AFL Finals: All the latest team and injury news ahead of week one

The Blues have made a host of changes for their do-or-die clash with the Lions, but did Charlie Curnow make the cut? Plus, a young Hawk gets a finals reprieve. FINALS TEAMS.

Carlton has regained six of its best to face Brisbane at the Gabba, but to force an elimination final upset the Blues will have to kick a winning score without Charlie Curnow.

The reigning Coleman medallist travelled to Brisbane on Thursday but was not named in the Blues’ squad after failing to overcome the ankle injury he aggravated against Hawthorn in round 22.

The Blues were able to bring back two other important talls though in Harry McKay (quad) and Tom De Koning (foot) and will roll the dice on hamstrung pair Mitch McGovern and Adam Cerra along with returning former captain Sam Docherty against the Lions.

Zac Williams was also passed fit from a hamstring injury and is poised to resume a forward line role along with Brodie Kemp after Lewis Young held his spot as a tall defender.

Alex Cincotta has been left out of the team for the first time since he regained his spot in round 8, while Jack Carroll, Cooper Lord, Ashton Moir and Jaxon Binns were all dropped.

Curnow has not played since round 22. (Photo by Daniel Pockett/Getty Images)

De Koning was named at full-forward and will share the ruck duties with Marc Pittonet against Brisbane’s combination of Oscar McInerney and Joe Daniher.

The Lions recalled Jack Payne (foot) for his first game since round 17 at the expense of Darragh Joyce, with important lockdown defender Brandon Starcevich also returning and Harry Sharp omitted.

Western Bulldogs coach Luke Beveridge made a selection surprise by recalling James Harmes after a dominant VFL performance for Footscray.

The former Demon, who has not played at senior level since round 12, replaced last week’s sub Arthur Jones as fellow small forward Rhylee West was overlooked on his return from a jaw injury despite a breakout season.

After 25 goals in 21 games this season, West was named in the emergencies as Laitham Vandermeer (hamstring) and Adam Treloar (calf) were both selected to face Hawthorn on Friday night.

GWS regained Lachie Ash (suspension), Brent Daniels (back) and Isaac Cumming (hamstring) for the Sydney Derby qualifying final but important tagger Toby Bedford (calf) and Jake Riccardi (finger) will be sidelined for at least one more week.

The Swans will field their strongest side for the season in the Saturday afternoon SCG clash, with Isaac Heeney, Tom Papley, Justin McInerney and Tom McCartin all returning.

Collingwood recruit Taylor Adams was left out of Sydney’s 23 altogether after playing 19 games this season.

Hawthorn recalled former No. 7 pick Josh Ward to replace the injured Cam Mackenzie, with Changkuoth Jiath left out.

Ward had 26 touches in Box Hill’s loss to Williamstown last week, and will play his first final.

Ward, 21, hasn’t played since the round 21 loss to Greater Western Sydney. He has only played 10 matches this season, but will now be ready to take on the Bulldogs.

HAWKS MIDFIELDER RULED OUT OF BULLDOGS BLOCKBUSTER

- Glenn McFarlane

Hawthorn has suffered another blow ahead of Friday night’s blockbuster elimination final against Western Bulldogs with young gun Cam Mackenzie ruled out with a hamstring injury.

The exciting second year Hawk was preparing for his first AFL final on Wednesday when he felt a tweak in his hamstring late in the session.

Subsequent scans on the 20-year-old’s hamstring revealed a low-grade hamstring stain, which left him shattered about missing out on Friday’s highly-anticipated clash with the Bulldogs.

Mackenzie’s injury is considered on the minor end and he could yet be a chance to play next week if the Hawks win through to the semi-finals.

It’s yet another blow for the Hawks after they were forced to rule out last year’s best and fairest winner Will Day when he failed to get through a fitness session last Friday night.

Mackenzie has played all 20 games this season for a total of 34.

He has played a strong role in Hawthorn’s emergence as a finals contender this season, having 300 disposals and kicking nine goals in a solid season.

The Hawks are weighing up whether to bring Changkuoth Jiath back after he returned from injury through the VFL last week.

Cam Mackenzie will not face the Bulldogs. (Photo by Daniel Pockett/Getty Images)

‘I’M PUMPED’: DOCHERTY’S MESSAGE AS INSPIRATIONAL RETURN AWAITS

- Jon Ralph

Inspirational Western Bulldogs knee victim Tony Liberatore says Sam Docherty’s immense mental strength will carry him through against Brisbane, adamant the chance to win a flag is worth the risk of any further damage to his knee.

Docherty completed one of footy’s most remarkable comebacks on Tuesday when told he will play against Brisbane in Saturday’s cutthroat elimination final after an opening round ACL tear.

Docherty is chasing an elusive premiership and while the Blues are aware of the risks he had been in full training for a month, ticked off every strength test and is ready to perform,

He said on Tuesday after multiple knee reconstructions and a long cancer battle he cherished every game he played and was ready to perform in a final.

