By Jake Niall, Peter Ryan and Roy Ward
Four key players are certain selections for Carlton’s elimination final at the Gabba, midfielder Adam Cerra is a strong chance to return to the side, but star forward Charlie Curnow remains in doubt and ruck/forward Tom De Koning’s selection also is uncertain.
Charlie Curnow is no certainty to make the trip to Brisbane.Credit: Getty Images
Carlton’s difficult selection calls and large group of returnees – they have up to eight players potentially available, but are likely to pick no more than six – coincides with the club having appointed Rob Inness, the high performance boss of the Sydney Swans, as the new head of conditioning after this season ends. The club confirmed the appointed late on Wednesday in a statement.
The four players certain to play on Saturday night against the Brisbane Lions are Harry McKay, Mitch McGovern, Zac Williams and Sam Docherty (whose stunning selection was announced on Tuesday), according to club sources who spoke anonymously as team selection was not official.
But key forward Curnow, who aggravated an ankle injury against Hawthorn in round 22, is still in doubt for the elimination final, with the Blues facing a major call on his selection.
Cerra, who had a series of hamstring issues since last year and has not played since round 21, is given a reasonable chance of returning to bolster the Carlton midfield, while forward Jack Martin, who has endured another injury-ridden season, is considered less than likely, having broken down in the early minutes of round 22.
Zac Williams is set to return for the Blues.Credit: Getty Images
The Blues have to consider how many players they can bring back in one lot, given that there will be varying levels of conditioning and match fitness. While up to eight of their best 22 are potentially available, sources suggested that no more than six will play.
Small forward Matt Owies is suspended and will be out, while Jaxon Binns, Jack Carroll, Orazio Fantasia, Lewis Young shape as the most likely omissions. Cooper Lord would be unlucky to be dropped, having performed well against West Coast, while Ashton Moir was impressive against the Saints in his second game, having made an impact as the substitute.
De Koning faces a test on the foot fracture he suffered in July.
McKay has recovered from a quad injury and will line up in the goal square at the Gabba, where the Blues overcame a huge deficit to win by a point in the club’s opening game of 2024.
McGovern (hamstring) and Williams also have been deemed fit to play, while Docherty’s rapid recovery from a knee reconstruction continues the ex-skipper’s remarkable recuperative history.
Cats back Stanley for final
Peter Ryan
Geelong have selected Rhys Stanley to play in the ruck against Port Adelaide in the qualifying final after naming an unchanged line-up for Thursday night’s blockbuster with his potential replacement Sam De Koning named as an emergency.
De Koning, Gary Rohan and Oisin Mullin travelled with the team to Adelaide after being named as emergencies.
Rhys Stanley will face the Power in Adelaide.Credit: Getty Images
All three played in the VFL on Saturday with De Koning playing in the ruck as he returned from a knee injury.
Mullin played as a tagger after coming on as a sub the last time the two teams met.
Tom Stewart and Lawson Humphries were both selected after failing to finish the round-24 clash with minor soft-tissue concerns after the Cats declared them certain starters earlier in the week.
Port Adelaide lost running defender Kane Farrell and dropped tall Dante Visentini to make way for key forward Charlie Dixon and former Cat Quinton Narkle.
Running defender Josh Sinn was overlooked but named as an emergency alongside Visentini and Todd Marshall.
Zak Butters will play after suffering an eye infection earlier this week.
Meanwhile, Hawthorn midfielder Cam Mackenzie will miss Friday’s elimination final against the Western Bulldogs with a hamstring injury.
Mackenzie left training early on Wednesday and scans showed he has a low-grade hamstring injury.
The Hawks have yet to lock in a return date with club medical staff to reassess his chances of returning to the field next week, should they beat the Bulldogs.
“While Cam will be unavailable for selection this week, we will undertake some further testing to determine his recovery timeline in the coming days,” Hawks club doctor Liam West said.
“We are confident it is on the minor end of the spectrum and we will provide further updates in due course.”
Season over for Tayla Harris
Roy Ward
Melbourne star Tayla Harris faces her second shoulder surgery in less than 12 months after she was ruled out for the season on Wednesday.
The 27-year-old underwent an operation on her right shoulder only last December, but after dislocating her left shoulder during the third term of the Demons’ opening-round win over Geelong on Saturday night, she received the bad news.
Tayla Harris of the Demons reacts and leaves the field after injuring her shoulder.Credit: Getty Images
Harris has pledged to be back on field in 2025.
“I’m extremely disappointed to have my season cut short,” Harris said.
“It’s an honour to pull on the red-and-blue guernsey and run out with this team, and it’s unfortunate that I won’t have that opportunity again this year.
“I now look forward to contributing in many ways off the field, and doing whatever I can to help us achieve our goal in 2024. I can’t wait to be back on the field doing what I love in 2025.”
Despite her injury, Tayla Harris of the Demons takes a selfie with fans on Saturday night.Credit: Getty Images
Demons head of women’s football Jessie Mulholland said Harris was the likelihood of more shoulder issues if she attempted to stay on the field.
“Tayla experienced two moments of concern on Saturday night, the first being during the opening quarter in a contest,” Mulholland said.
“Despite initial pain, she had full strength and range of movement in her shoulder, so was cleared to return.
“Tayla was then involved in a ground-ball contest during the third quarter, which saw her land on her shoulder and suffer the dislocation. She was subsequently ruled out of the game.
“The extent of the damage unfortunately increases Tayla’s risk of further dislocations and overall shoulder stability, and therefore the possibility of further structural impact, meaning she will require surgery.
“It’s an incredibly disappointing outcome for Tayla, who had a strong block of full contact training with her shoulder heading in, and was ready to attack her ninth season at the top level.”
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