Big blow for star Hawk; Blues’ bevy of possible ins, All-Aus Dog is ‘50-50’ — Finals Casualty Ward

An emerging Hawthorn superstar has been ruled out of the club’s elimination final bout with the Western Bulldogs next Friday night.

Meanwhile, the Blues could make six changes ahead of a finals return to The Gabba, and there are doubts over a star Western Bulldogs ball-getter and an emerging Hawthorn superstar.

Stay up to date with all the latest injuries news ahead of September with Finals Casualty Ward.

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BRISBANE LIONS

With the exception of their key contributors already known to be sidelined for the season — Darcy Gardiner (knee), Lincoln McCarthy (knee), Tom Doedee (knee) and Keidean Coleman (knee) — the Lions are fairly healthy heading into their elimination final bout with Carlton next Saturday.

Defender Brandon Starcevich missed his side’s clash with Essendon in Round 24 with hamstring awareness but is expected to return without stress. And in a further boost, key backman Jack Payne and utility Bruce Reville have recovered from their respective injuries — set to play against Footscray in their VFL side’s elimination final this Saturday.

CARLTON

Sam Docherty (knee) is a chance to return for the Blues’ trip to Brisbane, while their spearhead forward pair are expected to be available, amid potentially six changes at next Thursday’s selection.

However, question marks still hang over a few ailing names.

“We could see as many as six changes — it’s going to be a very different team to the one that we saw play against St Kilda last week,” Herald Sun journalist Glenn McFarlane told Fox Footy’s Midweek Tackle.

“Harry McKay (quad) — he’ll play. (Charlie) Curnow would play with that ankle — you’d think they’re the two that will definitely come back.

“I think Mitch McGovern (hamstring) and Zac Williams (hamstring) will be right to play. They’ve got to get through the next week and a bit.”

However, there is less certainly around the statuses of a ruckman and a midfielder.

“I think the two we’ve got to watch are Tom De Koning (foot) and Adam Cerra (hamstring) — they’re the ones that are not quite so certain,” McFarlane continued.

“They’ve had a lot of players with this recurring hamstring scenario, but I think you’ll find a lot of those guys will play, so I reckon up to six we’ll see in terms of changes.”

Pertaining to Docherty (knee), the veteran seems to be in the frame for another critical final against the Lions.

“Sam Docherty thinks he’s ready to play,” Herald Sun journalist Jon Ralph said on Midweek Tackle.

“He’s had three weeks of full training, excellent strength in that surgically-repaired knee, he’s eight months on from the Opening Round tear …. He’s done enough strength work for the club to actually believe he’s in the right spot to play.

“In some ways, he’s actually less of a risk than Cerra. Now, (De Koning) is a different case, but Cerra has had about five hamstring (injuries), so they would feel like if you’re actually going to do it from a percentages point of view, he’s good first-up.

“The emotional lift against Brisbane, all that stuff … he’s an upgrade on one of those borderline players, so (it’s) possible — maybe the week after, if they win.”

GEELONG CATS

Impending retiree Tom Hawkins (foot) is facing an uphill battle to make an AFL return in the finals.

“(He’s) not ready for the VFL yet,” Ralph told Fox Footy’s Midweek Tackle.

“The Cats’ VFL team plays a qualifying final this weekend. If they win that one and there’s not a game for him to play coming back through the VFL when of course the AFL guys play the qualifying final against Port Adelaide, it makes it a really challenging path back for him.”

Elsewhere, Sam De Koning (knee) is expected to be available to play Port Adelaide, while Tanner Bruhn (concussion) will be assessed — with the hope he will also be available for the Cats’ trip to Adelaide.

GWS GIANTS

Per the Giants’ injury list, Jake Riccardi (finger) and Toby Bedford (calf) will use the bye to ready themselves for Saturday week’s qualifying final against Sydney.

Riccardi has missed the past three games but shapes as a likely inclusion, while Bedford, Brent Daniels and Conor Stone were late exclusions for GWS’ Round 24 loss to the Bulldogs.

Daniels and Stone are expected to be available for the first week of finals with no issues, while Bedford’s calf is considered slightly more of a concern.

In more promising news, Isaac Cumming will throw his hat in the ring for the match also, having successfully gotten through a scrimmage match last weekend. His services as either a winger or running defender will be welcomed with open arms if coach Adam Kingsley is confident in the gun’s fitness.

HAWTHORN

Burgeoning ball-winner Will Day (collarbone) has been ruled out of Hawthorn’s elimination clash with the Bulldogs at the MCG next Friday.

Despite “making progress” on the ailment he suffered against Richmond in Round 23, the Hawks on Saturday confirmed he would not suit up against the Bulldogs.

“Will certainly is improving, he has been able to resume running and has been training over the past week,” Head Hawthorn Doctor Liam West said in a club statement on Saturday.

“But at this stage, Will hasn’t reached the level of function to return to full skills training yet and given his specific injury, we unfortunately know he won’t be able to achieve this in time to be considered for selection next week.

“We plan to progress Will’s rehab next week and remain hopeful that he may be available for the second week of finals, should we progress.”

Elsewhere, Changkuoth Jiath (calf) was scheduled to play with Box Hill in its final this weekend.

PORT ADELAIDE

Compounding the absence of rebounding defender Dan Houston (suspension), Port Adelaide has lost fellow half-back-flanker Kane Farrell (hamstring) for the remainder of the year.

Outside of the classy winger’s unfortunate injury against Fremantle, Todd Marshall will be available for selection against Geelong next week — recovering from his concussion symptoms.

Charlie Dixon was a late out for the Power in Round 24 through illness but will also be available come next Thursday night. Sam Powell-Pepper (knee), Jeremy Finlayson (spleen) and Trent McKenzie (quad) are among the names ruled out for the season alongside Farrell and Houston.

All things considered, though, the Power are looking fit and firing for the most part as they chase an elusive Grand Final appearance.

SYDNEY SWANS

The Swans are just about back to their best on a fitness front, with a number of key players expected to become available for the ‘Battle of the Bridge’ in the first week of finals.

Justin McInerney (PCL) and Tom Papley (ankle) have been projected to come back next weekend also, as the Swans strongly firm themselves back in the premiership frame.

Isaac Heeney was a late out against the Crows, but there’s nothing for Swans fans to worry about as he was merely managed.

WESTERN BULLDOGS

Despite seeming little chance of playing in Round 24, Tim English (ankle) suited up against GWS and thrived, notching 17 disposals and seven marks.

Instead, there is a cloud over All-Australian squad member Adam Treloar (calf) ahead of the Dogs’ bout with Hawthorn.

“The Dogs would have loved a clean scan for Adam Treloar, but it wasn’t the case,” Ralph told Fox Footy on Tuesday night.

“He’s genuinely 50-50, but he did get through that game against GWS. They are hopeful that he plays.”

“Rhylee West, I think (he) will return from a broken jaw for Laitham Vandermeer (hamstring). Laitham again is a test, but his hamstrings are almost made of paper, so maybe Artie Jones stays in as well.

“Of course, we know Liam Jones is playing after dodging an MRO suspension. They’re in a really good spot.”

Norm Smith Medallist Jason Johannisen (calf) faces an uphill battle to get back in selection contention — still likely a week away — especially considering the Dogs’ scintillating form.