Geelong welcomes back several stars to create its biggest selection conundrum for the season. ‘
Plus we’ve predicted a number of Dogs changes for their knockout final against Freo.
The latest team news and our predicted 22s for all eight finalists in AFL Team Tips!
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WEEK 1 FINALS
BRISBANE LIONS v RICHMOND
Second Elimination Final
Thursday September 1, 7:20pm AEST at the Gabba
Lions’ predicted 22
B: Gardiner, Payne, Rich
HB: Starcevich, Andrews, Coleman
C: Bailey, Zorko, McCluggage
HF: Lyons, Hipwood, McCarthy
F: McStay, Daniher, Cameron
FOLL: McInerney, Neale, J.Berry
I/C: Prior, Mathieson, Ah Chee, Wilmot
IN: Ah Chee, Wilmot
OUT: Rayner, Answerth
Team Tips: The Lions have two forced changes following suspensions to Cam Rayner and Noah Answerth. The versatile Callum Ah Chee, who’s missed the last two games with concussion after being hit by Patrick Cripps, returned via the VFL and should be available for Thursday night’s clash. Rookie Darcy Wilmot is the other one who comes into the side amid reports the club is considering naming the youngster for his first game to help fill the defensive void left by Answerth and concussed backman Marcus Adams. Kai Lohmann could also come into the mix after picking up 17 disposals and booting one goal in the VFL if the Lions opt to replace Rayner with a forward, while Mitch Robinson and James Madden will also be considered. Jarrod Berry suffered an ankle injury against Melbourne but should be available.
Tigers’ predicted 22
B: Broad, Balta, Tarrant
HB: Baker, Vlastuin, D.Rioli
C: Pickett, Cotchin, McIntosh
HF: M.Rioli, Riewoldt, Bolton
F: Martin, Cumberland, Lynch
FOLL: Nankervis, Prestia, Short
I/C: Gibcus, Miller, Edwards, Graham
IN: Martin, Graham
OUT: Sonsie, Ross
Team Tips: The Tigers are bolstered by the returns of Dustin Martin (hamstring) and Jack Graham (foot) as the club gets close to a full strength line-up. Whoever comes out of the side will be unlucky given Richmond is running-hot amid a four-game winning streak. Tyler Sonsie, Jack Ross and Josh Gibcus appear the most vulnerable, with the latter potentially edging ahead to keep his spot given Dylan Grimes (hamstring) is currently sidelined. Although both Sonsie and Ross impressed in the Tigers’ Round 23 win over Essendon, so it wouldn’t be a great surprise if Gibcus is among the names to make way, while you sense Ben Miller’s spot is safe due to his versatility and role as the backup ruck. Noah Cumberland is expected to line up despite suffering a foot injury scary last week at training.
MELBOURNE v SYDNEY SWANS
Second Qualifying Final
Friday September 2, 7:50pm AEST at the MCG
Demons’ predicted 22
B: Petty, Lever, Salem
HB: Rivers, May, Hibberd
C: Melksham, Oliver, Langdon
HF: Sparrow, Brown, Fritsch
F: Neal-Bullen, Jackson, Pickett
FOLL: Gawn, Viney, Petracca
I/C: Harmes, Spargo, Brayshaw, Hunt
IN: Salem
OUT: Bowey
Team Tips: Simon Goodwin’s 22 is as well settled as it’s been all season, with Christian Salem’s return from a groin issue in place of Jake Bowey the only change from the side that smashed Brisbane by 58 points. Trent Rivers and Jayden Hunt’s spots could also come under threat, although Bowey was the late in for Salem against the Lions and arguably the least effective. Tom McDonald pressed his case after returning via the VFL from a serious foot injury that’s sidelined him since Round 10, kicking a goal from 11 disposals. Although it’d be a bold move inserting him back into the senior team a week later for a final, while he even admitted he was “a bit sore” towards the end of his first game back in the twos. If the Dees went down the path of picking him though, Jake Melksham probably makes way. Luke Jackson should be fit to take his place despite sustaining a corked calf against Brisbane.
Swans’ predicted 22
B: T.McCartin, P.McCartin, Fox
HB: Lloyd, Rampe, Florent
C: Warner, Rowbottom, Gulden
HF: Heeney, Reid, Hayward
F: Papley, Franklin, Clarke
FOLL: Hickey, Mills, Parker
I/C: Blakey, McInerney, Stephens, McDonald
IN: Nil
OUT: Nil
Team Tips: Sydney getting the Friday night fixture ensured Tom Papley would be available after sustaining a concussion against St Kilda in Round 23 the minimum required 12 days required between both games. Although Papley hasn’t officially been cleared to play, coach John Longmire said he was “fine” after the Saints game. Josh Kennedy is the only other name on the outskirts in contention to come into the 22, although he’s considered a “long shot” to feature in the finals series. Ben Ronke booted four goals in the VFL to throw his name in the mix, but this is a well settled Swans line-up.
