Sam Mitchell drops Luke Breust for elimination final, Geelong and Brisbane make multiple changes

Geelong and Brisbane have both made multiple changes for their blockbuster AFL qualifying final, while Luke Breust is the hard luck story at Hawthorn.

Josh Weddle’s return for the Hawks has forced Breust out of the side in one of two changes for the elimination final against Greater Western Sydney.

Coach Sam Mitchell has also abandoned the four tall forwards with Mitch Lewis dropped and Sam Butler back in the side for just the fourth time this season.

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It means that Luke Breust may have played the final game of his AFL career after earlier announcing that he will retire at the end of the season.

Weddle has not played since June because of bone stress in his back, but has down everything right in the past few weeks, including playing a half in the VFL on the weekend to force his way back into the side.

“Obviously his injury was bad timing in one sense, but I’m really pleased with the medical staff,” coach Sam Mitchell said on Thursday.

“They gave him as much rest as they could, knowing that if it went right they could get a run at it and give him a go to get back (for the finals).

“You have a young player who has some bone stress in his back, you give him as much rest as you can while still going for an outcome.”

The Giants meanwhile have added their own star power with gun forwards Jesse Hogan and Jake Stringer returning, along with star midfielder Josh Kelly.

But Jack Buckley and Brent Daniels remain out of the side.

Geelong ruckman Rhys Stanley has officially been ruled out in one of three changes for the Cats.

7NEWS on Tuesday revealed Stanley was in doubt with a hamstring issue, but he wasn’t listed on the injury report.

Tall Shannon Neale returns from suspension, while Mark O’Connor and youngster Jhye Clarke have been recalled after missing the final-round win over Richmond.

Mitch Knevitt and Jed Bews are the unlucky two to make way.

Brisbane have regained Lachie Neale and Jarrod Berry from quad and shoulder injuries in a major boost.

James Tunstill and Bryce Reville have been omitted.

Elsewhere, Fremantle forward Sam Switkowski has been ruled out of Saturday night’s elimination final against Gold Coast, opening the door for both Isaiah Dudley and Nathan O’Driscoll to return to the side.

Corey Wagner is also out of the team that beat the Western Bulldogs in the final round after suffering a season-ending pec injury.

And retiring Gold Coast veteran David Swallow has returned to the side for their historic first final.

FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 5

Geelong v Brisbane at the MCG, 7.40pm AEST

GEELONG

In: S.Neale, M.O’Connor, J.Clark

Out: R.Stanley (hamstring), M.Knevitt (omitted), J.Bews (omitted)

R24 sub: Mitch Knevitt

BRISBANE

In: L.Neale, J.Berry

Out: B.Reville (omitted), J.Tunstill (omitted)

R24 sub: James Tunstill

SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 6

Greater Western Sydney v Hawthorn at Engie Stadium, 3.15pm AEST

GREATER WESTERN SYDNEY

In: J.Kelly, J.Hogan, J.Stringer

Out: J.Wehr (omitted), H.Rowston (omitted), M.Gruzewski (omitted)

R24 sub: Jacob Wehr

HAWTHORN

In: J.Weddle, S.Butler

Out: M.Lewis (omitted), L.Breust (omitted)

R24 sub: Luke Breust

Fremantle v Gold Coast at Optus Stadium, 5.35pm AWST

FREMANTLE

In: N.O’Driscoll, I.Dudley

Out: C.Wagner (pec), S.Switkowski (knee)

R24 sub: Nat Fyfe

GOLD COAST

In: D.Swallow

Out: J.Rogers (omitted)

R24 sub: Jake Rogers