AFL 2024: Finals Week 1 Team Tips, predicted sides and squads, ins and outs, team changes, injuries, returns, latest team news

The pre-finals bye has come and gone, and finally, the finals are upon us — and with them, a plethora of selection conundrums to be resolved ahead of the weekend.

A Carlton veteran is ‘flying’ ahead of a potential miraculous return amid a slew of questions over injured Blues. Elsewhere, Hawks and Cats questions linger.

Read about the latest selection and injury news ahead of the first week of finals in AFL Team Tips!

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FINALS WEEK 1 FIXTURE (ALL TIMES AEST)

PORT ADELAIDE VS. GEELONG

Thursday September 5, 7:40pm at Adelaide Oval

Port Adelaide’s Round 24 team:

B: La.Jones, B.Zerk-Thatcher, M.Bergman

HB: K.Farrell, A.Aliir, L.Evans

C: J.Burgoyne, O.Wines, W.Drew

HF: D.Byrne-Jones, E.Ratugolea, W.Rioli

F: M.Georgiades, C.Dixon, C.Rozee – C

FOLL: J.Sweet, J.Horne-Francis, Z.Butters

I/C: R.Burton, J.Mead, F.Evans, T.Boak, J. McEntee

Team Tips: Port Adelaide enters the finals series with a few key absences. Compounding the absence of dual All-Australian Dan Houston (suspension), the Power lost winger Kane Farrell (hamstring) for the rest of the season. Outside of the classy ball-user’s unfortunate injury against Fremantle in Round 24, key forward Todd Marshall (concussion symptoms) should be available for selection against Geelong. Elsewhere, fellow spearhead Charlie Dixon (illness) was a late out for the Dockers clash but should also be available come Thursday night.

Geelong’s Round 24 team:

B: L.Humphries, J.Henry, J.Kolodjashnij

HB: M.Holmes, M.Blicavs, Z.Guthrie

C: M.Duncan, T.Atkins, O.Dempsey

HF: T.Stengle, S.Neale, S.Mannagh

F: B.Close, J.Cameron, O.Henry

FOLL: R.Stanley, P.Dangerfield – C, T.Stewart

I/C: Z.Tuohy, J.Bowes, G.Miers, J.Bews, T.Bruhn

EMG: G.Rohan, O.Mullin, M.Knevitt

Team Tips: Imminent retiree Tom Hawkins (foot) missed training on Sunday as doubt continues to hang over the veteran’s chances of a last hurrah in the finals. Cam Guthrie (Achilles) participated on Sunday as he plots a last-minute call-up. “They’re working really hard with us to get us right for this week’s game, and they’re working hard on themselves to try to get back to playing,” Mark Blicavs said of the pair after Sunday’s session. Sam De Koning (knee) is poised to return, having played in Geelong’s VFL finals loss to Werribee — he notched 18 disposals, two marks and 23 hit-outs. Mitch Hardie (24 disposals) was the Cats’ top ball-winner, while Brandan Parfitt (19 possessions, 14 tackles and four clearances) and Mark O’Connor (19 disposals, seven marks, four clearances) pushed for recalls. Elsewhere, forward Gary Rohan (managed) is set to be recalled by Chris Scott. Oisin Mullin and Mitch Knevitt were emergencies against the Eagles, giving an indication of the players closest to a call-up.

WESTERN BULLDOGS VS. HAWTHORN

Friday September 6, 7:40pm at the MCG

Western Bulldogs’ Round 24 team:

