There are only four teams left in the race to be crowned AFL premiers. By Saturday night, we’ll know who will face off in the decider. We preview the two crunch matches this weekend.
SCG, Friday, 7.40pm AEST
The Swans lost their captain Callum Mills to an ill-timed hamstring injury at training on Tuesday. Coach John Longmire may include the previous unlucky Taylor Adams, who was next man up; however, that would require a rejig that could send Ollie Florent into defence, qualifying final super sub Braeden Campbell into the starting side and potentially Adams as sub. The other option is for Robbie Fox, who can play forward or back, to replace Mills. Given the Swans just got over the line in the qualifying final, they may consider omitting a tall forward anyway as they were ineffective until Joel Amartey’s matchwinning goal.
Will Taylor Adams replace injured skipper Callum Mills?Credit: Getty Images
Port Adelaide need to replace Todd Marshall who is concussed and could consider Charlie Dixon, who looked sadly out of touch in the qualifying final. Ollie Lord is another option who has played well in a final. Jason Horne-Francis was dragged off the ground like a wounded soldier in the semi-final, but he says he was suffering cramp. He also said his quad was fine after it was checked out at the final break. It will be hard for Ken Hinkley to keep out Dixon but there is a strong argument the Power’s chances of winning increase without him.
Willem Drew on Errol Gulden, Chad Warner or Isaac Heeney?
There’s much to consider here. Swan Heeney is the harder match-up and his aerial power as strong as his running. Hinkley could put Zak Butters or Connor Rozee on Warner and just ask them to beat him, while paying special attention to defence. That would leave Gulden, the superb Sydney runner and kicker, for Drew, who could go to the wing and lock that part of the Swans’ unit down. Miles Bergman looks the logical opponent for Heeney when the Swan goes forward and he may look to hand off to Ollie Wines at stoppage.
Willie Rioli of the Power celebrates a goal as he put in a matchwinning performance against HawthornCredit: AFL Photos via Getty Images
Harry Cunningham or Dane Rampe on Willie Rioli?
Rioli is the key to Port Adelaide scoring and with Mills out, Longmire will trust the........