Mitch Moschetti has been rushed back into the Gippsland Power team after his Carlton commitments ended last week. Picture: Graham Denholm/AFL Photos

GIPPSLAND and Sandringham have received major boosts for their sudden-death NAB League semi-final at ETU Stadium on Saturday, with star players Mitch Moschetti and Ben Hempel making their long-awaited returns for their respective teams.

Mid-forward Moschetti is one of the Power’s spiritual leaders and organisers but has been making a splash in the Smithy’s VFL with Carlton, where he turned a 23rd man opportunity in Round 17 into seven impressive games at the State league level, where he averaged 12.6 disposals and kicked five goals.

The Power hasn’t looked the same team in his absence so would have been quietly smiling when the Blues’ VFL campaign ended at the hands of the Brisbane Lions last week shortly after they escaped their quarter-final against the Northern Knights.

He has averaged 24.6 possessions and 6.6 tackles in six games for the Power while also kicking five goals.

NAB LEAGUE TEAMS, SEMI-FINALS, click here

Ben Hempel is back in the Sandringham Dragons team to face the Power. Picture: Morgan Hancock/AFL Photos

Classy intercepting defender/wingman Hempel hurt his calf in the big Round 15 loss to Eastern Ranges and the Dragons were delighted to be able to recall him for Saturday's final, given he is an automatic selection when fit, averaging 15 touches and kicking four goals in 10 games while also performing well for Vic Metro in the national championships.

The Dragons also regained defender Mitchell Ryan in place of Mackenzie Allen, but their returns has been tempered by the loss of the in-form backline marshal Jakob Anderson with hamstring tightness.

The Power made three changes from the team that edged out the Knights, with Jasper Craven and Rhys Galvin also returning in place of unlucky trio Cooper Brown, Harry Scott and Lachlan Smith.

NAB LEAGUE INJURY LIST, SEMI-FINALS, click here

Isaac Hyatt will play his first match for the Tasmania Devils since Round 9. Picture: Jonathan DiMaggio/AFL Photos

Dandenong is unchanged for its clash with Tasmania, meaning last week’s late withdrawal, NAB League Team of the Year member Henry Hustwaite, has failed to overcome the ankle injury that cost him his quarter-final berth, with late inclusion Flynn Wood holding his place.

But the Stingrays are sweating on the fitness of star midfielder Mitch Szybkowski, who has been grounded by illness this week and must pass a fitness test to take his place in the team.

The Devils also made one change, with Isaac Hyatt returning for his first game since Round 9 in place of Braidy Simpson.

Twitter: @BRhodesVFL

2ND SEMI-FINAL
2.TASMANIA DEVILS (11-3) v
3.DANDENONG STINGRAYS (11-3)

Saturday, September 10, 11am @ ETU Stadium
(NAB League Official App, 10.55am)

THIS SEASON

Round 14, June 18, 2022, at Twin Ovals, Kingston
Dandenong      
4.3    8.8    11.12         17.13         115
Tasmania
2.0    2.3    3.4    5.5    35
Goals: STINGRAYS: J. Davidson-Lopo 5, L. Robinson 3, S. Frangalas, Z. Toledo, K. De La Rue 2, F. Emile-Brennan, S. Latreille, H. Collopy. DEVILS: O. Harper 2, T. Beaumont, G. Payne, C. Warren.
Top 5, +20 Disposals: STINGRAYS: T. Campbell-Farrell 28, C. Simpson 25, S. Frangalas 24, L. Robinson 22, H. Hustwaite, K. De La Rue 21. DEVILS: A. Schoenmaker 29, B. Simpson 28, F. Hooker 23, W. Clifford, M. Nicholas 22.
+6 Marks: STINGRAYS: S. Frangalas 8, N. Collier, H. Collopy, K. Shipp 6. DEVILS: A. Schoenmaker 13, F. Hooker 10, W. Clifford 7, B. Simpson 6.
+4 Tackles: STINGRAYS: S. Latreille, A. Clark, K. Shipp 4. DEVILS: W. Clifford 6, H. Ollington 4.
+10 Hitouts: STINGRAYS: J. McManus 19. DEVILS: C. Owen 23, L. Elphinstone 16.
+6 Inside-50s: STINGRAYS: S. Frangalas, T. Campbell-Farrell, L. Robinson 7. DEVILS: L. Nicholson 6.
+4 Rebound-50s: STINGRAYS: F. Emile-Brennan, B. Wilson 4. DEVILS: M. Nicholas 7, A. Schoenmaker, B. Simpson 6, K. Lunson 5, W. Clifford, D. Goss 4.
Team Stats: Disposals: DAN 362-329. Marks: TAS 89-77. Hitouts: TAS 47-29. Tackles: DAN 46-43. Inside-50s: DAN 65-31. Rebound-50s: TAS 48-26. Free Kicks: TAS 12-8.