B: T.Duryea, L.Jones, J.Freijah

HB: L.Bramble, R.Lobb, B.Dale

C: E.Richards, A.Treloar, B.Williams

HF: J.Ugle-Hagan, A.Naughton, L.McNeil

F: C.Weightman, S.Darcy, L.Vandermeer

FOLL: T.English, M.Bontempelli – C, T.Liberatore

I/C: C.Daniel, H.Gallagher, A.Jones, J.O’Donnell, J.Macrae

Team Tips: The Dogs’ selection situation seems pretty straightforward ahead of Friday night, with Luke Beveridge’s side in terrific shape from a health standpoint. Adam Treloar (calf) is set to suit up for Luke Beveridge on Friday night — having confirmed on AFL Awards Night he is good to go — but that calf is sure to be tested by the Hawks. Rhylee West (jaw) is expected to be available, possibly at the expense of Laitham Vandermeer (hamstring). James Harmes put his best foot forward in Footscray’s thrilling VFL finals win over Brisbane at the weekend, racking up 37 disposals, nine clearances and a goal in the four-point victory. Riley Garcia notched 28 possessions and seven clearances, while Caleb Poulter (24 disposals) and Ryley Sanders (21) were also among the frequent ball-getters. Buku Khamis kicked two goals from 16 disposals and nine marks in a forward-50 role, while Norm Smith Medallist Jason Johannisen (18 possessions) is making a late charge but faces an uphill battle to get back in selection contention for this Bulldogs outfit.

Hawthorn’s Round 24 team:

B: J.Weddle, S.Frost, J.Impey

HB: M.D’Ambrosio, J.Sicily – C, J.Scrimshaw

C: C.Nash, C.Macdonald, K.Amon

HF: L.Breust, C.Dear, F.Maginness

F: C.Mackenzie, M.Chol, N.Watson

FOLL: L.Meek, D.Moore, J.Newcombe

I/C: H.Morrison, B.Hardwick, J.Ginnivan, J.Worpel, J.Gunston

EMG: J.Serong, J.Ward, N.Reeves

Team Tips: Following Saturday’s news that Will Day (collarbone) won’t be named against the Bulldogs, there’s a big decision for coach Sam Mitchell to make. Finn Maginness was the inclusion for Day against North Melbourne in Round 24 — accruing 19 disposals and five inside-50s at UTAS Stadium — and he played in Box Hill’s VFL finals loss to Williamstown, collecting a team-high 31 disposals, nine clearances and a goal. Will Mitchell ride the same wave, or will he opt for a different route? Josh Ward seems the likeliest alternative in terms of midfielders — and he accumulated 25 disposals and a goal against the Seagulls — while Changkuoth Jiath (calf) needs to come in. Defender Jai Serong and ruckman Ned Reeves were Hawthorn’s other emergencies against the Kangaroos. Serong racked up 29 disposals and 10 marks in the VFL, while Jiath had eight possessions in limited action. Expect veteran forward Luke Breust to again be handed the substitute duties.

SYDNEY SWANS VS. GWS GIANTS

Saturday September 7, 3:20pm at the SCG

Sydney’s Round 24 team:

B: D.Rampe, A.Francis, N.Blakey

HB: L.Melican, H.Cunningham, O.Florent

C: C.Mills – C, Ch.Warner, E.Gulden

HF: L.Parker, C.Cleary, J.Jordon

F: L.McDonald, J.Amartey, W.Hayward

FOLL: B.Grundy, R.Fox, J.Rowbottom

I/C: M.Roberts, B.Campbell, T.Adams, H.McLean, J.Lloyd

EMG: P.Ladhams, Co.Warner

Team Tips: Despite calls for it, the Swans didn’t rest many big names against Adelaide in Round 24, with the exception of key defender Tom McCartin, as well as Isaac Heeney, but he was a late exclusion. The pair will obviously return, most likely in place of Aaron Francis and Robbie Fox. Tom Papley (ankle) and Justin McInerney (knee) are the names to watch for at Thursday’s selection, with the duo having been pushing for returns to play the Giants. Papley’s attacking flair in particular has been missed, and he would be a very welcome addition for John Longmire’s side against their arch-rivals. Corey Warner is unlikely to be recalled after being axed ahead of the Crows game.

