One of Melbourne’s three players under an injury cloud has been cleared to take part in Saturday night’s Blues blockbuster.
And elsewhere, Collingwood coach Craig McRae has hinted at the return of two key players — with a caveat. More inWildcard Team Tips!
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Wildcard Final
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WILDCARD FINALS TEAMS AND FIXTURE (all times AEST)
WESTERN BULLDOGS v COLLINGWOOD
Friday August 28, 7:40pm at the MCG
Bulldogs’ Round 24 side
B: M.Sellwood, B.Khamis, C.Budarick
HB: L.Bramble, J.O’Donnell, B.Dale
C: B.Williams, J.Freijah, C.Hynes
HF: C.Weightman, A.Naughton, A.Jones
F: J.Dolan, M.Bontempelli (c), S.Davidson
FOLL: R.Lobb, M.Kennedy, E.Richards
I/C: L.Carmichael, R.Gardner, L.Kennedy, R.Sanders, R.West
EMG: O.Baker, J.Busslinger, L.McNeil
In: C.Budarick, B.Dale, M.Bontempelli, R.Gardner
Out: L.Jaques (Omitted), L.Emmett (Omitted), T.Liberatore (Managed), J.Croft (Omitted)
Team Tips: The Bulldogs are looking likely to be bolstered by the return of Tim English to face Collingwood on Friday night. Coach Luke Beveridge had initially deemed the ruckman no chance to feature on wildcard weekend after suffering a knee injury against North Melbourne in Round 22. But Beveridge revealed on Fox Footy’s AFL 360 on Monday night that English would train on Wednesday in a bid to prove his fitness, and SEN reports English trained well. It could be the ruck’s final game for the club as trade rumblings continue to grow louder. Beveridge was also “optimistic” Aaron Naughton will be available after sitting out the last quarter of the Bulldogs’ win over Melbourne. The key forward was cleared of serious injury after an awkward landing and is expected to play, though Beveridge admitted his availability would “go to the line”. Seasoned defender Nick Coffield has also been listed as a test as he looks to exit concussion protocols. Louis Emmett and Jordan Croft were both dropped for the Demons game, but would be in the frame if Naughton needs to be replaced in attack. Should English play, Ryan Gardner would be almost certain to drop out after playing just 35 per cent game time as relief ruck for Rory Lobb against the Dees. Tom Liberatore will miss the start of the finals series after undergoing minor knee surgery, but the club is confident his season isn’t over should the Dogs make a deep September run.
Bevo: ‘We’ve got a fair bit of belief’ | 10:10
Magpies’ Round 24 side
B: B.Frampton, J.Howe, L.Puncher
HB: D.Houston, J.Daicos, J.Crisp
C: R.Steele, J.De Goey, S.Sidebottom
HF: A.Anderson, H.Harrison, B.McCreery
F: D.McStay, C.West, T.Membrey
FOLL: D.Cameron, E.Allan, N.Daicos (c)
I/C: L.Schultz, S.Pendlebury, S.Swadling, W.Hayes, N.Long
EMG: L.Sullivan, N.Howes, H.Coe
In: J.Howe, S.Sidebottom
Out: N.Howes (Omitted), I.Quaynor (Injured)
Team Tips: The Pies’ decision to field a near full-strength team against Brisbane in Round 24 backfired, with Scott Pendlebury to miss the wildcard final against the Bulldogs with a hamstring strain. The Pies confirmed the injury, initially reported as a knee bursar issue, on Monday, with the AFL games record holder to miss 2-3 weeks. In a further blow, Brayden Maynard re-injured his knee at training last week and has also been ruled out of Friday night’s blockbuster. With Darcy Moore out for the season with a hamstring injury, it means Nick Daicos will again captain the Pies. In better news, the Pies are confident Isaac Quaynor and Patrick Lipinski will be fit to face the Bulldogs after missing the end of the home-and-away season with glute and calf concerns respectively. Coach Craig McRaesaid on Wednesday the pair would be put through their paces at training during the week, but should be available if they get through main training. If both return, youngster Will Hayes might be the unlucky one to make way after just nine disposals against the Lions.
