Thursday, 20 September 2018:
 | | DUSTIN MARTIN of the Tigers handpasses the ball under pressure during the JLT Community Series AFL match between the Essendon Bombers and the Richmond Tigers at Norm Minns Oval in Wangaratta, Australia. | |
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Melbourne have swung the preliminary final axe on unlucky youngster Bayley Fritsch, who has played almost every game for the the AFL club during an impressive debut season.
The Demons, wary of West Coast's star-studded forward line, have recalled defender Joel Smith at the expense of Fritsch.
Fritsch debuted in round one. The 21-year-old was dropped in round five but has otherwise been a mainstay in the Demons' 22.
The Eagles were forced to make one change for their clash with the Demons in Perth on Saturday.
Experienced defender Will Schofield is the recalled Eagle to benefit from the misfortune of teammate Brad Sheppard, who suffered a serious hamstring injury in week one of the finals.
Richmond and Collingwood named unchanged teams for Friday night's preliminary final at the MCG.
Reigning Brownlow Medallist Dustin Martin's corked thigh has been a talking point throughout this week but the superstar trained on Thursday and is expected be part of the grand-final qualifier.
Tigers coach Damien Hardwick couldn't find room in his team for Brandon Ellis, who was dumped in week one of the finals.
But the biggest selection surprise came from Demons mentor Simon Goodwin.
Smith will play his eighth match of the AFL season, and first since breaking his collarbone on August 5.
Goodwin presumably weighed up the threat posed by West Coast key forwards Jack Darling and Josh Kennedy before making the ruthless call on Fritsch.
"I know how he feels. I got dropped on the eve of finals in my first year at Adelaide," injured Melbourne defender Jake Lever told Fox Footy.
"He just has to be supportive.
"Joel is a fantastic player. He reads the game really well and he's very hard to get away from. He never gives in."
Smith has proven fitness and form during Casey's VFL finals campaign.
Fritsch may yet return if the Demons reach their first grand final since 2000, especially given Richmond and Collingwood both have smaller forward lines.
But recent history suggests the utility, who was drafted last year with the pick that Melbourne acquired by trading Jack Watts to Port Adelaide, will struggle to force his way back into a winning team.
Ruckman Toby Nankervis, dropped by Sydney at the same point of the 2016 season, was left out of their grand final side.
Scott Selwood and Patrick McGinnity suffered the same fate in 2015, when they were squeezed out of West Coast's side for their preliminary final.
Hawthorn veteran Brad Sewell, omitted during preliminary final week of 2014, also wasn't offered a recall the following week.
Fritsch, one of the Demons' four listed emergencies for the AFL preliminary final, is set to play for Casey in Sunday's VFL grand final.
Retiring veteran Bernie Vince headlines the other Demons who will take part in the VFL season decider.
