The GWS Giants have swung three late changes for the crucial AFL finals-shaping clash with the Western Bulldogs.
Just 60 minutes before the bounce in Ballarat, the Giants announced Conor Stone, Toby Bedford and Brent Daniels were all out of the side.
Nick Haynes, Xavier O’Halloran and Callum Brown were called up in their place, with Brown named the substitute.
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Stone suffered an illness while Bedford and Daniels, who has kicked 10 goals in the last five games, were ruled out with calf soreness and a lower back problem respectively.
GWS had earlier caused a fright for fans with a brief update around their leading goalkicker.
“Jesse Hogan is in doubt for our clash with the Bulldogs after missing the team bus,” the Giants wrote.
Two minutes later, they posted again: “Never mind, he made it.”
“Missed the school bus, waiting for mum to pick me up,” Hogan joked as he boarded the bus.
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The Bulldogs did not announce any late changes, with Tim English named to play despite concerns around his ankle while Arthur Jones picked as the substitute for his first appearance of the season.
GWS are assured of a finals berth but will finish second on the ladder — securing a home qualifying final — with the combination of a win over the Bulldogs and a Port Adelaide loss to Fremantle later on Sunday.
The Dogs, on the other hand, need to beat the Giants to lock in their top-eight finish.
A loss would leave their finals hopes resting on Port Adelaide defeating the Dockers, who are relying on the Dogs or Carlton losing on Sunday to go into their clash with the Power with a chance of making the eight.
“There’s been years gone past where we’ve had to rely on teams to win or lose for us to make it,” Bulldogs veteran Bailey Dale told AAP.
“But if we can just go out and get a win we’re going to be playing in September, so that’s going to be our focus and hopefully we can get it done.
“It’s basically a final. You don’t want to be relying on other results.”
GWS will be every bit as hungry as they fight for a top-two spot that could mean they don’t leave home again until a possible grand final appearance.
After a rocky stretch mid-season, the Giants have won seven consecutive games to storm back into premiership contention.
Jesse Hogan has kicked 31 goals in that period, taking his season tally to a career-best 67 as he closes in on the Coleman Medal.
All-Australian skipper Toby Greene adds further star power and a tough on-ball division led by Tom Green, Josh Kelly and former Bulldog Callan Ward poses a huge threat.
The midfield battle with Dogs guns Marcus Bontempelli, Adam Treloar and Tom Liberatore will be crucial.
“They’re in great form,” Dale said of the Giants.
“Their mids are getting it done and they’ve got Jesse Hogan in their forward-line, and their small forwards are in form as well.
“They’re going to be a challenge and they’re obviously up high on the table for a reason.
“Hopefully we can go in there and play like we did (in beating North Melbourne last week).”
– with AAP