McVeigh not named for Swans
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After much speculation over their injured stars, the Sydney Swans have welcomed back ruckman Kurt Tippett as one of two changes to the side that will face Geelong on Friday night.
It good news for speedster Gary Rohan, but no so for co-captain Jarrad McVeigh, who has been unable to overcome a calf injury in time, and has not been named in the 22.
Defender Zak Jones, who was knocked out in the NEAFL grand final a fortnight ago, is back for his first senior game in 10 weeks while Toby Nankervis makes way for Tippett.
All three emergencies – James Rose, Nankervis and Harry Cunningham – travelled with the team to Melbourne, along with McVeigh, but will not play barring a last-minute mishap to any in the selected team.
READ MORE FROM ANDREW WU HERE.
Menzel's run of bad luck continues
Daniel Menzel's injury heartbreak continues, with the cursed Cats forward out injured for Geelong's preliminary final against Sydney at the MCG on Friday night.
Menzel, who missed four years of football following four knee reconstructions, has groin soreness, which hampered him during the Cats' qualifying final win over Hawthorn – played four years to the day he first injured his knee in the corresponding game of 2011.
Menzel is one of two changes made by Geelong for the clash with Sydney, with young defender Tom Ruggles also omitted.
The pair have been replaced by small defender Jed Bews and returned key position player Lachie Henderson, who can now be expected to play forward instead of his regular defensive post, in Menzel's absence.
Luckless: Geelong footballer Daniel Menzel.
Bulldogs make surprise change
The Western Bulldogs have also suffered an injury blow ahead of Saturday's preliminary final against Greater Western Sydney at Spotless Stadium.
Rebound defender Matt Suckling will miss the clash with an Achilles injury, replaced in the Bulldogs' 22 by Fletcher Roberts, who was dropped on the eve of the finals campaign after having played 16 games this season. Roberts has impressed in his two finals with Footscray in the VFL since his omission.
Lin Jong will make his return from injury just two weeks after breaking his collarbone against West Coast. Jong will play for Footscray in Sunday's VFL grand final.
Matt Suckling (centre) has been left out due to an Achilles injury. Photo: Getty Images
Stevie J's replacement named
GWS has turned to Rhys Palmer to plug the gaping hole left by suspended forward Steve Johnson in Saturday's preliminary final against the Western Bulldogs.
Palmer will step in to fill the breach, with coach Leon Cameron favouring experience over youth as the club chases a maiden grand final appearance.
Youngsters Matt Buntine, Adam Kennedy, Matthew Kennedy and Will Hoskin-Elliott were all in the mix to fill Johnson's gigantic shoes, as was NEAFL captain Sam Reid, but Cameron opted for the man with 121 AFL games under his belt.
His nine seasons in the AFL make Palmer the seventh-most experienced player in the GWS side, although Saturday night's do-or-die clash against the Bulldogs will be his first final.
Rhys Palmer has been named for the Giants. Photo: Getty Images
Cameron was forced to replace Johnson after he was given a one-match suspension for a high bump on Sydney Swan Josh Kennedy.
"It was a really tough decision," Cameron said.
"We've chosen Rhys. We feel as though he could provide a target for us up forward, provide some really good forward pressure and go into the midfield if we need him.
"He's got the ability to tackle well, he's really hard at it and it's going to be a hard game."
