Geelong West will be without star forward Lachie Horniblow for the next two weeks after he accepted a suspension following an investigation into an off-the-ball incident during the loss to Bell Park in Round 4.
Horniblow was cited for rough conduct against Dragon Jake Reid, who subsequently went through the concussion protocols.
The final-quarter incident was classified as careless conduct and high contact, attracting a three-week suspension, reduced to two with an early guilty plea.
Fellow Giant Frazer Robb is serving a one-week ban for an incident from the loss to Newtown & Chilwell.
Horniblow sits equal third on the GFNL goalkicking table on 21.
He has kicked 35 goals in 11 games since making his debut late last season.
West, which welcomes back Lachie Handley and could have access to Jamieson Ballantyne, travels to Colac for a crucial meeting with the Tigers at Central Reserve.
The home team welcomes back experienced duo Ryan Monaghan and Lachie Simpkin for the omitted Sean Carbury and Luke Inglis.
Colac coach Rowan McSparron is wary of the Giants, who pulled off a stunning upset at Central Reserve in 2022.
“They used the ball really well that day,” he said. “They just kept coming and coming, and it was a really solid win for them.
“They’re No.1 for disposals in the competition and No.1 for clearances, so they get their hands on it and don’t give it back.
“We’re going to have to be on our game to make sure we’re competitive.
“And with their big, strong onballers, we’re going to have to crack in and match it the best we can.”
Newtown & Chilwell will be without off-season recruits Jake Toulmin and Jake O’Dwyer for the crucial clash with South Barwon at Elderslie Reserve.
Toulmin is facing a month on the sidelines after cracking his kneecap in the thrilling win over Geelong West last week.
O’Dwyer won’t be risked by the Eagles – who have next weekend off – after experiencing hamstring awareness early in the clash with the Giants.
They’ve been replaced by Geelong VFL-listed Liam Fiore, who will play his first game since the opening-round win over North Shore, and rugged onballer Liam Nash.
The Swans welcome back Lachie Middleton for the unavailable Chris Hughes.
Leopold will likely be without Mitch Burgess until after the July bye with a hip injury suffered in the loss to Bell Park last week.
The Lions, who will look to bounce back against North Shore at Windsor Park, expect the speedy half-back to miss at least four weeks.
Lachie McLean, who has made seven appearances for the Geelong Falcons, and Oscar Morphet – the son of former Leopold coach Guy – will both debut.
Mitch Howard has been dropped.
Meanwhile, former Queenscliff junior Max Annandale will play his first game since early 2022 in Leopold’s reserves.
The Geelong Falcons spent time with East Perth, with his last match coming at the WAFL club.
The Seagulls have named co-captain Brad Gerrard, while Cam Primmer returns from suspension
Riley Evans will debut for Lara when it takes on the club he started the season with at Drew Oval tomorrow.
A Cats junior, Evans spent 2022 in the under-18s at St Joseph’s before joining Western League club Wyndhamvale last year.
He returned to Joeys, where he played four reserve grade games before being cleared to Lara during the bye.
Evans is one of two inclusions for the Cats, with Jordy Stone recalled.
They replace injured star duo Connor Thar and playing co-coach Dev Smith.
Jack Mullen and Jack Leonard are both unavailable for St Joseph’s.
Former junior Jay Kirwood, who kicked 59 goals for North Cairns last year, will make his senior debut.
Lewis Antonac is also a chance to play, depending on whether he is required at VFL level by Geelong.
St Mary’s has lost Dion Johnston (hip) and Zak Sherman (ankle) to injury, among three changes for its clash with St Albans at Concept Oval.
The Saints have dropped Elliot MacDonald, with Sam Bourke returning after missing the loss to St Joseph’s.
Fletcher Hughes will become St Mary’s latest debutant, while Ty Williams will make his first senior appearance since Round 14 last year.
The Supersaints have lost Joe Osborne to suspension, with Harrison Howarth (groin) and Ben Wolfenden (ankle) also out of the team that lost narrowly to Grovedale.
Ben Gadd, Tom Brooks and Ollie Boothey have been recalled from the reserves.
Grovedale has confirmed the welcome return of two-time GFNL Team of the Year member Mitch Chafer for its clash with Bell Park at Hamlyn Park.
The Werribee-listed forward is yet to play in 2024 after suffering an ankle injury late in pre-season.
The Tigers have also included debutant Tyler Cummins, who crossed from Bellarine club Portarlington in the off-season.
They replace the concussed duo of Sam Adams and Sam Walker.
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