Just four clubs remain in the hunt for the AFL premiership, with Collingwood, Geelong, Sydney and Brisbane all set to ponder potential changes to their lineups for the penultimate weekend of the season.
Geelong could be forced into at least one change through injury, while Chris Scott is also set to ponder a potential tagger role in hope of locking down Lion Lachie Neale.mBrisbane will nervously await the verdict of Jarrod Berry's Tribunal hearing, while two key-position players are expected to return.
Surprising changes are all that may occur for Saturday's fixture, with the Swans and Magpies holding no injury concerns from their respective wins over the Demons and Dockers in the past fortnight.
Here are our predicted ins, outs and lineups for the third week of the finals...
Geelong vs Brisbane
Friday, September 16
MCG, 7:50pm (AEST)
Geelong
Defender Jake Kolodjashnij is the only notable injury worry for the Cats after he was subbed out of his side's qualifying final win over Collingwood with a knee issue. Scans haven't ruled him out of playing on Friday night, but a confirmed call is yet to be made. The Lions' tall forward threat of Daniher, McStay and Hipwood may mean the Cats are hopeful Kolodjashnij is fit. QF medical sub Mark O'Connor firms as the obvious stand-in option and could be utilised in a run-wth role on Lachie Neale in midfield. Brandan Parfitt was a surprise omission to face the Magpies and could earn a reprieve or the sub duties against the Lions.
Ins: Mark O'Connor
Outs:ย Jake Kolodjashnij
FB: Zach Guthrie, Sam De Koning,ย Tom Stewart
HB:ย Jed Bews,ย Jack Henry,ย Zach Tuohy
C:ย Isaac Smith,ย Joel Selwood,ย Max Holmes
HF: Mitch Duncan,ย Jeremy Cameron,ย Patrick Dangerfield
FF:ย Tyson Stengle,ย Tom Hawkins,ย Bradley Close
FO:ย Rhys Stanley,ย Tom Atkins,ย Cameron Guthrie
INT:ย Mark Blicavs,ย Gary Rohan, Mark O'Connor, ย Gryan Miers
EMG:ย Sam Menegola, Cooper Stephens, Jonathon Ceglar, Brandan Parfitt
Attention will be solely set on Jarrod Berry's Tribunal hearing this week as he and the club fight a one-game suspension for unneccessary or unreasonable contact to the eye region on Melbourne's Clayton Oliver. It's expected the Lions look to have the 'intentional' conduct charge downgraded to 'careless', which would result in a fine and see berry free to play. The odds are against him however. Rhys Mathieson and Mitch Robinson among the options available to replace Berry. Meanwhile, Oscar McInerney is expected to return from concussion protocols and will likely take Darcy Fort's spot despite the second-string ruckman's solid efforts against the Demons. Joe Daniher also set to be picked after being a late out for the birth of his daughter, with Tom Fullarton making way.
Brisbane
Ins:ย Oscar McInerney, Joe Daniher, Rhys Mathieson
Outs: Jarrod Berry (suspension), Darcy Fort, Tom Fullarton
FB:ย Jack Payne,ย Darcy Gardiner,ย Brandon Starcevich
HB:ย Keidean Coleman,ย Harris Andrews,ย Daniel Rich
C:ย Zac Bailey,ย Lachie Neale, Deven Robertson
HF:ย Cameron Rayner,ย Eric Hipwood,ย Daniel McStay
FF:ย Lincoln McCarthy,ย Joe Daniher,ย Charlie Cameron
FO: Oscar McInerney,ย Hugh McCluggage, Dayne Zorko
INT: Darcy Wilmot,ย Rhys Mathieson,ย Callum Ah Chee,ย Noah Answerth
EMG: Darcy Fort,ย Tom Fullarton, Ryan Lester,ย Mitch Robinson
Sydney vs Collingwood
Saturday, September 17
SCG, 4:45pm (AEST)
Sydney
Well rested after their qualifying final win over the Demons, Sydney aren't looking to make any forced changes at the time of writing. Dylan Stephens was phenominal in his maiden finals appearance and will hold his spot. Qualifying final medical sub Braeden Campbell a chance to retain the role, with Sam Wicks and Ben Ronke also likely to be considered.
Ins:ย N/A
Outs:ย N/A
FB:ย Tom McCartin,ย Dane Rampe,ย Jake Lloyd
HB:ย Robbie Fox,ย Paddy McCartin,ย Nick Blakey
C:ย Ryan Clarke,ย Callum Mills,ย Oliver Florent
HF:ย Errol Gulden,ย Lance Franklin,ย Will Hayward
FF:ย Tom Papley,ย Logan McDonald,ย Isaac Heeney
FO:ย Tom Hickey,ย Luke Parker,ย Chad Warner
INT:ย James Rowbottom,ย Sam Reid,ย Justin McInerney,ย Dylan Stephens
EMG:ย Sam Wicks,ย Braeden Campbell,ย Joel Amartey,ย Ben Ronke
Collingwood
Hard to see Collingwood making a change this weekend. In-form midfielder Jordan De Goey had his shoulder iced after Saturday night's win and will likely have his recent AC joint ailment monitored, but all signs suggest he's good to go. Darcy Moore was able to overcome illness to face Fremantle, with Craig McRae hopeful his side have seen the end of the flu bout that has hampered his side this season. Josh Carmichael the unused sub and likely to hold the role. Nathan Kreuger, Ollie Henry and Finlay Macrae also options.
Ins:ย N/A
Outs:ย N/A
FB:ย Jeremy Howe,ย Darcy Moore,ย Brayden Maynard
HB:ย Isaac Quaynor,ย Nathan Murphy,ย Nick Daicos
C:ย Steele Sidebottom,ย Scott Pendlebury,ย Josh Daicos
HF: Will Hoskin-Elliott,ย Ashley Johnson,ย Jamie Elliott
FF:ย Beau McCreery,ย Brody Mihocek,ย Jack Ginnivan
FO:ย Darcy Cameron,ย Jack Crisp, Jordan De Goey
INT:ย Patrick Lipinski,ย Mason Cox, Trent Bianco,ย John Noble
EMG:ย Oliver Henry, Finlay Macrae,ย Josh Carmichael, Nathan Kreuger
