Collingwood is set to regain two key cogs but will be without a third, while Melbourne faces an injury cloud of its own.

Plus Carlton has some selection headaches ahead of its first final in 10 years.

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FINALS WEEK 1 TEAMS (all times AEST)

COLLINGWOOD V MELBOURNE

Thursday September 7, 7:20pm at the MCG

PIES’ ROUND 24 TEAM …

B: O.Markov, B.Frampton, I.Quaynor

HB: B.Maynard – C, S.Pendlebury, J.Crisp

C: W.Hoskin-Elliott, T.Adams, J.Daicos

HF: B.Hill, B.Mihocek, J.Howe

F: J.Elliott, D.McStay, J.De Goey

FOLL: D.Cameron, P.Lipinski, S.Sidebottom

I/C: T.Mitchell, J.Noble, J.Ginnivan, M.Cox

EMG: E.Allan, F.Macrae, J.Carmichael, R.McInnes

Team Tips: Collingwood coach Craig McRae has “slept on a couple of magnets” this week but has declared one selection certainty – Mason Cox and Darcy Cameron will both play on Thursday night. McRae said the forecast wet conditions would “somewhat” influence the Magpies’ final side to face Melbourne but confirmed his two ruckmen would both line up in the qualifying final, possibly with one starting as the sub. All-Australian Nick Daicos was absent from the track on Tuesday, but McRae said Daicos would run again on Wednesday as he pushed for a return in the Magpies’ next game. The coach would not say whether Daicos would be available if the Pies lost to the Demons and were forced into a semi-final next week. “We’re hoping we’re not going to have to worry about that,” he said. “We’ll take what we can control right now.” Defenders Darcy Moore and Nathan Murphy will return from injury on Thursday, while pressure forward Beau McCreery is available after serving a one-week suspension. McRae said difficult selection calls loomed, with Jack Ginnivan performing brilliantly in McCreery’s absence in round 24 after spending most of the season on the fringes. He said: “It’s going to be tough, I’ve slept on a couple of magnets, not sure which way we’re going to go … we’ve got some headaches in front of us. I’m pretty happy to declare that (Cameron and Cox) both will play. What capacity, whether one starts as the sub …. we’ll work through that, but the best version of us over the last 18 months is when they’re both at their best, and we’d like to think that they’ll bring that on Thursday night.” – with Ed Bourke, NCA NewsWire

DEES’ ROUND 24 TEAM …

B: J.Bowey, S.May, T.Rivers

HB: J.McVee, J.Lever, C.Salem

C: L.Hunter, J.Viney, A.Brayshaw

HF: K.Chandler, J.Melksham, A.Neal-Bullen

F: E.Langdon, J.van Rooyen, K.Pickett

FOLL: M.Gawn – C, C.Oliver, C.Petracca

I/C: J.Smith, B.Fritsch, T.Sparrow, D.Turner

EMG: B.Laurie, A.Tomlinson, T.McDonald, T.Woewodin

Team Tips: Most of the intrigue had centred around Bayley Fritsch, who returned with five goals in Round 24 after a seven-week lay-off due to a foot injury, only to suffer another foot scare in the third term. But after completing a running session on Sunday then taking part in main training on Monday, Dees coach Simon Goodwin “there’s no question” around the availability of Fritsch, who was expected to get through Wednesday’s captain’s run. Jake Melksham will come out of the side after suffering an ACL injury. The Dees held a host of big names out of Casey’s final on the weekend, but Brodie Grundy played and starred the week prior with 35 disposals, 11 clearances and three goals. But veteran Tom McDonald has won the race to replace Melksham, after kicking nine goals from his past three VFL matches. Goodwin declared: “Tom McDonald will play. He’s ready … He’s got his body 100 per cent fit and healthy which is really important for Tommy.” Ben Brown has a knee complaint and doesn’t look to be in the mix for the Qualifying Final.

CARLTON V SYDNEY

Friday September 8, 7:50pm at the MCG

BLUES’ ROUND 24 TEAM …

B: A.Cincotta, J.Weitering, B.Kemp

HB: N.Newman, M.McGovern, A.Saad

C: B.Acres, S.Walsh, O.Hollands

HF: J.Martin, H.McKay, D.Cuningham

F: L.Fogarty, C.Curnow, M.Owies

FOLL: T.De Koning, A.Cerra, G.Hewett

I/C: Z.Fisher, M.Cottrell, P.Dow, C.Durdin

EMG: C.Marchbank, M.Pittonet, J.Motlop, E.Curnow

Team Tips: The Blues’ loss to Greater Western Sydney to end the regular season could make some tough selection calls slightly easier for Michael Voss. Patrick Cripps and Sam Docherty are both likely starters against the Swans after missing round 24 due to injury, while Jesse Motlop should return agter missing the Giants clash with illness, Blake Acres got through Carlton’s main training session on Tuesday but faces a further fitness test on Thursday to to take his place against the Swans after being subbed out with a collarbone injury against the Giants. The tall mix is a conundrum of sorts for Voss. Marc Pittonet was omitted for the final game which forced Harry McKay, who has been underwhelming since returning from injury into relief rucking. The question for Voss is does he back McKay to do the job and leave Pittonet out or let go of a small to play the three big men.

