COLLINGWOOD selected Josh Fraser for tonight's preliminary final against Geelong, but coach Michael Malthouse indicated that the presence on the field of the club's No. 1 ruckman may not be finalised until the last possible minute.
Fraser was one of two changes among the four sides for the two preliminary finals. The other was Port Adelaide's inclusion of Darryl Wakelin, a mild surprise given that the veteran defender has played only one of his team's past 10 games.
Fraser's return forces Chris Bryan out of the team. Bryan was a late inclusion for last week's semi-final against West Coast and kicked the first extra-time goal in the Magpies' thrilling win.
Bryan may yet find himself in the line-up. Fraser was left out last week with back spasms and Malthouse said there was no certainty he would play tonight.
"Is (sic) there any certainties in selection after a win like that last week," Malthouse mused after training yesterday. "He got through training, he got through very well. Fresh legs, so we will be having a close look at that, and weighing it right up until tonight when we pick our side, and then we will weigh it up again until match time, when we see what the conditions are like and see who is most ready."
A further complication is the forecast of late showers for tonight. If that eventuates before the game starts, Collingwood's other two emergencies in Danny Stanley and Paul Licuria could be considered.
Geelong made no change, understandably sticking with the line-up that thrashed the Kangaroos by 106 points in the first week of the finals.
The Kangaroos also named an unchanged line-up for tomorrow's twilight preliminary in Adelaide against Port Adelaide, sticking with the players who redeemed the club's reputation with a decisive 33-point win over Hawthorn last week.
Port's inclusion of Wakelin puts the defender in for only his second game since round 13. Ankle and then adductor injuries have restricted him to just one game since.
Wakelin has not played since then, but Port Adelaide football general manager Peter Rohde said last night that the club had no hesitation in naming Wakelin, a member of the club's leadership group.
Young defender Alipate Carlile made way for Wakelin and was "unlucky", Rohde said.
