Preliminary final teams news: Tom Stewart returns, Sydney Swans make call on Callum Mills replacement

Geelong has made a call on Sam De Koning ahead of its clash with the Brisbane Lions, while a veteran has been dropped for Tom Stewart and Sydney has named its replacement for Callum Mills. FULL TEAMS.

Geelong tall Sam De Koning has been left out of the Cats’ side for a second consecutive final in a decision which could have ramifications for his future at the club.

The 2022 premiership defender was again named in the emergencies for Saturday’s preliminary final against an unchanged Brisbane as vice-captain Tom Stewart returned in place of Zach Tuohy.

The single change meant the balance of Geelong’s backline will stay the same, pitting Mark Blicavs, Jack Henry and Jake Kolodjashnij against Brisbane talls Joe Daniher and Eric Hipwood.

Touted as a logical opponent for Daniher after his matchwinning performance in the semi-final win over GWS, De Koning, barring a late change, will again look on from the sidelines.

The 23-year-old is out of contract at the end of next season and could attract attention from a wide array of clubs given his 204cm frame and ability to play in multiple positions.

After struggling in his usual key defensive post midway through the season, De Koning was thrown into the ruck and gathered more than 20 disposals in five consecutive games before returning to the backline the fortnight prior to his knee injury.

Brisbane forwards Eric Hipwood and Logan Morris held their spots despite struggling for impact in the semi-final, with Lions coach Chris Fagan defending Hipwood’s contribution on Thursday.

“He’s carrying a bit of an injury, as are quite a few players at different clubs this time of the year,” Fagan said.

“He’s playing an important role for us. Is he at his best? No, he’s not. But he still plays an important role. He halved a lot of contests (against the Giants). Those sort of things don’t come up on the stat sheet but we recognise them because it enables others to win the ball.”

Geelong coach Chris Scott had ruled veteran duo Tom Hawkins and Cam Guthrie out of the selection equation earlier in the week.

“They’ve done a remarkable job – from where they came from to get themselves in the position where we had to think about it a lot,” Scott told Seven’s Talking Footy program on Wednesday.

“But we’ve just made the call to this point that they’re not going to be quite ready … that certainly doesn’t preclude them from being available next week, so that’s exciting for us – if we’re good enough.

“It was a close call, but not close enough that we weren’t confident to make the call by now.”

Port Adelaide veteran Charlie Dixon will return in place of Todd Marshall against Sydney on Friday night, while Dixon’s late replacement, Will Lorenz, was omitted for Ryan Burton to return from a calf injury.

Taylor Adams moved from Collingwood to Sydney on a three-year deal in search of more opportunity, but again missed out on selection as Robbie Fox was preferred to replace Callum Mills in the SCG clash.

The versatile Fox’s inclusion for the injured captain was set to trigger a reshuffle of Sydney’s backline, with Matt Roberts likely to return to a defensive role after playing higher up the ground against GWS.

Fox, Roberts or Justin McInerney were the Swans’ likely sub options, with Braeden Campbell set to return to the starting 22 after a vital eight disposals and a goal in the final quarter of the qualifying final win.

Originally published as Preliminary final teams news: Tom Stewart returns, Sydney Swans make call on Callum Mills replacement