Brisbane will debut its top draft pick in Thursday night’s elimination final against Richmond, who have dropped champion Shane Edwards meaning he may not play another AFL game.
Edwards, a 302-game, triple premiership star who will retire at the end of the season, has been omitted to allow for the return of Dustin Martin, returning for his first match since Round 16.
Shai Bolton has been named after missing training earlier this week for personal reasons while Jack Graham, available to return off a foot injury, has not been selected. Tom Lynch holds his place after a groin complaint.
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At Brisbane, injuries and suspensions have forced them to blood Darcy Wilmot on the big stage, while Jarryd Lyons has been added to a growing list of absentees.
Lyons will miss the elimination final due to groin soreness – replaced by Deven Robertson for just his sixth game this season – while Cam Rayner and Noah Answerth are out through susspension.
Lyons is expected to be available if the Lions win through to a semi-final.
The Lions’ first selection in the 2021 draft with pick 16, Wilmot is a medium-sized defender. He becomes the 16th first-round pick to play at AFL level this year, filling the void left by the suspended Noah Answerth.
However questions will be asked about why Wilmot wasn’t trialled during the home and away season – and whether him being brought in to debut during an elimination final is a worrying sign for the Lions’ depth.
The teams for the other three finals will be released on Thursday evening.
AFL WEEK 1 FINALS TEAMS AND FIXTURE (All times AEST)
SECOND ELIMINATION FINAL
BRISBANE LIONS v RICHMOND
Thursday September 1, 7:20pm at the Gabba
LIONS
B: D.Gardiner, D.McStay, D.Rich
HB: B.Starcevich, H.Andrews, K.Coleman
C: Z.Bailey, J.Berry, H.McCluggage
HF: D.Zorko, E.Hipwood, L.McCarthy
F: J.Payne, J.Daniher, C.Cameron
FOLL: O.McInerney, L.Neale, M.Robinson
I/C: D.Robertson, J.Prior, R.Mathieson, D.Wilmot
EMG: K.Lohmann, C.Ah Chee, D.Fort, R.Lester
IN: D.Robertson, D.Wilmot
OUT: C.Rayner (suspended), J.Lyons (injured), N.Answerth (suspended)
TIGERS
B: N.Broad, N.Balta, R.Tarrant
HB: L.Baker, N.Vlastuin, D.Rioli
C: M.Pickett, T.Cotchin, K.McIntosh
HF: M.Rioli, J.Short, S.Bolton
F: J.Riewoldt, D.Martin, T.Lynch
FOLL: T.Nankervis, D.Prestia, T.Sonsie
I/C: J.Gibcus, B.Miller, J.Ross, N.Cumberland
EMG: I.Soldo, R.Mansell, J.Graham, S.Edwards
IN: D.Martin
OUT: S.Edwards (omitted), J.Castagna (sub)
SECOND QUALIFYING FINAL
MELBOURNE v SYDNEY SWANS
Friday September 2, 7:50pm at the MCG
DEMONS
Teams TBA Thursday evening
SWANS
Teams TBA Thursday evening
FIRST QUALIFYING FINAL
GEELONG CATS v COLLINGWOOD
Saturday September 3, 4:35pm at the MCG
CATS
Teams TBA Thursday evening
MAGPIES
Teams TBA Thursday evening
FIRST ELIMINATION FINAL
FREMANTLE v WESTERN BULLDOGS
Saturday September 3, 8:10pm at Optus Stadium
DOCKERS
Teams TBA Thursday evening
BULLDOGS
Teams TBA Thursday evening