Brownlow Medallist Liberatore tore his ACL in round 5, 1998 and made such an amazing recovery that coach Terry Wallace picked him 18 weeks later in round 21 as the Dogs chased a flag.

Docherty tore his ACL in opening round.

He was solid in his return contest before Andrew McLeod (seven goals) got the better of him in the 1998 preliminary final but has backed Docherty to perform.

“I just say good luck to Sam, I wish him all the best,” he said.

“He’s not a young player, he’s at the back end of his career and he’s come back from a reconstruction before. He wouldn’t be playing if he didn’t think he was fit enough. These days they train harder at training than during games so I am sure he will be right to go.

“The most important thing is he is mentally strong. You have the medical staff there and whether it’s eight months or 12 months, it’s pretty much the same thing.”

“In 1997, we were two points from a Grand Final and in 1998 we had a really good year. I just trained and trained and trained. I was similar to Sam. I did my rehab program from day dot and I remember signing a (medical) waiver. I was going to play reserves and ‘Plough’ rang me in the middle of the week and said we are going to play you.”

Docherty said on Tuesday he had always believed he could get back this year but was unsure if coach Michael Voss would select him.

“I have had footy taken away from me a fair few times across my career so I cherish every game I can play let alone a final. It’s super exciting. I can’t put it all into words,” he said.

“I am pumped. I feel like I put in a lot of work behind the scenes to get back to playing but also perform at a high level.

“I have been working pretty hard behind the scenes to give myself a chance and to have that chance realised now is amazing. I can’t wait to get back out there and play. This whole six months has been about giving me a chance to get here.”

Leading Australian sports doctor Peter Brukner said on Tuesday there was no doubt Docherty was taking some kind of risk not waiting the full 12 months to return to football.

But he said there was such limited data on AFL players returning in such a short time frame it was impossible to quantify how much he was putting his surgically repaired knee at risk.

“Look, it’s a bit of a risk. How to quantify that risk is very difficult. In general most surgeons think 12 months is more appropriate, but it’s all about risk-reward,” Brukner said.

“The odds are he gets through. What risk are you prepared to accept? It’s impossible to quantify. I would love to say it’s five per cent or 10 per cent but there are so many variables.

“Some rehabs go beautifully over 12 months and then players take part in their first game and it goes bang. Other times people have everything go wrong in rehab and have no problem. It’s not luck, it’s genetics. But I hope he gets through.”

Docherty chats to Carlton fans at training this week. Picture: Michael Klein

Brukner said the actual cruciate ligament grafted onto the knee was not completely healed even after 12 months but surgeons techniques continued to evolve and improve.

“It’s a gamble, but he will have worked on his muscle strength, his balance, his landing and all those things in your rehab. He will be as good as he can be (at this stage) but that is no guarantee.

Captain Patrick Cripps confirmed the news to Docherty’s teammates during recovery on Tuesday amid wild scenes as they roared their encouragement for their teammate.

“It’s been a long journey for the big fella,” Cripps said.

“But I just thought I would let you know that Doc is playing this week in Brisbane. I think it’s a good lesson to everyone. I know everyone touches on Doc’s resilience but when you set your mind to something, when you set a goal and you get after it, with a good mindset you can do amazing things, so mate you are an inspiration to all of us, I know what you are going to bring, Can’t wait to play with you again and let’s get the job done for him.”

The big selection news comes as the Carlton star announced with his partner they are expecting a second child via Instagram.

TAGGER LIKELY TO MISS SYDNEY DERBY FINAL

— Lachlan McKirdy

Giants tagger Toby Bedford looks set to lose his race against the clock to face the Swans in Saturday’s qualifying final at the SCG.

Bedford missed GWS’ clash against the Western Bulldogs with calf soreness, but despite the pre-finals bye, it’s unlikely he will be named to play against Sydney.

While teammate Lachie Ash all but put the red pen through his name, the Giants are adamant Bedford is still a test to play against the Swans.

However, Adam Kingsley and the selection committee won’t take any risks with Bedford, knowing they have a double chance after finishing in the top four.

“We’re really healthy,” Ash said. “I think Toby Bedford is probably the only one that’s not going to be available for selection which is great.

“We’re healthy at the right time of year, and we’ll be out to put our best foot forward.”

Chad Warner tangles with GWS tagger Toby Bedford.

After serving his one-week suspension for a dangerous tackle, Ash will return against the Swans and provide invaluable run off halfback.

The game will double as the former No. 4 draft pick’s 100th game, but the milestone pales in comparison to the enormity of the clash against the Swans.

“I’m probably not so worried about the milestone game, more worried about doing what I can for the team to get over the line and enjoy it after,” Ash said.

“I missed a few games this year and whenever you’re not playing, you always want to be out there with them. So that was frustrating. But trying to take the silver lining out of it, freshen up and get the crack at the Swans this week, which I’m looking forward to.

“(Sydney Derby) games are always a little bit more heated than any other game. Being a final, I think it will just ramp up again. They’ve been the benchmark for most of the year, so we’ll try and knock them off that and hopefully get a home prelim.”