Teams for the AFL grand final announced with the Hawks springing a surprise.
Both Hawthorn coach Alistair Clarkson and Fremantle leader Ross Lyon have opted not to upset a winning formula after they both announced their teams to play in this weekend’s AFL grand final.
The only significant change is the addition of Jonathan Simpkin to the side in place of the injured Brendan Whitecross who suffered an ACL tear last weekend against Geelong.
It will be the 25-year-old’s first AFL game since round 20 and just the 18th of his career.
The hard-running midfielder-forward has had to battle enormously hard for his AFL chance.
First rookie-drafted by Sydney ahead of the 2006 season, Simpkin didn’t play an AFL game in his two years with the Swans before being delisted at the end of 2007.
AFL GRAND FINAL
HAWTHORN HAWKS v FREMANTLE DOCKERS, 2.30pm (EST) Saturday at the MCG
HAWKS
B: Ben Stratton, Brian Lake, Brent Guerra
HB: Shaun Burgoyne, Josh Gibson, Grant Birchall
C: Isaac Smith, Sam Mitchell, Jordan Lewis
HF: Luke Breust, Lance Franklin, Cyril Rioli
F: Paul Puopolo, Jarryd Roughead, David Hale
Foll: Max Bailey, Brad Sewell, Luke Hodge
I/C: Liam Shiels, Jack Gunston, Bradley Hill, Jonathan Simpkin
Emg: Shane Savage, Taylor Duryea, Matt Spangher
In: Jonathan Simpkin
Out: Brendan Whitecross (knee)
DOCKERS
B: Michael Johnson, Zac Dawson, Paul Duffield
HB: Lee Spurr, Luke McPharlin, Danyle Pearce
C: David Mundy, Ryan Crowley, Tenday Mzungu
HF: Cameron Sutcliffe, Chris Mayne, Nathan Fyfe
F: Zac Clarke, Matthew Pavlich, Michael Walters
Foll: Aaron Sandilands, Matt de Boer, Stephen Hill
I/C: Hayden Ballantyne, Nick Suban, Lachie Neale, Michael Barlow
Emg: Alex Silvagni, Jack Hannath, Tom Sheridan
In: –
Out: –
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