Stevie Johnson Update For Finals DT

Geelong have revealed gun forward Steve Johnson is hoping to return to the Cats side for the finals after undergoing arthroscopy on his hip today.

Johnson has been battling the problem since about midway through the season, but Geelong claim he will rehabilitate the injury with the aim to be available for the finals series.

“Steve was hampered by the injury and it deteriorated after the game in Sydney. The procedure will give Steve the best chance to return and play at the level that we are used to,” Geelong general manager of football operations Neil Balme said.

“Without the surgery it is unlikely he could have played through the finals as it had deteriorated to the point that he could not play without significant pain and restricted movement.”

All this is relevant for DT because, of course, you can sign up for finals DT which will obviously involve Geelong players.

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DT Round 22 Teams

WEST COAST v RICHMOND
West Coast
B: Matt Spangher, Darren Glass, Adam Selwood
HB: Sam Butler, Eric Mackenzie, Shannon Hurn
C: Matt Rosa, Matt Priddis, Tim Houlihan
HF: Chad Fletcher, Josh Kennedy, Scott Selwood
F: Andrew Embley, Quinten Lynch, Mark LeCras
Foll: Nic Naitanui, Tom Swift, Brad Ebert
I/C: Pat McGinnity, Ben McKinley, Brent Staker, David Wirrpanda
Emg: Ashley Hansen, Jamie McNamara, Will Schofield

In: Fletcher, Mackenzie, McGinnity
Out: Ryan Davis (jaw), Beau Wilkes, Callum Wilson

Richmond
B: Kel Moore, Jarrod Silvester, Dean Polo
HB: Alex Rance, Luke McGuane, Jordan McMahon
C: Shane Edwards, Brett Deledio, Adam Thomson
HF: Nathan Brown, Jack Riewoldt, Richard Tambling
F: Matthew White, Mitch Morton, Ben Cousins
Foll: Troy Simmonds, Daniel Jackson, Shane Tuck
I/C: Graham Polak, Mark Coughlan, Robin Nahas, Angus Graham
Emg: Jayden Post, Ty Vickery, Andrew Raines

In: Coughlan, Silvester
Out: Chris Newman (knee), Will Thursfield (shoulder)

GEELONG v FREMANTLE
Geelong
B: Darren Milburn, Matthew Scarlett, Corey Enright
HB: Tom Harley, Harry Taylor, Andrew Mackie
C: Joel Corey, Cameron Ling, Simon Hogan
HF: Jimmy Bartel, Cameron Mooney, Max Rooke
F: Mathew Stokes, Tom Hawkins, Shannon Byrnes
Foll: Mark Blake, Gary Ablett, Joel Selwood
I/C: Brad Ottens, Ryan Gamble, James Kelly, David Wojcinski
Emg: Tom Gillies, David Johnson, Shane Mumford

In: Ottens, Kelly, Harley, Hogan
Out: Shane Mumford, Tom Gillies, David Johnson, Paul Chapman (hamstring)

Fremantle
B: Greg Broughton, Chris Tarrant, Marcus Drum
HB: Roger Hayden, Luke McPharlin, Paul Duffield
C: Garrick Ibbotson, Paul Hasleby, Chris Mayne
HF: Stephen Hill, Antoni Grover, Hayden Ballantyne
F: Des Headland, Matthew Pavlich, Nick Suban
Foll: Aaron Sandilands, Steven Dodd, David Mundy
I/C: Matthew de Boer, Clancee Pearce, Kepler Bradley, Byron Schammer
Emg: Zac Clarke, Scott Thornton, Jay van Berlo

No change

HAWTHORN v ESSENDON
Hawthorn
B: Campbell Brown, Stephen Gilham, Grant Birchall
HB: Luke Hodge, Ryan Schoenmakers, Shane Savage
C: Beau Muston, Sam Mitchell, Jordan Lewis
HF: Ben McGlynn, Beau Dowler, Chance Bateman
F: Cyril Rioli, Lance Franklin*, Michael Osborne
Foll: Max Bailey, Brad Sewell, Liam Shiels
I/C: Garry Moss, Josh Kennedy, Riley Milne, Brent Renouf
Emg: Matt Suckling, Simon Taylor, Travis Tuck

In: Moss
Out: Travis Tuck
*Inclusion subject to AFL appeal hearing on Thursday night

