Collingwood have rolled the dice on injury-hit big man Ben Reid for Saturday’s preliminary final against GWS at the MCG.
Reid hasn’t featured for the Magpies since round 15, but has been named for his 150-game AFL milestone as a replacement for injured forward Jordan De Goey (hamstring).
In the only other change for the Magpies, James Aish was named in place of Levi Greenwood, who ruptured the ACL in his left knee in the qualifying final win over Geelong.
Reid’s season looked over in July when he injured his hamstring while on the comeback trail from a calf injury.
But the 30-year-old has worked his way back to full fitness in the nick of time, and will play an important role against the Giants.
The punt on Reid is a huge gamble given he lasted just four minutes before pinging his calf in his most recent AFL appearance – a 44-point loss to North Melbourne in round 15.
GWS have made just one change – for now.
Small forward Ian ‘Bobby’ Hill has been called up to replace star midfielder Lachie Whitfield, who had his appendix removed on Wednesday.
Hill is the cousin of Fremantle duo Stephen and Brad Hill.
The Giants have named Toby Greene in their official 22-man squad.
But if Greene’s appeal against his one-match suspension fails at the AFL appeals board on Thursday night, then the Giants will have to make a second change.
Isaac Cumming, Zac Langdon, Matt Buntine, and Lachlan Keeffe are the four emergencies named.
Geelong made just one change for Friday night’s preliminary final against Richmond at the MCG – naming Lachie Henderson in place of the suspended Tom Hawkins.
But whether Henderson plays up forward or in defence remains to be seen.
Coach Chris Scott also has the option of using Harry Taylor in attack, and he’ll keep Richmond guessing until the bounce of the ball.
The Tigers named an unchanged team from the qualifying final win over Brisbane, meaning Toby Nankervis and Ivan Soldo will tag team in the ruck against Rhys Stanley.