FINAL AFL SELECTIONS: BEAMS BACK IN FOR PIES

FINAL AFL SELECTION NEWS - ROUND 8
Friday, 15 May, 2009

Dayne Beams (pictured) was slotted straight back into the Collingwood side after a one-week injury layoff tonight as coach Mick Malthouse confirmed a staggering eight changes.

Beams, who missed the Magpies’ record 88-point round 7 loss to St.Kilda, was named on the interchange bench for Sunday’s MCG clash with Carlton as the 25-man squad was cut to 22.

Malthouse, having already lost Josh Fraser, Dale Thomas, Travis Cloke and Anthony Rocca to injury, still found cause to drop four players – Danny Stanley, Alan Toovey, Jaxson Barham and Brent Macaffer.

Jack Anthony will return from suspension, Beams, Leon David and Paul Medurst return from injury, and Cameron Wood, Shannon Cox, Ben Reid and Ryan Cook were promoted.

Carlton, coming off a bad loss to Fremantle at Carrara last week, confirmed only one change, with youngster Mitch Robinson, a star early in the season, returning to replace Cameron Cloke. Shaun Hampson retained his spot on the bench.

There was no joy at final selection for David Armitage. He missed a spot in the St.Kilda side that will play an unchanged Essendon at Etihad Stadium Sunday. In the only change, Stephen King returns from injury to replace Ben McEvor.

Richmond, playing Port Adelaide at AAMI Stadium Sunday, confirmed five changes – four unforced. With Alex Rance injured, Jack Riewoldt and Shane Edwards were dropped tonight to join Thursday night omissions Jarrad Oakley-Nicholls and Jay Schulz on the outer.

Kane Pettifer joined Nathan Brown, Trent Cotchin, Mitch Morton and Andrew Raines as inclusions.

Port made only one change, with first-round draft pick of last year, Hamish Hartlett, return from injury to replace the injured Steven Salopek.