AFL finals 2021 teams, expert tips: Latest injury and selection news

The Bombers are no clearer about Nick Hind’s finals future after his supermarket stop over locked him out Essendon’s flight to Launceston.

Essendon is no clearer about Nick Hind’s availability going forward after his stop to get a supermarket roast chicken for lunch saw him miss the Bombers’ flight to Launceston.

Essendon flew out of Melbourne on Saturday night ahead of its elimination final clash with the Western Bulldogs at UTAS Stadium on Sunday.

However, Hind was forced to stay home in Melbourne after visiting a supermarket which was declared a Tier 2 Covid exposure site last Saturday.

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Hind had received a negative test, but was still prevented to enter Tasmania under the state’s entry rules.

The 27-year-old is said to be devastated to be missing what would have been his first AFL final in his first season with the Bombers after crossing from St Kilda.

Hind is expected to also miss a semi-final if Essendon progresses, given it would be played within 14 days of his exposure site visit.

But Essendon will explore all options if they move through to Week 2 of finals.

Lunch stop could cost Hind premiership tilt

A two-minute stop to purchase a takeaway lunch at the Altona Gate Coles supermarket could end Nick Hind’s finals series.

Hind had been barred from playing in Essendon’s elimination final against the Western Bulldogs after visiting the Tier 2 exposure site.

While the Dons have already ruled out line-breaker Hind for the finals clash against the Dogs, he is unlikely to be available in coming weeks.

The Dons have conceded they will have to work with state authorities on his quarantine protocols and are not certain when he might be allowed to play.

“Given Nick’s negative test result, the club will work with the AFL and the relevant state bodies on his availability for future finals should we continue to qualify,” football boss Josh Mahoney said.

Nick Hind has been ruled out of Essendon’s elimination final clash after attending a Tier 2 exposure site. Picture: Darrian Traynor/AFL Photos/via Getty Images

If Essendon beats the Dogs and plays Brisbane at the Gabba next week, Queensland protocols over Tier 2 exposure sites are identical to those of Tasmania.

Essendon has already learnt that lesson after midfielder Andy McGrath was locked into 14 days of quarantine after being at a tier two exposure site in Melbourne which he only became aware of after flying to Queensland.

The AFL will work on potential exemptions for Hind should the Dons win against the Bulldogs, but there is every chance he might need 14 days of quarantine from Saturday, the day he visited the exposure site.

Essendon’s players have been warned not to visit large shopping sites and are encouraged to only go out for essential services.

Many AFL players now avoid all shops and have their groceries purchased on the internet.

Hind used the external entrance to the Coles supermarket and did not enter the adjoining shopping centre.

Nick Hind visited the Altona Gate shopping centre. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Ian Currie.

He used his QR code and was in the shop for only two minutes, then alerted the club when he was told he was at a Tier 2 site.

Essendon has applauded his honesty, but a split-second decision to go to shops in an area with many positive Covid cases potentially rules him out of the club’s finals campaign unless they progress deep into September.

Hind has been a revelation on Essendon’s halfback line since crossing from St Kilda last year. His speed, evasiveness and ball use is one of Rutten’s main weapons in the back half.

Hind was replaced in the team by veteran defender Marty Gleeson, who has played only five games this season after a shocking run of injuries.

Midfielder Jye Caldwell will return for his first match since Round 2 when he went down with a hamstring injury, replacing hard nut Dylan Clarke.

Mahoney said it was an “unfortunate” situation.

“The most important factor was protecting the health and safety of the Tasmanian community,” Mahoney said.

“We understand the reasons for these protocols and respect the Tasmanian guidelines, which treat Tier 1 and Tier 2 exposure sites as the same risk.

“This means that Nick will be unable to enter the state and won’t play in our first final against the Bulldogs.

“This is obviously an unfortunate situation for Nick to be in.

“He briefly visited a supermarket for a takeaway lunch and has followed the correct procedures, including QR codes while co-operating fully with the AFL and DHHS guidelines.

