On Saturday afternoon, Luke McDonald and Jy Simpkin will play their first games of the 2024 season against Fremantle.
For their first-ever home game against Fremantle on Saturday, North Melbourne has made two changes: co-captains Luke McDonald and Jy Simpkin will make their debuts in 2024.
Simpkin is back after making a full recovery from the concussion he sustained earlier this month in the AAMI Community Series against the Saints.
He completed the required concussion protocols, missing the team’s Round 1 match against the Giants. This week, he disclosed the phone conversation that eased his resentment of St Kilda veteran Jimmy Webster.
McDonald is cleared to play in the match at Marvel Stadium having recovered from a serious hamstring injury he suffered the previous year.
George Wardlaw, a rising star in his second season, joins Paul Curtis, Eddie Ford, Darcy Tucker, and Zac Fisher on the interchange bench. Just one hour prior to Saturday’s opening bounce at 1.45 pm AEDT, one of the five will be named as the substitute.
This week, Josh Goater, a young defender who was unlucky enough to rupture his Achilles tendon in his left leg during last week’s season opener against the GWS Giants, will be replaced by veteran Liam Shiels. Goater will miss the remainder of the season.
Shiels is joined by Blake Drury and Hugh Greenwood as the three emergencies.
The champion coach himself will be present at Marvel Stadium on Saturday to unveil the Pagan End, so fans are encouraged to arrive early.
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