AFL Grand Final Teams: Chopping Block - Brisbane, Geelong selection dilemmas

Kieran Francis

AFL Grand Final Teams: Chopping Block - Brisbane, Geelong selection dilemmas image

AFL grand final selection is always littered with stories of heartbreak and joy.

Will Lachie Neale and Jarrod Berry recover from injury for the Lions?

Who will replace Geelong star Tom Stewart?

The Sporting News has all the latest AFL grand final team news.

MOREAll the latest AFL injury news

Geelong vs. Brisbane team news, selection, injuries

Geelong

On the Chopping Block: Shannon Neale

New injuries: Tom Stewart (concussion)

Facing fitness test: None

Potential ins: Rhys Stanley, Jed Bews, Ollie Henry

The Cats team selection will revolve around replacing Tom Stewart, who misses the grand final with concussion.

Will Mark Blicavs take Stewart's defensive spot, which would see Rhys Stanley promoted to the team as no.1 ruck?

Or could Chris Scott opt to use Jed Bews as a straight swap for Stewart?

Shannon Neale has struggled in finals and normally would have Ollie Henry breathing down his neck at selection.

But it's hard to see such a significant change being made to the team before the season decider.

 

Brisbane

On the Chopping Block: Bruce Reville

New injuries: None

Facing fitness test: Lachie Neale (calf), Jarrod Berry (shoulder)

Potential ins: James Tunstill

Will Neale and Berry be passed fit for the 'big dance'?

If both are ready to go, Bruce Reville will likely be squeezed out of the side as an omission.

It's hard to see any other changes for the Lions,

If both Neale and Berry both don't get up, then James Tunstill will likely come in,

It seems like the Lions are set on going in with two rucks - Darcy Fort and Oscar McInerney - meaning Sam Day will stay out of the team.

Kieran Francis

Kieran Francis is a senior editor at The Sporting News based in Melbourne, Australia. He started at Sportal.com.au before being a part of the transition to Sporting News in 2015. Just prior to the 2018 World Cup, he was appointed chief editor of Goal.com in Australia. He has now returned to The Sporting News where his passions lay in football, AFL, poker and cricket - when he is not on holiday.