“The club has been in constant dialogue with the Tasmanian Government throughout this period and respect their health and safety protocols, which are designed to protect their local community.”

Teams, tips: Bombers spring selection surprise

Essendon will take on the Western Bulldogs in an elimination final without star forward Anthony McDonald-Tipungwuti.

The popular goalkicker will miss a third straight game as he manages a personal issue, but Essendon has made a selection surprise by naming Jye Caldwell in its 25-man squad.

The former Giant has not played since hurting his hamstring in Round 2.

The Bulldogs have resisted calls to bring in Stefan Martin, with Lewis Young named in the ruck and Tim English at full-forward.

Anthony Scott, Rhylee West and Ryan Gardner are the Dogs’ three possible inclusions.

In other teams news, Port Adelaide has named Orazio Fantasia and Geelong regains Mitch Duncan for Friday night’s qualifying final.

Shaun Higgins is an emergency.

Sydney has suffered a major blow, losing Callum Mills to injury for its elimination final against the Giants, who have recalled Shane Mumford and Tom Green.

Anthony McDonald-Tipungwuti will miss Sunday’s elimination final. Picture: Quinn Rooney/Getty Images

Earlier, Essendon coach Ben Rutten said the Bombers were mindful of not “rushing back” McDonald-Tipungwuti just because it is the finals.

McDonald-Tipungwuti has sat out the past two games for the Bombers as he worked through some personal issues but played a full game in a VFL scratch match on Sunday.

“‘Walla’ had a little bit of a run around in our VFL game on Sunday and got through that fine and that was good, he was really pleased and looking forward to doing that,” Rutten said.

“It is about continually monitoring him and making sure that we are supporting him best we can and not just kind of rushing him back because it is a final all of a sudden.

“We’re still making sure he is our priority and we are supporting him best we can while making sure we are doing the best thing for the team in terms of our selection as well.

“It’s obviously part of the consideration for us, we know what ‘Walla’ can do at his best and that’s what we all love, we all want to see him get back to that.

“But the circumstances throughout the back end of the season haven’t allowed him to be at his best, there has been a number of reasons for that and now we are providing the best support program around him so that we can see what he can do out on a footy field.”

PORT ADELAIDE v GEELONG

Friday August 27, 7:50pm AEST at Adelaide Oval

POWER

B: R.Burton, T.McKenzie, A.Aliir

HB: M.Bergman, T.Jonas, D.Byrne-Jones

C: X.Duursma, O.Wines, D.Houston

HF: K.Amon, T.Marshall, Z.Butters

F: R.Gray, C.Dixon, C.Rozee

FOLL: S.Lycett, T.Boak, W.Drew

I/C: O.Fantasia, P.Ladhams, R.Bonner, S.Motlop

EMG: S.Powell-Pepper, S.Mayes, B.Woodcock, T.Clurey

IN: O.Fantasia

OUT: M.Georgiades (injured), S.Mayes (omitted)

CATS

B: J.Henry, L.Henderson, J.Bews

HB: M.O’Connor, M.Blicavs, T.Atkins

C: S.Menegola, M.Duncan, I.Smith

HF: S.Simpson, J.Cameron, G.Rohan

F: B.Close, T.Hawkins, G.Miers

FOLL: R.Stanley, J.Selwood, P.Dangerfield

I/C: J.Kolodjashnij, B.Parfitt, C.Guthrie, L.Dahlhaus

EMG: M.Holmes, S.Higgins, E.Ratugolea, Z.Guthrie

IN: M.Duncan

OUT: M.Holmes (omitted), S.Higgins (sub)

