Brisbane is coming off arguably its best performance under Chris Fagan and now faces a selection dilemma.
Plus the other three clubs have several moves to consider with the stakes so very high.
The latest team news and our predicted 22s for the preliminary finals in Team Tips!
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PRELIMINARY FINALS (All times AEST)
GEELONG CATS V BRISBANE LIONS
First Preliminary Final – Friday September 16, 7:50pm at the MCG
Cats’ predicted 22
B: Z.Tuohy, S.De Koning, J.Bews
HB: M.Duncan, J.Henry, T.Stewart
C: I.Smith, J.Selwood, M.Holmes
HF: B.Close, J.Cameron, G.Miers
F: T.Stengle, T.Hawkins, G.Rohan
FOLL: R.Stanley, M.Blicavs, P.Dangerfield
I/C: Z.Guthrie, J.Kolodjashnij, C.Guthrie, T.Atkins
No changes
Team Tips: We’re predicting the same 22 from the minor premier Cats that narrowly ousted the Pies in the clubs’ qualifying final a fortnight ago to again take the field, although Chris Scott isn’t without several things to consider. Jeremy Cameron insists he’s “feeling fresh” despite missing a consecutive training session with the main group this week. If the star forward’s injury turns out to be more serious and he doesn’t get up, Esava Ratugolea looms as his replacement. Jake Kolodjashnij is the other Cat under an injury cloud with a knee issue, and if he misses, Mark O’Connor should be the one to come in and potentially tag Lachie Neale. Rhys Stanley was well beaten in the ruck against Collingwood and the Cats could consider axing him for JonathonCeglar in what would be a bold move. But given Stanley has played 18 games this season to Ceglar’s three, the former surely gets backed in. Then of course the likes of Sam Mengola and Brandon Parfitt will also come under strong consideration, with Gryan Miers quiet against the Pies as the one vulnerable to losing his spot.
Lions’ predicted 22
B: D.Gardiner, D.McStay, D.Rich
HB: B.Starcevich, H.Andrews, K.Coleman
C: Z.Bailey, R.Mathieson, C.Ah Chee
HF: D.Zorko, E.Hipwood, L.McCarthy
F: J.Payne, J.Daniher, C.Cameron
FOLL: O.McInerney, L.Neale, H.McCluggage
I/C: D.Robertson, C.Rayner, N.Answerth, D.Wilmot
IN: O.McInerney, J.Daniher. R.Mathieson
OUT: D.Fort, T.Fullarton, J.Berry
Team Tips: A few changes to the side that enjoyed maybe its most impressive ever victory under Chris Fagan in the club’s upset over the Demons as Brisbane now faces a selection dilemma. Oscar McInerney should be fit to return after exiting concussion protocols to head up team’s ruck division, with Darcy Fort likely to make way and miss the match against his old side despite holding his own against the Max Gawn/Luke Jackson tandem last week. Joe Daniher should also walk straight back into the side after missing the clash with Melbourne due to the birth of he and his partner’s first child, likely at the expense of Tom Fullarton, who was relatively quiet against the Dees. That’d ideally be the only two changes Brisbane makes, but with Jarrod Berry currently facing a one-match ban (although pending on the outcome of Tuesday night’s tribunal challenge), he comes out of the side in a big blow to the midfield, particularly after his huge second half against Melbourne where he shut down Clayton Oliver. Rhys Mathieson and Mitch Robinson would be at the front of the cue to replace Berry should he miss, with the former narrowly ahead.
SYDNEY SWANS V COLLINGWOOD
Second Preliminary Final – Saturday September 17, 4:45pm at the SCG
Swans’ predicted 22
B: D.Rampe, T.McCartin, N.Blakey
HB: J.Lloyd, P.McCartin, J.McInerney
C: E.Gulden, C.Warner, C.Mills
HF: I.Heeney, S.Reid, W.Hayward
F: T.Papley, L.Franklin, R.Clarke
FOLL: T.Hickey, L.Parker, J.Rowbottom
I/C: R.Fox, O.FLorent, L.McDonald, D.Stephens
No changes
Team Tips: It’s been the same story for several weeks with Sydney — if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it. You sense the Swans will go into their home prelim clash with the Magpies unchanged for a fourth-straight game excluding medical sub rotations amid Sydney’s strong patch of form — perhaps the in-form side of the final four. So settled is the Swans’ line-up that it’d likely be the same 22 that defeated Collingwood back in Round 22 by 27 points. The only spot John Longmire may ponder is Logan McDonald’s after a quiet stretch from the young forward including being held goalless against Melbourne a fortnight ago in the qualifying final as well as kicking just two majors from his last three outings. Joel Amartey or Hayden McLean would likely be the ones to come in for McDonald, but it feels unlikely. This is an otherwise very settled Swans team that’ll back its regular unit to get the job done, with a decision over the medical sub being the only real query clearly a good sign.
Magpies’ predicted 22
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
No changes
Team Tips: Craig McRae won’t feel inclined to make many changes after his side is coming off arguably its strongest two performances for the season against Geelong and Fremantle. The Magpies have only made one move over that period, with Trent Bianco replacing the injured Taylor Adams. Bianco held his own against the Dockers with 16 disposals, and his flexibility to play multiple roles and McRae’s praise of him post-match suggests he’ll stay in the team. Although if Collingwood decided to add more midfield grunt against Sydney’s talented on-ball brigade, Josh Carmichael or Finlay McRae could get recalled for Bianco. Ash Johnson and Will Hoskin-Elliott were uncharacteristically wasteful in front of goal against Fremantle and Ollie Henry is waiting in the wings, but the Pies will more than likely stick with their current forward mix. Nathan Kreuger would also be in the mix, but there’s no obvious avenues for him to come into the side without it restructuring.
