AFL finals teams: See all the ins and outs for week one of the finals series

GEELONG has pulled a selection surprise by dropping forward Daniel Menzel for Friday night’s blockbuster qualifying final against Richmond.

GEELONG has pulled a selection surprise by dropping forward Daniel Menzel for Friday night’s blockbuster qualifying final against Richmond.

The Cats have made two changes, with Menzel and Wylie Buzza omitted as Joel Selwood and youngster Zach Guthrie come into the side.

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Menzel, who has booted 38 goals this season, may have played his last game for the Cats as speculation surrounding his playing future continues.

He remains unsigned beyond this season.

Menzel is rated the worst pressure forward in the competition and his 38 goals was not enough to save him.

Cats premiership captain Cameron Ling questioned the selection call, noting the mercurial Menzel was capable of snagging a few goals from limited disposals.

“I would’ve thought someone like Daniel Menzel, averaging about two goals a game this season … might be the difference,” Ling said on 3AW.

Cats great Paul Chapman recently said Menzel needed to improve his defensive game.

“Anyone who kicks 40 goals for the year is valuable. But for him to sign another contract, he has to work on his tackling and pressure,” Chapman said.

Selwood’s return from a syndesmosis injury comes a month after he underwent surgery.

Guthrie, the younger brother of Cameron Guthrie said he’s excited to play his first final in his debut season.

“To get this opportunity is very humbling,” he told the club’s website.

“I’m sure everyone will help me out and make it a lot easier.

“Everyone has been really good in making me feel more comfortable through the year, so hopefully it can be a good team effort on the night.”

RICHMOND has been boosted by the return of Josh Caddy from a hamstring injury for the clash at the MCG.

Oleg Markov is the unlucky player to miss out on selection.

Tigers coach Damien Hardwick confirmed on Thursday morning Caddy is fit and ready to go after hurting his hamstring against the Cats in Round 22.

“Caddy’s fully fit. He’ll play,” Hardwick said this morning.

“We expect our players to understand we’re going to pick the best side we can.”

ESSENDON has named Orazio Fantasia and Michael Hurley but Cale Hooker has failed to recover from bone bruising and will miss the elimination final against Sydney

Hooker did not train at Essendon’s main session on Wednesday.

Fantasia’s return is a major boost, with the goalkicker overcoming a hamstring injury that originally was expected to keep him out of at least the first final.

He has booted 38 goals this season, ranked third behind Joe Daniher (62 goals) and Hooker (41).

Heath Hocking and Jayden Laverde have been omitted.

SYDNEY has made three changes with star midfielder Dan Hannebery returning alongside ruckman Sam Naismith and Tom Papley.

Kurt Tippett has been dropped again, while Harry Cunningham and youngster Will Hayward have also missed out on selection.

“It was an interesting and tough decision (to choose Naismith over Tippett),” Sydney coach John Longmire said.

“(But) it’s good to have Naismith back. He’s obviously important with his ability to get his hand to the ball and speed around the ground.

“We’re confident he can come in and do the job for us.”

PORT Adelaide has made one change to its side for Saturday’s elimination final against West Coast, with small forward Jarman Impey returning.

Aidyn Johnson has been dropped.

Jackson Trengove has again been left out of the side as the free agent weighs up his future. He has been named as an emergency.

WEST Coast has made no change for the clash at Adelaide Oval.

Originally published as AFL finals teams: See all the ins and outs for week one of the finals series