HAWTHORN has named Cyril Rioli despite Alastair Clarkson declaring the dynamic small forward is under an injury cloud.
Rioli didn’t train with the main group in Thursday’s final session before the Qualifying Final after pulling up sore from the team’s main session on Tuesday.
Clarkson revealed, however, the Hawks will give their dynamo every chance to prove his fitness ahead of tomorrow night’s first final.
Rioli injured his ankle against North Melbourne two weeks ago and didn’t play against the Swans last Friday night, with the Club taking a no risk policy with its players.
The Hawks have made three changes to the side that beat Sydney last week, with ruckman Max Bailey and veteran defender Brent Guerra joining Rioli as inclusions for the crucial clash.
Lance Franklin is out suspended, while Shane Savage and Taylor Duryea are the unlucky ones to miss out, both omitted from the team.
Liam Shiels, Duryea and Savage have been named as the three emergencies.
Exciting youngster Jed Anderson is set to play his first final after just playing five senior games for the Club. He has impressed with his attack on the footy as well as his ability to make an impact in a short period of time as the side’s substitute.
Qualifying Final team
FB: Stratton Lake Guerra
HB: Burgoyne Gibson Birchall
C: Smith Hodge Hill
HF: Breust Gunston Lewis
FF: Puopolo Roughead Rioli
Rucks: Hale, Mitchell, Sewell
IC: Spangher, Whitecross, Bailey, Anderson
EM: Shiels, Savage, Duryea
IN: Bailey, Rioli, Guerra
OUT: Franklin (suspended) Savage (omitted), Duryea (omitted)
