Brisbane Lions hard nut Rhys Mathieson has been selected to play in the VFL preliminary final against Casey Demons on Saturday. Picture: Chris Hyde/Getty Images via AFL Photos

BRISBANE Lions have received a significant boost to their midfield for their do-or-die Smithy’s VFL preliminary final against Casey Demons at Casey Fields on Saturday, with Rhys Mathieson and Mitch Robinson returning to the team after surprisingly losing their AFL spots on Thursday night.

Mathieson was in the top three of the Smithy’s VFL Coaches Player of the Year award when voting went behind closed doors after Round 17, averaging 31.7 disposals in his 13 VFL matches.

Robinson, who announced his retirement during the week, has also been dominant in his six appearances at State league level, averaging 26.5 touches and seven marks and producing a 42-possession masterclass against the Demons in Round 22.

BRISBANE, AUSTRALIA - AUGUST 19: Mitch Robinson of the Lions celebrates a goal during the 2022 AFL Round 23 match between the Brisbane Lions and the Melbourne Demons at The Gabba on August 19, 2022 in Brisbane, Australia. (Photo by Russell Freeman/AFL Photos)

The Lions lost Jarryd Lyons after he failed to come up from last week’s VFL win over Carlton with his groin injury, while semi-final hero Darryl McDowell-White is out with concussion, but the inclusion of the tough ball magnets could be crucial in their bid to upset the Demons for the second time in three weeks.

They have further significantly strengthened the line-up by including AFL omission Jaxon Prior and VFL midfielder Tom Triffett for the preliminary final, with youngsters Wilson Barry and Luke O’Sullivan the unlucky duo to make way.

The Lions will also be without full-forward Tom Fullarton, with the key forward called up into the AFL team on Friday after Joe Daniher’s late withdrawal, with his replacement still to be decided upon.

SMITHY’s VFL TEAMS, PRELIMINARY FINALS, click here

Casey lost its only game of the year in Brisbane in Round 22 and will be hungry to make amends by securing the Grand Final spot that has seemed its to lose for the majority of the season, and the Demons have added speed Jake Bowey, Judd McVee, Andy Moniz-Wakefield and Roan Steele all returning to the team that thrashed Sydney in the qualifying final.

The Demons did, however, lose Bailey Laurie and Deakyn Smith to injury, while Taj Woewodin hasn’t recovered from the concussion sustained in the collision that earned Swan Peter Ladhams a season-ending suspension and Aiden Quigley has been dropped.

 

Jake Bowey has been named in the Casey Demons team. Picture: Albert Perez/AFL Photos

SMITHY’s VFL INJURY LIST, PRELIMINARY FINALS, click here

Southport and Gold Coast have each named unchanged teams for their Coast Clash preliminary final at Fankhauser Reserve on Sunday, which means Sharks stars Fraser Thurlow and Billy Gowers have fallen short in their bids to be declared fit to face the Suns.

Gowers, though, has been named as an emergency and could yet be a late inclusion if he comes up by Sunday.

Thurlow seriously injured his hamstring at the opening bounce of the Sharks’ Round 17 win over Sydney back on July 15, meaning he will now have missed two months if his team reaches the Grand Final, while Gowers hurt his knee in the Round 22 win over Coburg and missed the qualifying final.

Twitter: @BRhodesVFL

Southport Shark has failed in his bid to return for the preliminary final. Picture: Kelly Defina/AFL Photos

1ST PRELIMINARY FINAL
1.CASEY DEMONS (18-1) v 3.BRISBANE LIONS (15-5)

Saturday, September 10, 1.10pm @ Casey Fields
(7mate (Victoria and Brisbane), www.7plus.com.au, www.afl.com.au, AFL Live Official App, 1pm; Casey Radio 97.7FM, www.caseyradio.com.au, 12.30pm)

HEAD-TO-HEAD: Brisbane Lions 1-0. At Casey Fields: Never Met. Streak: Brisbane Lions 1

TEAM CHANGES

CASEY DEMONS
IN: J. Bowey, J. McVee, A. Moniz-Wakefield, R. Steele
OUT: T. Woewodin (concussion), B. Laurie, D. Smith (injured), A. Quigley (omit)

BRISBANE LIONS
IN: R. Mathieson, J. Prior, M. Robinson, T. Triffett
OUT: T. Fullarton (AFL), J. Lyons (groin), D. McDowell-White (concussion), W. Barry, L. O’Sullivan (omit)

Prediction: Casey Demons by 25

Billy Gowers has been named as an emergency and could yet be a late inclusion for the Sharks. Picture: Kelly Defina/AFL Photos

2ND PRELIMINARY FINAL
2.SOUTHPORT (14-5) v 4.GOLD COAST (14-6)

Sunday, September 11, 1.10pm @ Fankhauser Reserve
(7mate (Victoria and Brisbane), www.7plus.com.au, www.afl.com.au, AFL Live Official App, 1pm; Casey Radio 97.7FM, www.caseyradio.com.au, 12.30pm)

HEAD-TO-HEAD: Gold Coast 13-3. At Fankhauser Reserve: Gold Coast 7-2. Streak: Gold Coast 1 and 9 out of 10 (last loss May 21, 2021)

TEAM CHANGES

SOUTHPORT SHARKS
unchanged

GOLD COAST SUNS
unchanged

Prediction: Southport by 16

Brendan Rhodes’ winners: Last Round: 1. Season: 140/195

To thank football fans for their outstanding support throughout the 2022 season, the AFL is pleased to announce that entry to all matches in Weeks One to Three of the 2022 Smithy’s VFL Finals Series will be free.

For the 2022 Smithy’s VFL Grand Final, admission prices will be adults $20, concession/pensioners $15 and children under 15 free.

All remaining matches in the 2022 Smithy’s VFL Finals Series will be broadcast live and free on the Seven Network via Channel 7/7mate and 7plus, including the 2022 Smithy’s VFL Grand Final. 

Viewers outside of Victoria can tune in to Seven’s Smithy’s VFL coverage via 7plus. This weekend’s matches will also be available on 7mate for viewers in Brisbane.

All finals, including the Smithy’s VFL Grand Final, will be streamed live and free on AFL.com.au and the AFL Live Official Ap