Swans star on brink of 15-week return, Lions sweating on defender
Sydney coach Dean Cox says star midfielder Justin McInerney is a “strong” chance to return for Friday night’s preliminary finals clash with Fremantle.
McInerney has not played since round 13 as he battles a torn hamstring, but is likely to be the man picked to replace injured captain Callum Mills.
Justin McInerney of the Swans celebrates a goal. via Getty Images
Read on as nine.com.au predicts how the Swans, Dockers, Hawks and Lions will line up in the third week of AFL finals.
Friday
Sydney Swans vs Fremantle Dockers, SCG (7:40pm AEST)
Swans predicted changes
IN: Justin McInerney
OUT: Callum Mills (knee)
Analysis: The Swans will have to make one change, after captain Callum Mills tore his ACL against Brisbane. However, Dean Cox has stated across the last week that both Justin McInerney and Joel Amartey will be available for selection against Fremantle.
McInerney coming in for Mills feels the likely change, with the Swans missing his run, carry and energy. The question is whether they make any moves beyond that.
Amartey will find it difficult to break into Sydney’s forward line after Hayden McLean and Logan McDonald dominated against Brisbane, and it’s hard to see the Swans moving away from the youngsters brought into the team to replace the suspended five.
Dockers predicted changes
IN: NONE
OUT: NONE
Analysis: Freo key back Brennan Cox is still attempting to prove his fitness after suffering a calf injury in round 24, but the Dockers have not expressed a heap of confidence that he would be ready to return for this weekend at this stage
Fellow defender Brandon Walker will also be racing the clock to prove his fitness for the preliminary final, after injury his ankle in the loss to Hawthorn. However, it would be a huge risk for coach Justin Longmuir to take, given it was Walker’s first game back since round one, and he got injured in it.
Judd McVee took his spot in the team and while he didn’t set the world on fire, he has to be the frontrunner to hold the position going into Friday night. Midfielder Nathan O’Driscoll was unlucky to lose his spot in the team after the qualifying final, but his replacement Corey Wagner had some good moments against Geelong and will likely hold on. If Cox is ready to go, he would replace McVee or key defender Oscar McDonald.
Brandon Walker in tears on the bench after getting injured against Hawthorn. Fox Footy
Saturday
Hawthorn Hawks vs Brisbane Lions, MCG (5:15pm AEST)
Hawks predicted changes:
IN: NONE
OUT: NONE
Analysis: The Hawks are in a tricky spot, given they would ideally likely to get emerging young defender Noah Mraz back into the side after his injury issues, while fellow defender Jack Scrimshaw is also on the cusp after returning from a knee injury.
However, they already have eight defenders named and Bailey Macdonald has done enough to hold his spot to this point, while young small forward Max Beattie wouldn’t be a like-for-like change.
Expect Hawthorn to back in their existing group from the qualifying final, leaving a few unlucky players on the fringe.
Noah Answerth of the Lions gets a handball away. Getty Images
Lions predicted changes:
IN: Noah Answerth
OUT: Ty Gallop (omitted)
Analysis: Brisbane lost lockdown defender Noah Answerth for the semi final after he suffered a minor ankle injury, with Ty Gallop getting the job done in his absence.
However, with the Hawks’ array of small forwards, including Nick Watson and Jack Ginnivan, the Lions will certainly be hoping Answerth is ready to go as he will likely land one of those roles ahead of the taller Gallop.
Brisbane has an almost fully healthy list and a settled line-up, so it’s difficult to imagine them making any changes beyond Answerth. Bruce Reville may come into consideration for more outside run or Lincoln McCarthy for his finals experience as well.
