- Swans co-captain Jarrad McVeigh fails to come up from calf strain
- Premiership player Matt Suckling misses with Achilles issue
- Tom Ruggles dropped for Jed Bews as Lachie Henderson returns
SYDNEY Swans co-captain Jarrad McVeigh has failed to prove his fitness for Friday night's preliminary final against Geelong and will miss with a calf injury.
In a blow to the Swans' chances of advancing to their third Grand Final in five years, McVeigh didn't do enough in Thursday's closed training session at the MCG and has been replaced by young defender Zak Jones.
The Swans have included speedster Gary Rohan and ruckman Kurt Tippett, however, after they proved they were over knee and jaw injuries respectively.
Toby Nankervis was the ruckman to make way for Tippett, with fellow big man Callum Sinclair still on the sidelines for the Swans with a knee injury.
Tippett missed last week's semi-final against Adelaide with a hairline fracture in his jaw, while Rohan's season appeared over when he was taken from the SCG on a stretcher after hurting his right knee against the Crows .
The diagnosis of bone bruising means he remains a chance to face the Cats, despite the six-day turnaround. The final teams will be named 90 minutes before the bounce on Friday night.
Emergencies Harry Cunningham, James Rose and Nankervis all travelled to Melbourne as insurance.
Geelong made two changes to their team, with defender Lachie Henderson returning after two weeks sidelined with a knee injury, replacing Dan Menzel, who has an adductor concern.
The Cats' dropped defender Tom Ruggles, who was replaced by Jed Bews, who last played in round 23 and has played seven games this season.
Geelong's emergencies are forwards Nakia Cockatoo and Shane Kersten and Ruggles.
The Western Bulldogs have been dealt an injury blow on the eve of their preliminary final against Greater Western Sydney, with important defender Matt Suckling sidelined with an Achilles injury.
The shock injury robs the Bulldogs of their equal most experienced finals player as they travel to Spotless Stadium for their first preliminary final since 2010.
Defender Fletcher Roberts, who last played in round 23, has been granted a lifeline and comes into the 22 in the only change.
The emergencies are Tom Campbell, Lukas Webb and Roarke Smith.
Giants forward Rhys Palmer has won the battle to replace suspended forward Steve Johnson for Saturday's historic twilight clash.
Palmer last played in round 16 but has dominated at NEAFL level, recently kicking 4.3 and winning 35 possessions in a preliminary final at the second level.
He will have one game to prove himself should the Giants win through to the Grand Final, with Johnson to return after his one-match suspension.
The Giants' emergencies are Will Hoskin-Elliott, Adam Kennedy and Sam Reid.
Friday, September 23
Geelong v Sydney Swans at the MCG, 7.50pm AEST
GEELONG
In: L.Henderson, J.Bews
Out: D.Menzel (groin), T.Ruggles
SYDNEY SWANS
In: K.Tippett, Z.Jones
Out: J.McVeigh (calf), T.Nankervis
Saturday, September 24
Greater Western Sydney v Western Bulldogs at Spotless Stadium, 5.15pm AEST
GREATER WESTERN SYDNEY
In: R.Palmer
Out: S.Johnson (suspended)
WESTERN BULLDOGS
In: F.Roberts
Out: M.Suckling (Achilles)
