AFL Team Finals Week 1 2024

Blues star Charlie Curnow remains under scrutiny amid several looming changes to Michael Voss’ squad for Saturday’s elimination final against Brisbane.

Curnow is a doubt due to an ankle injury which he reinjured last month ahead of a crucial training session on Thursday.

“Charlie Curnow is the big guard, there is still so much doubt surrounding him. He still hasn’t fully trained since re-injuring his ankle almost four weeks ago,” Channel 7’s Mitch Cleary reported on Wednesday evening.

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“He was in the rehabilitation group on Monday and still had to get up to top speed. If he wants to have a chance, he will have to train fully tomorrow and there are still doubts about that.”

Mitch McGovern (hamstring) was also in the rehab group on Monday, while decisions remain to be made on Zac Williams, Jack Martin and Adam Cerra (all hamstring).

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Harry McKay is expected to return from a quad problem, while Tom De Koning (foot) has made a late push.

“De Koning was considered unlikely a few weeks ago but has made a late attempt to play and was part of training in match simulation on Monday, so he is still a very good chance,” Cleary said.

As for the Lions, Herald Sun reporter Jay Clark revealed on Fox Footy’s Midweek tackle Darragh Joyce is expected to be the “unfortunate” omission for the returning Jack Payne, which also suggests Brandon Starcevich could replace Noah Answerth.

In other selection news, AFL Media reports that the Dogs are set to pull off a selection surprise and name James Harmes for the Dogs’ elimination final clash with Hawthorn, for the midfielder’s first match since Round 12.

Harmes, 28, put in a big performance in Footscray’s VFL qualifying final win over Brisbane, making 37 disposals, nine clearances and eight tackles with one goal.

Adam Treloar (calf) is expected to feature against Hawthorn, while Bailey Smith returned to training on Wednesday after his ACL injury but will not play.

“Adam Treloar will play, we know he is one of those players who will put himself on the map. He is desperately chasing that flag that was cruelly denied him in 2018,” said Herald Sun reporter Glenn Mcfarlane. Midweek tackle.

“The intriguing thing for me though is what Luke Beveridge is doing with the team. Laitham Vandermeer, will he play? He’s probably the one with a little more insecurity.

“Are they bringing Rhylee West back for Arthur Jones?”

Hawks youngster Cam McKenzie has already been ruled out of Friday night’s elimination final after tweaking his hamstring late in Wednesday’s practice.

Hinkley open to Rozee position shift | 02:04

“He was obviously shattered… but the injury is only minor so it’s a very small magnitude,” Mcfarlane added.

“I say he has to have a test next week.”

As for Thursday’s qualifying final between Geelong and Port Adelaide, Herald Sun journalist Scott Gullan believes Mitch Duncan could start as the substitute has been below his best in recent weeks.

And with the likes of Gary Rohan and Sam De Koning citing emergencies, Gullan expects Geelong to make a late substitution.

“Mitch Duncan is someone a lot of people are watching… the last three weeks he has been off,” Gullan said. Midweek tackle.

“They want him to shoot, the concern is, what is Chris Scott doing? Does he start him as sub again in the final? I think maybe he should.

“He has Hawkins and Guthre playing VFL and Zach Tuohy is already retiring.

“He needs a confidence boost, it has to happen tomorrow night. If this space is not paid attention to… if he doesn’t reach 300 games this year, will he get another one-year contract?”

Giants tagger Toby Beford (calf) remains a doubt for the club’s qualifying final against the Swans, while GWS coach Adam Kinglsey said Finn Callaghan will play despite defeat this week.

Treloar returns, star Dog still absent | 02:18

Previously….

Geelong is surprisingly without young Sam De Koning, while Port Adelaide makes two changes for the opening match of the final at Adelaide Oval on Thursday evening.

The Cats have named an unchanged squad, meaning De Koning, who has successfully moved from key defense to the ruck this season, has only been included in the squad on an emergency basis despite being fit due to a knee injury.

Veteran stars Tom Hawkins and Cam Guthrie will audition for the second final of the 2022 VFL premiers, while Gary Rohan and Oisin Mullin have been named as contingencies. The latter two and De Koning all traveled to Adelaide.

The Power have brought back Charlie Dixon as expected, with young tall Dante Vistenini losing his place, while Quinton Narkle returns to the side in place of the injured Kane Farrell.

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Dixon managed the entire season before playing the final six games of the year, scoring ten goals in that period.

With first-choice halfback pair Farrell (hamstring) and Dan Houston (suspension) unavailable, Ken Hinkley has moved Ryan Burton into the starting lineup from the bench.

Zak Butters was named despite some mild concerns after missing a scheduled media appearance on Monday with an eye infection.

This is the third time in five years that Port Adelaide has hosted Geelong in a qualifying final, with the Power winning by 16 points in 2020 and by 43 points in 2021.

The Cats are the only team to beat the Power in a final since 2014.

The teams for the three remaining finals will be confirmed on Thursday evening.

EPISODE WEEK 1 FINAL TEAMS AND FIXTURES (All times AEST)

PORT ADELAIDE v GEELONG

Second qualifying final

Thursday September 5, 7.40pm at Adelaide Oval

CURRENT

B: La. Jones, B. Zerk-Thatcher, M. Bergman

HB: R. Burton, A. Aliir, L. Evans

C: J. Burgoyne, O. Wines, W. Drew

HF: D.Byrne-Jones, E.Ratugolea, W.Rioli

F: M.Georgiades, C.Dixon, C.Rozee – C

FOLLOW: J.Sweet, J.Horne-Francis, Z.Butters

I/C: T. Boak, Q. Narkle, J. Mead, F. Evans, J. McEntee

EMG: J. Sinn, D. Visentini, T. Marshall

IN: C.Dixon, Q.Narkle

OUT: K.Farrell (injured), D.Visentini (omitted)

CATS

B: L.Humphries, J.Henry, J.Kolodjashnij

HB: M.Duncan, M.Blicavs, Z.Guthrie

C: M. Holmes, T. Atkins, O. Dempsey

HF: T. Stengle, S. Neale, S. Mannagh

F: B.Close, J.Cameron, O.Henry

FOLLOW: R.Stanley, P.Dangerfield – C, T.Stewart

I/C: Z.Tuohy, J.Bowes, G.Miers, T.Bruhn, J.Bews

EMG: G.Rohan, O.Mullin, S.De Koning

No changes

WESTERN BULLDOGS vs. HAWTHORN

Second elimination final

Friday September 6, 7.40pm at the MCG

BULLDOGS