SYDNEY SWANS v GWS GIANTS

Saturday August 28, 3:20pm at UTAS Stadium in Launceston

SWANS

B: H.Cunningham, L.Melican, D.Rampe

HB: J.Lloyd, T.McCartin, J.McInerney

C: J.Dawson, G.Hewett, I.Heeney

HF: W.Hayward, H.McLean, E.Gulden

F: T.Papley, L.Franklin, S.Wicks

FOLL: T.Hickey, L.Parker, J.Rowbottom

I/C: C.O’Riordan, C.Warner, O.Florent, J.Bell

EMG: S.Reid, C.Sinclair, B.Campbell, R.Fox

IN: C.Warner, J.Bell

OUT: C.Mills (injured), R.Fox (sub), B.Campbell (omitted)

GIANTS

B: J.Stein, S.Taylor, I.Cumming

HB: L.Ash, N.Haynes, L.Whitfield

C: J.Kelly, S.Coniglio, H.Perryman

HF: T.Taranto, H.Himmelberg, T.Greene

F: Z.Sproule, J.Hogan, M.de Boer

FOLL: S.Mumford, J.Hopper, C.Ward

I/C: S.Reid, D.Lloyd, T.Green, C.Idun

EMG: K.Briggs, T.Bruhn, P.Davis, C.Stone

IN: S.Mumford, S.Reid, T.Green

OUT: K.Briggs, T.Bruhn (both omitted), A.Kennedy, X.O’Halloran (both injured)

MELBOURNE v BRISBANE LIONS

Saturday August 28, 7:30pm at Adelaide Oval

DEMONS

B: T.Rivers, S.May, H.Petty

HB: J.Bowey, J.Lever, C.Salem

C: A.Brayshaw, C.Petracca, E.Langdon

HF: C.Spargo, T.McDonald, J.Viney

F: A.Neal-Bullen, B.Brown, B.Fritsch

FOLL: M.Gawn, C.Oliver, K.Pickett

I/C: J.Harmes, L.Jackson, J.Smith, T.Sparrow

EMG: N.Jones, M.Hibberd, J.Melksham, J.Jordon

IN: Nil

OUT: J.Jordon (sub)

LIONS

B: D.Gardiner, H.Andrews, B.Starcevich

HB: G.Birchall, M.Adams, D.Rich

C: H.McCluggage, Z.Bailey, J.Berry

HF: L.McCarthy, D.McStay, D.Zorko

F: N.Cockatoo, J.Daniher, C.Cameron

FOLL: O.McInerney, J.Lyons, L.Neale

I/C: M.Robinson, K.Coleman, J.Prior, T.Fullarton

EMG: T.Berry, R.Mathieson, C.Ballenden, J.Payne

IN: H.Andrews, M.Robinson

OUT: C.Ah Chee, R.Lester (both injured), R.Mathieson (sub)

WESTERN BULLDOGS v ESSENDON

Sunday August 29, 3:20pm at UTAS Stadium in Launceston

BULLDOGS

B: T.Duryea, A.Keath, B.Williams

HB: C.Daniel, Z.Cordy, B.Dale

C: A.Treloar, J.Dunkley, L.Hunter

HF: L.Vandermeer, A.Naughton, B.Smith

F: T.Liberatore, T.English, C.Weightman

FOLL: Le. Young, J.Macrae, M.Bontempelli

I/C (from): J.Schache, A.Scott, J.Johannisen, R.Smith, R.Gardner, R.West, M.Hannan, E.Wood

IN: A.Scott, R.West, R.Gardner

OUT: Nil

BOMBERS

B: M.Redman, J.Laverde, T.Cutler

HB: D.Heppell, J.Ridley, N.Hind

C: A.McGrath, Z.Merrett, A.Waterman

HF: W.Snelling, A.Francis, A.Perkins

F: J.Stringer, P.Wright, D.Smith

FOLL: S.Draper, D.Parish, D.Shiel

I/C (from): J.Stewart, D.Clarke, M.Guelfi, N.Cox, S.Durham, J.Caldwell, A.Phillips, M.Gleeson

IN: J.Caldwell, A.Phillips, M.Gleeson

OUT: Nil

THE LATEST ON YOUR CLUB’S INJURIES AHEAD OF FINALS

How is your club sitting in the medical department ahead of the finals series?

