Wildcard AFL Team Tips: Star Dogs in race against time … as brutal Blues squeeze looms

A late twist has left the door open for a key Demon to play Carlton in their sudden-death clash, while the Bulldogs and Collingwood are nervously monitoring the fitness of several stars.

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WILDCARD FINALS TEAMS AND FIXTURE (all times AEST)

F: J.Dolan, M.Bontempelli (c), S.Davidson

I/C: L.Carmichael, R.Gardner, L.Kennedy, R.Sanders, R.West

In: C.Budarick, B.Dale, M.Bontempelli, R.Gardner

Out: L.Jaques (Omitted), L.Emmett (Omitted), T.Liberatore (Managed), J.Croft (Omitted)

Team Tips: The Bulldogs could be bolstered by the return Tim English to face Collingwood on Friday night, with the ruckman a chance to recover from a knee injury in time for the blockbuster clash. Coach Luke Beveridge had initially deemed him no chance to feature on wildcard weekend after suffering the injury against North Melbourne in Round 22. But he revealed on Fox Footy’s AFL 360 on Monday night that English would train on Wednesday in a bid to prove his fitness. Beveridge was also “optimistic” Aaron Naughton will be available after sitting out the last quarter of the Bulldogs’ win over Melbourne. The key forward was cleared of serious injury after an awkward landing and is expected to play, though Beveridge admitted his availability would “go to the line”. Louis Emmett and Jordan Croft were both dropped for the Demons game, but would be in the frame if Naughton needs to be replaced in attack. Should English play, Ryan Gardner would be almost certain to drop out after playing just 35 per cent game time as relief ruck for Rory Lobb against the Dees. Tom Liberatore will miss the start of the finals series after undergoing minor knee surgery, but the club is confident his season isn’t over should the Dogs make a deep September run.

I/C: L.Schultz, S.Pendlebury, S.Swadling, W.Hayes, N.Long

Out: N.Howes (Omitted), I.Quaynor (Injured)

Team Tips: The Pies’ decision to field a near full-strength team against Brisbane in Round 24 backfired, with Scott Pendlebury to miss the wildcard final against the Bulldogs with a hamstring strain. The Pies confirmed the injury, initially reported as a knee bursar issue, on Monday, with the AFL games record holder to miss 2-3 weeks. In a further blow, Brayden Maynard re-injured his knee at training last week and has also been ruled out of Friday night’s blockbuster. With Darcy Moore out for the season with a hamstring injury, it means Nick Daicos will again captain the Pies. In better news, the Pies are confident Isaac Quaynor and Patrick Lipinski will be fit to face the Bulldogs after missing the end of the home-and-away season with glute and calf concerns respectively. Coach Craig McRae said on Friday night the pair would be put through their paces at training during the week. If both return, youngster Will Hayes might be the unlucky one to make way after just nine disposals against the Lions.

I/C: B.Laurie, T.Rivers, B.Fritsch, H.Petty, J.Fitzgerald

Team Tips: The Demons are sweating on the fitness of key pair Jake Lever and Matt Jefferson after being forced into a wildcard final with their loss to the Western Bulldogs. Jefferson hyperextended his knee in the third quarter and played no further part, with scans showing bone bruising but no ligament damage. He will face a fitness test ahead of Saturday’s clash with Carlton, as will Lever, who suffered a toe injury against the Bulldogs. Initial reports surfaced that the veteran’s season was over after undergoing surgery on a broken toe, before it was later revealed the club had put off surgery until season’s end. Coach Steven King said on Fox Footy’s AFL 360 on Monday night the defender will be given “right up to Thursday” to prove his fitness, but won’t train until then. With Jacob van Rooyen still suspended for two more matches, King flagged a potential return for backup ruckman Max Heath to support Max Gawn and provide some extra height should Jefferson miss. Veteran Jack Viney‘s 19-disposal, 10-clearance effort on return from an Achilles injury in Casey’s final VFL match a week ago has him in the frame to play his first game of the season, to combat the Blues’ powerful midfield. Having made his return against the Bulldogs, youngster Xavier Linday (4 disposals) was quiet, and could make way.

I/C: O.Hollands, G.Hewett, M.McGovern, A.Cerra, M.Cottrell

Out: W.Hayward (Injured), N.Haynes (Injured)

Source: Read the original article on www.foxsports.com.au