Essendon
B: Nathan Lovett-Murray, Tayte Pears, Jarrod Atkinson
HB: Henry Slattery, Dustin Fletcher, Adam McPhee
C: Andrew Lovett, Ricky Dyson, Mark Mcveigh
HF: Jason Winderlich, Michael Hurley, Angus Monfries
F: Matthew Lloyd, Jay Neagle, Andrew Welsh
Foll: Patrick Ryder, Brent Stanton, Jobe Watson
I/C: Cale Hooker, Sam Lonergan, Brent Prismall, Heath Hocking
Emg: Michael Quinn, Tom Bellchambers, Leroy Jetta

In: Lloyd, Ryder, Hocking, Lonergan
Out: Alwyn Davey (shoulder), Tom Bellchambers, Leroy Jetta, Michael Quinn

CARLTON v ADELAIDE
Carlton
B: Aaron Joseph, Bret Thornton, Paul Bower
HB: Jordan Russell, Chris Johnson, Simon Wiggins
C: Kade Simpson, Bryce Gibbs, Marc Murphy
HF: Ryan Houlihan, Andrew Walker, Andrew Carrazzo
F: Setanta O’hAilpin, Brendan Fevola, Chris Yarran
Foll: Matthew Kreuzer, Chris Judd, Nick Stevens
I/C: Dennis Armfield, Steven Browne, Shaun Hampson, Heath Scotland
Emg: Adam Bentick, Brad Fisher, Sam Jacobs

In: Armfield, Browne, Hampson, Johnson, Yarran
Out: Eddie Betts (club susp), Cameron Cloke (club susp), Jeff Garlett (club susp), Joe Anderson, Richard Hadley (arm)

Adelaide
B: Graham Johncock, Ben Rutten, Andy Otten
HB: Brad Symes, Scott Stevens, Michael Doughty
C: Andrew McLeod, Simon Goodwin, David Mackay
HF: Chris Knights, Trent Hentschel, Nathan van Berlo
F: Jason Porplyzia, Kurt Tippett, Brett Burton
Foll: Ivan Maric, Scott Thompson, Bernie Vince
I/C: Brent Reilly, Tyson Edwards, James Sellar, Patrick Dangerfield
Emg: Jon Griffin, Phil Davis, Richard Douglas

In: Burton, Dangerfield
Out: Robert Shirley (hamstring), Richard Douglas

SYDNEY SWANS v BRISBANE LIONS
Sydney Swans
B: Heath Grundy, Leo Barry, Lewis Roberts-Thomson
HB: Rhyce Shaw, Craig Bolton, Paul Bevan
C: Nick Smith, Jared Crouch, Martin Mattner
HF: Ryan O’Keefe, Adam Goodes, Kieren Jack
F: Jesse White, Michael O’Loughlin, Jarrad McVeigh
Foll: Darren Jolly, Brett Kirk, Jude Bolton
I/C: Luke Ablett, Dan Hannebery, Matt O’Dwyer, Kristin Thornton
Emg: Ed Barlow, Nick Malceski, Patrick Veszpremi

In: Ablett, McVeigh, Thornton
Out: Jarred Moore (ribs), Ed Barlow, Mike Pyke

Brisbane Lions
B: Ashley McGrath, Jason Roe, James Hawksley
HB: Joel Patfull, Josh Drummond, Joel Macdonald
C: Jared Brennan, Simon Black, Daniel Rich
HF: Michael Rischitelli, Jonathan Brown, James Polkinghorne
F: Sam Sheldon, Lachlan Henderson, Luke Power
Foll: Mitch Clark, Cheynee Stiller, Justin Sherman
I/C: Scott Harding, Matt Austin, Travis Johnstone, Jack Redden
Emg: Tim Notting, Tom Rockliff, Bradd Dalziell

In: Henderson, Roe
Out: Daniel Bradshaw (quad), Daniel Merrett (hamstring)

PORT ADELAIDE v NORTH MELBOURNE
Port Adelaide
B: Hamish Hartlett, Alipate Carlile, Jacob Surjan
HB: Nathan Krakouer, Chad Cornes, Troy Chaplin
C: Shaun Burgoyne, Domenic Cassisi, Travis Boak
HF: Robbie Gray, Warren Tredrea, Danyle Pearce
F: Matthew Thomas, Dean Brogan, Justin Westhoff
Foll: Brendon Lade, Kane Cornes, Peter Burgoyne
I/C: Matthew Broadbent, Jason Davenport, Nick Salter, Paul Stewart
Emg: Brett Ebert, David Rodan, Matthew Lobbe

