Adelaide's comeback kid Trent Hentschel won't be risked in Woodville-West Torrens' finals campaign. 

And Crows Richard Douglas (Glenelg) and Brent Reilly (Sturt) have, strangely, turned down the chance to play in an SANFL premiership, despite being fit to play.

Hentschel, who played four minor round games for the Eagles this season, is battling soreness in his reconstructed knee, prompting him not to line-up in Sunday's first semi-final against Sturt at AAMI Stadium.

"He's (Hentschel) had a fair go at it," Adelaide operations manager John Reid said. "It was an enormous season for him to get through given where he was at. So he's just decided not to risk the bit of soreness he's got and not push his luck. It's about giving him a breather as he's had a big year to get through mentally and physically."

Reid said Reilly and Douglas were "uncomfortable" with taking up a place at their SANFL clubs despite, in Douglas' case, the Tigers expressing a strong desire for him to play.

"That's a discussion for him (Douglas) and the coach (Mark Mickan). He's only played a few games there (Glenelg)," Reid said.

"Reilly's only been there (Sturt) two minutes and they feel uncomfortable with that. It's like Douglas, he's played two games and he doesn't feel like it's fair. Someone's been playing all year and they get dropped out of the finals so there's a bit of that uncomfortability."

Central District will be without Crows midfielder Brad Symes, who has undergone minor knee surgery.

Ruckman Jon Griffin, who has been battling a calf ailment in the past fortnight, won't be available to face Glenelg in Sunday's second semi-final but remains an option once fit.

The Tigers will benefit from the presence of true clubman James Sellar while Robert Shirley will also play for Woodville-West Torrens after lining up in five minor round matches for the Eagles. 

Story by Zac Milbank
Courtesy of The Advertiser

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