Following a dramatic opening to the 2025 AFL Finals series, week two is set to present a pair of blockbuster affairs, with all four sides set to weigh up selection calls to keep their seasons alive.
There are selection watches at both Brisbane and Hawthorn due to injury concerns, while the Suns might not look to mess with a winning plan.
Adelaide are in line to welcome back a lively front-half threat, with the player he replaces being the key question needing an answer.
Here are our predicted ins, outs and lineups for this week's semi-finals action of the AFL finals.
2. Brisbane vs Gold Coast
Saturday, September 13
Gabba, 7:35pm (AEST)
Brisbane
A cruel blow to Brisbane's flag defence was confirmed over the weekend, with dual Brownlow Medal winner Lachie Neale ruled out for the rest of their 2025 campaign. Key forward Eric Hipwood also won't be seen again following calf and knee issues that have required ongoing treatment. The Neale omission opens the door for a handful of fringe Lions who will be keen to get their chance on the September stage, especially after the VFL side's season came to a heartbreaking end over the weekend. Last week's tactical sub, Sam Marshall, might get a starting role against the Suns, allowing outside users like Jarrod Berry, Hugh McCluggage and Will Ashcroft to take up the share of Lachie Neale's centre bounce minutes. Marshall can roam a wing alongside Levi Ashcroft, allowing a player like Bruce Reville to take the sub role and offer his spark as a versatile asset mid-game. Others in the mix will be James Tunstill and Deven Robertson, who could go past Marshall and earn starting gigs to help fill the Neale void. Then there's the ruck selection conundrum, with the Lions dominating the hitout battle against the Cats but losing the clearance count. Darcy Fort could make way for Oscar McInerney, if Chris Fagan prefers the latter up against Jarrod Witts. But another move that might work well is deploying Henry Smith as the second ruck option, who can also sit forward. If the younger Lions tall gets the nod, he could slot into Ty Gallop's spot, potentially stretching the Suns' defence while also alleviating Fort's battle with Witts.
Ins: Bruce Reville, Henry Smith
Outs: Lachie Neale, Ty Gallop
FB: Zorko, Gardiner, Lester
HB: Wilmot, Andrews, Starcevich
C: L. Ashcroft, McCluggage, Berry
HF: Cameron, Day, Bailey
FF: Rayner, Morris, Lohmann
FO: Fort, Dunkley, W. Ashcroft
I/C: Fletcher, Marshall, Ah Chee, Smith, Reville (sub)
Gold Coast
With no immediate injury concerns arising from Saturday night's thrilling win over Fremantle, the Suns could go into their semi-final bout with Brisbane unchanged. Retiring veteran David Swallow proved to be a fruitful sub option, kicking the match-winning point to keep his club's season, and his career, alive for another week. Gold Coast might have Will Graham (shoulder) and Sam Clohesy (ankle) available for selection as they near the end of their respective recoveries, but Damien Hardwick won't want to mess with a working formula this weekend.
Ins: Unchanged
Outs: Unchanged
FB: Collins, Andrew, Powell
HB: Rioli, Uwland, Noble
C: Fiorini, Rowell, Weller
HF: Budarick, Farrar, Miller
FF: Ainsworth, King, Long
FO: Witts, Humphrey, Anderson
I/C: Davies, Read, Flanders, Jeffrey, Swallow (sub)
