SYDNEY SWANS
Who comes in and why?
Co-captain Jarrad McVeigh will return from a minor calf issue after missing last week's win over Geelong, and adds enormous experience to the back six. Provided Callum Mills has pulled up well after training on Wednesday, he also comes in to add class to the Swans' defence, but a late call on the NAB AFL Rising Star winner might be made on Friday after the team's last training session at the MCG.
Who goes out and why?
An unfortunate knee injury for Aliir Aliir makes him one of the hard luck stories this season, and Jeremy Laidler is likely to be the other. Against a different opponent he might have survived the cut, but the Western Bulldogs' forward line is full of ground level players, and Laidler's lack of leg speed would be a real issue. Heath Grundy and Dane Rampe will be the tall defenders, with Harrison Marsh on the bench for extra cover.
B – Nick Smith, Heath Grundy, Callum Mills
HB – Zak Jones, Dane Rampe, Jarrad McVeigh
C – Dan Hannebery, Josh Kennedy, Isaac Heeney
HF – Tom Papley, Xavier Richards, Ben McGlynn
F – Kurt Tippett, Lance Franklin, Gary Rohan
R – Sam Naismith, Luke Parker, Kieren Jack
INTER – Tom Mitchell, Jake Lloyd, Harrison Marsh, George Hewett
EMERG – Jeremy Laidler, James Rose, Toby Nankervis
In: Jarrad McVeigh, Callum Mills
Out: Aliir Aliir (knee), Jeremy Laidler (omitted)
WESTERN BULLDOGS
Who comes in and why?
Matt Sucking is a definite inclusion if his troublesome Achilles allows him to play. As the only listed Bulldog to have played in a season decider, the defensive playmaker's experience on the biggest stage of all will be invaluable. The 28-year-old also knows the Sydney Swans well from his time at Hawthorn, and his kicking skills we be required to help the Dogs transition from defence to attack against the Swans' fierce forward pressure. Midfielder Lin Jong will come under consideration as he's hard at the contest and is coming off a best on ground performance in the VFL Grand Final. But his collarbone injury in the elimination final win over West Coast opened the door for Toby McLean and the clever forward has hardly put a foot wrong since. In the unlikely event ruckman Jordan Roughead fails to overcome an eye injury, Tom Campbell appears to be in the box seat to play over veteran Will Minson, due being a more accomplished forward.
Who goes out and why?
Just about every Grand Final has a heartbreak story and key defender Fletcher Roberts looms as this year's for the Dogs. The 23-year-old, who was dropped for the semi-final win over Hawthorn after 16 home and away games this season, was serviceable in the preliminary final win over Greater Western Sydney. He held his own against star talls Jeremy Cameron, Jon Patton and Rory Lobb, but with the Swans not possessing the same aerial threat, Luke Beveridge is likely to be content going in with evergreen veteran Dale Morris and the improved Joel Hamling to combat Lance Franklin and Kurt Tippett. Versatile duo Zaine Cordy and Roughead are also options if need be.
B - Shane Biggs, Joel Hamling, Matthew Boyd
HB - Jason Johannisen, Dale Morris, Easton Wood
C - Lachie Hunter, Marcus Bontempelli, Liam Picken
HF - Jack Macrae, Zaine Cordy, Jake Stringer
F - Tory Dickson, Tom Boyd, Caleb Daniel
R - Jordan Roughead, Luke Dahlhaus, Tom Liberatore
INTER - Matthew Suckling, Toby McLean, Clay Smith, Josh Dunkley
EMERG – Lin Jong, Lukas Webb, Tom Campbell
In: Matthew Suckling
Out: Fletcher Roberts (omitted)
