This weekend's opening of the 2025 AFL Finals will narrow the race for the premiership, with the remaining clubs in contention needing to settle on their squads for their first September showing.
Star players look set to return in time for the post-season, while a number of cut-throat calls will be made as coaches weigh up their best ensemble.
Here are the predicted ins, outs and lineups for all four matches in week one of the AFL Finals.
1. Adelaide vs Collingwood
Thursday, September 4
Adelaide Oval, 7:40pm (AEST)
Adelaide
The Crows are unlikely to have Josh Rachele for Thursday's affair, with the lively attacker a strong chance to play in Adelaide's following final, which could come next week if they lose to the Magpies.
He remains the ideal inclusion to fill the Izak Rankine-sized hole in the front two-thirds, with small forward Luke Pedlar a chance to return after suffering a recent hamstring strain.
Pedlar could come into the side in place of Billy Dowling, while fellow forward Brayden Cook is another in the mix after a bright SANFL showing. Harry Schoenberg and Jordon Butts also featured in the finals loss to Glenelg.
Lockdown defender Max Michalanney could be deployed at either end of the field in his expected return, with a forward tagging role on Josh Daicos a potential outcome. If he is positioned forward, then Hugh Bond could hold his place in Matthew Nicks' rearguard.
First-year onballer Sid Draper and Zac Taylor are others who face a nervous wait at selection, while veteran Brodie Smith could hold his spot as the sub.
Schoenberg, Rankine, Murphy, Laird, Dowling, Draper, Michalanney, Pedlar, Rachele, Cook, Butts
Ins: Michalanney, Pedlar
Outs: Dowling, Taylor
FB: Bond, Keane, Worrell
HB: Laird, Murray, Milera
C: Curtin, Dawson, Cumming
HF: Neal-Bullen, Thilthorpe, Keays
FF: Fogarty, Walker, Pedlar
FO: O'Brien, Berry, Soligo
I/C: Peatling, Michalanney, Draper, Hinge, Smith (sub)
Collingwood
There are multiple injury and selection watches at Collingwood, with the absence of veteran defender Jeremy Howe the only real known change.
A groin injury is set to put a sizeable dent in his September, with his setback opening the door for a fringe Magpie to join Craig McRae's ranks for the trip to South Australia.
Young flanker Wil Parker could be an option to help steady the backline, while Ed Allan could earn a reprieve and sit on the wing, pushing Dan Houston to defence once more.
Forward pair Beau McCreery (foot) and Brody Mihocek (hand) need to prove their fitness at training following setbacks in Round 24.
Livewire Bobby Hill's playing chances remain up in the air following a sporadic absence from the club.
Mid-Season Draft addition Roan Steele is another potentially caught up in the selection mix after being the sub in the Magpies' last match, with the likes of Tom Mitchell, Will Hoskin-Elliott and Mason Cox among those also hoping to earn recalls.
Ins: Parker
Outs: Howe
FB: Maynard, Moore, Quaynor
HB: Perryman, Frampton, J. Daicos
C: Houston, Long, Sidebottom
HF: De Goey, Membrey, Lipinski
FF: Elliott, Mihocek, Schultz
FO: Cameron, Pendlebury, N. Daicos
I/C: McCreery, Crisp, McStay, Parker, Steele (sub)
