St Mary’s will go into Sunday’s cutthroat first semi-final without two-time Mathieson medalist Harry Benson among four changes for the clash with South Barwon.
Despite naming the gun midfielder in their team for the clash with the Swans, the Saints have confirmed a knee injury suffered in the second quarter of the qualifying final loss to Leopold will keep him sidelined.
However, St Mary’s is confident Benson will be right for a preliminary final if it can overcome South.
The return will offset Benson’s absence of a star quartet.
Captain Jack Blood, ruck Nick Minchin, speedster Jesse Travaglini, and young gun Matt Keast all return.
Blood returns from an adductor injury suffered against Newtown & Chilwell in Round 13, while Minchin’s been sidelined by a knee issue since the win over Colac in Round 16.
Travaglini sat out last week’s loss, while Keast has been squeezed out of Werribee’s VFL team after appearing in the qualifying final win over Geelong a fortnight ago.
South Barwon has settled on one change, bringing back the experienced Kelly O’Neil at the expense of Jake Peters.
GFNL: AT SELECTION – SEMI-FINALS
Minor premier St Joseph’s has been forced into four changes to the team that defeated Colac to secure top spot in Round 18 for its second semi-final meeting with Leopold tomorrow.
Hamstring issues will sideline star Jack Buckley and hard-nosed midfielder Ben Kamaric, while veteran forward Cam Tudor (wrist) and former Geelong VFL defender Jack Leonard (calf) will also be missing.
The Cats’ exit from the VFL finals has opened the door for Lewis Antonac to play his first GFNL game since Round 11.
Tanner Owen and Josh Nurnaitis return from injury and concussion, respectively, and Joel Edwards has been recalled from the reserves.
The Lions have lost talented forward Max Annadale to soreness after failing to see the qualifying final, while Oscar Morphet and Nic Ash have been dropped.
James Edmonds and Riley Hayden have been promoted, with 2023 premiership player Riley Stone set to play his first senior game since suffering a back injury in Round 2.
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