AFL Round 4: Carlton and North Melbourne Make Team Changes for Friday Game

Carlton and North Melbourne have made significant team changes for their Friday AFL clash. Several players are out injured or omitted, while others are coming in.
By Newsroom | Sports, Australian Rules Football |

As the Australian Football League enters its fourth round of the 2026 season, a flurry of team adjustments and injury concerns signal a period of flux. Carlton and North Melbourne, set for a Friday afternoon clash, see notable inclusions and exclusions. The Blues bring in N. Newman, W. Derksen, J. Boyd, and A. Cerra, while H. Dean, C. Chesser, Z. Williams, and H. O’Keeffe are out due to injury or omission. The Kangaroos, meanwhile, welcome J. Darling and Z. Banch, with T. Xerri suspended and L. Dovaston rested.

AFL round four teams and expert tips: Blues make key changes for must-win Good Friday clash - 1

The Brisbane Lions will face Collingwood on Thursday evening, with D. Joyce and J. Tunstill entering the Lions' lineup, while D. Gardiner and N. Answerth are sidelined with injuries. Collingwood, grappling with their own personnel shifts, sees L. Sullivan and W. Hayes join their squad. They are also dealing with the absence of D. Moore, S. Pendlebury, and N. Daicos, all reported as injured. Adelaide Crows are set to host Fremantle, with J. Borlase, J. Dawson, T. Walker, and R. O’Brien making their way into the Crows' team. However, J. Butts is injured, and C. Jones, L. Nankervis, and F. Maley have been omitted.

Read More: Jermain Defoe becomes Woking manager on 28 March 2025 to lead team in National League

AFL round four teams and expert tips: Blues make key changes for must-win Good Friday clash - 2

BROADER TEAM MOVEMENTS AND INJURY NOTES

Beyond these specific matchups, the league is experiencing widespread team recalibrations. Richmond is impacted by multiple injuries, with N. Balta, H. Ralphsmith, J. Alger, and H. Armstrong all out. Port Adelaide has seen M. Bergman, O. Wines, and M. Zadow come into their team, but E. Ratugolea is out with a knee injury requiring arthroscopy, and W. Brodie and J. Mead have been omitted. The West Coast Eagles are adjusting to the unavailability of E. Yeo and J. Newton due to injury, alongside D. Robertson's suspension, with M. Owies, M. Champion, and S. Brock named as inclusions.

Read More: Lions Beat Collingwood at Gabba After Daicos Injury

AFL round four teams and expert tips: Blues make key changes for must-win Good Friday clash - 3

Sydney has added I. Heeney to their lineup, while C. Cleary has been omitted. Melbourne is bringing in D. Turner, B. Laurie, J. Melksham, M. Heath, and L. Kentfield, as C. Jiath and P. Cross are unavailable due to injury. Gold Coast Suns welcome M. Rowell, J. Walter, L. Gulbin, O. Adams, and J. Farrar, while B. Humphrey is suspended and C. Petracca is injured. The Western Bulldogs have made several changes, with L. McNeil, L. Emmett, J. Dolan, W. Lewis, and A. Jones coming in. They are without T. Liberatore, who is injured, and C. Hynes, who was omitted. Lastly, Essendon is adding N. Cox, K. Gerreyn, J. Nguyen, and T. Edwards, while N. Caddy is out with injury.

Read More: Tasmania Devils win first VFL game but don't know team song

AFL round four teams and expert tips: Blues make key changes for must-win Good Friday clash - 4

SEASONAL CONTEXT AND EXPERT SPECULATION

The upcoming round is framed by a sense of urgency for some clubs, particularly Carlton, with the descriptor "must-win" attached to their Good Friday encounter. Pre-game analyses suggest a "finals-like feel" for certain matches, underscoring the competitive intensity of the current stage of the season. Expert predictions are being offered across various platforms, with a consensus favoring teams like Collingwood, Geelong, Gold Coast, and Brisbane. However, some predictions diverge, with notable "surprise calls" and projections indicating some teams, including Carlton and Melbourne, may face a winless start to the round. The ongoing discourse also touches upon betting odds and premiership aspirations, weaving a narrative of competition beyond the immediate on-field contest.

Read More: Real Sociedad Player Igor Zubeldia Injured Before Cup Final

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What are the team changes for Carlton in Round 4 against North Melbourne?
Carlton has brought in N. Newman, W. Derksen, J. Boyd, and A. Cerra for their Round 4 game. Players H. Dean, C. Chesser, Z. Williams, and H. O’Keeffe are out due to injury or omission.
Q: What are the team changes for North Melbourne in Round 4 against Carlton?
North Melbourne welcomes J. Darling and Z. Banch to their team for the Round 4 match. T. Xerri is suspended, and L. Dovaston has been rested.
Q: Which players are injured for the Brisbane Lions and Collingwood in Round 4?
For the Brisbane Lions, D. Gardiner and N. Answerth are injured. Collingwood is dealing with injuries to D. Moore, S. Pendlebury, and N. Daicos.
Q: Who is injured for the Adelaide Crows in Round 4?
Adelaide Crows player J. Butts is injured for their Round 4 game. C. Jones, L. Nankervis, and F. Maley have been omitted from the team.
Q: Are there any major injury concerns for Richmond or Port Adelaide in Round 4?
Yes, Richmond has multiple injuries with N. Balta, H. Ralphsmith, J. Alger, and H. Armstrong out. Port Adelaide's E. Ratugolea has a knee injury requiring surgery.
Q: What are the key team changes for Sydney and Melbourne in Round 4?
Sydney has added I. Heeney to their lineup, while C. Cleary has been omitted. Melbourne is bringing in D. Turner, B. Laurie, J. Melksham, M. Heath, and L. Kentfield, with C. Jiath and P. Cross unavailable due to injury.