Pies’ big boost amid Daicos blow; stars’ nervous wait as Blues face selection headache: Team Tips

Collingwood is set to regain two key cogs but will be without a third, while Melbourne faces an injury cloud of its own.

Plus Carlton has some selection headaches ahead of its first final in 10 years.

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FINALS WEEK 1 TEAMS (all times AEST)

COLLINGWOOD V MELBOURNE

Thursday September 7, 7:20pm at the MCG

PIES

B: O.Markov, B.Frampton, I.Quaynor

HB: B.Maynard – C, S.Pendlebury, J.Crisp

C: W.Hoskin-Elliott, T.Adams, J.Daicos

HF: B.Hill, B.Mihocek, J.Howe

F: J.Elliott, D.McStay, J.De Goey

FOLL: D.Cameron, P.Lipinski, S.Sidebottom

I/C: T.Mitchell, J.Noble, J.Ginnivan, M.Cox

EMG: E.Allan, F.Macrae, J.Carmichael, R.McInnes

In: B.Hill, J.De Goey

Out: N.Murphy (Injured), J.Ryan (Injured), B.McCreery (Suspension)

Team Tips: The Pies have ruled out Nick Daicos for the first final, but are optimistic he could return from his knee injury if needed for the second week. Daicos has commenced running for the first time since suffering the injury, which occurred in round 21 against Hawthorn. In better news for the Pies, captain Darcy Moore has been cleared to return from his hamstring injury, while fellow defender Nathan Murphy is also set to return after missing round 24 with a couple of knocks, resulting in corks to his back and glute. Jakob Ryan will be free to return if he passes concussion protocols, while Beau McCreery missed round 24 serving a one-match rough conduct ban. If the Pies decide to go for a more pressure-heavy forward mix, Mason Cox could be the unlucky omission.

DEES

B: J.Bowey, S.May, T.Rivers

HB: J.McVee, J.Lever, C.Salem

C: L.Hunter, J.Viney, A.Brayshaw

HF: K.Chandler, J.Melksham, A.Neal-Bullen

F: E.Langdon, J.van Rooyen, K.Pickett

FOLL: M.Gawn – C, C.Oliver, C.Petracca

I/C: J.Smith, B.Fritsch, T.Sparrow, D.Turner

EMG: B.Laurie, A.Tomlinson, T.McDonald, T.Woewodin

In: B.Fritsch, D.Turner

Out: A.Tomlinson (Omitted), B.Laurie (Omitted), J.Schache (Sub)

Team Tips: Most of the intrigue centres around Bayley Fritsch, who returned with five goals in round 24 after a seven-week lay-off due to a foot injury, but suffering another foot scare. He completed a running session on Sunday and took part in main training on Monday, improving his odds of playing against the Pies on Thursday. Ben Brown has a knee complaint and doesn’t look to be in the mix for the Qualifying Final. Jake Melksham will come out of the side after suffering an ACL injury. The Dees held a host of big names out of Casey’s final on the weekend, but Brodie Grundy played and starred the week prior with 35 disposals, 11 clearances and three goals. Tom McDonald, James Jordon, Charlie Spargo, Josh Schache and Taj Woewodin all missed the weekend’s clash.

CARLTON V SYDNEY

Friday September 8, 7:50pm at the MCG

BLUES

B: A.Cincotta, J.Weitering, B.Kemp

HB: N.Newman, M.McGovern, A.Saad

C: B.Acres, S.Walsh, O.Hollands

HF: J.Martin, H.McKay, D.Cuningham

F: L.Fogarty, C.Curnow, M.Owies

FOLL: T.De Koning, A.Cerra, G.Hewett

I/C: Z.Fisher, M.Cottrell, P.Dow, J.Motlop,

EMG: C.Marchbank, M.Pittonet, C.Durdin, E.Curnow

In: M.McGovern, S.Walsh, A.Cerra, L.Fogarty

Out: M.Pittonet (Omitted), C.Marchbank (Omitted), S.Docherty (Injured), P.Cripps (Injured), E.Curnow (Sub)

Team Tips: The Blues’ loss to Greater Western Sydney to end the regular season could make some tough selection calls slightly easier for Michael Voss. Patrick Cripps and Sam Docherty are both likely starters against the Swans after missing round 24 due to injury. Blake Acres is one to watch after he was subbed out with a collarbone injury against the Giants, but is bullish he will play against the Swans. The tall mix is a conundrum of sorts for Voss. Marc Pittonet was forced to make way last week, but Harry McKay has been underwhelming since returning from injury. If Voss opts to back McKay in, it will prove difficult for Pittonet to break back into the side.

