Less than three weeks after surgery to repair a broken collarbone, West Coast will throw midfielder Matt Rosa into their biggest AFL match of the year.
Rosa will return from an injury sustained against Collingwood in round 22 to battle the Magpies in Saturday night’s sudden-death semi-final at the MCG.
He replaces experienced defender Beau Waters, who is out with a foot injury sustained in last weekend’s win over North Melbourne.
But the Eagles are taking a huge risk with Rosa, who has played just one game since round 18 because of a broken jaw before his collarbone injury.
Collingwood have recalled Tyson Goldsack to replace suspended skipper Nick Maxwell, and he may be forced to revert to playing as a back rather than a half-forward as he has successfully for much of this season.
Maxwell was banned for two matches earlier this week on a rough conduct charge and won’t play again this season unless the Magpies make the grand final.
Goldsack has been out with an ankle problem.
He is one of two changes for the Magpies, who have also called in forward Jamie Elliott for Ben Sinclair.
Adelaide made two changes for their semi-final against Fremantle at AAMI Stadium on Friday night.
Luke Thompson and Ricky Henderson have been included, with injured defender Daniel Talia and Aidan Riley making way.
But they resisted the temptation to recall ruckman Josh Jenkins to help Sam Jacobs do battle with Fremantle giant Aaron Sandilands, though Jenkins has been named as an emergency.
He booted eight goals in the SANFL last weekend.
“He played last time we played Fremantle and played well,” Sanderson said of Jenkins earlier on Thursday.
“He’s had some great games for us this year, is super exciting, can play forward, could play back, and definitely plays in the ruck.”
Talia would have been the natural match-up for Fremantle skipper Matthew Pavlich, with inexperienced Thompson now likely to be pressed into action on Pavlich at some stage.
Fremantle have recalled Zac Clarke for fellow big man Kepler Bradley in the only change from the side which upset Geelong last weekend.