GREATER Western Sydney is placing faith in a smaller line-up as it tries to keep its flag hopes alive in an elimination final against West Coast at Spotless Stadium on Saturday night.
The Giants have turned to retiring ex-Geelong premiership hero Steve Johnson and first-year forward Tim Taranto – for his first AFL game since round 14 – as replacements for Shane Mumford (foot) and Jeremy Cameron (hamstring).
Dawson Simpson loomed as a logical substitute for Mumford, but GWS will instead trust some combination of Rory Lobb, Jonathon Patton and Harrison Himmelberg in the ruck. Simpson is an emergency, so could yet play.
Lobb faces a big task against Eagles big men Nathan Vardy and Drew Petrie, who both shone in the last-gasp extra-time victory over Port Adelaide.
Johnson was left out of the Giants' first final after a sustained run of underwhelming form, including seven goals in his past nine games. He staked his claim for a recall with a solid performance in a practice match against Adelaide last Friday.
Taranto, 19, was a fixture in the Giants' senior team before requiring ankle surgery, and has worked diligently to force his way back into a side that suffered a disappointing 36-point loss to Adelaide last week.
The Eagles made just one change, omitting 20-year-old Luke Partington in preference of the more experienced Sharrod Wellingham. Wellingham has played just one AFL match since round 16.
There was speculation West Coast might select spring-heeled ruckman Nic Naitanui (knee) for his first match of the season, but that will have to wait at least another week, if the Eagles advance. Chris Masten, Partington and Will Schofield are on standby.
As Geelong coach Chris Scott confirmed on Wednesday, forward Daniel Menzel – who was controversially dumped last week – is back to take on Sydney in Friday night's elimination final at the MCG.
Menzel missed the 51-point qualifying final loss to Richmond last week, in part because of forecast wet conditions, but the decision backfired as the Cats kicked only five goals on the night.
Darcy Lang is the other inclusion, with midfielder Cam Guthrie (calf) and athletic utility Jordan Murdoch (omitted) coming out of the side. But Jake Kolodjashnij (calf) looks set to play.
Murdoch had only eight possessions in the Tigers' defeat, including putting two shots out on the full in the opening term. He is an emergency, alongside ruck-forward Rhys Stanley and Jackson Thurlow.
The Swans are unchanged, with defenders Aliir Aliir and Lewis Melican and luckless midfielder-forward Dan Robinson waiting in the wings.
Friday, September 15
Geelong v Sydney at the MCG, 7.50pm AEST
GEELONG
In: D.Menzel, D.Lang
Out: C.Guthrie (calf), J.Murdoch (omitted)
SYDNEY
No change
Saturday, September 16
Greater Western Sydney v West Coast at Spotless Stadium, 7.25pm AEST
GREATER WESTERN SYDNEY
In: S.Johnson, T.Taranto
Out: S.Mumford (foot), J.Cameron (hamstring)
WEST COAST
In: S.Wellingham
Out: L.Partington (omitted)
