A weekend of state league footy has enabled key players to gain fitness ahead of crucial week one finals selection.

Plus the latest on injury concerns and other selection news at every finalist.

Catch up on the latest line-up and injury news ahead of week one of the AFL finals in Team Whispers!

BRISBANE LIONS v RICHMOND

Second Elimination Final, Thursday September 1, 7:20pm AEST at the Gabba

Lions veteran Daniel Rich has backed “spunky” rookie Darcy Wilmot to rise to the occasion if he’s handed his AFL debut in Brisbane’s do-or-die finals affair against Richmond on Thursday night at the Gabba.

With Noah Answerth suspended and Marcus Adams’ season potentially over due to ongoing concussion effects, there are spots up for grabs in Brisbane’s defence.

Wilmot, 18, was the Lions’ first pick in last year’s AFL draft at No.16, but is yet to make his senior debut.

In an indication Wilmot is being considered by Lions coach Chris Fagan, he didn’t play for Brisbane’s VFL side in its weekend finals loss to Southport.

While it would be a selection gamble to blood Wilmot in the pressure-cooker atmosphere of an elimination final, experienced defender Rich tipped the teenager to flourish if given an opportunity.

“He’s a pretty exciting young player – he’s got a lot of spunk to him,” Rich said of Wilmot.

“If he gets that chance, it’s going to be really exciting for him and the boys. He brings a lot of energy and hopefully we see him out there.

“To debut in a final would be massive. It doesn’t happen very often, but you hear some pretty good stories.”

A feel-good story is what the Lions need after being thrashed in the final round of the regular season by Melbourne and the loss of key defender Adams, who hasn’t recovered from delayed concussion after receiving a heavy knock in Brisbane’s win over Carlton on August 7.

Fagan told SEN on Monday that Adams “looks to be done”. Rich said Adams’ health was the priority and that concussion could not be “taken lightly”.

While Adams hasn’t recovered from his bout of concussion, the versatile Callum Ah Chee – who has missed Brisbane’s past two AFL matches after being hit by Carlton’s Patrick Cripps – returned via the VFL and could play on Thursday night.

The Lions must also find a replacement for banned forward Cam Rayner, who was suspended for one match after being charged with careless conduct for a tackle on Melbourne’s Ben Brown.

Jarrod Berry was subbed out of last Friday’s loss to Melbourne with an ankle injury. The Lions said Berry had recovered well from his ankle injury and would train Tuesday to be available to play.

RICHMOND superstar Dustin Martin is available for Thursday night’s elimination final after ticking all of the boxes for a return from injury.

And the Tigers insist All-Australian Shai Bolton will play against the Lions, despite missing Monday’s training session due to personal reasons.

Martin hasn’t played since Round 16 due to a serious hamstring injury, but looked in great shape during training sessions on Saturday and Monday as he firms to face the Lions on Thursday night at the Gabba.

The triple Norm Smith Medallist participated in every drill of the Tigers’ 90 minute session on Monday, with no signs of hamstring bother.

“Dustin had a really encouraging session today (Monday) and he fully trained the whole session, on top of fully training on Saturday,” Tigers physical performance manager Peter Burge said.

“He’s ticked all the markers that we wanted him to in terms of full return to training and for his availability.

“So, at the moment he’s completed everything we’ve asked of him and now it’s just a matter of taking it to match committee, and the coaches and us as a match committee deciding if he’s available for selection or not.”

Jack Graham is also available following a foot injury while Tom Lynch, who has been dealing with a groin issue, is set to face the Lions.

Despite an injury scare Noah Cumberland should line up against Brisbane.

“Noah had an incident last Thursday. We had a pretty strong hit-out with the whole group, some match practice, and he just had some direct trauma onto his foot,” Burge said.

“He kicked another player’s leg and at the time it didn’t look so good, but he pulled up really well within 24 hours, it was just a really bad bruise on the top of his foot.

“He trained on Saturday and fully trained today and he’s fine, he’ll be ready to go Thursday night.”

And while Dylan Grimes won’t be available for at least another week or two, the signs are good for the defender to feature if the Tigers reach the preliminary or Grand Final.

“Dylan has started running in the last week and has progressed actually a little quicker than we’d expected,” Burge said.

“So, today he was running at about 60 per cent pace and he started changing direction and doing some low level agility movements. His progression has been really encouraging.

“As I’ve said previously, the deeper we go into the finals, the better the chance Dylan has of returning. But certainly today, the speed he was able to get to was really encouraging for us.”

MELBOURNE v SYDNEY SWANS

Second Qualifying Final, Friday September 2, 7:50pm AEST at the MCG

Premiers MELBOURNE are hopeful young star Luke Jackson will be ready to take his place for Friday’s qualifying final but may have a forward replacement ready if he’s not.

Jackson was subbed out of the thumping win over Brisbane with a corked calf, which was getting tighter throughout the match.

