Huge Hawks boost: The players from each AFL finals team in a race to be ready

Positive scan results have put Hawthorn’s Josh Weddle in the frame to play finals as he recovers from a back injury that has kept him out since round 16.

The running defender has been in modified training and could play with the Box Hill Hawks in this week’s VFL qualifying final against Southport to prove his fitness for the elimination final.

Harry Morrison will have recovered from a quad injury to be available for selection and Mitch Lewis is expected to recover from the corkie that saw him subbed out of the final round match against the Brisbane Lions.

Rachele touch and go for qualifying final

Adelaide are facing a huge call as they consider whether to recall exciting forward Josh Rachele to replace suspended playmaker Izak Rankine in next Thursday night’s qualifying final against Collingwood.

It would be the 22-year-old’s first match for close to two months after he suffered a posterior capsular tear with a bone compression injury in round 17.

Although his recovery has been tracking well he remains a touch and go proposition to play in the Crows’ first final since the 2017 grand final against Richmond.

Having earned the double chance the Crows have the opportunity to consider holding the match winning forward back, but a decision is not expected until closer to the game. Rachele kicked 25 goals in 13 matches this season.

Despite Rankine’s absence due to his suspension for four matches for using a homophobic slur on the ground, the Crows will be strengthened by the return of defender Max Michallaney who has not played since round 20.

The injury forced to the sidelines for the first time in his career since he was a first round selection for the Crows as a father-son.

Magpies consider premiership trio

Collingwood will again be without Jeremy Howe and Bobby Hill - both were missing in round 23 when the Crows won by three points - with Wil Parker likely to replace Howe.

Howe is not expected to be available until the preliminary final - if Collingwood qualifies - after he heard ‘a pop’ when he injured his groin against Melbourne.

Premiership trio Tom Mitchell, Mason Cox and Oleg Markov all played in the VFL on Sunday and will be considered for selection.

Dual Brownlow medallist due back for Lions

The Brisbane Lions are certain premiership midfielders Lachie Neale and Jarrod Berry will play in the qualifying final against Geelong, but they will be without Eric Hipwood as he overcomes a calf injury.

Neale, the dual Brownlow winner, trained on Saturday and will join the group when they begin their build up on Thursday to the clash against the Cats.

The Lions may have a selection call in which tall forwards they play with Ty Gallup and Henry Smith vying for a spot if they retain their structure alongside Logan Morris.

Oscar McInerney will also be part of a debate whether he returns for finals or they stick with premiership ruckman Darcy Fort, who has not missed since round 10.

Cats’ dream injury run

Geelong is in excellent shape for the clash against the Lions with young ruckman Toby Conway the only player on their list out injured. Conway, who has not played a senior game this season, has a foot injury.

Hogan, Stringer, Kelly in the running

They could face the Giants who have a selection dilemma with five senior players expected to be available to return to the team. Brent Daniels played in the VFL loss to Richmond and pulled up well while Jack Buckley suffered a minor calf injury last Friday on the other leg that had kept him sidelined last.

Jesse Hogan had good news relating to his foot soreness and is running in the alter-G in the hope of playing finals while veterans Jake Stringer and Josh Kelly will have recovered from soft tissue injuries.

Coach Adam Kingsley said he would need to determine whether introducing five new players for the first final - something the Western Bulldogs did for the first final in 2016 - will unsettle the team.

Docker in doubt

Corey Wagner was the only injury to arise out of the Dockers win over the Western Bulldogs which put them on course to play the Suns at Optus Stadium. Wagner was having scans on his pectoral muscle to determine the extent of injury but is in doubt for the elimination final.

Gold Coast must beat Essendon on Wednesday night to play finals for the first time. The return of Bailey Humphrey will boost the line-up that failed against Port Adelaide on Friday night.

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