AFL finals: Semi-final teams for Geelong v Sydney and GWS v West Coast

STEVE Johnson has got his shot at redemption at GWS while Geelong has recalled Daniel Menzel and Sharrod Wellingham is in at West Coast. SEE THE SEMI-FINAL TEAMS.

STEVE Johnson will play his 25th final on Saturday night after the veteran Giant was recalled to face West Coast.

But Eagles ruckman Nic Naitanui’s fairytale return is on hold for at least another week. Greater Western Sydney coach Leon Cameron said that while 34-year-old Johnson’s experience will be vital, he backed him to “have an impact” in his return with youngster Tim Taranto also in with Jeremy Cameron (hamstring) and Shane Mumford (foot) both done for the year. STAR STAYING: KELLY POISED TO STAY A GIANT FINALS PREVIEW: HOW THE CATS CAN STOP THE SWANS “There’s no doubt his experience does help but whether you’re Tim Taranto, playing in your first year, or Steve Johnson playing in your 16th year, it becomes irrelevant when the ball bounces,” Cameron said. “Yes, he has experience but we picked him because we think he can have an impact.” Dawson Simpson - who replaced Mumford earlier in the year - was named as an emergency leaving Rory Lobb to shoulder the ruck load against Nathan Vardy and Drew Petrie. Naitanui — who hasn’t played since injuring his ACL in Round 22 of last season — has been training strongly with coach Adam Simpson playing coy on his chances. But the ruckman was not named with Sharrod Wellingham offered the opportunity to revive his career. Wellingham, 29, has played just one of West Coast’s last eight games but was last night recalled at the expense of rookie Luke Partington. Geelong has made two changes for its sudden-death semi-final against Sydney at the MCG. As Chris Scott confirmed this week, Daniel Menzel gets a reprieve after being dumped before last week’s qualifying final loss to Richmond. “In retrospect — and we’ve come up with a few things in retrospect — we could have played him,” Scott told Fox Footy. Darcy Lang is the second inclusion as Cam Guthrie (calf) and Jordan Murdoch (omitted) go out. Sydney are unchanged for the clash after thrashing Essendon in the elimination final last week. Geelong skipper Joel Selwood said Menzel – who turned 26 on Wednesday – will provide an X-factor for the Cats. “He does bring that,” he said. “He’s kicked a number of goals for us this year, so I’m sure he’s looking forward to the challenge.” Selwood returned last week having missed a month due to ankle surgery and conceded he wasn’t at his best. “I definitely hope (I can bounce back) – I definitely was a little bit rusty last week,” he told Channel 7 on Thursday. “I look forward to getting out there Friday night and having a good go at Sydney.”

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