Welcome to news.com.au’s coverage of the second AFL semi-final between Port Adelaide and Greater Western Sydney at the Adelaide Oval.
The bounce is set for 7.40pm AEST, with the winner to play Collingwood in a preliminary final at the MCG next week.
Charlie Dixon comes in for Port Adelaide with Dylan Williams omitted, will the Giants are boosted by the return of captain Stephen Coniglio.
Power ruck-forward Jeremy Finlayson has been dropped to the substitute role amid a run of poor form concurrent with his partner’s cancer battle, with veteran Travis Boak holding his place in what will likely be his last match if the Power lose.
The lead up to the match has been rocked by the news of the passing of football legend Ron Barassi, aged 87, with both teams wearing black armbands in his honour.
Tributes are expected ahead of the game for the iconic Hall of Famer, who won six premierships in a storied career as player, administrator and advocate.
7pm – Finlayson dropped amid cancer battle
Port Adelaide have dropped Jeremy Finlayson, shortly after the star admitted his wife Kellie’s battle with terminal cancer had “taken its toll” on his form.
Kellie’s cancer battle has rocked the AFL throughout the season after she revealed that she was diagnosed with stage four lung cancer just months after finishing her treatment for bowel cancer, which had emerged shortly after the birth of their first child Sophia in August 2021.
Yet despite the turmoil in his personal life, Jeremy has had his best season since he moved to Port Adelaide from the Giants in 2022, and best season since he kicked 44 goals in 23 games in 2019.
But after kicking 32 goals in his first 14 games, he has added just six goals in his last seven games in an alarming drop in form.
It sees Finlayson make way for the returning Charlie Dixon after he had 0.1 and six disposals against the Lions.
6pm – Snake in the grass causes bizarre delay
A snake sighting caused a significant delay earlier this afternoon to the AFLW clash between the Giants and Richmond at Blacktown International Sportspark in Sydney.
The game was held up by what was believed to be a red-bellied black snake, which is highly venomous with a potentially fatal bite.
Play was paused for almost half an hour as a snake catcher was employed, making short work of removing the reptile.