AFL preliminary final teams and expert tips: Skipper’s replacement named; Lions make a key call

The Sydney Morning Herald - Sep 17, 2026

Here are the all-important teams and expert tips for the cut-throat games on Friday and Saturday.

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Perth Wildcats coach John Rillie says his side’s point guard position will be played “by committee” in Saturday’s NBL season opener, with two key backcourt pieces unable to take to the floor.

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Andrew Johns says current NRL players need to do a better job targeting injured rivals, with Braydon Trindall and Nathan Cleary both playing wounded.

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Sydney coach Dean Cox acknowledges the support of Swans fans as the club continues to navigate a difficult time, with a preliminary final against Fremantle looming.

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A long-awaited return headlines Sydney’s preliminary final team, but the Swans have resisted making too many changes to their winning formula.

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When the time came to tell the football world that Toby Greene wanted to leave the Giants, a club boss decided the occasion deserved something special.

Subbies rugby player hit with three-year ban after contact with referee in grand final

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A Hunters Hill player has been suspended for 42 matches after being found guilty of making contact with a referee during last weekend’s Subbies decider.

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Trainer David Pfieffer wants to see Ice Kool back to his best at Randwick on Saturday before taking him to Melbourne for straight-track features this spring.

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Coach Dean Cox has been forced into making two changes for Friday night’s clash with Fremantle, while key forward Joel Amartey has been overlooked.

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Sydney winger Justin McInerney and forward Joel Amartey are fit again, but coach Dean Cox will gamble on only one for their finals clash against Fremantle.

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Hawthorn coach Sam Mitchell says a round 22 face-punching triggered the mirror-looking the Hawks needed to earn a preliminary final shot.

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Toby Greene has informed the GWS Giants that he will depart the club at the season's end to pursue an opportunity with Geelong.

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Thrashed by Brisbane last month, Hawthorn have surged into a home preliminary final and will be out to right some wrongs when they host the Lions at the MCG.

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Lions coach Chris Fagan has torn up the form guide, insisting Brisbane’s dominant August win over Hawthorn counts for nothing.

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The 35-year-old Knights centre knew there was only one way to survive his battle with good mate Mitchell in the elimination final.

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The Fitzroy River in Rockhampton has been given the green light to host the Olympic and Paralympic rowing events.

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Sydney coach Dean Cox has confirmed which way the Swans will go at the selection table with a pair of big-name players - while another veteran is racing the clock to be passed fit.

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The search for a new North Melbourne head coach to replace Alastair Clarkson continues with Adam Simpson ruling himself out of the running.

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Big-hitting wicketkeeper Matthew Wade, who played 225 games for Australia across three forms of cricket, has made a call on his career.

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The Dockers and Swans dominated the 2026 season, but, for different reasons, both hit the wobbles late in their campaign. Friday night’s preliminary final will prove who recalibrated best.

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A crocodile habitat has been approved as the Brisbane 2032 Olympics rowing host venue but an expert says the reptiles should not trouble competitors.

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Justin Longmuir's playing days ended at age 26, setting the platform for a coach who has confounded critics while reshaping Fremantle's quest for a maiden flag.

GWS captain finally makes big call on his future

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GWS skipper Toby Greene is leaving the Giants after 15 seasons at the club, electing to move back to Victoria for family reasons.

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GWS captain Toby Greene has confirmed he wants out of the Giants, with the club's most-capped player and all-time leading goalkicker declaring he has his sights set on heading to Geelong.

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Serbian great Novak Djokovic will attempt to reboot his ailing season at the China Open after his shock first-round exit at the US Open.

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