SWANS

B: T.McCartin, D.Rampe, H.Cunningham

HB: O.Florent, N.Blakey, J.Lloyd

C: E.Gulden, Ch.Warner, D.Stephens

HF: W.Hayward, H.McLean, I.Heeney

F: L.McDonald, J.Amartey, T.Papley

FOLL: T.Hickey, L.Parker – C, C.Mills

I/C: R.Fox, J.Rowbottom, S.Wicks, B.Campbell

EMG: M.Roberts, R.Clarke, L.Melican, A.Francis

In: J.Amartey

Out: R.Clarke (Sub), A.Francis (Omitted)

Team Tips: The Swans are well set on the injury front, with only Tom Papley and Justin McInerney to come back in. Both are on track to return from hamstring tightness and a calf strain respectively. Those two have benefited from the pre-finals bye and are both set to come back into the senior side, with Joel Amartey playing in round 24 after missing round 23 with hamstring tightness.

ST KILDA V GWS GIANTS

Saturday September 9, 3:20pm at the MCG

SAINTS

B: J.Battle, C.Wilkie, J.Webster

HB: Z.Cordy, J.Sinclair, N.Wanganeen-Milera

C: M.Windhager, H.Clark, M.Wood

HF: J.Gresham, B.Hill, M.Owens

F: J.Hayes, T.Membrey, J.Higgins

FOLL: R.Marshall, J.Steele – C, B.Crouch

I/C: L.Stocker, D.Butler, M.Phillipou, C.Sharman

EMG: N.Coffield, R.Byrnes, J.Billings, T.Campbell

In: J.Hayes

Out: S.Ross (Injured), M.King (Managed)

Team Tips: Max King was managed in round 24 and will look to hit the finals with a full head of steam. It’s more touch and go for Seb Ross, who suffered his latest hamstring setback in round 23. The pre-finals bye will help, but it will be a lineball call whether the veteran midfielder returns to the side given the risk of recurrence. Dougal Howard is the other in a race against time to try and return from a wrist injury he suffered in July and required surgery.

GIANTS

B: J.Buckley, S.Taylor, C.Idun

HB: L.Ash, H.Himmelberg, L.Whitfield

C: J.Kelly, T.Green, I.Cumming

HF: T.Bedford, J.Riccardi, B.Daniels

F: D.Lloyd, J.Hogan, T.Greene – C

FOLL: K.Briggs, C.Ward, S.Coniglio

I/C: R.Angwin, H.Perryman, L.Keeffe, C.Brown,

EMG: T.McMullin, N.Haynes, J.Fahey, M.Flynn

In: R.Angwin

Out: J.Fahey (Omitted), T.McMullin (Sub)

Team Tips: All eyes are on Sam Taylor, who suffered a hamstring injury in round 23 that was only discovered at the start of the following week. He was ruled out in a late change last week, but didn’t even travel to Melbourne to face the Blues. Like many, the pre-finals bye has helped Taylor, but he remains far from certain to take his place in the side. Toby Bedford’s availability depends on the outcome of Monday’s AFL Tribunal hearing, where the small forward will fight a rough conduct charge.

BRISBANE LIONS V PORT ADELAIDE

Saturday September 9, 7:25pm at the Gabba

LIONS

B: B.Starcevich, H.Andrews, J.Payne

HB: C.McKenna, R.Lester, K.Coleman

C: H.McCluggage, J.Dunkley, D.Zorko

HF: C.Cameron, E.Hipwood, J.Berry

F: C.Rayner, J.Daniher, Z.Bailey

FOLL: O.McInerney, L.Neale – C, J.Lyons

I/C: D.Robertson, C.Ah Chee, J.Fletcher, D.Wilmot

EMG: K.Lohmann, H.Sharp, D.Gardiner, D.Fort

In: None

Out: L.McCarthy (Injured)

Team Tips: Lincoln McCarthy is set to be available for the Lions after managing a calf strain through the pre-finals bye. If McCarthy returns, Kai Lohmann was the sub and may have to make his way out of the side. Jack Gunston isn’t expected to available until the third week of finals as he continues his recovery from a MCL strain. Fellow veteran Daniel Rich is expected to return to full training this week. It is otherwise a healthy squad heading into September action for the Lions, who are perfectly poised to make a deep run.

POWER

B: L.Jones, A.Aliir, D.Houston

HB: K.Farrell, T.Jonas – C, R.Burton

C: Z.Butters, W.Drew, X.Duursma

HF: W.Rioli, T.Marshall, J.McEntee

F: D.Byrne-Jones, J.Finlayson, S.Powell-Pepper

FOLL: S.Hayes, O.Wines, C.Rozee

I/C: T.Boak, J.Horne-Francis, M.Bergman, O.Lord

EMG: D.Visentini, D.Williams, B.Teakle, F.Evans

In: None

Out: D.Williams (omitted)

Team Tips: Charlie Dixon signed a one-year contract extension this week but is unlikely to play against the Lions as he continues to recover from a foot fracture. In better news for the key position stocks, Scott Lycett returned via the SANFL last week as he looks to play his first senior game since round 19. The club’s lack of a number one ruck option has seen it express significant interest in Brodie Grundy, but Lycett would be a timely inclusion to go up against Oscar McInerney. Dante Visentini and Brynn Teakle were both emergencies against Richmond.