AFL 2023: Jeremy Finlayson dropped, Charlie Dixon returns for semi-final vs. GWS Giants

Ken Hinkley’s Power will go into their do-or-die battle with the Giants without their leading goalkicker in 2023, with big Charlie Dixon primed to make his return to the Port forward line.

Charlie Dixon during Port Adelaide training. Picture: Mark Brake

Port Adelaide has pulled a selection surprise for its do-or-die semi-final, dropping forward Jeremy Finlayson.

The former Giant leads the Power’s goalkicking this year, booting 38 in 21 games, but after 0.1 from six disposals against the Lions, Finlayson makes way for the returning Charlie Dixon.

Dixon returns to the side for the first time since the Round 20 Showdown after recovering from a small fracture in his foot.

The 32-year-old will lead the Power’s attack, alongside Todd Marshall, who has shaken off a hip issue, and breakout forward Ollie Lord.

But with Finlayson attending 22 per cent of centre bounces for the Power this year as support for Scott Lycett, Dixon might be forced to shoulder back-up ruck duties in his return.

It’s either him, Lord – who booted four goals in last week’s loss – or Marshall, who will have to chop out the Lycett in the ruck.

Jeremy Finlayson has been dropped for the game against his old side. (Photo by James Elsby/AFL Photos via Getty Images)

Trent McKenzie (ankle) and Xavier Duursma (hip) have also proved their fitness to take their spot in Saturday night’s clash at Adelaide Oval.

After a week in which his future was heavily debated, Power veteran Travis Boak has been elevated to the 22 after starting last week’s qualifying final loss to Brisbane as the tactical sub.

Defender Dylan Williams, despite being cleared of a hamstring injury, has also been dropped from the Power’s 22, but is in line to take Boak’s spot as the sub.

Unlike in previous weeks, the Power hasn’t yet announced its tactical sub, but Finlayson, small forward Francis Evans and ruckman Sam Hayes are also in the mix.

McKenzie being named in the side to take on the Giants comes after he suffered a sprained ankle against the Lions.

The key defender, who had just returned from a PCL injury, threw his mouthguard on the Gabba turf after he suffered the injury.

But scans revealed he had suffered just a sprained ankle and the Power were hopeful that McKenzie, whose recovery abilities are famed at Alberton.

Charlie Dixon is back for the Power. Picture Mark Brake

He was with the rehab group early on in Thursday’s main session at Adelaide Oval, but appears to have done enough to prove his fitness.

Williams, who suffered a hamstring injury soon after the Power activated Boak as the sub against the Lions, was doing some running with Miles Bergman.

The Giants will bring back former captain Stephen Coniglio into their side for the huge clash.

Coniglio was a late withdrawal from the side that trounced St Kilda in the elimination final after he copped a ball to the face and reported blurred vision.

He replaced Xavier O’Halloran, who was the late replacement for him against the Saints.

PORT ADELAIDE v GWS GIANTS

Saturday September 16, 7:10pm (ACST) at Adelaide Oval

POWER

B: Jones, Aliir, Houston

HB: Bergman, McKenzie, Burton

C: Butters, Drew, Boak

HF: Rioli, Marshall, McEntee

F: Byrne-Jones, Dixon, Powell-Pepper

FOL: Lycett, Wines, Rozee

EMG: Williams, Finlayson, Evans, Hayes

IN: Dixon

OUT: Finlayson, Williams (both omitted)

GIANTS

B: Buckley, Taylor, Idun

HB: Ash, Himmelberg, Whitfield

C: Callaghan, Green, Kelly

HF: Bedford, Riccardi, Daniels

F: Lloyd, Hogan, Greene

FOL: Briggs, Ward, Coniglio

I/C: Cumming, Perryman, Keeffe Brown

EMG: Haynes, Angwin, O’Halloran, Preuss

IN: Coniglio

OUT: O’Halloran (omitted), Haynes (sub)