As the AFL Finals approach, all eight clubs still in contention face critical selection decisions, with many grappling with injury concerns that may persist until the last minute. Among the teams, GWS Giants have five players aiming to prove their fitness at training this week, while the Adelaide Crows have already made a decisive call on a young forward’s availability.
Fremantle’s Switkowski and Hawthorn’s Morrison in Doubt
Fremantle’s forward Sam Switkowski remains uncertain for the upcoming clash against the Gold Coast Suns on Saturday night. Switkowski, who is recovering from a knee injury sustained in Round 24, is listed as a test for this weekend’s match. According to Fremantle’s high-performance manager Phil Merriman, Switkowski is “progressing as expected” but still needs to “get through a few hurdles” at training.
Meanwhile, Hawthorn’s wingman Harry Morrison is also racing against time to prove his fitness for Saturday’s elimination final against GWS. Morrison has been sidelined since Round 21 due to a quad issue, with his recovery taking longer than anticipated. Hawks high-performance boss Peter Burge noted that Morrison has made significant progress and is now undergoing high-speed running and kicking drills.
Brisbane and Collingwood Face Selection Challenges
Brisbane Lions have confirmed that midfield duo Lachie Neale and Jarrod Berry are fit to face Geelong on Friday, despite recent injuries. However, the Lions will be without key forward Eric Hipwood, who is at least a week away from returning due to a calf injury. Additionally, Brisbane’s defender Tom Doedee’s season has ended prematurely as he requires wrist surgery.
Collingwood’s preparations for their qualifying final against Adelaide have been disrupted by injury concerns. Coach Craig McRae has confirmed that Beau McCreery will play after passing fitness tests, but key forward Dan McStay is doubtful due to shoulder soreness. This uncertainty opens the door for Mason Cox to potentially return to the senior side for the first time since Round 19.
Training Ground Scares
During a recent training session, Collingwood’s Jordan De Goey was seen clutching his lower leg after a tackle, raising concerns about his fitness. However, McRae later reassured fans that De Goey should be fine, stating, “He just got a little bit of a knock, I think it might have been his ankle. He’s fine, he came back on so fingers crossed.”
GWS and Adelaide’s Injury Updates
The GWS Giants are yet to rule out any of their five senior players who are striving to prove their fitness for Saturday’s elimination final against Hawthorn. Key players such as Josh Kelly, Jake Stringer, and Jesse Hogan are all training fully this week, while Jack Buckley and Stephen Coniglio are also in the mix to return.
Adelaide Crows have confirmed that forward Josh Rachele will not feature in Thursday night’s game against Collingwood as he continues his recovery from a knee injury. Rachele, who hasn’t played since Round 17, will instead aim for a return in the later stages of the finals. Wingman Lachie Sholl is also doubtful due to a hamstring issue, while Oscar Ryan will miss out with a similar injury.
Implications and Future Prospects
The injury concerns across these AFL clubs highlight the physical demands of the sport, especially as teams gear up for the high-stakes finals. The decisions made by coaches and medical staff in the coming days will be crucial in determining the composition of the teams as they strive for glory. As the finals progress, the ability of these clubs to manage player fitness and adapt to unforeseen challenges will be tested.
Looking ahead, the resolution of these injury issues will not only impact the immediate outcomes of the finals but also shape the off-season strategies of the clubs. Teams will need to assess their squad depth and consider potential reinforcements to mitigate similar challenges in future campaigns.