McRae unhappy with sloppy Pies defence | 10:45
MELBOURNE v CARLTON
Saturday August 29, 7:35pm at the MCG
Demons’ Round 24 side
B: J.Bowey, J.Lever, D.Turner
HB: C.Salem, T.McDonald, C.Jiath
C: H.Sharp, T.Sparrow, H.Langford
HF: K.Pickett, M.Jefferson, E.Langdon
F: K.Tholstrup, X.Lindsay, K.Chandler
FOLL: M.Gawn (c), J.Steele, C.Windsor
I/C: B.Laurie, T.Rivers, B.Fritsch, H.Petty, J.Fitzgerald
EMG: X.Taylor, M.Heath, J.Melksham
In: X.Lindsay
Out: J.van Rooyen (Suspended)
Team Tips: The Demons are sweating on the fitness of key pair Jake Lever and Matt Jefferson after being forced into a wildcard final with their loss to the Western Bulldogs. Jefferson hyperextended his knee in the third quarter and played no further part, with scans showing bone bruising but no ligament damage. He will face a fitness test ahead of Saturday’s clash with Carlton, as will Lever, who suffered a ligament sprain in his toe against the Bulldogs. Promisingly too, Daniel Turner has been listed as ‘available’ after an early scare at the MCG last Saturday evening, which he eventually played off. Coach Steven Kingsaid on Fox Footy’s AFL 360 on Monday night the defender will be given “right up to Thursday” to prove his fitness, but won’t train until then. With Jacob van Rooyen still suspended for two more matches, King flagged a potential return for backup ruckman Max Heath to support Max Gawn and provide some extra height should Jefferson miss. Veteran Jack Viney‘s 19-disposal, 10-clearance effort on return from an Achilles injury in Casey’s final VFL match a week ago has him in the frame to play his first game of the season, to combat the Blues’ powerful midfield. Having made his return against the Bulldogs, youngster Xavier Lindsay (four disposals) was quiet, and could make way. If Jefferson misses, retiring forward Jake Melksham could be in the frame for one last hurrah, having kicked three goals in his most recent VFL outing. Blake Howes is still recovering well from his fractured arm, and looks every chance of being available next week should Melbourne beat Cartlon.
Bulldogs lock in 8th spot in Dees defeat | 02:52
Blues’ Round 24 side
B: H.Dean, W.Derksen, J.Weitering
HB: L.Cowan, L.Young, O.Florent
C: B.Acres, P.Cripps (c), B.Wilson
HF: B.Ainsworth, B.Kemp, F.Evans
F: T.Byrne, H.McKay, C.Lord
FOLL: M.Pittonet, J.Smith, S.Walsh
I/C: O.Hollands, G.Hewett, M.McGovern, A.Cerra, M.Cottrell
EMG: L.Camporeale, J.Ison, H.Charleson
In: L.Young, O.Hollands
Out: W.Hayward (Injured), N.Haynes (Injured)
Team Tips: Surging into wildcard weekend as arguably the form team in the competition, Josh Fraser faces a selection headache ahead of Saturday night’s blockbuster. Nick Haynes and Will Hayward have both been listed as tests with their ankle injuries after missing a stunning win over Fremantle. The Blues were also the only wildcard-bound team to also featured in the VFL’s wildcard round on the weekend, with Ben Camporeale (36 disposals, six clearances) putting his hand up in the unlikely event a call-up is needed. With no injury concerns out of the Dockers win, the question becomes who Fraser leaves out. Ollie Hollands (15 disposals, one goal) looked shaky by foot at times but produced a goal-saving run-down tackle on Patrick Voss that would have delighted the coach, while Lewis Young (17 disposals, seven marks) didn’t kick a goal but was strong aerially and chopped out Marc Pittonet in the ruck. Talor Byrne would be incredibly stiff to miss, but he picked a dangerous time to have a quiet outing with just six disposals against the Dockers. It might prove to be a case of last picked, first out for the Blues, though Young in particular might be retained to help Pittonet face Max Gawn.
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