AFL Finals Team Tips: Cats ponder shock selection risk; Pies edge closer to decision on Hill

Hawthorn has received a crucial double selection boost ahead of Friday night’s blockbuster preliminary final against Geelong.

Meanwhile, all eyes remain on Collingwood as a veteran duo and their Norm Smith Medalist teammate all look to prove themselves fit.

And at Geelong and Brisbane, mastermind coaches are contemplating whether or not change is necessary ahead of a possible grand final berth. AFL Team Tips!

Watch every match of the 2025 Toyota AFL Finals Series before the Grand Final, LIVE with no ad-breaks during play on Kayo Sports | New to Kayo? Join now and get your first month for just $1.

FINALS WEEK 3 — PRELIMINARY FINALS (All times AEST)

First Preliminary Final, Friday September 19

[2nd] Geelong Cats vs [8th] Hawthorn (7.40pm) at the MCG

Cats’ Qualifying Final team:

B: Z.Guthrie, J.Henry, C.O’Sullivan

HB: L.Humphries, T.Stewart, O.Mullin

C: M.Blicavs, M.Holmes, O.Dempsey

HF: B.Close, S.Mannagh, T.Stengle

F: S.Neale, J.Cameron, P.Dangerfield (c)

FOLL: S.De Koning, B.Smith, T.Atkins

I/C: M.O’Connor, G.Miers, J.Bowes, J.Martin, J.Clark (sub)

EMG: J.Bews, M.Knevitt, O.Henry

Team Tips: It’s hard to see many, if any changes to Chris Scott’s side ahead of Friday night’s juggernaut clash with Hawthorn. Ruckman Rhys Stanley is the only player who could return, but truth be told, it would be a shock recall given his hamstring injury came only a fortnight ago — despite being listed by the club as a ‘test’. It would mean that Mark Blicavs and Sam De Koning will share the tapping duties once more. Emergencies Mitch Knevitt and Jed Bews wait on the outskirts for an unlikely recall, as well as the out-of-favour Ollie Henry who hasn’t played senior football since Round 18 against GWS. Substitute Jhye Clark clocked up just two per cent game time against the Lions in the qualifying final, but there isn’t any reason to suggest he won’t be picked as the 23rd man again.

Hawks’ Semi Final team:

B: J.Battle, T.Barrass, B.Hardwick

HB: J.Impey, J.Sicily (c), M.D’Ambrosio

C: K.Amon, J.Ward, D.Moore

HF: C.Macdonald, M.Chol, N.Watson

F: J.Gunston, M.Lewis, J.Ginnivan

FOLL: L.Meek, J.Newcombe, C.Nash

I/C: J.Scrimshaw, J.Worpel, S.Butler, J.Weddle, C.Jiath (sub)

EMG: L.Breust, C.Mackenzie, N.Reeves

Team Tips: On Wednesday, coach Sam Mitchell confirmed in his press conference that duo Jack Gunston and Jack Ginnivan, who were both under a cloud with hamstring concerns, would play against the Cats. He said: “They’ll both play.” It’s a crucial boost, especially considering retiring great Luke Breust would’ve been next in line had he not suffered a serious knee injury last weekend in the VFL, and that Calsher Dear, who tweaked his hamstring against GWS in the elimination final, has already been ruled out of returning for the preliminary final. If one of them wouldn’t go, emergency Cam Mackenzie appeared the likeliest recall, but if they wanted to pick a genuine forward, Max Ramsden could be considered. A left-field option would be Jai Serong, who hasn’t played a senior game all season despite a big season at VFL level. Tall forward Mitch Lewis was kept quiet all night against the Crows, but given the number of injury clouds hanging over his teammates in a similar role, looks likely to hold his spot.

Second Preliminary Final, Saturday September 19

[4th] Collingwood vs [5th] Brisbane (5.15pm) at the MCG

Magpies’ Qualifying Final team:

B: B.Frampton, D.Moore (c), B.Maynard

HB: H.Perryman, J.Daicos, W.Parker

C: J.Crisp, N.Long, S.Sidebottom

HF: J.De Goey, T.Membrey, B.McCreery

F: J.Elliott, B.Mihocek, L.Schultz

FOLL: D.Cameron, S.Pendlebury, N.Daicos

I/C: P.Lipinski, I.Quaynor, D.Houston, M.Cox, R.Steele (sub)

EMG: T.Mitchell, D.McStay, E.Allan

Team Tips: On an injury front, it’s all about the fitness of Jeremy Howe and his recovery from an adductor injury sustained in the club’s last home-and-away match. Collingwood revealed early this week that Howe “returned to full training this week”, and that “his availability will be assessed after Thursday’s main training”. Should he ultimately be deemed fit, Category B rookie Wil Parker looks the likeliest to make way for Howe in the defensive half, or at the very least demoted to a substitute role which would omit mid-season draftee Roan Steele. Key forward Brody Mihocek rolled his ankle in their qualifying final win over Adelaide but should be right to play the Lions. If he isn’t up for the affair, expect dropped utility Dan McStay to slot straight back into the Pies’ forward line as his replacement. Also up forward, it would be a shock to see Mason Cox dropped after a commendable performance two rounds ago. Then, there’s the dilemma that revolves around Bobby Hill. The 2023 Norm Smith Medalist has played one AFL match since Round 15 — and it was as the sub against Brisbane. On the surface, the 25-year-old looks to be in the best shape he has been for quite some time, however The Age’s Jake Niall reported late on Monday night that people familiar with Hill’s circumstances believe he is more unlikely than likely to be picked. If Hill was to be picked, it would almost certainly see both Parker and Steele out of the side. Should one of the club’s remaining emergencies be called upon with a shock injury, veteran Tom Mitchell looks to be first in line ahead of Ed Allan.

Lions’ Semi Final team:

B: D.Zorko, D.Gardiner, R.Lester

HB: D.Wilmot, H.Andrews (c), B.Starcevich

C: H.McCluggage, L.Ashcroft, J.Berry

HF: C.Cameron, T.Gallop, Z.Bailey

F: C.Rayner, L.Morris, C.Ah Chee

FOLL: D.Fort, J.Dunkley, W.Ashcroft

I/C: K.Lohmann, J.Fletcher, S.Marshall, O.McInerney, B.Reville (sub)

EMG: S.Day, J.Tunstill, D.Joyce

Team Tips: There’s little to no changes needed at Springfield ahead of their fourth preliminary final in as many years. Any miraculous return from dual Brownlow Medalist Lachie Neale will come in grand final week, despite being ruled out for the season by club medicos. The ruck duo of Darcy Fort and Oscar McInerney looked to work well enough, and will almost certainly be deployed once more with Mason Cox’s expected selection at Collingwood. It means the omitted Sam Day looks almost certain to miss out for a second straight week. Forward Ty Gallop looked the most lively he’s ever looked at AFL level against the Suns, so he should hold his place. First-year draftee Sam Marshall was subbed out tactically in the final quarter for Bruce Reville, and it’s possible the pair swap roles for the Saturday twilight blockbuster.