AFL Semi-Finals Teams: Big Brisbane call on key tall as failed test helps save Power forward

Brisbane defender Jack Payne has overcome a knee injury to be cleared for his side’s semi-final against GWS, while Port Adelaide forward Todd Marshall returns for the club’s do-or-die showdown with Hawthorn.

Payne was in doubt to play despite scans clearing him of serious damage from the knee issue that caused him to be subbed out of the Lions’ elimination final win over Carlton.

But the backman will take his place in Chris Fagan’s unchanged 23 when it travels to ENGIE Stadium against the Giants, who are boosted by the return of Toby Bedford in place of Toby McMullin, on Saturday night.

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Marshall returns for Port alongside Josh Sinn, with Ryan Burton (calf tightness) failing a fitness test to drop out of Ken Hinkley’s side and Jed McEntee omitted.

It means the Power will take a tall forward line into Friday night’s clash at Adelaide Oval featuring all three of Marshall, Charlie Dixon and Mitch Georgiades, provided none are named the sub.

Burton’s crook calf may have saved small forward Francis Evans from an omission from the side – with the 23-year-old understood to be on the fringe of the 23 before Thursday’s failed fitness test.

Port will look to stretch an undersized Hawks defence that already confirmed nine-gamer Jai Serong would replace Sam Frost following the veteran’s season-ending foot injury.

Will Day (collarbone) and Cam Mckenzie (hamstring) also won’t feature after failing to prove their fitness.

AFL SEMI-FINALS TEAMS AND FIXTURE (All times AEST)

PORT ADELAIDE v HAWTHORN

Second Semi Final

Friday September 13, 7:40pm at Adelaide Oval

POWER

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

HB: J.Sinn, 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: T.Boak, Q.Narkle, J.Mead, F.Evans, T.Marshall

EMG: W.Lorenz, D.Visentini, D.Williams

IN: J.Sinn, T.Marshall

OUT: R.Burton (Injured), J.McEntee (Omitted)

HAWKS

B: B.Hardwick, J.Serong, J.Impey

HB: J.Ward, J.Sicily – C, J.Scrimshaw

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

HF: F.Maginness, M.Chol, C.Macdonald

F: J.Ginnivan, L.Breust, N.Watson

FOLL: L.Meek, J.Worpel, J.Newcombe

I/C: H.Morrison, M.D’Ambrosio, J.Gunston, C.Dear, C.Nash

EMG: H.Hustwaite, C.Jiath, N.Reeves

IN: J.Serong

OUT: S.Frost (Injured)

GWS GIANTS v BRISBANE LIONS

First Semi Final

Saturday September 14, 7:30pm at Giants Stadium

GIANTS

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

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

C: F.Callaghan, T.Green, J.Kelly

HF: B.Daniels, A.Cadman, I.Cumming

F: D.Jones, J.Hogan, T.Greene – C

FOLL: K.Briggs, S.Coniglio, J.Peatling

I/C: C.Ward, L.Ash, T.Bedford, L.Keeffe, X.O’Halloran

EMG: J.Riccardi, T.McMullin, N.Haynes

IN: T.Bedford

OUT: T.McMullin (Omitted)

LIONS

B: D.Zorko, H.Andrews, C.McKenna

HB: D.Wilmot, J.Payne, R.Lester

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

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

F: C.Cameron, E.Hipwood, Z.Bailey

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

I/C: K.Lohmann, C.Ah Chee, L.Morris, B.Starcevich, N.Answerth

EMG: H.Sharp, D.Fort, D.Joyce

No changes

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