Essendon could roll the dice on two key midfielders, while its opponents the Western Bulldogs are weighing up strengthening their ruck stocks.

Meanwhile, Port Adelaide has some good news on the injury front.

Find out all the latest injury news ahead of the first week of the finals.

The race to the 2021 Toyota AFL Finals Series is on and every match matters. Watch Live & Ad-Break Free on Kayo. New to Kayo? Try 14-days free >

Harris Andrews is poised to return for the Lions. Picture: Michael Klein

BRISBANE

The Lions will be buoyed by the return of Harris Andrews for the first week of the finals after the key defender was a late withdrawal from last weekend’s West Coast game.

Andrews was sidelined because of a hamstring concern, replaced by Marcus Adams, but is likely to come back into the side this week.

Mitch Robinson was also absent from the final regular season game with a calf injury but is also in the frame to return.

INJURY LIST

Noah Answerth (groin) TBC

Eric Hipwood (knee) Season

Harry Sharp (ankle) Season

Cam Rayner (knee) Season

Mitch Robinson (calf) Test

ESSENDON

The Bombers have six players who could all come into the selection frame this week, with a small injury list a big positive heading into finals.

Wingman Kyle Langford will be assessed this week and will return from a hamstring injury that has sidelined him for the past three weeks if he ticks all the boxes and is declared fit by medical staff.

Forward Cale Hooker, who has been overlooked for the past four matches, put in what coach Ben Rutten described as a “really strong performance” in a scratch match against Greater Western Sydney on Sunday.

Jye Caldwell (hamstring) and Anthony McDonald-Tipungwuti (personal reasons) also played four quarters in that scratch match and will come into consideration, as well as defender Martin Gleeson who has been in and out of the senior side this year.

Midfielder Nik Cox was a non-playing medical sub against Collingwood on Sunday and will also be considered to come into the starting 22 for the Bombers’ first final.

Talented young forward Harrison Jones is set to undergo surgery on his foot and won’t be seen again until next season.

INJURY LIST

Kyle Langford (hamstring) test

Harrison Jones (foot) TBC

Michael Hurley (hip) season

Irving Mosquito (knee) season

Zac Reid (back) season

Harrison Jones will undergo surgery. Picture: Robert Cianflone/Getty Images

GEELONG

The Cats are confident Mitch Duncan and Zach Tuohy will play finals this year, the question is when. Tuohy will be right on the three-week mark this Friday, while Duncan would have benefited from the pre-finals bye. The Cats have also declared Patrick Dangerfield a certain starter despite the champion midfielder receiving treatment for his calf against Melbourne. Geelong is holding out hope Tom Stewart’s season is not done, despite the likelihood he won’t be seen until 2022.

INJURY LIST

Tom Stewart (foot) indefinite

Mitch Duncan (knee) test

Zach Tuohy (hamstring) test

When will Mitch Duncan return? Picture: Robert Cianflone/Getty Images

GWS GIANTS

Xavier O’Halloran won’t play in Saturday’s final against the Swans, meaning the Giants will make at least one change.

Captain Stephen Coniglio (toe) looms as his replacement after being the medi-sub in the AFL, then getting through about 70 minutes in a scratch match on Sunday.

Braydon Preuss (pectoral), Sam Reid (ankle), Bobby Hill (quarantine) and Matt Buntine (quad) also played in the practice game, but Tom Green (hamstring) is yet to return.

Shane Mumford (back) was rested last week and is a likely inclusion.

INJURY LIST

Callum Brown (hamstring) test

Jack Buckley (knee) season

Brent Daniels (hamstring) TBC

Jeremy Finlayson (personal) TBC

Matt Flynn (shoulder) season

Tom Green (hamstring) test

Tom Hutchesson (hamstring) indefinite/season

Lachie Keeffe (knee) season

Xavier O’Halloran (calf) 1 week

Will Shaw (shoulder) season

Michael Hibberd has found himself on the outer. Picture: Quinn Rooney/Getty Images

MELBOURNE

There is a very clean bill of health for the Demons with any change to the team which defeated Geelong unlikely.