The huge win allowed the Demons to be conservative with the premiership player, with Demons GM of football Alan Richardson conceding on SEN after the game: “Given its two weeks (until the game) we’re really comfortable he’ll be right.

“We know what the (sub) rule is there for, this was one where there was a chance he could do a pretty significant injury and then he does miss a potential final, so we didn’t want that to happen.”

Likewise Christian Salem, who suffered a groin strain last week and was a late withdrawal from the Lions clash, is rehabbing.

“He is recovering well and had done some rehab training this week and will look to fully train next week to hopefully play,” club doctor Laura Lallenec said.

Tom McDonald could be available after kicking a goal from 11 disposals in the Demons’ VFL qualifying final win over Sydney.

The 29-year-old has not played several months due to foot surgery after a Lisfranc injury, but got through the game unscathed in a major boost to their forward stocks.

“I got through, a bit sore towards the end with a bit of stiffness and soreness,” he told Melbourne Media.

“Been a bit of a rushed timeframe but the aim was to get back and play finals.

“I was nervous driving in, just because you’re nervous to play footy again.

“I’ll try to do as much training as I can.

“The gym stuff is probably the most important to get the foot strength back.”

McDonald kicked seven goals in his final two games before getting injured this year, and bagged two in last year’s Grand Final.

Luke Dunstan also pushed for a spot with a best-on-ground haul of 38 disposals, 11 clearances and two goals, though he’s almost certain to remain a high-quality emergency option.

SYDNEY had a major win when their qualifying final was scheduled for Friday night rather than the Thursday.

It allows Tom Papley to play if he successfully passes through the concussion protocols in the minimum 12 days, which is expected given coach John Longmire said he was “fine” post-match.

“It helps with ‘Paps’ coming back, so I think that was a huge bonus,” Swans co-captain Callum Mills said.

“If you ask ‘Paps’, he’s the biggest fan in the world of (the pre-finals bye), but we’re lucky in that instance.

“I think he’s done everything that he needed to tick off, I’m pretty sure, so he’s looking all right.”

Tom Hickey will be the sole ruck against the Demons, with Peter Ladhams able to accept a three-game ban for a rough conduct incident in the VFL on Melbourne’s Taj Woewodin.

The only other player really in best 22 contention on the sidelines is retiring veteran Josh Kennedy (hamstring) but he is a “long shot” to feature in the finals series.

At VFL level, Ben Ronke kicked four goals.

GEELONG CATS v COLLINGWOOD

First Qualifying Final, Saturday September 3, 4:35pm AEST at the MCG

GEELONG midfielder Cam Guthrie is expected to be fit for next Saturday’s qualifying final against Collingwood.

Guthrie was ruled out during last week’s win over West Coast following a bruising collision with teammate Patrick Dangerfield in the second quarter.

While coming from the field and not taking any further part in the match, the diagnosis has been positive for the 30-year-old.

“Cameron got a knock on his shoulder joint in a collision incident during the game against the Eagles,” fitness boss Harry Taylor.

“He was taken off the field as a precautionary measure and we expect him to be available for selection for the first final.”

The biggest question mark is over superstar Jeremy Cameron, who sent a scare through the hearts of all Cats fans when his right hamstring injury was revealed following Round 22.

Despite his history of soft-tissue injuries the Cats and Cameron himself appear confident he will be out there against the Magpies.

“It’s going really well,” he told K rock. “I ran really well yesterday (Monday).”

“A lot of people don’t really understand but you get moving pretty quickly, three days post a hamstring you’re jogging if it’s feeling OK.

“I was lucky enough to pull up really well from it and I’m fully clear at the moment.

“There’s no pain or anything so feeling really good.”

Meanwhile coach Chris Scott told Sportsday last week: “He is going to play in the first final … that’s the confidence from our medical staff.”

Ruckman Rhys Stanley (groin) should also be available while defender Jake Kolodjashnij entered the concussion protocols during the win over the Eagles. He should be available if he progresses through them on time.

Sam Menegola, managed for the final-round win, will be given “every opportunity” to play Saturday week while Mitch Duncan (hip) is not certain to be fully fit.

COLLINGWOOD vice-captain Taylor Adams has declared he’ll likely play through pain to face the Cats.

Adams, who’s missed the Magpies’ past three games due to an adductor issue, is desperate to return to a midfield that was monstered in the contested ball by Carlton in the thrilling Round 23 win.

Adams was seen training hard in a one-on-one session on Monday before later conceding he’d be short of full fitness if he played.

But the midfielder often feels “refreshed coming off an injury, physically and mentally” and returns to the field in good form.

“As it stands right now, unless something happens or I pull up sore, then I‘ll be playing Saturday,” Adams told reporters on Monday.

“The injury’s like an overload injury. Unfortunately the pain won’t completely dissipate but it’s pretty mild at the moment and I’m getting better every day.

“Don‘t think I’m going out there like Dermott (Brereton) in ‘89 and playing through broken ribs, but I’m talking about a bit of a niggle so I’m pretty confident I should be fine.

