Doubt lingers over star Crow amid double boost; contender’s race against time — AFL Finals Health Check

September is finally on the doorstep, and while we’ve still got to get through the pre-finals bye, there are plenty of injury and selection storylines to follow in the lead-up.

Collingwood is hoping one of its most crucial cogs can make a quick injury recovery, while the Giants will be sweating on the health of a bevy of stars.

Stay up to date with the latest selection and injury news ahead of the first week of finals in AFL Team Tips!

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FINALS WEEK 1 — QUALIFYING AND ELIMINATION FINALS

First Qualifying Final, Thursday September 4

[1st] Adelaide Crows vs [4th] Collingwood (7.40pm) at Adelaide Oval

Crows health check: The Crows have confirmed Max Michalanney (hamstring) and Luke Pedlar (hamstring) will be fit to reclaim their place and play against Collingwood, with the former a walk-up starter. In that case Hugh Bond — while he’s barely put a foot wrong — might be vulnerable as a like-for-like swap. Adelaide will also be hoping Josh Rachele is up to play the Pies, but looks more likely to return for their second final; whether that be in week two or week three. Should he make an unlikely return though, Sid Draper’s spot could be in danger at selection. Veteran flanker Brodie Smith played well enough to keep his role as the sub, while Billy Dowling did his chances of keeping his place in the side no harm against the Kangaroos. But as someone who’s played one senior game all season — in Round 24 against North Melbourne — there’s also a decent chance he loses his spot. Uncertainty remains around the health of veteran midfielder Matt Crouch, who continues to battle a hip issue. Lockdown defender Jordon Butts remains on the outer.

Magpies health check: Crucial veteran Jeremy Howe is the big concern from Collingwood’s Round 24 win over Melbourne, injuring his groin in an awkward sliding motion. Seven’s Xander McGuire reported the intercept defender is set to miss at least three weeks, leaving preliminary final weekend as the earliest potential return. Beau McCreery (foot) and Brody Mihocek (hand) are also under respective clouds, though there seems to be less concern around those two based on Craig McRae’s post-match commentary last Friday. Livewire forward Bobby Hill remains out of calculations due to personal reasons, having played just one senior match since Round 15. Fringe midfielder Ed Allan, who was dropped for the Melbourne game, had 24 disposals and a goal in the VFL Pies’ wildcard round loss to Williamstown. Veterans Mason Cox, Tom Mitchell and Will Hoskin-Elliott also remain on the outer, but Roan Steele’s senior spot certainly isn’t set in stone.

Second Qualifying Final, Friday September 5

[2nd] Geelong vs [3rd] Brisbane Lions (7.40pm) at the MCG

Cats health check: Geelong has maintained a clean bill of health for the entirety of the season — with just young ruckman Toby Conway currently on the injury list — and so it goes into a qualifying final blockbuster against recent finals rival Brisbane in a strong position. With a gruelling September campaign on the horizon, there’s plenty of experience Chris Scott can call on if he desires, with Mitch Duncan, Jake Kolodjashnij and Cam Guthrie now running around in the reserves, while mercurial forward Ollie Henry booted two goals from six scoring shots in the Cats’ most recent VFL contest. Key forward Shannon Neale will return after his one-match suspension, potentially at Mitch Knevitt’s expense.

Lions health check: All track-watchers’ eyes will be on superstar Lachie Neale, who is expected to have recovered from his quad injury in time to play Geelong at the MCG. Much like him, unheralded midfielder Jarrod Berry (shoulder) will also come back in to play the Cats after being given more time to recover. Key forward Eric Hipwood is another big name to potentially return in September, as he remains at least a couple of weeks away with his calf injury. James Tunstill, who was the sub against Hawthorn last Sunday, likely makes way for Berry, while young key forward Ty Gallop’s spot is also far from cemented after he was subbed out tactically against the Hawks. Youngster Sam Marshall might be the unlucky man to make way for Neale. Keidean Coleman’s agonising injury run continued all year, while Lincoln McCarthy wasn’t able to make a miracle ACL comeback.

First Elimination Final, Saturday September 6

[5th] GWS Giants vs [8th] Hawthorn, Western Bulldogs or Gold Coast Suns (time TBC) at ENGIE Stadium

Giants health check: There’s a bit to unpack here. GWS didn’t risk star defender Jack Buckley against the Saints, and thus he should be fit to play in the club’s home elimination final in two weeks’ time, pending any setbacks. Leek Aleer shapes as the corresponding omission. At the other end of the ground, there’s no certainty that Coleman medallist Jesse Hogan will be available as he continues to navigate a foot issue that’s kept him out of the past three games. Meanwhile, Jake Stringer will hope to be available after being impacted once again by a hamstring issue. Former skipper Stephen Coniglio should be able to graduate through concussion protocols in time to play in two weeks’ time. Brent Daniels put his best foot forward in the VFL Giants’ wildcard round loss to Richmond, collecting 29 disposals and winning nine clearances — a game-high. He should come back into the side for the club’s elimination final. Josh Kelly faces a race against time to be right as he recovers from a calf injury. He seems on the less likely side of being in selection calculations.

Hawks health check: The Hawks continue to hold out hope that Josh Weddle can return for the finals from his back stress fracture — having started to increase his loads — and this week should be telling in terms of scan results and what the next steps are. Meantime, Harry Morrison should return after missing Rounds 22 and 23 with a quad strain. Otherwise, apart from star Will Day and fringe best-23 forward Finn Maginness — who are both done for the year — the Hawks are in a pretty good spot, health-wise. They’ve had 17 players play 20 or more games this year.

Bulldogs health check — in case the Bombers cause a miracle: Veteran midfielder Adam Treloar is the big name with a big question mark, having struggled to stay on the park this year due to repeated calf injuries. The expectation is he’ll try and get through the VFL finals series in order to prove he’ll be able to hold up if the Dogs reward the All-Australian with another contract. Artie Jones came in at Ryley Sanders’ expense in Round 24, while Laitham Vandermeer is available after exiting concussion protocols last week. The likes of Caleb Poulter and Nick Coffield remain on the outside looking in.

Second Elimination Final, Saturday September 6

[6th] Fremantle vs [7th] Hawthorn or Gold Coast Suns (time TBC) at Optus Stadium

Dockers health check: Crucially, star midfielder Hayden Young got through Sunday’s stirring win over the Bulldogs unscathed after recovering from his groin complaint. Corey Wagner (pectoral) and Sam Switkowski (ankle) are under respective clouds. There’s fear over a potential tear for Wagner, which would cost him numerous weeks on the sidelines. Otherwise, Fremantle appears unlikely to make unforced changes going into a likely home elimination final clash with Gold Coast. Nathan O’Driscoll was the unlucky omission to make way for Young, while there’s no reason why Nat Fyfe won’t continue in his sub role — unless Justin Longmuir opts for more experience come finals time.

Suns health check: The big watch will be on the health of crucial rebounder Daniel Rioli, who hasn’t played since Round 19 after his leg fracture. If he gets up, the likes of debutant Lachie Gulbin, sub Sam Flanders and veteran Alex Sexton could come under selection heat. Exciting hybrid Bailey Humphrey is expected to return against the Bombers on Wednesday night from a knee injury, while Will Graham (shoulder) is more likely to be fit for the first week of finals, provided the Suns are good enough to qualify. Flanders tactically replaced Joel Jeffrey in the loss to Port Adelaide. Developing key forward Jed Walter remains on the outside looking in.