Finals shocks as Lions lose gun mid, debut top pick; Tigers axe retiring champ: Teams

Finals shocks as Lions lose gun mid, debut top pick; Tigers axe retiring champ: Teams

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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Finals Week 1

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.

Fyfe ruled out for crucial finals clash | 00:57

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