Extent of Hawk’s injury revealed in selection twist; brutal call looms on veteran despite heroics — Team Tips

Scans have revealed the extent of an injury cloud hanging over a Hawthorn key forward, ruling him out of their do-or-die clash.

Elsewhere, a 248-gamer could come under selection pressure despite late heroics in his side’s elimination final win.

And in Adelaide, the Crows are anticipating the return of a front-half livewire in their bid to avoid a straight-sets finals exit.

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

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ADELAIDE CROWS v HAWTHORN

First Semi-Final

Friday September 12, 7:40pm at Adelaide Oval

Crows’ Qualifying Final team:

B: J.Worrell, M.Keane, R.Laird

HB: W.Milera, N.Murray, M.Michalanney

C: I.Cumming, J.Dawson, D.Curtin

HF: B.Keays, R.Thilthorpe, A.Neal-Bullen

F: Z.Taylor, T.Walker, D.Fogarty

FOLL: R.O’Brien, S.Berry, J.Soligo

I/C: B.Smith, L.Pedlar, J.Peatling, M.Hinge, H.Bond

EMG: C.Burgess, J.Butts, B.Dowling

In: M.Michalanney, L.Pedlar

Out: B.Dowling, S.Draper (both omitted)

Team Tips: All eyes will be on the likely recall of Josh Rachele, who’s been sidelined since Round 17 with a knee injury. And with no Izak Rankine, the Crows missed that sparkplug in their forward half that can roll through the midfield to provide a point of difference. Mitch Hinge was quiet against the Pies before being subbed out and might suddenly be the most likely casualty at selection. Sub Brodie Smith, Sam Berry and Zac Taylor are others that could be at risk, though several Crows were down on form in their qualifying final loss. Harry Schoenberg (equal game-high 26 disposals, one goal,) was among Adelaide’s best in the club’s SANFL finals loss to Norwood, while Sid Draper (16 touches, nine tackles) and Luke Nankervis (20 disposals, one goal, seven marks) are other options to come in.

Hawks’ Elimination 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, C.Dear, J.Ginnivan

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

I/C: J.Scrimshaw, C.Nash, C.Jiath, J.Weddle, S.Butler

EMG: L.Breust, C.Mackenzie, M.Ramsden

In: J.Weddle, S.Butler

Out: M.Lewis (Omitted), L.Breust (Omitted)

Team Tips: A great road win in Sydney by Hawthorn, but still a few things for Sam Mitchell and the selection committee to weigh up. Calsher Dear was subbed out after having limited impact, with scans since revealing a hamstring strain which has officially rulde him out of Friday night. Mitch Lewis, who kicked four goals in Box Hill’s VFL finals win over Brisbane, now waits in the wings as the almost certain replacement. Sub Changkuoth Jiath and Sam Butler could also find themselves vulnerable at selection, with Cam Mackenzie (31 disposals) and Henry Hustwaite (35 touches) racking up big numbers in the twos and Luke Breust kicked three goals to stake their claims for recalls.

BRISBANE LIONS v GOLD COAST SUNS

Second Semi-Final

Saturday September 13, 7:35pm at the Gabba

Lions’ Qualifying Final team:

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

HB: D.Wilmot, H.Andrews – C, B.Starcevich

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

HF: C.Cameron, S.Day, Z.Bailey

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

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

I/C: K.Lohmann, J.Fletcher, L.Ashcroft, S.Marshall, T.Gallop

EMG: B.Reville, D.Joyce, O.McInerney

In: L.Neale, J.Berry

Out: B.Reville (Omitted), J.Tunstill (Omitted)

Team Tips: The reigning premiers will be forced to defend their flag without Lachie Neale after the star midfielder suffered a calf setback late in the team’s loss to Geelong in a brutal blow. Eric Hipwood also won’t return this season as he prepares to undergo knee surgery. And so, the Lions will be forced into at least one change, but Chris Fagan will surely ponder other moves after his side’s lackluster performance. Bruce Reville was probably stiff to get dropped in the first-place last week and should be at the front of the queue for a recall, while his versatility would give Brisbane plenty of flexibility. Oscar McInerney (1.2 from 20 disposals, 24 hit-outs) had a big game in the VFL finals loss to Box Hill and could be considered to beef up the Lions’ key position stocks after underwhelming showings from Ty Gallop and Sam Day, who’s probably more vulnerable.