Youngster James Jordon was the medical sub against the Cats while defender Michael Hibberd and forward Jake Melksham were both dropped for the final home and away game.

Former captain Nathan Jones continues to play well in reserve practice matches but is unlikely to get a fairytale call-up.

INJURY LIST

Marty Hore (knee) season

Jayden Hunt (ankle) 2-3 weeks

Aaron Nietschke (knee) season

Adam Tomlinson (knee) season

Mitch Georgiades suffered a hamstring injury against the Bulldogs. Picture: \Quinn Rooney/Getty Images

He was subbed out of the game. Picture: Michael Willson/AFL Photos via Getty Images

PORT ADELAIDE

Port Adelaide young gun Mitch Georgiades might not miss any footy despite suffering a hamstring injury against the Western Bulldogs.

The young forward was subbed out of the Power’s big win over the Bulldogs on Friday night after injuring his hamstring.

But on Monday Port assistant coach Brett Montgomery revealed that Georgiades still might be in contention to take on Geelong in Friday night’s qualifying final.

Montgomery said the early indicators around Georgiades’ hamstring was that it was on the “minor” scale and there was a chance he would not miss any footy because of it.

Georgiades was the biggest concern on a Port injury list that all of a sudden is looking positive for the Power.

Willem Drew (nose) and Todd Marshall (shoulder) both played out the rest of the game against the Bulldogs after copping the knocks.

Livewire forward Orazio Fantasia is expected to be right to face the Cats after he sat out the win over the Bulldogs with a tight hamstring.

INJURY LIST

Mitch Georgiades (hamstring) test

Hamish Hartlett (knee) test

Lachie Jones (ankle) test

Trent Burgoyne (hamstring) season

Kane Farrell (knee) season

Taj Schofield (hamstring) TBC

Callum Mills was subbed out of Sydney’s win over the Suns. Picture: Dylan Burns/AFL Photos via Getty Images

SYDNEY SWANS

Callum Mills (Achilles) and Josh Kennedy (hamstring) are the major names to watch, with coach John Longmire unable on Monday to guarantee either would play against the Giants.

Kennedy sat out last week’s game, while Mills was subbed out after missing the two matches before that.

Joel Amartey (groin) returned and played half of the Swans’ scratch game at the weekend, but Logan McDonald remains out after suffering a slight cheekbone crack a few weeks ago.

Matt Ling (foot) also resumed playing in the past fortnight.

INJURY LIST

Nick Blakey (leg) season

Josh Kennedy (hamstring) test

Logan McDonald (cheekbone) TBC

Callum Mills (Achilles) test

Sam Naismith (knee) season

Will the Bulldogs bring back Stefan Martin? Picture: Michael Klein

WESTERN BULLDOGS

The Bulldogs biggest selection dilemma will be whether to roll the dice on big man Stefan Martin, who has not played since Round 12 due to achilles and groin injuries, to help solve their issues in the ruck.

Martin got through a scratch match on the weekend unscathed but coach Luke Beveridge said the Bulldogs could not “hang their hat” on the former Lion and Demon due to the amount of football he has missed.

Swingman Josh Schache, who missed Round 22 with a knee issue, and defender Ryan Gardner, out since Round 15, could also come into the selection frame.

Gardner, Louis Butler (calf) and Schache also featured in the scratch match.

Defensive duo Hayden Crozier (concussion) and Ed Richards (shoulder) will both be unavailable to take on the Bombers after suffering injuries in Saturday’s hitout at Whitten Oval.

INJURY LIST

Hayden Crozier (concussion) TBC

Ed Richards (shoulder) TBC

Josh Bruce (knee) season

Toby McLean (knee) season

Originally published as AFL finals 2021 teams, expert tips: Latest injury and selection news