AFL finals teams: See all the ins and outs for week one of the finals series

DANIEL Menzel’s manager says the Geelong forward was disappointed by his omission for the Cats’ first final against Richmond while Oleg Markov is the unlucky Tiger. FINALS TEAMS

DANIEL Menzel’s manager says the Geelong forward was blindsided by his omission for the Cats’ first final against Richmond tonight.

Menzel is Geelong’s equal-second leading goalkicker this year with 38 majors from 17 games but has been dropped for the qualifying final, coaches citing a lack of defensive pressure. The 25-year-old still does not have a contract for next year. SCROLL DOWN TO SEE ALL THE FINALS TEAMS “He’s disappointed with being omitted from the side but at the same time there’s still a lot of football to be played in September,” Menzel’s manager, Adam Ramanauskas, said on RSN 927. “He’s got to take it on the chin because there’s teammates that he’s still got to support and he needs support from his teammates as well. “He’s got a great attitude after coming back from four knee reconstructions of course he’s going to have a good attitude. He wants to be there, he knows he’s got to work on that defensive side of his game so he’ll try to show that.” FINALS FORM: CAN TIGER ARMY DARE TO DREAM? AFL DAILY: ‘HORRENDOUS’ GIANTS COP IT FOR FINALS FLOP Cats premiership captain Cameron Ling questioned the selection call, noting the mercurial Menzel was capable of snagging a few goals from limited disposals. “I would’ve thought someone like Daniel Menzel, averaging about two goals a game this season … might be the difference,” Ling said on 3AW. Cats great Paul Chapman recently said Menzel needed to improve his defensive game. “Anyone who kicks 40 goals for the year is valuable. But for him to sign another contract, he has to work on his tackling and pressure,” Chapman said. The Cats have made two changes, with Menzel and Wylie Buzza omitted as Joel Selwood and youngster Zach Guthrie come into the side. Selwood’s return from a syndesmosis injury comes a month after he underwent surgery. Guthrie, the younger brother of Cameron Guthrie said he’s excited to play his first final in his debut season. “To get this opportunity is very humbling,” he told the club’s website. “I’m sure everyone will help me out and make it a lot easier. “Everyone has been really good in making me feel more comfortable through the year, so hopefully it can be a good team effort on the night.” TRADE CHAT: WHERE WILL LEVER LAND? TRADE CHAT: WHO IS GOING WHERE THIS OFF-SEASON RICHMOND has been boosted by the return of Josh Caddy from a hamstring injury for the clash at the MCG. Oleg Markov is the unlucky player to miss out on selection. Tigers coach Damien Hardwick confirmed on Thursday morning Caddy is fit and ready to go after hurting his hamstring against the Cats in Round 22. “Caddy’s fully fit. He’ll play,” Hardwick said this morning. “We expect our players to understand we’re going to pick the best side we can.” ESSENDON has named Orazio Fantasia and Michael Hurley but Cale Hooker has failed to recover from bone bruising and will miss the elimination final against Sydney Hooker did not train at Essendon’s main session on Wednesday. Fantasia’s return is a major boost, with the goalkicker overcoming a hamstring injury that originally was expected to keep him out of at least the first final. He has booted 38 goals this season, ranked third behind Joe Daniher (62 goals) and Hooker (41). Heath Hocking and Jayden Laverde have been omitted. SYDNEY has made three changes with star midfielder Dan Hannebery returning alongside ruckman Sam Naismith and Tom Papley. Kurt Tippett has been dropped again, while Harry Cunningham and youngster Will Hayward have also missed out on selection. “It was an interesting and tough decision (to choose Naismith over Tippett),” Sydney coach John Longmire said. “(But) it’s good to have Naismith back. He’s obviously important with his ability to get his hand to the ball and speed around the ground. “We’re confident he can come in and do the job for us.” Port Adelaide has made one change to its side for Saturday’s elimination final against West Coast, with small forward Jarman Impey returning. Aidyn Johnson has been dropped. Jackson Trengove has again been left out of the side as the free agent weighs up his future. He has been named as an emergency. WEST Coast has made no change for the clash at Adelaide Oval. AFL betting promo

Originally published as AFL finals teams: See all the ins and outs for week one of the finals series

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