

In: W. Jury, D. Hanna, L. Goater, A. Righele, C. Barton
Out: N. Gentile,  D. Pretty, R. West

Geelong Falcons

B: 31. C. Cartledge, 7. C. Harris, 28. C. O’Connor
HB: 15. L. Handley, 49. D. Hollenkamp, 3. K. Rayner
C: 6. D.  Madigan, 25. L.  Taylor, 2. S. Torpy
HF: 20. B. Ham, 32. F. Parish, 22. S. Walsh
F: 39. C. Idun, 48. B. Schlensog, 26. F. Wilson
R: 44. S. Conway, 30. O. Brownless, 10. B. Mensch
Int: 37. B. Campi, 50. J. Grigsby, 9. B. Morton, 21. L. Smith
Emg: 52. S. Christensen, 14. R. Hayden, 11. C. Karpala
23P: 17. S. Ham

In: S. Christensen, J. Grigsby, C. Karpala, R. Hayden, B. Campi
Out: B. Scott, J. Clark

NORTHERN KNIGHTS v. BENDIGO PIONEERS

Round 5 – Sunday, April 29, 2.30pm
Preston City Oval, Preston

The final game sees Northern Knights pitted against Bendigo Pioneers at the Knights’ spirtual home of Preston City Oval. A draw to Gippsland Power last week robbed the Knights of levelling their win-loss record at 2-2, while Bendigo Pioneers have had just the one win – in round one against the GWV Rebels – from four games.

The Knights have named an extended bench with Nicholas Barro, Cameron Wild, Joe Furphy and James Lucente all added to the team, with Zachary Hudson the only confirmed out. For the Pioneers, there are at least three confirmed changes to the team as Mitch Goodwin, Zac Denahy and Jackson Williams are out. However they have some big ins with Jacob Atley, Daniel Keating and Kobe Lloyd among six players vying for a spot in the final 22.

Northern Knights

B: 25. J. Davies, 28. S. Uzelac, 14. E. Tsitsis
HB: 5. L. Potter, 33. J. Randall, 11. R. Sturgess
C: 1. R.  Gardner, 10. B.  Bell, 40. N. Mayne
HF: 24. R. Bowkett, 21. M. Baker, 17. J. D’Intinosante
F: 35. K. Agosta, 20. P. Della Rocca, 18. S. Brazier
R: 16. T. Hallebone, 7. H. Grace, 3. B. Gillard
Int: 31. N. Barro, 45. J. Furphy, 27. J. Lucente, 29. K. Nasser, 13. S. Philp, 22. M. Wild, 44. C. Wild
23P: 37. K. Brandt

In: J. Furphy, C. Wild, N. Barro, J. Lucente
Out: Z. Hudson

Bendigo Pioneers

B: 16. J. Atley, 11. J. Grace, 33. J. McHale
HB: 9. Z. Keighran, 24. N. McHugh, 27. M. Lias
C: 7. L.  Chisholm, 5. N.  Wheeler, 38. K. Stevens
HF: 3. L. Marciano, 45. W. Holt, 20. J. Schischka
F: 29. E. Roberts, 10. D. Grace, 51. B. Waasdorp
R: 23. D. Keating, 50. K. Lloyd, 18. B. Henderson
Int: 15. L. Caccaviello, 12. M. Hird, 17. R. Ironside, 43. H. Lawrence, 37. C. McCarty, 25. F. Perez, 57. A. Smith-Ralph, 19. T. Walters
23P: 38. K. Stevens

In: L. Caccaviello, J. Atley, T. Walters, D. Keating, E. Roberts, K. Lloyd
Out: M. Goodwin, Z. Denahy, J. Williams