Predicted ins, outs and lineups for week one of the 2024 AFL finals

Critical selection calls loom ahead of all four week one AFL finals matches, with the eight sides still alive in the running for this year's premiership facing at least one change.

Carlton and GWS are facing the most changes to their sides that saw out the home and away season, while Sydney are set to have four stars return after the minor premiers were able to rest some of their best before September.

Injury will mean the Hawks are without their reigning best and fairest, but a flanker should return from his own setback in time for Friday's matchup with the Western Bulldogs.

Geelong too will have some key players in the frame, but hampered veterans are likely to fall short.

The Blues will be weighing up a bevy of calls for their must-win game in Brisbane, with none more intriguing than Sam Docherty's potential return from an ACL injury sustained in the Opening Round.

Injuries will force Port Adelaide and the Western Bulldogs into changes for their respective elimination finals.

Here are our predicted team changes and lineups for week one of the 2024 AFL Finals series.

Port Adelaide vs Geelong

Thursday, September 5
Adelaide Oval, 7:40pm (AEST)

Port Adelaide

Ken Hinkley's back half could look quite different to the side the Power used just weeks ago, with Dan Houston (suspension) and Kane Farrell (hamstring) set to miss the entirety of the South Australian club's finals campaign.

The likely returns of one of, or both, tall forwards Charlie Dixon and Todd Marshall could see Esava Ratugolea move down back once again, with Hinkley needing to quell Geelong's all-star forward third led by Jeremy Cameron.

Power defender Aliir Aliir looks to be in the clear after an injury scare in Round 24 against Fremantle, while ruckman Jordon Sweet looks likely to hold his spot ahead of Ivan Soldo and Dante Visentini, the latter expected to come out of Hinkley's side from that win over the Dockers.

With Visentini and Farrell the outs, both Dixon and Marshall could come into the side to face the Cats as Ratugolea moves back. That would leave Francis Evans as the tactical sub while Quinton Narkle and Josh Sinn are on standby.

Ins: Charlie Dixon, Todd Marshall
Outs: Kane Farrell, Dante Visentini

FB: Brandon Zerk-Thatcher, Aliir Aliir, Miles Bergman
HB: Lachlan Jones, Esava Ratugolea, Logan Evans
C: Jase Burgoyne, Ollie Wines, Travis Boak
HF: Willie Rioli, Darcy Byrne-Jones, Connor Rozee
FF: Mitch Georgiades, Todd Marshall, Jed McEntee
FO: Jordon Sweet, Zak Butters, Willem Drew
I/C: Charlie Dixon, Jackson Mead, Jason Horne-Francis, Ryan Burton
SUB: Francis Evans

EMERG: Dante Visentini, Quinton Narkle, Josh Sinn

Geelong

Cats defenders Tom Stewart and Lawson Humphries have been given the green light to play after minor hamstring and calf issues, respectively, in Round 24.

Gary Rohan was managed for their final home and away season game and made his return through the VFL over the weekend to increase his workloads, with the veteran forward recording just the six disposals in a loss to Werribee.

Defender Sam De Koning was promising in his return from a knee injury in that contest as Geelong's ruckman and could take Rhys Stanley's spot in Chris Scott's squad that will fly to South Australia this week.

One of Jed Bews or Zach Tuohy might make way at selection alongside Stanley, with Rohan a chance to be the starting sub for Scott.

Tom Hawkins and Cam Guthrie won't be expected to play this early into the finals series, while midfielder Mark O'Connor is looking to return from a knee injury but remains on the periphery alongside Brandan Parfitt, Jhye Clark and Ted Clohesy.

Ins: Sam De Koning, Gary Rohan
Outs: Rhys Stanley, Jed Bews

FB: Lawson Humphries, Jack Henry, Jake Kolodjashnij
HB: Max Holmes, Mark Blicavs, Zach Guthrie
C: Mitch Duncan, Tom Atkins, Oliver Dempsey
HF: Tyson Stengle, Shannon Neale, Gryan Miers
FF: Bradley Close, Jeremy Cameron, Oliver Henry
FO: Sam De Koning, Patrick Dangerfield, Tom Stewart
I/C: Zach Tuohy, Jack Bowes, Shaun Mannagh, Tanner Bruhn
SUB: Gary Rohan

EMERG: Rhys Stanley, Jed Bews, Jhye Clark

Western Bulldogs vs Hawthorn

Friday, September 6
MCG, 7:40pm (AEST).

Western Bulldogs

Star midfielder Adam Treloar will need to prove his fitness over the coming days following a calf issue picked up in Round 24 but looks likely to face the Hawks on Friday night.

Utility Laitham Vandermeer is also a test due to a minor hamstring concern but could be less likely, particularly with Rhylee West eyeing a return from a fractured jaw.