Suns’ Elimination Final team:

B: W.Powell, B.Uwland, S.Collins

HB: J.Noble, M.Andrew, D.Rioli

C: L.Weller, M.Rowell, B.Fiorini

HF: T.Miller, S.Flanders, B.Humphrey

F: B.Long, E.Read, B.King

FOLL: J.Witts, A.Davies, N.Anderson – C

I/C: B.Ainsworth, D.Swallow, C.Budarick, J.Jeffrey, J.Farrar

EMG: N.Moyle, J.Rogers, O.Adams

In: D.Swallow

Out: J.Rogers (Omitted)

Team Tips: Retiring stalwart David Swallow might have been at the centre of one of the greatest all-time finals scripts, but there’s a question mark over his selection security going into the first-ever QClash final after looking a touch off the pace upon entering play last Saturday night. Speaking post-game after his last-minute heroics, Swallow said of backing up next week: “If I stay in the team! We’ll see how we go.” He was the Suns’ fourth-lowest rated player and managed one effective kick in his near-20 per cent time on ground. Vibrant small forward Jake Rogers was the man to make way for Swallow at selection last Thursday; he was an emergency for the Fremantle trip and shapes as the man to be recalled in favour of the inaugural Sun if Damien Hardwick opts to make the brutal call and inject some pace into his forward half. Meanwhile, Will Graham could come back into selection calculations after battling a shoulder issue, pending any setbacks with his recovery, but it’d be a risk given he’s underdone, having not played at the level since Round 9.

And some words on the preliminary finalists …

COLLINGWOOD

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, R.Steele, M.Cox

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

In: W.Parker, M.Cox

Out: J.Howe (Injured), D.McStay (Omitted)

Team Tips: After booking their place in a preliminary final in two weekends’ time, the Pies’ attention turns to which big names could possibly return when the club hosts one of Brisbane or Gold Coast. Crucial interceptor Jeremy Howe appears every chance to have recovered from his groin injury in time to play on preliminary final weekend, though there are obviously more hurdles for him to clear between now and then. The other big watch at Olympic Park is on livewire forward Bobby Hill, who has played just once at senior level since Round 15 due to personal issues away from the game. Hill played in an unofficial scratch match against fringe Geelong counterparts last Saturday, booting four goals in a midfield-forward hybrid role to inspire hope in supporters that he could return in a fortnight’s time. Big ruck-forward Mason Cox impressed in his first game back in the senior side, crashing packs and bringing the ball to ground — effectively performing his role — despite going goalless. He should keep his spot, which casts serious doubt over the remainder of Dan McStay’s season. Wil Parker, who was substituted out of the game tactically, played a handy role on Ben Keays but was among the Pies’ five lowest-rated players. He shapes as the likely exclusion for Howe, if the veteran proves his fitness. And if Craig McRae is gutsy enough to recall Hill for the preliminary final, it could be at substitute Roan Steele’s expense — could Bobby play the super sub role?

GEELONG

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.Clark, J.Bowes, J.Martin

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

In: S.Neale, M.O’Connor, J.Clark

Out: R.Stanley (Injured), M.Knevitt (Omitted), J.Bews (Omitted)

Team Tips: Rhys Stanley’s mysterious hamstring injury will be a key watch over the course of the next fortnight. While Geelong has maintained a clean bill of health for virtually the entire season — with just Stanley and luckless ruck Toby Conway currently on the injury list — there’s a newfound concern over the health of the veteran flag-winner after he missed last Friday’s qualifying final win over Brisbane, with Chris Scott’s side employing the likes of Sam De Koning and Mark Blicavs to play enhanced midfield roles. If Stanley gets up, it could come at the expense of Jhye Clark, who was the substitute against Brisbane but played just two per cent game time. But Geelong fared pretty well without the stalwart, so Chris Scott won’t be rushing him back. Overall, the Cats aren’t expected to make many unforced changes for their preliminary final.