ID :
206041
Thu, 09/08/2011 - 14:39
Auther :
Shortlink :
https://oananews.org//node/206041
The shortlink copeid
No Waite, Kreuzer for AFL's Blues
SYDNEY (AAP) - 08 Sept - Carlton will enter Sunday's pressure-packed AFL elimination final against Essendon without big guns Jarrad Waite and Matthew Kreuzer.
Coach Brett Ratten, aiming to avoid three first-weekend finals exits in as many seasons, had expressed hope earlier this week that key forward Waite might return from a hip injury for at least a substitute's berth.
And the Blues had also been confident ruckman-forward Kreuzer would be available, despite being forced off with a foot injury against St Kilda last weekend.
But both were left out of Carlton's 25-man squad on Thursday, leaving the Blues lacking noted marking targets in attack.
In contrast, Essendon, coming off the bye, were significantly boosted by the inclusions of veteran key defender Dustin Fletcher and tough midfielder Heath Hocking, who will probably get the job on Blues skipper Chris Judd.
Collingwood defensive trio, captain Nick Maxwell, Heath Shaw and Leon Davis will all return for Saturday's qualifying final against West Coast.
The Magpies dropped ruckman Cameron Wood, leaving the out-of-form Darren Jolly to battle star Eagles duo Dean Cox and Nic Naitanui with support from only part-timers such as Leigh Brown.
Collingwood youngsters Alex Fasolo and Ben Sinclair were also axed.
The Eagles welcomed back midfield gun Daniel Kerr from injury.
Geelong dropped their oldest player, defender Darren Milburn, and could not find room for another veteran, key forward Cameron Mooney, in the side to play Hawthorn in Friday night's qualifying final.
Shannon Byrnes (calf) was a forced omission, while Joel Corey will remain sidelined by a groin complaint.
As expected, the Hawks recalled the eight key players they rested against Gold Coast last weekend.
They are captain Luke Hodge, Lance Franklin, Cyril Rioli, Jordan Lewis, Brad Sewell, Shaun Burgoyne, Grant Birchall and Max Bailey.
Veteran Cameron Bruce (soreness) was among the omissions, along with key defender Ben Stratton, who returned from a long absence with a knee injury against the Suns.
Sydney were unable to recall key defender Heath Grundy, who has glandular fever, for Saturday night's elimination final against St Kilda, but Lewis Roberts-Thomson will bolster their defence.
Key forward Sam Reid also returned, after being left out with calf tightness last weekend, with Nick Malceski and Lewis Jetta dropped.
The Saints dropped Michael Gardiner, who played his first game of the season last weekend after battling injury all year, leaving Ben McEvoy to take on form Swans ruckman Shane Mumford.
David Armitage was the Saints' inclusion.
Coach Brett Ratten, aiming to avoid three first-weekend finals exits in as many seasons, had expressed hope earlier this week that key forward Waite might return from a hip injury for at least a substitute's berth.
And the Blues had also been confident ruckman-forward Kreuzer would be available, despite being forced off with a foot injury against St Kilda last weekend.
But both were left out of Carlton's 25-man squad on Thursday, leaving the Blues lacking noted marking targets in attack.
In contrast, Essendon, coming off the bye, were significantly boosted by the inclusions of veteran key defender Dustin Fletcher and tough midfielder Heath Hocking, who will probably get the job on Blues skipper Chris Judd.
Collingwood defensive trio, captain Nick Maxwell, Heath Shaw and Leon Davis will all return for Saturday's qualifying final against West Coast.
The Magpies dropped ruckman Cameron Wood, leaving the out-of-form Darren Jolly to battle star Eagles duo Dean Cox and Nic Naitanui with support from only part-timers such as Leigh Brown.
Collingwood youngsters Alex Fasolo and Ben Sinclair were also axed.
The Eagles welcomed back midfield gun Daniel Kerr from injury.
Geelong dropped their oldest player, defender Darren Milburn, and could not find room for another veteran, key forward Cameron Mooney, in the side to play Hawthorn in Friday night's qualifying final.
Shannon Byrnes (calf) was a forced omission, while Joel Corey will remain sidelined by a groin complaint.
As expected, the Hawks recalled the eight key players they rested against Gold Coast last weekend.
They are captain Luke Hodge, Lance Franklin, Cyril Rioli, Jordan Lewis, Brad Sewell, Shaun Burgoyne, Grant Birchall and Max Bailey.
Veteran Cameron Bruce (soreness) was among the omissions, along with key defender Ben Stratton, who returned from a long absence with a knee injury against the Suns.
Sydney were unable to recall key defender Heath Grundy, who has glandular fever, for Saturday night's elimination final against St Kilda, but Lewis Roberts-Thomson will bolster their defence.
Key forward Sam Reid also returned, after being left out with calf tightness last weekend, with Nick Malceski and Lewis Jetta dropped.
The Saints dropped Michael Gardiner, who played his first game of the season last weekend after battling injury all year, leaving Ben McEvoy to take on form Swans ruckman Shane Mumford.
David Armitage was the Saints' inclusion.