In: Broadbent, P. Burgoyne, Davenport, Gray, J. Westhoff
Out: Brett Ebert, Tom Logan, Daniel Motlop (ankle), David Rodan, Toby Thurstans (calf)

North Melbourne
B: Josh Gibson, Scott Thompson, Levi Greenwood
HB: Ed Lower, Nathan Grima, Alan Obst
C: Liam Anthony, Michael Firrito, Scott McMahon
HF: Leigh Adams, Lachie Hansen, Brent Harvey
F: Josh Smith, Drew Petrie, Matt Campbell
Foll: Hamish McIntosh, Cruize Garlett, Brady Rawlings
I/C: Andrew Swallow, Lindsay Thomas, Todd Goldstein, Aaron Edwards
Emg: Sam Power, Daniel Pratt, Sam Wright

In: Thomas
Out: Shannon Watt (retired)

MELBOURNE v ST KILDA
Melbourne
B: Clint Bartram, James Frawley, Nathan Jones
HB: Kyle Cheney, Jared Rivers, Cale Morton
C: Paul Wheatley, Lynden Dunn, James McDonald
HF: Aaron Davey, Russell Robertson, Colin Sylvia
F: Neville Jetta, Liam Jurrah, Brad Miller
Foll: Jake Spencer, Brent Moloney, Brock McLean
I/C (from): Jamie Bennell, Mark Jamar, Jordie McKenzie, Matthew Whelan, Tom McNamara, Shane Valenti, Stefan Martin

In: Bartram, Jones, Wheatley, Dunn, Miller, Bennell
Out: Ricky Petterd (adductor), Matthew Bate (chest/lung), Paul Johnson

St Kilda
B: Raphael Clarke, Zac Dawson, Steven Baker
HB: Sam Fisher, Jason Blake, Sam Gilbert
C: Brendon Goddard, Lenny Hayes, Nick Dal Santo
HF: Andrew McQualter, Justin Koschitzke, Clint Jones
F: Stephen Milne, Nick Riewoldt, Jason Gram
Foll: Steven King, Leigh Montagna, Adam Schneider
I/C (from): Luke Ball, Sean Dempster, Robert Eddy, Jarryn Geary, Ben McEvoy, Farren Ray, Jack Steven

In: Ball, Eddy, Geary, Hayes, McEvoy, Steven
Out: David Armitage, James Gwilt, Matthew Gardiner (hamstring soreness)

COLLINGWOOD v WESTERN BULLDOGS
Collingwood
B: Harry O’Brien, Simon Prestigiacomo, Leigh Brown
HB: Heath Shaw, Nick Maxwell, Tarkyn Lockyer
C: Alan Didak, Dayne Beams, Scott Pendlebury
HF: Brad Dick, Travis Cloke, Ben Johnson
F: Josh Fraser, Jack Anthony, Dale Thomas
Foll: Cameron Wood, Dane Swan, Leon Davis
I/C (from): Alan Toovey, Steele Sidebottom, Tyson Goldsack, John McCarthy, Paul Medhurst, Shane O’Bree, Sharrod Wellingham

In: McCarthy, Sidebottom, Goldsack
Out: -

Western Bulldogs
B: Jarrod Harbrow, Brian Lake, Ryan Hargrave
HB: Sam Reid, Dale Morris, Lindsay Gilbee
C: Josh Hill, Matthew Boyd, Daniel Cross
HF: Brad Johnson, Mitch Hahn, Robert Murphy
F: Jason Akermanis, Will Minson, Shaun Higgins
Foll: Ben Hudson, Adam Cooney, Liam Picken
I/C (from): Dylan Addison, Tim Callan, Nathan Eagleton, Andrejs Everitt, Daniel Giansiracusa, Callan Ward, Scott Welsh

In: Callan, Cross, Everitt
Out: -

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Johnson 90% Chance To Return

Geelong's gun forward Stevie Johnson should return this week much to the relief of many anxious DreamTeam coaches ahead of the DT GF.

Johnson has been struggling with a hip problem for the last couple of months and has missed a fair chunk of footy.

