AFL Round 7 Preview: Star Absence, Debut, Tips & Expert Insights for the Anzac Appeal Round

Richmond will hand a debut to young gun Sam Cumming in their Anzac Day Eve clash against Melbourne at the MCG, less than 24 hours after an interstate rival announced two first-gamers of their own. The Tigers confirmed the selection ahead of Thursday night’s match, with Cumming set to make his first AFL appearance after earning the opportunity through strong form in the VFL.

The move comes as Richmond continue to manage the absence of star forward Jack Sheezel, who has been excused from training due to a personal matter. Club officials confirmed Sheezel’s absence is not injury-related and that he remains in good standing with the group, though no further details were disclosed regarding the nature of his leave.

Elsewhere in Round 7, the Western Bulldogs hold concerns around the health of Marcus Bontempelli ahead of their clash with Sydney. The Bulldogs’ star midfielder experienced discomfort during training and is undergoing assessment, with his availability for Friday night’s match against the Swans yet to be confirmed.

Collingwood will receive a boost for their traditional Anzac Day clash against Essendon, with boom recruit Dan Houston available after serving his two-match suspension. However, the Magpies have also been dealt a blow after it was confirmed during the week that captain Darcy Moore will not suit up due to an ear issue.

Essendon has called up veteran ruckman Todd Goldstein and Kyle Langford to bolster their stocks, while Sam Draper (Achilles) and Saad El-Hawli will be omitted from the side. The Bombers look to continue their improved form against what appears a gettable Collingwood outfit ahead of the historic fixture.

Fremantle will look to prove their top four credentials against Port Adelaide in Perth, with the Dockers entering the match as strong favourites according to early odds. Meanwhile, Geelong will face Fremantle later in the round, with both teams aiming to cement their positions in the top eight.

Hawthorn and the Gold Coast Suns will lock horns in an intriguing battle down in Tasmania, with the Hawks seeking to build on recent form while the Suns aim to upset the ladder leaders. The match presents a key test for both sides as they jostle for position in the middle of the pack.

St Kilda are expected to get past West Coast in their Sunday matchup, though the contest remains open given the Eagles’ recent resilience. Meanwhile, the Sunday afternoon clash between Brisbane and Adelaide could prove pivotal, with the winner likely to sit at 3-4 after seven games and the loser at risk of falling further behind the eight.

Greater Western Sydney will face North Melbourne in what looms as a must-win for the Giants if they are to validate their early-season rise. A victory would see GWS move to 4-3 and keep their finals hopes alive, while a loss would leave them at 3-4 and increase pressure on the coaching group.

Round 7 gets underway on Thursday night with Melbourne hosting Richmond at the MCG, followed by the traditional Anzac Day blockbuster between Collingwood and Essendon on Friday. The remainder of the fixtures will be played across Saturday and Sunday, with venues spread throughout Australia including Perth, Tasmania, Queensland, and South Australia.