A season-ending knee injury to Brodie Smith and Mitch McGovern's hamstring injury could force at least two changes to Adelaide's side for Friday night's preliminary final with Geelong at Adelaide Oval. Star midfielder Rory Sloane will come back into the side after missing the qualifying final recovering from appendix surgery. His return will allow Paul Seedsman or David Mackay to shift to the half-back flank to cover for Smith, who tore his ACL. If McGovern is ruled out with a hamstring injury suffered at training last weekend, midfielder/forward Wayne Milera and swingman Andy Otten are the most likely replacements. Milera impressed in the scratch match the Crows' reserves had against Greater Western Sydney's reserves in their most recent hit-out. Troy Menzel and Curtly Hampton could also be considered. - Lee Gaskin
Tom Lonergan threw the Cats into a tailspin on Friday night when he came down with a stomach illness during the day and was unable to line up against the Swans. He's expected to be right to face the Crows, along with Tom Stewart, who threw reporters a red herring on Monday when he pretended to have picked up a similar bug and said he was headed home in quarantine. Gastro or not, Stewart's availability isn't confirmed this week with the young defender needing to pass a fitness test after he failed to finish the win over the Swans because of hamstring tightness. Midfielder Cam Guthrie is facing a race against time to prove his fitness after straining his calf in the qualifying final, while Nakia Cockatoo is a chance to be ready to play after overcoming a round 19 hamstring injury, but the Cats might deem him too much of a risk after three strains this season. - Jennifer Phelan.
The Cats got by without Tom Lonergan against the Swans but would love to have him back. Picture: AFL Photos
The Giants came through their massive win over West Coast in reasonably good shape, with some doubts still lingering over veteran Steve Johnson. The star forward kicked six goals against the Eagles but has battled a knee problem all season, so will need to get through training this week to make sure he's fit to face Richmond. Fellow forward Devon Smith has a knee injury of his own and has missed the past two games, but could be in line for a recall against the Tigers if he can also hit the track in front of coach Leon Cameron this week. Cameron isn't likely to make any unnecessary changes, but if Johnson and Smith are unavailable, the likes of Matthew Kennedy, Harry Perryman and Sam Reid could be considered. – Adam Curley
Steve Johnson showed just how valuable he can be in big games. Picture: AFL Photos
The Tigers' charge towards the VFL Grand Final has kept a number of fringe senior players in the frame for AFL selection with performances that can't be ignored. The small forward positions are under the microscope, with Sam Lloyd (30 possessions in the VFL) continuing a strong run of form that included a 48-possession, four-goal effort three weeks ago. The speed and goal sense of Shai Bolton remains appealing, but it would be a bold move for the Tigers to change their forward mix at this stage. Half-back Oleg Markov (26 possessions and a goal in the VFL) was the last player dropped to make way for Josh Caddy and he would be selected if the Tigers decided they needed more run against the Giants. Clearance specialist Anthony Miles (34 possessions) has been a ball-magnet at VFL level since his last senior game in round 20 and is available if centre-square reinforcements are needed. – Nathan Schmook
