HOW INJURIES AFFECT THE AFL FINALISTS
1. RICHMOND
Premiership forward Jacob Townsend will play no part in the finals after breaking his leg in the VFL. A fringe selection this season, Townsend would nonetheless have provided handy cover given the Tigers' lack of tall forwards. Kane Lambert is on track for the qualifying final against Hawthorn but Dan Butler will be touch-and-go.
2. WEST COAST
Spearhead Josh Kennedy is a certain starter for the qualifying final against Collingwood, having missed the past month with a small fracture in his shin. Lewis Jetta (calf) will also return. Besides ruckman Nic Naitanui (ACL) and suspended wingman Andrew Gaff, the Eagles are fully stocked.
3. COLLINGWOOD
All eyes will be on Adam Treloar and Jeremy Howe as they press to return for the first final. Treloar is back in full training after injuring both hamstrings while Howe is recovering well from surgery to drain a nasty cork. Darcy Moore, Tyson Goldsack and Ben Reid could be options later in September while Daniel Wells, Matt Scharenberg, Lynden Dunn and Jamie Elliott are out for the season.
4. HAWTHORN
The Hawks have a host of players that could return through the VFL at the weekend, although they would have to contend with a five-day break before the Thursday night qualifier against Richmond. Veteran Grant Birchall could play his first game since round 15 last year, while James Sicily, James Frawley and the suspended Daniel Howe are also in the mix.
5. MELBOURNE
Jack Viney (foot) appears certain to return for the Demons' elimination final against Geelong. Forward Mitch Hannan (knee) is also in the mix but it's hard to see either Dom Tyson (broken arm) or Dean Kent (shoulder) getting back for the first week. Jayden Hunt (ankle) is another who could bolster a Demons side missing bookends Jesse Hogan and Jake Lever.
6. SYDNEY
Big guns Lance Franklin and Luke Parker are expected to recover from groin complaints in time for a sudden-death clash with GWS, while Dan Hannebery should also be right despite copping a big cork. Callum Mills, Nick Smith and Sam Naismith are done for the season.
7. GWS
Star forward Toby Greene headlines a long list of Giants vying for a first-week return. Zac Williams, Sam Taylor, Aiden Corr and Matt De Boer are also in contention. Brett Deledio will hope to play a part in the finals but Jonathon Patton, Tom Scully and Heath Shaw won't play again this year.
8. GEELONG
Ruckman Rhys Stanley (calf) is unlikely for week one but the Cats will seriously consider bringing in Esava Ratugolea, who's set for another run in the VFL after badly breaking his ankle earlier in the year. Cam Guthrie suffered a bad cork but should be fine, while Nakia Cockatoo is their only major season-ending injury.
