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Kerr back for Eagles

Kerr back for Eagles
Photograph Copyright : Getty Images

West Coast have been boosted by the return of star midfielder Daniel Kerr for Saturday night's knockout semi-final against Carlton at Patersons Stadium.

Kerr was a late withdrawal from last week's loss to Collingwood with back stiffness, but has been declared fit by Eagles officials.

He comes into the side at the expense of Brett Ebert, who is unlucky to be dropped after playing in 22 of West Coast's 23 games this season.

Dean Cox, who had been under some injury concern, was named in the ruck and like Kerr is ready to take his place in the side.

As expected, the Blues will be without Bryce Gibbs due to the shoulder injury he sustained in Carlton's 62-point elimination final demolition of Essendon last Sunday.

Irishman Zach Tuohy is his replacement and will play his first final at AFL level.

Ruckman Shaun Hampson, who made the trip across the Nullarbor with his Blues' team-mates on Thursday afternoon, has been named on the emergencies list with Paul Bower and Jordan Russell.

Hawthorn named Lance Franklin at centre-half forward for Friday night's clash against Sydney at the MCG.

Doubts remain over Franklin's fitness despite his surprise appearance at training on Thursday morning just six days after sustaining bone bruising in his right knee.

Hawks coach Alastair Clarkson is confident his power forward will line-up.

"At this stage we're expecting him to play, his progress through the course of the week has been unbelievable," Clarkson said.

But Clarkson has a contingency plan if Franklin doesn't come up with young tall Jordan Lisle named as first emergency.

Hawthorn did make one change to the side with Luke Breust dropped for defender Ben Stratton.

Stratton, who has missed most of the season with a posterior cruciate ligament injury, faces a steep rise in class having played for Box Hill in the VFL reserves last weekend.

Breust, who has kicked 30 goals in 17 games of his debut season, couldn't survive the axe after 11 possessions and no majors in the Hawks' qualifying final loss to Geelong last Friday night.

Sydney have kept the same 22 that ended St Kilda's season last Saturday night, naming Daniel Hannebery and Gary Rohan.

Hannebery dislocated his left shoulder in the win over the Saints, but features on the interchange bench, while Rohan has overcome some knee bruising to be named on the half-forward flank.

Adam Goodes was named in the centre for what will be his 300th game.

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