2016 Norm Smith Medal winner Jason Johannisen made a successful comeback for Footscray in the Dogs' VFL win over Brisbane on Saturday and could come into Luke Beveridge's side, with James Harmes, Buku Khamis and Arthur Jones among those to also impress in that win.

Jones was the sub against GWS in the Dogs' last game and could hold that spot, but with West and Johannisen in the mix he could fall out altogether, with Harvey Gallagher another magnet potentially on the move.

Having avoided suspension, Liam Jones holds his role in defence alongside James O'Donnell and Rory Lobb, with Khamis an unlikely addition.

Ins: Rhylee West, Jason Johannisen
Outs: Laitham Vandermeer, Arthur Jones

FB: Taylor Duryea, Liam Jones, James O'Donnell
HB: Lachie Bramble, Rory Lobb, Bailey Dale
C: Ed Richards, Adam Treloar, Bailey Williams
HF: Jamarra Ugle-Hagan, Aaron Naughton, Caleb Daniel
FF: Cody Weightman, Sam Darcy, Rhylee West
FO: Tim English, Marcus Bontempelli, Tom Liberatore
I/C: Joel Freijah, Harvey Gallagher, Lachlan McNeil, Jack Macrae
SUB: Jason Johannisen

EMERG: Arthur Jones, Buku Khamis, Riley Garcia

Hawthorn

The Hawks have confirmed that the reigning Peter Crimmins Medal winner Will Day won't play this week as he continues to nurse a collarbone injury.

His extended absence may see Finn Maginness hold his place in Sam Mitchell's team, with the father-son Hawk among Box Hill's best over the weekend despite defeat to Williamstown.

Fellow onballer Conor Nash looks likely to be fit for Friday's final after picking up a corked quad in Round 24 against North Melbourne.

Flanker Changkuoth Jiath got through his return via the VFL unscathed and could earn a recall after missing since Round 21 due to a calf issue.

His potential return may push Harry Morrison out of the side, with veteran forward Luke Breust likely to hold his role as sub.

Ins: Changkuoth Jiath
Outs: Harry Morrison

FB: Josh Weddle, Sam Frost, Jarman Impey
HB: Blake Hardwick, James Sicily, Karl Amon
C: Cameron Mackenzie, James Worpel, Massimo D'Ambrosio
HF: Dylan Moore Calsher Dear, Jack Ginnivan
FF: Connor MacDonald, Mabior Chol, Nick Watson
FO: Lloyd Meek, Conor Nash, Jai Newcombe
I/C: Jack Scrimshaw, Finn Maginness, Changkuoth Jiath, Jack Gunston
SUB: Luke Breust

EMERG: Harry Morrison, Ned Reeves, Jai Serong

Sydney vs GWS

Saturday, September 7
SCG, 3:20pm (AEST)

Sydney

The Swans are facing at least four changes for their home qualifying final against NSW rivals GWS, with Tom Papley (ankle), Justin McInerney (knee), Isaac Heeney (managed) and Tom McCartin (managed) all set to come into Sydney's side.

McCartin is assumed to take Aaron Francis' spot in defence, while rookie Caiden Cleary and reliable utility Robbie Fox might make way for Papely and Heeney respectively.

McInerney's return could push Taylor Adams out of John Longmire's side, with the Swans set to have all of Heeney, McInerney, James Rowbottom, Errol Gulden, Chad Warner, Callum Mills, Luke Parker and Adams available for the first time.

The addition of McInerney out wide will likely mean one of Braeden Campbell or Harry Cunningham take the sub role, which was held by Fox in Round 24, while McInerney himself could start on the bench, with Adams another formidable option to be the sub.

Ins: Tom Papley, Justin McInerney, Isaac Heeney, Tom McCartin
Outs: Caiden Cleary, Aaron Francis, Robbie Fox, Taylor Adams

FB: Dane Rampe, Tom McCartin, Nick Blakey
HB: Jake Lloyd, Lewis Melican, Oliver Florent
C: Justin McInerney, Chad Warner, Errol Gulden
HF: Isaac Heeney, Logan McDonald, James Jordon
FF: Tom Papley, Joel Amartey, Will Hayward
FO: Brodie Grundy, Callum Mills, James Rowbottom
I/C: Matthew Roberts, Braeden Campbell, Luke Parker, Hayden McLean
SUB: Harry Cunningham

EMERG: Taylor Adams, Robbie Fox, Aaron Francis

GWS

GWS are facing close to five changes of their own, with Jake Riccardi (finger), Toby Bedford (calf), Brent Daniels (back), Conor Stone (illness), Isaac Cumming (calf) and Lachie Ash (suspension) all expected to be available after missing the Giants' last game.

Stone is unlikely to break back into the senior side given how fit the Giants' squad will be.