GEELONG CATS v COLLINGWOOD
First Qualifying Final
Saturday September 3, 4:35pm AEST at the MCG
Cats’ predicted 22
B: Z.Guthrie, De Koning, Bews
HB: Kolodjashnij, Henry, Stewart
C: Smith, Dangerfield, Duncan
HF: Close, Cameron, Holmes
F: Stengle, Hawkins, Rohan
FOLL: Stanley, C.Guthrie, Selwood
I/C: O’Connor, Tuohy, Blicavs, Atkins
IN: Cameron, Stanley, Duncan, Atkins
OUT: Ratugolea, Ceglar, Miers, Parfitt
Team Tips: The side with the most reinforcements on the way — and hardest team to crack into — the Cats should regain Jeremy Cameron, Rhys Stanley and Mitch Duncan, while Sam Menegola and Tom Atkins were both managed for the Round 23 win over West Coast, although the latter was the medical sub and came on in the second term for Jake Kolodjashnij (concussion). Esava Ratugolea and Jon Ceglar are the two obvious casualties for Cameron and Stanley, but beyond that it gets tricky. Gryan Miers and Brandon Parfitt may be the ones who miss out unless the Cats opt to rest Kolodjashnij given he suffered his second concussion in three months. The Cats could also be keen to keep Parfitt in the team to utilise his contested style in an area that isn’t Collingwood’s strong suit. Menegola likely stays out of the side given been restricted to just seven games this year due to injury, but he’ll come under consideration for Mark O’Connor and Zach Guthrie. Cam Guthrie should be right to go despite a friendly fire collision with Patrick Dangerfield during the win over West Coast that caused the midfielder to exit the game.
Magpies’ predicted 22
B: Noble, Moore, Howe
HB: Maynard, Quaynor, Lipinski
C: Sidebottom, Pendlebury, Hoskin-Elliott
HF: Elliott, Cameron, Ginnivan
F: De Goey, Mihocek, J.Daicos
FOLL: Cox, N.Daicos, Crisp
I/C: Adams, Murphy, McCreery, Johnson
IN: Adams
OUT: Macrae
Team Tips: A relatively straightforward selection for Collingwood and arguably the best side its fielded all year, with Brodie Grundy the only key name missing. Taylor Adams (groin) has declared he’ll likely play through pain against the Cats unless he has a setback this week in his first match since Round 20. And Finlay Macrae is the obvious name to make way after struggling to make an impact against the Blues. Although Macrae will be every chance to be named medical sub along with the likes of Josh Carmichael, Callum Brown and Trent Bianco.
FREMANTLE v WESTERN BULLDOGS
First Elimination Final
Saturday September 3, 8:10pm AEST at Optus Stadium
Dockers’ predicted 22
B: Walker, Cox, Clark
HB: Young, Pearce, Ryan
C: Frederick, Brayshaw, Acres
HF: Schultz, Lobb, O’Driscoll
F: Logue, Fyfe, Walters
FOLL: Darcy, Brodie, Serong
I/C: Switkowski, Mundy, Aish, Chapman
IN: Lobb, Logue
OUT: Meek, Banfield
Team Tips: Fremantle has a full-strength line-up to choose from, with Matt Taberner reportedly set to make his comeback from a calf injury via the WAFL. Rory Lobb (chest/shoulder) and Griffin Logue (groin) should both be fit to return, likely squeezing Lloyd Meek and then one of Bailey Banfield, Heath Chapman and Brandon Walker out of the side. Given Banfield was most quiet in the team’s Round 23 win over GWS — registering just five disposals — he’s probably the unlucky one.
Bulldogs’ predicted 22
B: Richards, Gardner, Keath
HB: Daniel, Darcy, Dale
C: Macrae, Liberatore, B.Smith
HF: Johannisen, Naughton, Dunkley
F: Weightman, Ugle-Hagan, Schache
FOLL: English, Bontempelli, Treloar
I/C: Duryea, Hunter, Williams, R.Smith
IN: Johannisen, Schache, Keath
OUT: Vandermeer, Bruce, Cordy
Team Tips: The Dogs are virtually at full strength and have had a settled line-up in recent weeks. But Luke Beveridge loves to throw the magnets around, so we’re forecasting a few changes. Jason Johannisen (ankle) replaces Laitham Vandermeer irrespective of the forward suffering a minor knee issue last week, while Josh Bruce has struggled to make an impact upon returning from his ACL injury — opening the door for Josh Schache, who’s booted 17 goals from his last three VFL games, to come in. Hayden Crozier is also pushing to return from his own ankle issue, but the likes of Roarke Smith and Lachie Hunter, who’d been out of favour, played well against Hawthorn. Stefan Martin and Tim O’Brien are also waiting in the wings and could come in instead of Keath or Schache.
