Stevie J back in favour

GREATER Western Sydney has turned to veteran star Steve Johnson as it looks to jump start its finals campaign.

Johnson was dropped for the Giants’ qualifying final loss to Adelaide, but returns with fellow inclusion Tim Taranto for tomorrow night’s semifinal encounter with West Coast at Spotless Stadium.

The pair replace Jeremy Cameron (hamstring) and Shane Mumford (foot), who are out for the season.

Former Western Bulldogs skipper Ryan Griffen was given another week to prove he has overcome an ankle injury suffered in Round 3.

Forward Rory Lobb has been named in the lead ruck role, with the Giants deciding against bringing in specialist ruckman Dawson Simpson.

He is an emergency with Harry Perryman and Sam Reid.

The Eagles made one unforced change, bringing in experienced hand Sharrod Wellingham at the expense of Luke Partington.

Coach Adam Simpson resisted the temptation to bring back star ruckman Nic Naitanui for his first game of the season.

Simpson praised his team’s leaders for standing tall in recent weeks.

“We probably had four or five weeks of heavy criticism, and now we’ve had a couple of weeks the other way,” he said.

“So trying to get the inner sanctum of the club in the right space where we’re predictable with our processes — the boring stuff — that’s been our challenge.”

In key selection news for tonight’s semi-final at the MCG, Geelong recalled forward Dan Menzel for the clash with Sydney after he was controversially left out of the Cats’ qualifying final loss to Richmond.

Darcy Lang is also in, with Cameron Guthrie (calf) and Jordan Murdoch (omitted) departing the side.

The Swans stuck with the same 22 that demolished Essendon in last week’s elimination final at the SCG.

Out-of-favour ruck-forward Kurt Tippett did not even make Sydney’s emergency list, which is comprised of Aliir Aliir, Daniel Robinson and Lewis Melican.