Hawks star under injury cloud for semi-final; key Lion returns, big call on Suns hero — Semi-Finals Teams

Key returns for the two semi-final hosts have bolstered their chances of avoiding straight sets exits, while Hawthorn makes a straight swap and Gold Coast makes a call on its elimination final hero. Semi-finals Teams!

Josh Rachele has officially been named in a major boost for minor premiers Adelaide in their Friday night clash at Adelaide Oval.

The forward, who’s been sidelined since Round 17 with a knee injury, has been passed fit and will replace defender Hugh Bond in the starting 22 with Crows coach Matthew Nicks hopeful he’ll give them the sparkplug element that was missing in last week’s loss to Collingwood.

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Opponents Hawthorn have brought back Mitch Lewis, who kicked four goals in the VFL after being somewhat surprisingly dropped for the elimination final, to replace the injured Calsher Dear (hamstring).

Dear won’t be available until a Grand Final, should the Hawks become the first team to get there from 8th on the ladder.

Jack Ginnivan has been named despite being under an injury cloud, according to Seven’s Xander McGuire, after successfully avoiding drama with the waiting media in Adelaide by wearing headphones and ignoring their questions.

He instead filmed the multiple cameras following him and shared the footage on Instagram with the caption “me Tn”.

“Jack Ginnivan has been struggling with a hamstring issue this week,” McGuire tweeted.

“His tightness was forensically monitored early in the week and he only completed half of main training yesterday.”

Gold Coast is unchanged with David Swallow, who erred and then made amends in the most brilliant of ways in their elimination final triumph, holding his place in the 23.

Their Pineapple Grapple opponents Brisbane made two changes, dropping Sam Day after a quiet qualifying final and losing superstar Lachie Neale to injury.

The versatile Bruce Reville returns along with ruckman Oscar McInerney who is finally fit after a long run of back complaints. He has played four games in the VFL since being dropped heading into their most recent clash with the Suns, though notably both he and Darcy Fort have been named, perhaps suggesting he’s not ready for full-time ruck work.

The winner of Adelaide vs Hawthorn will face Geelong, and the winner of Brisbane vs Gold Coast will face Collingwood, in next week’s preliminary finals.

WEEK 2 FINALS TEAMS AND FIXTURE (All times AEST)

[1] ADELAIDE CROWS vs [8] HAWTHORN

First Semi Final

Friday September 12, 7:40pm at Adelaide Oval

CROWS

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

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

C: I.Cumming, J.Dawson – C, D.Curtin

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

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

FOLL: R.O’Brien, J.Peatling, J.Soligo

I/C: J.Rachele, L.Pedlar, S.Berry, M.Michalanney, B.Smith

EMG: L.Murphy, J.Butts, B.Dowling

In: – J.Rachele

Out: – H.Bond (Omitted)

HAWKS

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, M.Lewis, J.Ginnivan

FOLL: L.Meek, J.Newcombe, C.Nash

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

EMG: L.Breust, C.Mackenzie, N.Reeves

In: – M.Lewis

Out: – C.Dear (Injured)

[3] BRISBANE LIONS vs [7] GOLD COAST SUNS

Second Semi Final

Saturday September 13, 7:35pm at the Gabba

LIONS

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

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

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

HF: C.Cameron, T.Gallop, Z.Bailey

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

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

I/C: K.Lohmann, J.Fletcher, S.Marshall, B.Reville, O.McInerney

EMG: S.Day, J.Tunstill, D.Joyce

In: – B.Reville, O.McInerney

Out: – S.Day (Omitted), L.Neale (Injured)

SUNS

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

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

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

HF: T.Miller, E.Read, B.Humphrey

F: B.Long, B.King, J.Farrar

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

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

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

No changes