Brisbane has dropped three members of its victorious elimination final side while Collingwood names a Taylor Adams replacement for this weekend’s semi-finals.
The Lions have omitted midfielders Mitch Robinson and Rhys Mathieson, opting for the defensive play of Dev Robertson, likely in a bid to limit Melbourne star Clayton Oliver.
It means Robinson could have played his final AFL match after saying the elimination final would be his last game at the Gabba.
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Young utility Jaxon Prior also goes out of the side along with Oscar McInerney following his concussion suffered early against Richmond.
As expected Darcy Fort comes in as the No.1 ruckman while Cam Rayner returns to the midfield. Noah Answerth is in while replacement and last week’s debutant Darcy Wilmot holds his spot, potentially meaning Answerth will be sent to a wing.
The Demons are unchanged with Joel Smith or Toby Bedford likely to be the medical sub.
Collingwood makes one change for its Saturday night clash with Fremantle, adding Trent Bianco while Taylor Adams misses with a groin injury.
Nathan Kreuger, last week’s medical sub, returns to the emergencies.
The Dockers are unchanged with Matt Taberner not named in the 26.
AFL SEMI-FINALS TEAMS AND FIXTURE (All times AEST)
SECOND SEMI FINAL
MELBOURNE v BRISBANE LIONS
Friday September 9, 7:50pm at the MCG
DEMONS
B: C.Salem, S.May, H.Petty
HB: A.Brayshaw, J.Lever, M.Hibberd
C: T.Sparrow, C.Oliver, E.Langdon
HF: J.Melksham, M.Gawn, J.Harmes
F: A.Neal-Bullen, B.Fritsch, C.Spargo
FOLL: L.Jackson, J.Viney, C.Petracca
I/C: T.Rivers, J.Hunt, K.Pickett, B.Brown
EMG: T.Bedford, J.Bowey, J.van Rooyen, J.Smith
IN: Nil
OUT: J.Smith (sub)
LIONS
B: D.Gardiner, D.McStay, D.Rich
HB: B.Starcevich, H.Andrews, K.Coleman
C: Z.Bailey, J.Berry, C.Ah Chee
HF: D.Zorko, E.Hipwood, L.McCarthy
F: J.Payne, J.Daniher, C.Cameron
FOLL: D.Fort, L.Neale, H.McCluggage
I/C: D.Robertson, C.Rayner, N.Answerth, D.Wilmot
EMG: J.Prior, T.Fullarton, R.Lester, R.Mathieson
IN: D.Fort, C.Rayner, N.Answerth
OUT: M.Robinson, R.Mathieson, J.Prior (all omitted), O.McInerney (illness)
COLLINGWOOD v FREMANTLE
Saturday September 10, 7:25pm at the MCG
MAGPIES
B: B.Maynard, D.Moore, J.Howe
HB: N.Daicos, N.Murphy, J.Crisp
C: W.Hoskin-Elliott, S.Pendlebury, J.Noble
HF: J.De Goey, D.Cameron, B.McCreery
F: A.Johnson, B.Mihocek, S.Sidebottom
FOLL: M.Cox, J.Elliott, J.Daicos
I/C: P.Lipinski, I.Quaynor, T.Bianco, J.Ginnivan
EMG: N.Kreuger, O.Henry, C.Brown, J.Carmichael
IN: T.Bianco
OUT: T.Adams (injured), N.Kreuger (sub)
DOCKERS
B: J.Aish, B.Cox, B.Walker
HB: H.Young, A.Pearce, L.Ryan
C: J.Clark, A.Brayshaw, B.Acres
HF: L.Schultz, S.Switkowski, H.Chapman
F: J.Amiss, R.Lobb, M.Walters
FOLL: S.Darcy, W.Brodie, C.Serong
I/C: M.Frederick, D.Mundy, N.O’Driscoll, G.Logue
EMG: B.Banfield, T.Colyer, L.Meek, E.Hughes
IN: Nil
OUT: B.Banfield (sub)
