PRELIMINARY final underdogs Geelong and the SydneySwans face a raft of personnel issues as they confront the biggest week oftheir premiership campaigns.
Both clubs have several injury concerns and willalso nervously await the findings of the Match Review Panel on Mondayafternoon.
The Cats' chief worry ahead of their Friday night clashwith premiership favourite Hawthorn is veteran Paul Chapman, whose brilliant four-goal display in the semi-finalwin over Port Adelaide was soured by his booking for engaging in rough conduct againstRobbie Gray.
In an incident similar to the one that resulted inHawthorn superstar Lance Franklin missing the first week of the finals, Chapmandelivered a high bump after Gray had kicked the ball.
Compounding matters for Chapman is the fact that he,unlike Franklin, left the ground before making contact.
If suspended, Chapman might well have played hislast game for the Cats - he hopes to play on next year even if it means he hasto go elsewhere.
The Cats will also await medical tests on severalplayers.
Defender JaredRivers hurt his left ankle and was substituted out of the clash with thePower in the last quarter.
TomHawkins remains a week-by-week concern as he battles achronic back problem. Hawkins kicked two goals against Port but failed to takea contested mark and continued to struggle with his mobility. However, the Catsare confident he'll play against Hawthorn.
JoshCaddy (ankle) appears a strong chance to return, whilechampion backman Corey Enright (knee)seems highly unlikely.
Meanwhile, Hawthorn's quest to break an 11-gamelosing streak against Geelong will be boosted by the return of superstars Lance Franklin (from suspension) and Cyril Rioli (ankle), while ruckman Max Bailey (soreness) is also available.
The already understrength Swans have further concernsin the lead up to their clash with Fremantle at Patersons Stadium on Saturdaynight.
Defender TedRichards, who had been earmarked to play on Dockers skipper MatthewPavlich, could face suspension after a high bump on Carlton big man LeviCasboult in Saturday night's semi-final at ANZ Stadium.
Swans spearhead Kurt Tippett (right knee) and young midfielder Tom Mitchell (right ankle) were out of action in the first quarter.The Swans are hopeful Tippett will be available but are unlikely to have theservices of Mitchell.
Champion midfielder Ryan O'Keeffe and young defender Dane Rampe bothtweaked ankles but are expected to be available.
In betternews, premiership utility LewisRoberts-Thomson is available after overcoming a knee injury, with the 30-year-oldkicking two goals for the Swans' reserves in their 52-point win over Belconnen inthe NEAFL preliminary final. The 174-gamer hasn’t played at AFL level since roundfour.
Fremantlewill test trio Michael Johnson (calf), Nick Suban(hamstring) and Garrick Ibbotson (achilles).
