Veteran Richmond midfielder Daniel Jackson is in the squad for Sunday’s Adelaide Oval elimination final against Port Adelaide.
But the Tigers left ruck-forward Ty Vickery out of their 25-man group, while Port are likely to be unchanged.
Geelong have had to leave out midfielder Allen Christensen in a major blow for Friday night’s blockbuster qualifying final against arch-rivals Hawthorn.
Christensen was rested for last week’s regulation win over Brisbane, but back soreness will stop him coming back for the massive clash at the MCG.
A late change could be brewing at Sydney ahead of Saturday’s qualifying final against Fremantle at ANZ Stadium.
There is speculation that Swans defender Heath Grundy could be in doubt with a calf muscle problem.
The Swans loaded up for Saturday, with key forward Lance Franklin and fellow star Josh Kennedy leading five inclusions.
Ben McGlynn, Craig Bird and Mike Pyke will also return.
As expected, Hawthorn key defender Brian Lake was named after recovering from the hip injury he suffered last Friday night in the win over Collingwood.
The Hawks recalled captain Luke Hodge, Ben Stratton and Bradley Hill for Ryan Schoenmakers, Angus Litherland and Billy Hartung.
The Dockers recalled ruckman Jon Griffin along with Nathan Fyfe and Alex Silvagni.
You might like
North Melbourne included Lindsay Thomas, Todd Goldstein, Michael Firrito, Levi Greenwood and Luke McDonald for Saturday night’s MCG elimination final against Essendon.
Leigh Adams (concussion) and Lachie Hansen (hip) did not come up and Daniel Currie, Aaron Mullett and Mason Wood were left out.
Essendon regained David Myers and Ariel Steinberg for Paddy Ambrose and Orazio Fantasia.
FRIDAY
Hawthorn v Geelong at MCG 7.20pm
Head to Head: Hawks 69 Cats 85 drawn 1
Last clash: Round 22 2014 – Hawks 14.10 (94) bt Cats 11.5 (71) at MCG
Tab Sportsbet: Hawks $1.42 Cats $2.75
Sportingbet: Hawks $1.52 Cats $2.60
Another classic looms in the modern game’s most engrossing rivalry. It comes only a fortnight after the Hawks roared back from 31 points down at halftime to beat the Cats by 23. How relevant is that result? How much were the two teams holding back, knowing they were likely to clash again this weekend? Is Steve Johnson ready to go? And with two wins in their last three games, do Hawthorn now have Geelong’s measure? In a ripping start to the finals series, no match holds more appeal than this one.
Key: Norm Smith Medallist Brian Lake held Geelong spearhead Tom Hawkins to three goals in round 22. Last week, Hawkins reminded everyone of his star power with seven goals against Brisbane, while Lake hurt his hip against Collingwood. Lake has since proved his fitness. Given how even these two sides are all over the ground, a clutch goal to Hawkins or a timely spoil from Lake could be crucial.
Tip: Hawks by 11 points
SATURDAY
Sydney v Fremantle at ANZ Stadium 2.15pm
Head to Head: Swans 15 Dockers 12 drawn 1
Last clash: Round 5 2014 – Swans 13.14 (92) bt Dockers 11.9 (75) at SCG
Tab Sportsbet: Swans $1.45 Dockers $2.75
Stay informed, daily
Sportingbet: Swans $1.48 Dockers $2.70
At first glance, this is the easiest tip of the weekend. Losing Michael Johnson for the finals series with a back injury is a massive blow for the Dockers, plus fellow backman Luke McPharlin (calf) has been sidelined since round 20. Those injuries are particularly important given Sydney boast Coleman Medallist Lance Franklin and fellow key forward Kurt Tippett. But we’re talking about the Dockers and coach Ross Lyon. They’ll work out a way to be competitive. Wet conditions and the poor ANZ Stadium surface should help Fremantle dial down Sydney’s obvious advantages. It will be a fearsome, contested-ball stoush.
Key: For all Fremantle’s defensive problems, they also have to kick a winning score. The AFL’s public nuisance No.1 Hayden Ballantyne will demand close attention from fellow All-Australian nominee Nick Smith. When Ballantyne fires, Freo tend to win.
Tip: Swans by 14 points
North Melbourne v Essendon at MCG 6.45pm
Head to Head: Kangaroos 53 Bombers 96 drawn 1
Last clash: Round 1 2014 – Bombers 15.9 (99) bt Kangaroos 9.6 (60) at Etihad Stadium
Tab Sportsbet: Kangaroos $1.65 Bombers $2.25
Sportingbet: Kangaroos $1.70 Bombers $2.18
North and Essendon are notorious for their inconsistency, so what happens here is anyone’s guess. The Kangaroos have steadied in the last month with four consecutive wins, but none was against other finalists. Essendon’s unlikely draw with Carlton last weekend was entirely predictable, given their propensity to surge and then stop from one quarter to the next. Given their lack of finals success since they dominated the AFL around 2000, it is a huge match for the two teams. North look a better side and welcome back five key players, including Lindsay Thomas and Todd Goldstein, but Essendon probably have more star power with the likes of Dyson Heppell, Jobe Watson and finals veteran Paul Chapman.
Key: Is this Paddy Ryder’s last game for Essendon? According to media reports, he wants to leave because of the club’s ongoing supplements saga. Ryder was unlucky not to make the All-Australian squad and North will undoubtedly have plans for him. Apart from being a solid ruckman, Ryder is very dangerous when he goes forward and takes a strong mark.
Tip: Kangaroos by 10 points
SUNDAY
Port Adelaide v Richmond at Adelaide Oval 2.50pm
Head to Head: Power 14 Tigers 9 drawn 1
Last clash: Round 17 2014 – Tigers 19.12 (126) bt Power 16.10 (106) at Etihad Stadium
Tab Sportsbet: Power $1.42 Tigers $2.90
Sportingbet: Power $1.42 Tigers $2.90
It’s the match that has dominated the headlines over the past week, firstly for Richmond’s amazing run into the finals and then the AFL’s bizarre decision to make Port Adelaide wear a different guernsey. Port will wear the club’s famous “prison bars” jumper instead. Port must start favourites, if for no other reason that their Adelaide Oval “Portress” is such a home advantage. But it will hold no fears for the Tiges, who have roared into September on the back of a nine-game winning streak that noone could have imagined when they were wallowing at 3-10. The Power will try to run their opposition ragged, while Richmond’s top challenge will be to blunt Port’s lightning-quick transition play.
Key: Remember Alex Rance’s appalling kick across the goal when Essendon belted Richmond in round 11? No, neither do we, given how strongly he has performed in the second half of the season. Rance was outstanding in last weekend’s tight win over Sydney and he will have a massive job against Port spearhead Jay Schulz, who finished equal-second in the Coleman Medal.
Tip: Power by 21 points
