Sydney has confirmed the extent of Callum Mills’ injury setback. Plus fresh intel on Geelong with a surprise omission on the cards.
All the latest selection news and updates on the six remaining finalists in AFL Team Tips!
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Where did Justin Longmuir go wrong? | 04:59
AFL FINALS FIXTURE (all times AEST)
FREMANTLE v GEELONG CATS
First semi-final
Friday September 11, 8.10pm at Optus Stadium
Dockers’ qualifying final side
B: J.Clark, A.Pearce (c), O.McDonald
HB: K.Worner, L.Ryan, H.Chapman
C: M.Johnson, A.Brayshaw, N.Erasmus
HF: M.Frederick, S.Bolton, S.Switkowski
F: J.Amiss, J.Treacy, P.Voss
FOLL: L.Jackson, C.Serong, H.Young
INT: B.Walker, N.O’Driscoll, I.Dudley, M.Reid, M.Cox
EMG: H.Davies, C.Scerri, C.Wagner
In: H.Chapman, S.Switkowski, J.Amiss, B.Walker, M.Reid
Out: B.Cox (Injured), J.McVee (Omitted), T.Murray (Omitted), B.Banfield (Omitted), C.Scerri (Omitted)
Team Tips: There should be at least one forced change, with defender Brandon Walker set to miss the clash against Geelong. Walker, who had the match-up on Nick Watson, suffered an ankle injury in the Dockers’ disappointing loss to Hawthorn that ruled him out for the rest of the game. Scans will confirm the severity of the setback, but coach Justin Longmuir didn’t sound optimistic about Walker being available for Friday night. Who replaces Walker will be a fascinating call. If key defender Brennan Cox is deemed fit to return from a calf issue, does he replace Walker in a small-for-tall swap? The Dockers will have to contain the likes of Shannon Neale, Jay Polkinghorne and Ollie Henry – plus potentially Jeremy Cameron – inside 50. But considering how damaging Geelong’s small forwards – Gryan Miers, Oli Wiltshire and Brad Close, with Shaun Mannagh drifting forward too – were in the win over Carlton, does Fremantle simply re-call 185cm defender Judd McVee in a straight swap? Or turn to a Corey Wagner (emergency last week) or Bailey Banfield? That defensive mix, if Cox is fit, will be crucial, considering Cox, Oscar McDonald and Alex Pearce have all played in the same Dockers team just three times this season. And it wouldn’t be a Freo team tips entry without a look at the second ruck position. Mason Cox didn’t have a massive influence in the loss to Hawthorn, but bringing in the out-of-favour Sean Darcy – who’s played just two of the past 19 games for the Dockers – for a cut-throat final would be a massive call.
Where did Justin Longmuir go wrong? | 04:59
Cats’ elimination final side
B: Z.Guthrie, C.O’Sullivan, J.Henry
HB: T.Stewart, T.Bruhn, L.Humphries
C: O.Dempsey, B.Smith, M.O’Connor
HF: G.Miers, J.Cameron, B.Close
F: P.Dangerfield – C, S.Neale, J.Polkinghorne
FOLL: M.Edwards, T.Atkins, O.Mullin
I/C: M.Holmes, M.Blicavs, S.Mannagh, O.Wiltshire, O.Henry
EMG: J.Martin, J.Clark, S.De Koning
In: M.Holmes, M.Blicavs, O.Wiltshire
Out: S.De Koning (Omitted), J.Martin (Omitted), J.Clark (Omitted)
Team Tips: The Cats could be set for a selection shock with Code Sports’ Scott Gullan reporting Sam De Koning is set to be recalled at the expense of impressive young forward Jay Polkinghorne. “My understanding is De Koning will be recalled … he played last time, ruck back-up, I think Polkinghorne the very impressive forward will probably miss,” Gullan said on Fox Footy’s Midweek Tackle. De Koning has played 19 games but been in and out of the side, including being left out for the elimination final win over Carlton, while Polkinghorne has played seven straight games since his Round 19 debut and kicked multiple goals on five occasions. Star midfielder Max Holmes was absent from the track on Monday after his return from a syndesmosis injury and ankle fracture against the Blues ahead of schedule. Holmes played only 60 per cent game time in the elimination final and looked sore at three quarter-time, but played out the game played down any lower leg concerns in post-match interviews. Chris Scott also suggested the dual best and fairest winner was physically OK and that medical staff was “confident him playing tonight would have him in better shape for next week.” Meanwhile, Mark Blicavs conceded Jeremy Cameron is “not 100 per cent” with his impeded right arm as he manages lingering nerve issues dating back to last year’s grand final, in addition to ACL joint surgery on his left shoulder in July. Cameron, who trained fully on Monday with his left shoulder strapped, has been played higher up the ground while he gets back up to speed, registering nine disposals with two score involvements against Carlton. “That’s something ‘Jerry’ (Cameron) can work on, how he’s going to find the ball and those positions with the coaches, where he’s going to start and what his plan A, B and C looks like for this week,” Blicavs said on Monday. Jack Martin or Jhye Clark, who were emergencies for the Carlton clash, will be on standby.
