There's certainly never been a weekend of football that could match what footy fans were gifted to seeing in the opening weekend of this year's finals series.
In the wake of all the drama and action, injuries and looming selection calls have since surfaced, placing plenty of attention toward what changes might be made for the two semi-finals we have in store for this weekend.
There's sure to be plenty made of a star Demon's prospects of playing through injury, while a Magpies midfielder will force Craig McRae into at least one change.
The Lions could make several swaps given injury to their starting ruckman and the returns of two names from suspension.
The Dockers also look to have a big call to make, with a key-forward set to return, while their skipper's chances remain up in the air.
Here are the changes and lineups we've forecasted for week two of the AFL finals.
Melbourne vs Brisbane
Friday, September 9
MCG, 7.50pm (AEST)
Melbourneย
A big watch has been set on Christian Petracca's fitness after suffering a hairline fracture in his side's defeat to Sydney. The Demons have hinted their Norm Smith Medal winner is likely to play through the ailment in a huge risk for the reigning premiers. Issues for Jake Melksham (knee), Bayley Fritsch (knee) and Charlie Spargo (throat) are noted to be minor. Tom McDonald is the other big question that looms as selection, having returned from a Lisfranc injury in recent weeks through the VFL. Simon Goodwin perhaps likely to call on at least one change for this weekend with McDonald returning. Tipping Melksham to be the one to make way for the swingman. Melksham, Joel Smith, James Jordon, Jake Bowey in line for medical sub duties.
Ins: Tom McDonald
Outs: Jake Melksham
FB:ย Christian Salem,ย Steven May,ย Harrison Petty
HB:ย Jayden Hunt,ย Jake Lever,ย Michael Hibberd
C:ย Angus Brayshaw,ย Clayton Oliver,ย Ed Langdon
HF:ย Alex Neal-Bullen,ย Ben Brown,ย Bayley Fritsch
FF: Tom McDonald,ย Luke Jackson,ย Kysaiah Pickett
FO:ย Max Gawn,ย Christian Petracca,ย Jack Viney
INT:ย James Harmes,ย Charlie Spargo,ย Trent Rivers,ย Tom Sparrow
EMG:ย Jake Bowey,ย James Jordon, Joel Smith, Jake Melksham
Brisbaneย
Will be forced into at least one change, with ruckman Oscar McInerney entering concussion protocols after a head knock in last Thursday's win. Expect a straight swap for second-string tall Darcy Fort, while Tom Fullarton on standby as an emergency. Cam Rayner and Noah Answerth return from suspensions, likely coming back into Chris Fagan's side. Albeit a dream debut, Darcy Wilmot could see his spot taken by Answerth, while Jaxon Prior may face a similar fate after a concerning performance against the Tigers. Jarryd Lyons got through the VFL unscathed after suffering a groin niggle, and could be preferred to Mitch Robinson in midfield. Elimination final medical sub to either remain with Callum Ah Chee, or be on offer to Robinson or Wilmot.
Ins: Cameron Rayner, Noah Answerth, Darcy Fort, Jarryd Lyons
Outs: Jaxon Prior, Darcy Wilmot, Oscar McInerney, Mitch Robinson Callum Ah Chee (medical sub)
FB:ย Jack Payne,ย Darcy Gardiner,ย Brandon Starcevich
HB:ย Keidean Coleman,ย Harris Andrews,ย Daniel Rich
C: Zac Bailey,ย Lachie Neale, Jarryd Lyons
HF: Cameron Rayner,ย Eric Hipwood,ย Daniel McStay
FF:ย Lincoln McCarthy,ย Joe Daniher,ย Charlie Cameron
FO: Darcy Fort, Hugh McCluggage,ย Jarrod Berry
INT: Deven Robertson,ย Rhys Mathieson,ย Dayne Zorko, Noah Answerth
EMG: Darcy Wilmot, Tom Fullarton, Callum Ah Chee, Mitch Robinson
Collingwood vs Fremantleย
Saturday, September 10
MCG, 7.25pm (AEST)
Taylor Adams' season looks to be over after suffering a significant setback to his groin injury that only saw him return to the field through Saturday's loss to Geelong. A spot is now up for grabs, with several players in consideration. Finlay Macrae the obvious like-for-like replacement in midfield. In the chance Jordan De Goey's shoulder injury is worse than first thought, Macrae would be a near guarantee to play given the Pies' depleted midfield stocks. Nathan Kreuger made his return as the medical sub and may retain the role should he miss an on-field reprieve, while Ollie Henry could be an option should De Goey miss.
Collingwood
Ins:ย Finlay Macrae
Outs:ย Taylor Adams, Nathan Kreuger (medical sub)
FB:ย Jeremy Howe,ย Darcy Moore,ย Brayden Maynard
HB:ย Isaac Quaynor,ย Nathan Murphy,ย Nick Daicos
C:ย Steele Sidebottom,ย Scott Pendlebury,ย Josh Daicos
HF:ย Jordan De Goey,ย Ashley Johnson,ย Jamie Elliott
FF:ย Beau McCreery,ย Brody Mihocek,ย Jack Ginnivan
FO:ย Darcy Cameron,ย Jack Crisp, Patrick Lipinski
INT: Finlay Macrae,ย Mason Cox,ย Will Hoskin-Elliott,ย John Noble
EMG:ย Oliver Henry, Josh Carmichael,ย Trent Bianco, Nathan Kreuger
Fremantle
A dilemma looms at Cockburn, with key forward Matt Taberner likely to be fit for the semi-final against Collingwood. Taberner booted two goals in Peel Thunder's win over Swan Districts on Sunday in a welcomed return to football. Fringe midfielder suffered a leg injury early into that match and may be in some doubt for the Dockers. Sam Sturt booted four goals to make a late case for a call-up, but that outcome looks unlikely. Griffin Logue may be the unlucky man to make way for Taberner after a quiet enough outing against the Bulldogs, playing forward for a return of one goal. Jye Amiss is the other option in the selection firing line, but perhaps edges Logue out following his performance on Saturday night. Still no certainty in Nat Fyfe potentially returning, while an ankle injury to Nathan O'Driscoll in their elimination final win looks unlikely to see the young midfielder sidelined. Logue a handy medical sub option, but Justin Longmuir may still with tried and trusted Bailey Banfield for the role.
Ins:ย Matt Taberner
Outs:ย Griffin Logue
FB:ย Luke Ryan,ย Brennan Cox,ย Heath Chapman
HB:ย Jordan Clark,ย Alex Pearce,ย Hayden Young
C:ย Blake Acres,ย Caleb Serong,ย James Aish
HF: Michael Walters, Rory Lobb,ย Michael Frederick
FF:ย Lachlan Schultz, Matt Taberner,ย Sam Switkowski
FO:ย Sean Darcy,ย Andrew Brayshaw,ย Will Brodie
INT:ย Jye Amiss,ย Nathan O'Driscoll,ย David Mundy,ย Brandon Walker
EMG:ย Bailey Banfield, Ethan Hughes, Lloyd Meek, Griffin Logue
