The question for the Dockers this week is whether Michael Johnson will play. Ross Lyon believes he is a good chance to come back from a calf problem that kept him out of the qualifying final. Garrick Ibbotson is trying to get up from an Achilles problem that has kept him out since round 18 but is unlikely to play. Nick Suban has had some injury concerns over the past month having been subbed out of his last two matches. He suffered hamstring tightness against Port Adelaide in round 22 and an ankle injury saw him subbed against Geelong in the qualifying final. However, he should be available to play the preliminary final. - Alex Malcolm
GEELONG
At this stage, the Cats seem likely to make just one change for Friday night's preliminary final against Hawthorn, with emerging midfielder Josh Caddy set to replace suspended veteran Paul Chapman. Caddy looks to have recovered from the ankle injury he suffered against Fremantle in the first week of the finals. But Geelong coach Chris Scott insists that a number of other players are also in the mix, including small forward Billie Smedts and dashing wingman Jordan Murdoch. Scott also says that forward Shane Kersten, who is yet to make his debut, will almost certainly be named as an emergency for the big clash. If Tom Hawkins' back problems prevent him from playing, Kersten could make his debut in one of the biggest games of the season. - Adam McNicol
HAWTHORN
The Hawks will welcome Lance Franklin back from suspension for Friday night's clash with Geelong, with Matt Spangher highly likely to make way despite his strong performance in the qualifying final. Providing he pulls up well after testing his ankle at training during the week, Cyril Rioli will also come back in, possibly at the expense of youngster Jed Anderson. Shane Savage starred with five goals and 28 disposals for Box Hill on Sunday, but it's hard to see where he could be slotted into the senior team. A short five-day break between matches might not help his chances, either. - Mark Macgugan
As they have all season, injuries will once again force coach John Longmire to dig deep and find a new line-up for Saturday's preliminary final against Fremantle. Kurt Tippett (knee) and Tom Mitchell (ankle) are the latest casualties this week. Ben McGlynn (calf) is expected to return after he missed the semi-final win over Carlton, wile Lewis Roberts-Thomson played for the reserves on Sunday, his first match since round four. If Longmire wants to stick with his four talls structure, 'LRT' is his only remaining option, due to Adam Goodes, Sam Reid and Tommy Walsh's season-ending injuries. But he is more likely to stick with Jesse White in the forward line, along with rotating ruckmen Mike Pyke and Shane Mumford. Youngsters Harry Cunningham and Shane Biggs weren't overawed by their first final last week and they may be joined in Perth by Brandon Jack or Jed Lamb. Gary Rohan also played in the reserves on Sunday, but may not have done enough to earn a recall. - James Dampney