Scott on Holmes resilience in Cats win | 13:22
BRISBANE LIONS v ADELAIDE CROWS
Second semi-final
Saturday September 12, 7.35pm at The Gabba
Lions’ qualifying final side
B: N.Answerth, H.Andrews – C, R.Lester
HB: D.Wilmot, D.Gardiner, D.Zorko
C: J.Berry, W.Ashcroft, Z.Bailey
HF: C.Cameron, L.Morris, O.Allen
F: E.Hipwood, C.Rayner, K.Lohmann
FOLL: D.Fort, J.Dunkley, L.Neale
I/C: S.Draper, J.Fletcher, H.McCluggage, L.Ashcroft, C.McKenna
EMG: L.McCarthy, T.Gallop, B.Reville
In: H.McCluggage
Out: T.Gallop (Omitted)
Team Tips: Wow, that was a brutal finals reality check for a Lions side that had close to its best and healthiest team out on the park – outside of Jack Payne, who hasn’t played all year. Many players were well below their best, but from a selection perspective, coach Chris Fagan is arguably the most loyal coach to his players in the competition. But don’t rule out a couple or structural tweaks here, particularly with Adelaide’s three-pronged forward line of Taylor Walker, Riley Thilthorpe and Darcy Fogarty. Darcy Gardiner and Noah Answerth were well beaten by Charlie Curnow and Tom Papley respectively. Could Ty Gallop – who was stiff to miss out on Saturday – come in for one of those two? The alternative is Gallop replaces Darcy Fort – who played 53 per cent game time against the Swans – to bolster the Brisbane backline, which would force Oscar Allen to play as the second ruck. Although Allen has barely rucked since coming back from injury and was Brisbane’s best forward on the weekend with four goals. Bruce Reville and Lincoln McCarthy, who were the emergencies alongside Gallop for the loss to the Swans, are options if the Lions wanted extra dash from half-back.
Fagan: “Disappointed in ourselves” | 06:35
Crows’ elimination final side
B: J.Worrell, J.Borlase, M.Michalanney
HB: W.Milera, M.Keane, R.Laird
C: B.Cook, J.Dawson – C, D.Curtin
HF: B.Keays, R.Thilthorpe, J.Rachele
F: D.Fogarty, T.Walker, C.Ah Chee
FOLL: L.McAndrew, I.Rankine, A.Neal-Bullen
I/C: I.Cumming, J.Soligo, S.Berry, L.Nankervis, H.Hall-Kahan
EMG: B.Dowling, R.O’Brien, N.Murray
In: C.Ah Chee
Out: Z.Taylor (Injured)
Team Tips: The most intriguing semi-finalist from a selection viewpoint, considering the players who should be available to return from injury. Adelaide’s pre-elimination final injury list suggested Zac Taylor would be fit to return from a hamstring issue if the team progressed, while James Peatling (hip/groin) and Luke Pedlar (hamstring) would also be pushing for a return. But if fit, are any of those three players automatic inclusions? Taylor and Peatling have played 21 of a possible 24 games, which shows how much Adelaide match committee has valued the duo this season. But who would come out? Both Isaac Cumming and Luke Nankervis were clean and efficient by foot against the Dogs, Hugo Hall-Kahan had some good moments and veteran half-back Rory Laird proved just how valuable he still is for the team. Tough calls loom.
Nicks ‘incredibly proud’ of players | 12:25
PRELIMINARY FINAL INJURY AND TEAM NEWS
Hawthorn: After a stunning win over Fremantle, the Hawks have earned a week off. All eyes will be on Jack Scrimshaw (knee) and Ned Reeves (larynx) over the next week to see how they’re progressing, but both players have been out of favour across the back-half of the season anyway. Box Hill will play Essendon in a VFL preliminary final this weekend, which will give AFL-listed Hawks like Calsher Dear, Sam Butler, Bodie Ryan and Flynn Perez a chance to push their respective cases. There could be a spot available, too, considering third-gamer Max Beattie had two touches and four tackles against Fremantle.
Sydney Swans: The sole downside to Saturday’s epic win over Brisbane was an ACL injury to inspirational skipper Callum Mills. The club on Monday confirmed the heartbreaking blow, with scans confirming a ruptured ACL. The 29-year old will meet with a specialist in the coming days to determine when he’ll undergo surgery, but it’s set to wipe out a key chuck of his 2027 season in a devastating devastating setback. The positive outlook is the week off now gives both key forward Joel Amartey (Achilles) and Justin McInerney (hamstring) more time to push their respective selection cases. McInerney is a walk-up return – almost certainly for Mills – but who could Amartey replace? It’s unlikely they’d drop Joel Hamling, considering the winner of the Fremantle-Geelong semi-final would come to the SCG with three key forwards. And after his three-goal, 14-disposal performance against Brisbane, it’d be a big call to leave Hayden McLean out.