Fremantle coach Justin Longmuir has confirmed that small forward Sam Switkowski will miss Saturday's elimination final against Gold Coast.
Meanwhile, GWS confirmed that Brent Daniels and Jack Buckley won't be returning to the senior side.
Switkowski injured his knee during the do-or-die clash against the Western Bulldogs in Round 24, and despite hope that he'd be available for selection, Longmuir revealed the unfortunate news.
"He's not going to play this week," Longmuir said.
"We had hopes earlier in the week that he'd get up, but that knee injury will hold him out this week, unfortunately."
Switkowski's unavailability opens the door for Isaiah Dudley to return to the senior side, who has played 15 games since joining the Dockers as an SSP selection earlier this year.
Matthew Johnson and Nathan O'Driscoll will also be considered.
Longmuir could also reshuffle the line-up to include outgoing superstar Nat Fyfe in the starting 22, and utilise Hayden Young as a prominent front-half option.
All this will be considered as the heavens are set to descend onto Optus Stadium, with up to 15mm of rain tipped.
As for the Giants, they will also be without Daniels and Buckley after the pair were unable to prove their fitness ahead of Saturday's elimination final against Hawthorn.
The GWS defender was given Tuesday off in anticipation of Thursday's main session to allow his calf injury, sustained in Round 24, to recover.
Daniels has played six games in 2025 due to various injury troubles, but has built up a solid block in the VFL in the hope of a finals recall.
"I wouldn't mind the headache of having to pick (Buckley and Daniels)," Giants coach Adam Kingsley said.
"Maybe it lessens the decision-making. It's going to be a difficult decision either way because we've been really happy with the way our team's been performing."
The Giants will also need to make tough calls on the experienced trio of Josh Kelly (calf), Jake Stringer (hamstring), and Jesse Hogan (foot).
Stephen Coniglio is also expected to exit concussion protocols.
Adam Kingsley has confirmed Brent Daniels and Jack Buckley won’t play in Saturday’s Elimination Final.
— GWS GIANTS (@GWSGIANTS) September 4, 2025
The final teams will be released on Thursday at 6:20 pm (AEST).