GWS’ Round 24 team:

B: H.Himmelberg, S.Taylor, C.Idun

HB: L.Whitfield, J.Buckley, H.Perryman

C: C.Ward, T.Green, S.Coniglio

HF: C.Brown, A.Cadman, J.Peatling

F: D.Jones, J.Hogan, T.Greene – C

FOLL: K.Briggs, J.Kelly, X.O’Halloran

I/C: F.Callaghan, L.Keeffe, T.McMullin, H.Thomas, N.Haynes

Team Tips: GWS is mostly healthy heading into its fourth finals match-up with cross-town rivals Sydney. Jake Riccardi (finger) and Toby Bedford (calf) are expected to come back into Adam Kingsley’s side, as is Brent Daniels (back) after he was one of three late changes made prior to the Giants’ Round 24 loss to the Bulldogs. Rebounder Lachie Ash (suspension) served his one-game ban and will likely suit up against the Swans. Running half-back-flanker Isaac Cumming (hamstring) is also making a late play to be available for selection, despite managing just four senior games this season.

BRISBANE LIONS VS. CARLTON

Saturday September 7, 7:30pm at The Gabba

Brisbane’s Round 24 team:

B: D.Zorko, H.Andrews – C, C.McKenna

HB: D.Wilmot, R.Lester, D.Joyce

C: J.Fletcher, W.Ashcroft, H.McCluggage

HF: C.Rayner, J.Daniher, J.Berry

F: C.Cameron, E.Hipwood, C.Ah Chee

FOLL: O.McInerney, J.Dunkley, L.Neale

I/C: K.Lohmann, L.Morris, H.Sharp, Z.Bailey, N.Answerth

EMG: D.Robertson, J.Prior, H.Smith

Team Tips: Ahead of another finals meeting with Carlton at home, Brisbane will welcome the return of reliable defender Brandon Starcevich (hamstring), who missed the Lions’ Round 24 win over Essendon due to ‘awareness’. Starcevich is not the only Brisbane defender Chris Fagan could recall, with Jack Payne (foot) pushing for selection after increasing his training load. Bruce Reville (fibula) is also in the frame for a call-up. Brisbane’s VFL side fell to Footscray in the finals at the weekend, but veteran midfielder Jarryd Lyons (23 disposals, 13 clearances, six tackles and two goals) staked his claim for an unlikely call-up to the senior side, while Jaxon Prior (18 possessions) and James Tunstill (20 disposals) were also around the Sherrin. Out-of-favour midfielder Deven Robertson was limited to 12 disposals and five clearances and seems unlikely to force his way back into the side.

Carlton’s Round 24 team:

B: Le.Young, J.Weitering, L.Cowan

HB: A.Saad, A.Cincotta, N.Newman

C: O.Hollands, P.Cripps – C, B.Acres

HF: C.Durdin, B.Kemp, E.Hollands

F: M.Owies, M.Kennedy, J.Motlop

FOLL: M.Pittonet, S.Walsh, G.Hewett

I/C: J.Carroll, C.Lord, J.Binns, O.Fantasia, A.Moir

Team Tips: The Blues will likely be busy at selection on Thursday night, with a host of changes coming ahead of a September Gabba rematch with the Lions. Against all odds, Sam Docherty has put himself in position to be selected for Carlton’s elimination final at The Gabba. After suffering his third ACL rupture in Opening Round — also against the Lions in Brisbane — few expected the 30-year-old to mount such a strong case to play. “He was flying, wasn’t he,” skipper Patrick Cripps remarked of Docherty after Saturday’s training. “He has put his hand up, but the coaches have got to pick a side they think is best … If he gets picked, you know he’s going to perform.” Charlie Curnow (ankle) and Harry McKay (quad) are expected to make returns, as are Mitch McGovern (hamstring) and Zac Williams (hamstring). Among the less certain injury-return possibilities are Tom De Koning (foot) and Adam Cerra (hamstring), who still figure to have hurdles to jump over before becoming available. Lewis Young, Brodie Kemp, Jack Carroll, Jaxon Binns, Cooper Lord, Orazio Fantasia and Corey Durdin could see their spots in Michael Voss’ side come under threat.