Hawthorn have confirmed star small forward Cyril Rioli will miss Friday night’s AFL qualifying final against Sydney with an ankle injury.
Rioli missed last Friday night’s clash with the Swans at ANZ Stadium with the same injury.
He was named in the Hawks side on Thursday night for the MCG rematch, but coach Alastair Clarkson admitted Rioli remained under an injury cloud and would need to prove his fitness on Friday.
But he was a late withdrawal when final teams were submitted on Friday night, replaced in the side by Liam Shiels.
The Hawks were already without suspended key forward Lance Franklin.
Jed Anderson has been named as Hawthorn’s substitute.
The Swans’ side has not changed from Thursday night, when Kurt Tippett, Dan Hannebery, Nick Smith and Lewis Jetta were all named to return.
Jetta will start as the substitute.