AFL finals form guide: No risks in team selections
A week of speculation about a shock AFL preliminary final recall for Fremantle tagger Ryan Crowley has come to nothing.
He is nowhere on their team sheet as the Dockers made two changes for Friday night’s home clash with two-time defending premiers Hawthorn.
Crowley’s backdated 12-month suspension after he tested positive to methadone ended on Thursday, meaning inevitable talk that Fremantle might rush him back.
Coach Ross Lyon did not shut the door on the idea during the week.
But the Dockers recalled Jon Griffin and Mitch Taberner for Zac Clarke and Clancee Pearce, with Crowley not named among the three emergencies.
Crowley will not make an AFL comeback this season, with the Dockers surely not taking a risk on him if they make the grand final.
Veteran defender Luke McPharlin also remains out of the team as he recovers from a calf muscle injury.
McPharlin was among the large group of Dockers players rested for round 23 and then he suffered the injury ahead of the qualifying-final win over Sydney.
Clarke and Pearce were named emergencies alongside Alex Silvagni, who has served a four-game striking suspension.
Hawthorn are unchanged for the first time this season.
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Will Langford, dropped for their qualifying-final loss to West Coast, Jonathon Ceglar and Angus Litherland are their emergencies.
Ceglar, a ruckman, flew to Perth a day early with five other teammates.
He has not played senior football since round 19.
If the Hawks win through to their fourth-straight grand final, one selection issue will be if forward Jack Gunston can recover in time from the ankle injury he suffered late in the qualifying final.
Brownlow Medallist Matt Priddis and fellow onballer Chris Masten are massive inclusions for West Coast ahead of Saturday’s home preliminary final against North Melbourne.
Priddis was a late withdrawal from the qualifying win against Hawthorn with a quad injury and Masten hurt his hamstring in round 23.
Scott Selwood and Patrick McGinnity will make way for the pair.
The Kangaroos made one change, recalling Robbie Tarrant for Luke McDonald.
Tarrant was a late withdrawal for last weekend’s semi-final win over Sydney with groin tightness and McDonald took his spot.
Coach Brad Scott said on Wednesday that Tarrant would undergo a fitness test before Saturday’s match.
North again decided against taking a big risk by naming Daniel Wells, who has not played at senior level since he was injured in round two.
FRIDAY, Sept 25
Preliminary Final
Fremantle v Hawthorn at Domain Stadium 8.20pm
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Head to Head: Dockers 8 Hawks 23
Last clash: Round 15 2015 – Hawks 17.13 (115) bt Dockers 6.7 (43) at Aurora Stadium
Tab Sportsbet: Dockers $2.35 Hawks $1.60
William Hill: Dockers $2.30 Hawks $1.65
Hawthorn bring their high-octane attack to Domain Stadium to take on the miserly defence of Ross Lyon’s Fremantle in a fascinating clash of football philosophies with a grand final berth the reward for the victor. The Hawks go in with the confidence of having won seven of the past eight encounters between the sides – including the last final played between the two, the 2013 premiership decider. Still, it’s a little surprising to see bookmakers favour Alastair Clarkson’s side so heavily, given the Dockers finished six points clear at the top of the ladder, have the benefit of a week’s rest and will be hosting the well-travelled Hawks on their home turf. Throw in the absence of Hawthorn leading goal-kicker Jack Gunston and this should be yet another preliminary final that goes right down to the wire.
Key: Jarryd Roughead. The Hawks’ spearhead hasn’t been firing on all cylinders over the past few weeks and they’ll need a strong showing from their full-forward to advance. Luke Breust monstered Adelaide for a six-goal haul last week but they won’t want to rely on him reproducing that stellar effort. It’s true Hawthorn do have many avenues to goal but Roughead will need to step up and anchor their attack if they’re to break open the Dockers’ stingy defence.
Tip: Hawks by 6 points
SATURDAY, Sept 26
Preliminary Final
West Coast v North Melbourne at Domain Stadium 7.45pm
Head to Head: Eagles 24 Kangaroos 21
Last clash: Round 10 2015 – Kangaroos 13.7 (85) bt Eagles 10.15 (75) at Blundstone Arena
Tab Sportsbet: Eagles $1.20 Kangaroos $4.60
William Hill: Eagles $1.20 Kangaroos $4.85
West Coast are deserving favourites to advance to a grand final but North Melbourne have made a habit of defying the odds of late. Their come-from-behind elimination final win over Richmond, followed by their impressive display in dispatching Sydney in last week’s semi-final are evidence of a team not to be taken lightly. The Roos will be travelling for the second week running but Brad Scott’s contentious decision to rest half of his team in round 23 looks like a masterstroke now. They’ll need all of their energy reserves, and then some, to shock the Eagles, who have been one of the stories of the season. Their potent attack is well served by a classy onball brigade but it’s down back where the real story lies. Season-ending injuries to key defenders Mitch Brown and Eric Mackenzie had most closing the book on Adam Simpson’s side early in the campaign but their stifling team defence has confounded most opponents.
Key: Matt Priddis. Many thought West Coast’s chances of beating Hawthorn in the qualifying final evaporated with the quad injury to the Brownlow medallist but they covered his absence admirably to earn a week off. He returns this week, along with fellow midfield key Chris Masten, and the Eagles will benefit hugely from his influence around the stoppages as they look to end the Kangaroos’ giant-killing run.
Tip: Eagles by 17 points
– AAP
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