But Geelong coach Mark Thompson said on Tuesday, "More than likely Steve will play, he'd be a 90 per cent chance to play this week, again, we'll have to see how he pulls up."

Johnson's inclusion could be crucial for DT coaches' forward lines, with his Geelong teammate Paul Chapman doubtful to play this weekend with a hamstring worry.

Thompson admitted they hadn't made a decision yet on Chapman although scans showed very little damage.

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Around The Grounds

• Gun St Kilda forward Nick Riewoldt has been cleared to play this weekend after scans revealed no damage to his knee. The scan revealed mild jarring of the knee which is likely to be fine for the Saints clash with Melbourne on Sunday.

• Essendon pair Patty Ryder (knee) and Matty Lloyd (heel) are both a chance to play this weekend against the Hawks, but they're facing a race against time. Bombers coach Matty Knights said, "Both are progressing well but on Thursday and Friday they're going to have to push and put the foot to the floor with their intensity on the training track."

• Brisbane key forward Daniel Bradshaw will miss the DT GF after straining a quad muscle. Lions teammate Luke Power said, "He's pulled up a bit tight and sore and we just needed to give him a week off and get him cherry ripe for next week." Also Daniel Merrett will miss this week with a hamstring.

• Adelaide defender Nathan Bock will miss this weekend's match with his nagging heel problem. Crows assistant coach Ben Hart said, "Nathan did a little bit of training this morning, but there’s still a bit of soreness hanging around. His heel is not good enough to train tomorrow, so we’ll give him probably until Monday and re-assess then."

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Buddy Doubt After MRP Verdict

Superstar and popular DT forward Lance Franklin could miss Round 22 after being handed a one-week suspension by the match review panel.

Franklin was charged with engaging in rough conduct after a hit on Richmond's Ben Cousins and the Hawk can accept a one-match ban.

It'll be a huge blow for plenty of DreamTeam coaches heading into the Grand Final, with forwards options depleted after injuries to Steve Johnson, Paul Chapman, Mitch Brown and maybe even Nick Riewoldt.

The Hawks look likely to challenge the decision leaving the door open for a late reprieve.

Also, Hawthorn have updated the status of Jaryd Roughead on their injury list to TBC, suggesting he could be a chance to play in this weekend's do-or-die match with the Bombers.

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Riewoldt To Miss DT GF?

St Kilda's gun forward Nick Riewoldt could be unavailable for the DreamTeam Grand Final due to a knee problem.

Riewoldt, a hugely popular DT player, had scans on his knee on Monday after hurting it in Sunday's loss to St Kilda.

The Saints star said, "It's pulled up a little sore this morning, so at this stage of the year they wanted to be really diligent.

"My knee feels really good and I obviously don't know the result of the scan yet, but I'd be very, very surprised if it was anything at all. I'm walking fine, so I just wanted to put that [speculation about my knee] to bed."

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Around The Grounds

• Adelaide pair Nathan Bock (heel) and Brett Burton (corked glute) could return for the Crows this week and, of course, the DT Grand Final. Adelaide's Jason Porplyzia said today, "It’d be great to have 'Bocky' and 'Bird' [Burton] back, if not this week, for the first final." Rob Shirley though, has been ruled out with a hamstring injury.

• Essendon livewire forward Alwyn Davey will miss the DT GF with a shoulder injury. Essendon footy manager Paul Hamilton said, "The results confirmed that Alwyn has a grade three injury to his shoulder which is fairly severe." The injury is a 2-4 week injury.

• Sydney forward Jarred Moore will also be unavailable for the DT GF after puncturing a lung and breaking 2 ribs. Fellow Swan Ryan O'Keefe said, "It’s a bit unlucky for Jarred. He would have loved to play in the game on Saturday night."

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Hayes Ready To Return

Popular Saints DT midfielder Lenny Hayes is likely to return just in time for the fantasy Grand Final.

Hayes missed the weekend's loss to North Melbourne as a late withdrawal.

The Saints midfielder said, "I’ll be right next weekend. I had a little bit of illness later in the week so I was probably a little bit touch and go up until the start of the game."

Luke Ball also might be a chance of a recall after good VFL form.

Hayes added, "He showed some good form for Sandy so I would like to see him back in the team but that’s not my decision. We’ll wait and see what happens at selection."

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