AFL teams: Sam De Koning and Todd Marshall left out of Port Adelaide-Geelong final

Port Adelaide and Geelong have both made massive selection calls for Thursday night’s blockbuster preliminary final.

The Power have left out star forward Todd Marshall, while the Cats have surprisingly not selected premiership duo Sam De Koning and Gary Rohan.

Marshall has been a constant in the Power line-up for the past four years and played every game this season before suffering a hip injury against Gold Coast in Round 18.

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He returned to face Melbourne in Round 22, but suffered a concussion which ruled him out of the final two games of the season.

However, despite being fit and available, Marshall has only been named an emergency.

Todd Marshall.Todd Marshall.
Marshall has been left out by Hinkley. Credit: AAP

Coach Ken Hinkley has instead recalled veteran Charlie Dixon to form the focal point of the forward line, alongside Mitch Georgiades and former Cat Esava Ratugolea, who is expected to remain in attack.

Another ex-Geelong player in Quinton Narkle has been selected to replace injured defender Kane Farrell, while Dante Visentini has been dropped.

Meanwhile, the Cats have kept the same side that defeated West Coast in the final round, which means there is no room for De Koning or Rohan.

De Koning has missed the past three games with a knee injury, but played in the VFL on the weekend to prove his fitness.

Despite getting through the game unscathed, he has only been named as an emergency.

The versatile tall had been playing in the ruck before his injury, which means Rhys Stanley will be left to lead the ruck with Shannon Neale as back-up.

Rohan has also been left out of the side in somewhat of a surprise given his pace and forward pressure.

The veteran has endured an injury-interrupted campaign this year, but has been fit enough to be included as an emergency.

He was famously the difference in the Cats’ 2022 qualifying final win over Collingwood with three goals, including the go-ahead major in the final quarter after a massive mark.

Retiring forward Tom Hawkins is a confirmed starter in the VFL as he continues his bid to make an AFL return in the finals.

Port Adelaide v Geelong at Adelaide Oval, 7.10pm ACST

PORT ADELAIDE

In: C.Dixon, Q.Narkle

Out: K.Farrell (hamstring), D.Visentini (omitted)

R24 sub: Francis Evans

GEELONG

In: Nil

Out: Nil

R24 sub: Jed Bews

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