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.
Smith issues apology | 00:22
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
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