SWANS’ ROUND 24 TEAM …

B: T.McCartin, D.Rampe, H.Cunningham

HB: O.Florent, N.Blakey, J.Lloyd

C: E.Gulden, Ch.Warner, D.Stephens

HF: W.Hayward, H.McLean, I.Heeney

F: L.McDonald, J.Amartey, T.Papley

FOLL: T.Hickey, L.Parker – C, C.Mills

I/C: R.Fox, J.Rowbottom, S.Wicks, B.Campbell

EMG: M.Roberts, R.Clarke, L.Melican, A.Francis

Team Tips: The Swans are well set on the injury front, with both Tom Papley and Justin McInerney strong chances to come back in. Both are on track to return from hamstring tightness and a calf strain respectively. Those two have benefited from the pre-finals bye and are both set to come back into the senior side, with Joel Amartey playing in Round 24 after missing Round 23 with hamstring tightness.

ST KILDA V GWS GIANTS

Saturday September 9, 3:20pm at the MCG

SAINTS’ ROUND 24 TEAM …

B: J.Battle, C.Wilkie, J.Webster

HB: Z.Cordy, J.Sinclair, N.Wanganeen-Milera

C: M.Windhager, M.Owens, M.Wood

HF: J.Gresham, B.Hill, C.Sharman

F: J.Hayes, T.Membrey, M.Phillipou

FOLL: R.Marshall, J.Steele – C, B.Crouch

I/C: L.Stocker, D.Butler, J.Higgins, H.Clark

EMG: N.Coffield, R.Byrnes, J.Billings, T.Campbell

Team Tips: Max King was managed in round 24 and will look to hit the finals with a full head of steam. It’s more touch and go for Seb Ross, who suffered his latest hamstring setback in round 23. The pre-finals bye will help, but it will be a lineball call whether the veteran midfielder with the Saints confirming Ross will have to pass additional fitness tests later in the week. Both Josh Battle and Dougal Howard are now available for selection after overcoming concussion and wrist injuries respectively.

GIANTS’ ROUND 24 TEAM …

B: J.Buckley, C.Brown, C.Idun

HB: L.Ash, H.Himmelberg, L.Whitfield

C: J.Kelly, T.Green, H.Perryman

HF: T.Bedford, J.Riccardi, B.Daniels

F: D.Lloyd, J.Hogan, T.Greene – C

FOLL: K.Briggs, C.Ward, S.Coniglio

I/C: R.Angwin, L.Keeffe, I.Cumming, T.McMullin

EMG: N.Haynes, J.Fahey, M.Flynn, S.Taylor

Team Tips: All eyes are on Sam Taylor, who suffered a hamstring injury in round 23 that was only discovered at the start of the following week. He was ruled out in a late change last week, but didn’t even travel to Melbourne to face the Blues. Like many, the pre-finals bye has helped Taylor, but he remains far from certain to take his place in the side. Like Taylor, young gun Finn Callaghan will ramp up his training this week in a bid to take on the Saints. Callaghan has been managing ongoing Achilles soreness after playing 18 games so far this season. Giants medical boss James Rahme said: “Sam and Finn are feeling good so far and will do everything possible to put their hand up for selection this week. They’ve ticked all the boxes so far but will need to continue to progress this week and train strongly on Thursday.” Toby Bedford’s availability depends on the outcome of Thursday AFL Appeal Board hearing, where the small forward will fight to have his one-game rough conduct charge overturned.

BRISBANE LIONS V PORT ADELAIDE

Saturday September 9, 7:25pm at the Gabba

LIONS’ ROUND 24 TEAM …

B: B.Starcevich, H.Andrews, J.Payne

HB: C.McKenna, R.Lester, C.Ah Chee

C: H.McCluggage, J.Dunkley, D.Zorko

HF: C.Cameron, E.Hipwood, J.Berry

F: C.Rayner, J.Daniher, Z.Bailey

FOLL: O.McInerney, L.Neale – C, D.Wilmot

I/C: D.Robertson, K.Coleman, J.Fletcher, J.Lyons

EMG: K.Lohmann, H.Sharp, D.Gardiner, D.Fort

Team Tips: Lincoln McCarthy is set to be available for the Lions after managing a calf strain through the pre-finals bye. If McCarthy returns, Kai Lohmann was the sub and may have to make his way out of the side. Jack Gunston isn’t expected to available until the third week of finals as he continues his recovery from a MCL strain. Fellow veteran Daniel Rich is expected to return to full training this week. It is otherwise a healthy squad heading into September action for the Lions, who are perfectly poised to make a deep run.

POWER’S ROUND 24 TEAM …

B: T.Jonas, A.Aliir, L.Jones

HB: R.Burton, M.Bergman, D.Houston

C: T.Boak, O.Wines, X.Duursma

HF: J.McEntee, D.Byrne-Jones, S.Powell-Pepper

F: W.Rioli, O.Lord, J.Finlayson

FOLL: S.Hayes, J.Horne-Francis, C.Rozee

I/C: K.Farrell, Z.Butters, W.Drew, F.Evans

EMG: D.Visentini, D.Williams, B.Teakle, J.Burgoyne

Team Tips: Charlie Dixon signed a one-year contract extension this week but is unlikely to play against the Lions as he continues to recover from a foot fracture. In better news for the key position stocks, Scott Lycett returned via the SANFL last week as he looks to play his first senior game since round 19. The club’s lack of a number one ruck option has seen it express significant interest in Brodie Grundy, but Lycett would be a timely inclusion to go up against Oscar McInerney. Dante Visentini and Brynn Teakle were both emergencies against Richmond, but Visentini (quad) is at least a week from playing, according to the club.