WEST Coast and Melbourne will go in as named to Saturday's preliminary final at Optus Stadium. 

The Demons have confirmed their surprise selection from Thursday night, with athletic defender Joel Smith coming in to provide aerial cover against Eagles stars Josh Kennedy and Jack Darling.

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Bayley Fritsch, who had played every game bar one in his debut season, has been left out and will fly back to Melbourne to prepare for Casey's VFL Grand Final on Sunday.

The Eagles have made only one swap from their qualifying final victory over Collingwood two weeks ago, with veteran Will Schofield into the line-up to replace Brad Sheppard.

Sheppard will miss his first game since round one, 2015 after tearing his hamstring tendon against the Pies.  

The Eagles are aiming to reach their seventh Grand Final in club history – and second in four seasons - while the Demons haven't been back to the big dance since losing to Essendon in 2000.

Collingwood awaits the winner after upsetting reigning premiers Richmond by 39 points on Friday night.

West Coast v Melbourne at the Optus Stadium, 1.20pm AWST

NO LATE CHANGES

FINAL INTERCHANGES
West Coast: Dom Sheed, Daniel Venables, Nathan Vardy, Tom Cole
Melbourne: Christian Salem, Angus Brayshaw, Dom Tyson, Sam Weideman