Riccardi's return from injury likely spells an end to Lachie Keeffe's stint back in Adam Kingsley's side, while fellow forward options Callum Brown and Xavier O'Halloran could make way for Bedford and Daniels.

Nick Haynes is likely to lose his spot to Lachie Ash, while Toby McMullin could be the odd man out if Cumming is brought straight back in for the Giants' opening final, with a sub role potentially up for grabs.

Ins: Lachie Ash, Toby Bedford, Brent Daniels, Jake Riccardi, Isaac Cumming
Outs: Lachlan Keeffe, Toby McMullin, Nick Haynes, Callum Brown, Xavier O'Halloran

FB: Harrison Himmelberg, Sam Taylor, Connor Idun
HB: Lachie Whitfield, Jack Buckley, Harry Perryman
C: Callan Ward, Tom Green, Finn Callaghan
HF: Toby Bedford, Aaron Cadman, Brent Daniels
FF: Darcy Jones, Jesse Hogan, Toby Greene
FO: Kieren Briggs, Josh Kelly, Stephen Coniglio
I/C: James Peatling, Lachie Ash, Harvey Thomas, Jake Riccardi
SUB: Isaac Cumming

EMERG: Toby McMullin, Xavier O'Halloran, Nick Haynes

Brisbane vs Carlton

Saturday, September 7
Gabba, 7:30pm (AEST).

Brisbane

Lions defender Jack Payne got through Saturday's VFL loss with no issue as he eyes his first AFL game back since Round 17 due to a foot injury.

A return for Payne would likely see him replace Darragh Joyce in defence, while a further backline change looks likely after Brandon Starcevich was not risked in Round 24 after battling 'hamstring awareness'.

The Lions stopper will come into Chris Fagan's side, likely taking the spot of Noah Answerth, who is one of several sub options for Brisbane to consider.

Youngster Harry Sharp held the role in the Lions' last game and could keep his spot despite mature-aged utility Bruce Reville being available, having returned from a recent leg setback through the VFL over the weekend also.

Reville had a quiet day against Footscray and could be forced to wait another week before earning a recall, with Answerth, Joyce, Shadeau Brain, ruckman Darcy Fort and Reville among those in the mix as emergencies.

Ins: Jack Payne, Brandon Starcevich
Outs: Darragh Joyce, Noah Answerth

FB: Dayne Zorko, Harris Andrews, Brandon Starcevich
HB: Darcy Wilmot, Jack Payne, Ryan Lester
C: Jaspa Fletcher, Hugh McCluggage, Jarrod Berry
HF: Cameron Rayner, Joe Daniher, Zac Bailey
FF: Charlie Cameron, Eric Hipwood, Kai Lohmann
FO: Oscar McInerney, Josh Dunkley, Lachie Neale
I/C: Callum Ah Chee, Will Ashcroft, Logan Morris, Conor McKenna
SUB: Harry Sharp

EMERG: Bruce Reville, Darragh Joyce, Noah Answerth

Carlton

Despite being just days out from Carlton's elimination final, it's quite difficult to assess exactly how they'll line-up on Saturday night.

Charlie Curnow (ankle), Harry McKay (quad), Zac Williams (hamstring) and Mitch McGovern (hamstring) are all seen as likely inclusions after dealing with late-season setbacks, with several other Blues players also pushing for returns.

Ruckman Tom De Koning will come into the side if fit but will need to prove his fitness in the coming days after missing the past month-and-a-half with a foot injury. Marc Pittonet will hold down the ruck role if De Koning falls short.

Midfielder Adam Cerra and forward Jack Martin are unlikely as they continue to deal with hamstring injuries, while Caleb Marchbank should be available but is no certainty to find a spot.

Defender Jordan Boyd (adductor) is viewed as an outside chance also.

The Blues have at least one confirmed out in the form of small forward Matt Owies, who will miss due to a one-game suspension. Fellow ground-level threats Corey Durdin and Jack Carroll could also make way as Williams returns.

The inclusions of Curnow and McKay could push Brodie Kemp out of the side, or potentially back to defence, while the sub role could suit, with rookie Ashton Moir another seen as no certainty to hold his spot despite some promise coming off the bench across his pair of appearances.

Fellow first-year Blue Cooper Lord may have done enough to hold his spot, with the teenager joined by Jaxon Binns, Orazio Fantasia and Lachie Cowan as others wanting to impress on the track this week.

Stunningly, veteran Sam Docherty is in consideration for an unlikely return after suffering an ACL injury earlier this year. It'll be a mighty risk for Carlton to make if they select their ex-skipper, and it's one we're expecting they avoid.

Ins: Charlie Curnow, Tom De Koning, Harry McKay, Mitch McGovern, Zac Williams
Outs: Ashton Moir, Marc Pittonet, Matthew Owies, Corey Durdin, Jack Carroll