“I feel like the block of work I‘ve had has put me in a great position.”

Nathan Kreuger could play his first game since Round 6 following a long-term shoulder injury after getting through Sunday’s VFL elimination final loss to Carlton unscathed.

Kreuger had six disposals plus a goal playing primarily as a forward with Aiden Begg in the ruck. Picking the former Cat to face his old side would be a gamble however he showed promise with four goals in two and a quarter games earlier this season.

Finlay Macrae pushed hard to hold his spot with 28 disposals, nine tackles and five clearances against the VFL Blues, a week after playing in the comeback win at AFL level.

Macrae’s Round 23 appearance was his only full game for the season.

Josh Carmichael (25 disposals, nine tackles and six clearances) also impressed.

Brody Mihocek missed part of the win over the Blues with a head knock but has been cleared of delayed concussion.

FREMANTLE v WESTERN BULLDOGS

First Elimination Final, Saturday September 3, 8:10pm AEST at Optus Stadium

Nat Fyfe had his second worst game for the Dockers as he made his return from a hamstring injury against GWS in Round 23.

The two-time Brownlow Medallist was held to just nine disposals – his worst output without injury since his second AFL game.

The Dockers opted against putting Fyfe into the WAFL this past weekend while the AFL squad enjoys the pre-finals bye.

Fremantle head of football operations Robert Murphy said he was confident Fyfe didn’t need the extra match minutes.

“Nat has had a really solid month of training, he’s got a game in,” Murphy told SEN.

“It’s different to his other injuries where he has had a really solid block (of training). He’ll get a big hit-out today and tomorrow, so that should have him primed.

“He didn’t have a huge game in terms of stats last week, but just to my eye, it was one of those almost games and he looked to be moving freely and he was flying for the footy. It looked like it wasn’t too far away at all for the superstar.”

Fyfe has endured a tough 2022 campaign after complications with his off-season shoulder surgery led to infection. He also suffered an early injury before a serious back complaint saw him miss the first 12 rounds.

But Murphy said players like Fyfe couldn’t be counted out.

“That adage of don’t underestimate a champion, this next phase of Nat’s career being a bit of an exploration of what’s possible and clearly he’ll spend more time forward,” he said.

“How would you feel lining up with your magnet under Fyfe in a big final at Optus Stadium?

“You’d be a little nervous wouldn’t you. Such a physically dominant player and while he’s been there before and he’s experienced, he’s as driven as an athlete as I’ve ever come across in my time in footy.”

Dockers CEO Simon Garlick said it was also good news for Griffin Logue and Rory Lobb on the injury front.

“Griff was very close in Canberra against the Giants and Lobby wasn’t quite there,” he said on SEN.

“As long as there’s nothing untoward from here to there, both will be a lock for the final.”

Garlick said forward Matt Taberner was also pushing to return in the do-or-die final against the Western Bulldogs.

“I think there’s a real opportunity for him to press his case too.”

Taberner hasn’t played since suffering a calf injury in the Round 21 win over the Dogs in Melbourne.

WESTERN BULLDOGS captain Marcus Bontempelli says the adductor injury that hampered him in recent weeks “wasn’t as bad” as made out and he’ll be at close to full capacity for next week’s elimination final against Fremantle.

Bulldogs coach Luke Beveridge has been laying a case for Bontempelli being not at his all-conquering best in recent weeks, declaring his captain has been troubled by “a niggle or two”.

The coach and his star player met with medical boss Chris Bell earlier this month to plot a course towards September that included Bontempelli playing the last two rounds of the home-and-away season.

The pre-finals bye, which has been maligned by fans, has also worked in Bontempelli’s favour, giving him the chance to take a break from training to ensure he’ll be primed for next weekend’s clash with Fremantle at Optus Stadium as the Bulldogs again look to pull off a miracle run from outside the top four.

“It wasn’t as bad as what was put out … it was more of an overload result from a corkie the previous week,” Bontempelli said on Friday.

“He (Beveridge) was correct in the fact that we had a bit of a sit down and a chat about it.

“I know where my body’s at, so it was a good discussion around it, but I’m feeling pretty good and I’m definitely over the adductor stuff now, which is good.

“I’ve found, like every year, you’re dealing with different things and probably everyone is across the league at this point.

“The pre-finals bye does present that opportunity to freshen your mind and your body up and get set to go for another finals series.”

But while Bontempelli will play against Fremantle, teammate Jason Johannisen faces a race against time to be passed fit having missed the last three rounds of the home-and-away season with an ankle issue.

Outside of Johannisen, however, the Bulldogs are close to full strength for their finals campaign.

“He’s tracking well and I think he has one or two speed-based parameters to tick off, but the good thing is we’ve got the time for that,” Bontempelli said of Johannisen.

“I think he’ll definitely be in the window to hopefully play.

“He’s an experienced player, so it just adds that layer of maturity and he’s a pretty dynamic player.”