PAST FIVE MATCHES

DEVILS
Quarters:
13.16 94 def Bendigo Pioneers 9.15 69
R15: 12.17 89 def Northern Knights 8.7 55
R14: 17.11 113 def Calder Cannons 4.6 30
R13: 8.16 64 def Gippsland Power 7.11 53
R11: 14.16 100 def Bendigo Pioneers 4.7 31

STINGRAYS
Quarters:
18.11 119 def Western Jets 6.10 46
R16: 7.12 54 def Gippsland Power 7.8 50
R15: 12.14 86 def Bendigo Pioneers 11.13 79
R13: 8.17 65 lost to Eastern Ranges 10.13 73
R12: 11.8 74 def Murray Bushrangers 10.11 71

DEVILS
IN:
I. Hyatt
OUT: B. Simpson (omit)

STINGRAYS
unchanged

Prediction: Devils by 5

Henry Hustwaite has failed to recover from an ankle injury in time for Dandenong's clash with Tasmania. Picture: Daniel Pockett/AFL Photos

1ST SEMI-FINAL
1.GIPPSLAND POWER (11-3) v
4.SANDRINGHAM DRAGONS (9-6)

Saturday, September 10, 1.30pm @ ETU Stadium
(NAB League Official App, 1.25pm)

THIS SEASON

Round 11, June 25, 2022, at Morwell
Gippsland          5.1    8.2    9.3    10.5  65
Sandringham    1.3    2.6    4.11  7.18  60
Goals: POWER: J. Garnham 3, J. Craven, S. Hoghton 2, P. Ireland, V. Caia, M. Moschetti. DRAGONS: T. Clayton 2, C. Rousakis, J. Hope, B. Andrews, L. McCluskey, A. Rielly.
Top 5, +20 Disposals: POWER: M. Moschetti 36, J. Scholtes, M. Walton 30, B. Couling 25, T. Hanily 22, R. Galvin 21. DRAGONS: L. Benton 33, B. Andrews 23, L. Travers 22, M. Clarkson 21, N. Scollo 18.
+6 Marks: POWER: B. Couling, R. Galvin, J. Scholtes 6. DRAGONS: C. Rousakis 7, B. Andrws, L. Benton, D. Gilbert, J. Hope 6.
+6 Tackles: POWER: H. Scott 9, M. Moschetti 7, N. Pipicelli, J. Scholtes 6. DRAGONS: N. Gray, C. Rousakis 7, L. Benton 6.
+10 Hitouts: POWER: N. Pipicelli 22. DRAGONS: B. Andrews 19, V. Visentini 18.
+5 Inside-50s: POWER: T. Hanily 8, M. Moschetti 6. DRAGONS: B. Andrews 7, J. Hope 5.
+5 Rebound-50s: POWER: R. Galvin 8, B. Couling, M. Walton 5. DRAGONS: M. Szonyi 5.
Team Stats: Disposals: GIP 351-346. Marks: SAN 81-67. Hitouts: SAN 37-27. Tackles: SAN 71-65. Inside-50s: SAN 47-39. Rebound-50s: GIP 40-28. Free Kicks: GIP 15-14.

PAST FIVE MATCHES

POWER
Quarters:
8.13 61 def Northern Knights 7.9 51
R16: 7.8 50 lost to Dandenong Stingrays 7.12 54
R15: 8.9 57 lost to GWV Rebels 10.9 69
R14: 20.20 140 def Northern Knights 6.4 40
R13: 7.11 53 lost to Tasmania Devils 8.16 64
DRAGONS
Quarters:
17.13 115 def Calder Cannons 8.6 54
Wildcard: 11.11 77 def Murray Bushrangers 10.7 67
R16: 14.9 93 lost to Oakleigh Chargers 13.20 98
R15: 7.11 53 lost to Eastern Ranges 20.10 130
R13: 11.12 79 def Geelong Falcons 7.14 56

POWER
IN:
J. Craven, R. Galvin, M. Moschetti
OUT: C. Brown, H. Scott, L. Smith (omit)

DRAGONS
IN: B. Hempel, M. Ryan
OUT: J. Anderson (hamstring), M. Allen (omit)

Prediction: Power by 8