AFL Teams – Finals Week 2, 2011 – Will Budzarus return this week?

AFL Teams – Finals Week 2, 2011

Its Semi-final weekend and there are now six teams left with St Kilda and Essendon bowing out. The Hawks and Eagles will host the finals this week after being unsuccessful in their attempts to topple the Cats and Pies. There were a number of injuries from the Weekend to key players and emerging players but the big talking point has been Buddy Franklin’s Knee!

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Late in the last quarter, Buddy landed badly, hyper extending his knee. There was great fear on the night that he had done his ACL and would miss most of next season. Saturday morning it came to light that scans revealed that he had only “fat pad damage” and bone bruising. Experts were still predicting him being no chance to play this week and the Hawks were being written off. Come Tuesday, he was spotted and reported to be walking well and doing work on an exercise bike but training Thursday was said to be the big one.

Well today is Thursday and the Hawks help their training on the MCG. Reports came back that he was Jogging, jumping and having shots for goal meaning he will be given to the last minute before the decision is made on if he will play or not. There were a couple of other injuries to Hodge (corky) and Bailey (Calf) both look fine and should take their places, as can Jordan Lewis that didn’t get charged for his bump on Joel Selwood.

Sydney, the Hawks opponenets this week, have injury concerns with Dan Hannebery (shoulder) and Gary Rohan (knee) seem likely to play. Mumford had no case to enter either.

Carlton have been hit by the injury bug with Brice Gibbs and  Matthew Kreuzer not flying out today with the rest of the team meaning they are no chance of playing.   Hampson and Tuohy are on the flight and would expect Tuohy to replace Gibbs.

The Eagles are sweating on the fitness of Daniel Kerr and Dean Cox. Cox is a certainty to play but has to be a worry with his ongoing hip issues while Kerr has been around the mark for a few weeks but just can’t get 100% right.

What changes do you see happening? Will Buddy play?

UPDATE:

• Thursday 4:45pm: Early teams are in. Hawks brought in Stratton for Bruest (interesting in the Buddy issues especially if Luke is emergency). Swans unchanged. West Coast brought in Kerr for Ebert and Blues have brought in Tuohy for Gibbs. Full teams soon.
• Thursday 5pm: Full teams are in. Lisle and Bruest are emergencies for the Hawks. Which would come in for Buddy if he misses? hmmmm….
• Friday Morning: More and more media folks are claiming there 100% certain Buddy will play tonight! Time will tell!

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Hawthorn

B: Thomas Murphy, Josh Gibson, Brent Guerra

HB: Grant Birchall, Ryan Schoenmakers, Paul Puopolo

C: Jordan Lewis, Sam Mitchell, Isaac Smith

HF: Luke Hodge, Lance Franklin, Cyril Rioli

F: Brendan Whitecross, David Hale, Michael Osborne

Foll: Max Bailey, Shaun Burgoyne, Brad Sewell

I/C: Chance Bateman, Liam Shiels, Matt Suckling, Benjamin Stratton

Emg: Jordan Lisle, Shane Savage, Luke Breust

In: Benjamin Stratton

Out: Luke Breust

Sydney Swans

B: Rhyce Shaw, Ted Richards, Lewis Roberts-Thomson

HB: Martin Mattner, Alex Johnson, Nicholas Smith

C: Josh P. Kennedy, Adam Goodes, Jarrad McVeigh

HF: Ryan O’Keefe, Sam Reid, Gary Rohan

F: Jesse White, Matt Spangher, Ben McGlynn

Foll: Shane Mumford, Jude Bolton, Kieren Jack

I/C: Tadhg Kennelly, Craig Bird, Daniel Hannebery, Luke Parker

Emg: Paul Bevan, Nick Malceski, Lewis Jetta

West Coast Eagles

B: Shannon Hurn, Darren Glass, Will Schofield

HB: Sam Butler, Eric Mackenzie, Beau Waters

C: Luke Shuey, Matthew Priddis, Andrew Embley

HF: Mark LeCras, Josh Kennedy, Mark Nicoski

F: Jack Darling, Quinten Lynch, Nic Naitanui

Foll: Dean Cox, Adam Selwood, Scott Selwood

I/C: Daniel Kerr, Chris Masten, Patrick McGinnity, Andrew Gaff

Emg: Bradley Ebert, Ashley Smith, Ashton Hams

In: Daniel Kerr

Out: Bradley Ebert

Carlton

B: Aaron Joseph, Michael Jamison, Jeremy Laidler

HB: Christopher Yarran, Bret Thornton, Nick Duigan

C: Kade Simpson, Mitch Robinson, Heath Scotland

HF: Jeffrey Garlett, Lachlan Henderson, Andrew Carrazzo

F: Eddie Betts, Setanta O’hAilpin, Andrew Walker

Foll: Robert Warnock, Chris Judd, Marc Murphy

I/C: Dennis Armfield, David Ellard, Marcus Davies, Zach Tuohy

Emg: Paul Bower, Jordan Russell, Shaun Hampson

In: Zach Tuohy

Out: Bryce Gibbs (Shoulder)