Eagles' stars return, but worries stay - Sports News - Fanatics - the world's biggest events

Eagles' stars return, but worries stay

By Sam Lienert 06/09/2007 07:43:42 PM Comments (0)

West Coast have been boosted by the return of two Norm Smith medallists, with Chris Judd and Andrew Embley both selected for Friday night's opening match of the AFL finals series against Port Adelaide.

But the Eagles admit Judd is unlikely to play in his normal midfield role, while lead ruckman Dean Cox will also play at less than full fitness.

The Eagles also regained tagger Adam Selwood, while Port Adelaide named an unchanged side for the AAMI Stadium qualifying final.

West Coast assistant coach Peter Sumich said Judd, who was rested last weekend as he battles chronic groin problems, would most likely be a permanent forward in the match.

"He will struggle to go through the midfield," Sumich said.

But Power coach Mark Williams said his charges were preparing for Judd to be at his game-breaking best.

"All we anticipate is him playing in the midfield the whole time and being as good as he can be," Williams said of the 2004 Brownlow medallist and 2005 Norm Smith medallist.

"If he's less than that, it's a bonus for us."

Sumich said Cox would be slightly restricted by an undisclosed leg injury.

Embley, the 2006 Norm Smith medallist, returns after three weeks sidelined by a hamstring injury.

The Eagles axed Chad Jones, Mitch Morton and Mark Nicoski.

Sydney have regained skipper Barry Hall for Saturday night's elimination final against Collingwood, but surprisingly did not select running defender Tadhg Kennelly or small forward Amon Buchanan.

Hall's return from a hamstring injury at the expense of midfielder Luke Ablett (knee) was the Swans' only change.

Kennelly had earlier in the week been rated a strong chance to return from a dislocated kneecap, but coach Paul Roos said he had pulled up sore after a fitness test and the club could not afford to take a risk.

"I think the main thing for us is to pick the 22 we think are capable of playing well. We saw last week we had a team that played very, very well," Roos said.

"We don't want to put that in jeopardy.

"Medically, Tadhg is just not able to compete at the level that is required to play AFL football.

"It's just black-and-white, he can't play, which allows us to play the guys who played last week and played really well."

Buchanan was named as an emergency, rather than in the 22, despite playing the previous five games before serving a one-match suspension last round.

Collingwood were significantly boosted, with ruckman Josh Fraser and forwards Sean Rusling and Alan Didak all returning from injury.

Fraser missed the past three rounds with an ankle injury, while Didak (hip) and Rusling (thigh) both missed last Friday night's loss to Adelaide.

The Magpies dropped Rhyce Shaw, Ben Reid and Chris Bryan.

Hawthorn named an unchanged side for Saturday's elimination final against Adelaide at Telstra Dome, despite being thrashed by Sydney last round.

The Crows made one change, with tall defender Ken McGregor replacing running player Martin Mattner, perhaps to give Adelaide greater flexibility to combat the Hawks' wealth of tall forwards.

Geelong named star midfielder Jimmy Bartel to return from appendix surgery and defender Max Rooke is set to make his senior comeback from a chronic hamstring complaint after being named in their 25-man squad to play the Kangaroos in Sunday's MCG qualifying final.

The Cats also added young forward Tom Hawkins to the squad, while ruckman Steven King was named on an extended bench, along with fellow ruckman Mark Blake.

Defender Matthew Egan, whose entire finals campaign has been placed in doubt by a knee injury, was the only omission.

The Kangaroos included fullback Michael Firrito, who has missed one game with a heel injury, in their 25-man squad, with suspended Kasey Green the only player omitted so far.

Forward Leigh Harding, who is yet to play a senior game this season after a serious knee injury in the off-season, was also included on an extended bench.

Brought to you by AAP AAP © 2024 AAP

0 Comments about this article

Post a comment about this article

Please sign in to leave a comment.
Becoming a member is free and easy, sign up here.

« All sports news