portadelaidefc.com.au takes a look at the possible changes for the Power and the Cats ahead of the cut-throat final.
Port Adelaide
It’s tough to see who the coaches could drop from a Port Adelaide side which stunned Collingwood at the ‘G on Saturday night.
Sam Colquhoun was subbed out of the game for the second game in a row with an injury cloud hanging over the 18-year-old. However, High Performance Manager Darren Burgess ruled Colquhoun will be fit to play on Monday, not listing him on the club’s official injury list.
The coaches may still decide to bring in some added experience or bigger bodies to face a side which has won three Premierships in the past six years.
Paul Stewart returned from injury through the SANFL on the weekend and played like “a guy who wanted to get noticed” according to development coach Stuart Cochrane.
Stewart was a class above for the Eagles gathering 26 touches to go with 9 inside 50s and 3 clearances.
Matt Thomas also shone with 28 disposals, 6 tackles and 7 clearances as Norwood won easily over North at the Parade – a performance which saw him named SANFL Player of the Week.
Lewis Stevenson and Campbell Heath were both impressive in the SANFL, but with the Power’s backline so impressive against the Pies, it’s unlikely there’ll be a spot up for grabs.
Perhaps more likely is a speed machine being called up to add pace to the Power’s line-up. Jake Neade and Cam Hitchcock fit the bill and could add something up forward, while Kane Mitchell could add run to the midfield. Both could be a suitable replacement for Colquhoun, should he not get up for the game.
Mitchell has been hampered by a back complaint for several weeks, and while he trained on Wednesday, it remains unlikely he’ll be risked given the injury.
Ken Hinkley said after the game against the Pies, he’d been slightly concerned about not playing Jack Hombsch and whether that would expose us for height. With Quinten Lynch a late withdrawal for the Pies, it proved to be the correct call, however, Hombsch could be seriously considered against the Cats – especially with Tom Hawkins pushing to return from injury.
With Matt Lobbe’s outstanding 59-hitout performance against the Cats in Round 20 fresh in their minds, it’s hard to see the coaches recalling ruckman Brent Renouf.
The final question for the selection committee is who to make sub – stick with Aaron Young, who had a fantastic impact as the sub last week, or look to someone else?
Injury list
Kane Mitchell - back (assess)
Darren Pfeiffer - shoulder (assess)
Jarrad Redden - hip (season)
Geelong
Four-time All-Australian Corey Enright has already been ruled out due to a knee injury.
The strongly built Josh Hunt leads a possible list of inclusions along with youngster George Horlin-Smith and Taylor Hunt. Expect Josh Hunt to get the nod.
Tom Hawkins missed the qualifying final against the Dockers but looks set to return for the Semi-Final on Friday night.
Steven Motlop today told media Hawkins moved well at Cats training, matching up against Harry Taylor. AFL.com.au reports Hawkins is now an almost certain starter.
Coach Chris Scott has hinted at the possibility of handing a debut to Shane Kersten, should Hawkins not get up for the match.
Scott told media it would be a “bold move”, but one that he liked given Kersten’s strong VFL form, leading the Cats VFL goalkicking.
Geelong may also look to Trent West, after the ruck duo of Mark Blicavs and Nathan Vardy was convincingly beaten by Aaron Sandilands and Zac Clarke in the Qualifying Final.
The Cats lost hitouts 53-16 and clearances 43-22, which may force Scott to recall West to face in-form big-man Matt Lobbe.
Andrew Mackie (ankle) and Steven Motlop (neck) were both sore after the clash with the Dockers, but are expected to be named in the final 22.
Josh Caddy remains in serious doubt because of an ankle injury. He failed to train with the main group today and was in a moon boot at recovery on Sunday.
Injury list
Jed Bews, hamstring (test)
Josh Caddy, ankle (test)
Josh Cowan, hamstring (1-2 weeks)
Tom Hawkins, back (test)
Andrew Mackie, ankle (test)
Hamish McIntosh, ankle (season)
Daniel Menzel, knee (season)
Dawson Simpson, knee (season)
