Finally, Birchall gets his chance

VETERAN Tasmanian and Hawthorn defender Grant Birchall will play his first game in 14 months tomorrow.

The former Devonport player will line up for Box Hill which takes on Williamstown in a VFL preliminary final.

And Melbourne retiree Bernie Vince will complete an unlikely return from a shoulder injury when he lines up for Casey Demons today against Essendon.

Birchall, 30, has not played at any level since Round 15 last year after battling ongoing knee setbacks.

The four-time premiership player had been pushing for a late-season return and was scheduled to return for Box Hill’s elimination final two weeks ago before injuring his adductor.

Box Hill coach Chris Newman said Birchall would play limited minutes.

“He probably won’t play a full game so we’ve probably just got to assess how he is feeling,” Newman said.

“I’m rapt for him, I’m really hoping he can get the footy in his hands and I’m just hoping he has a bit of fun and enjoys himself just playing footy again.”

Vince was ruled out for the rest of the season when he underwent surgery last month to repair the AC joint in his shoulder.

The 32-year-old suffered the injury playing for Casey on August 10, since announcing that 2018 would be his final season after a 13-year career.

Small forward/midfielder Jay Kennedy-Harris will also line up in the VFL.

“I don’t think any of us were really anticipating or planning on Bernie being able to come back unless we went really deep in the finals,” Casey coach Jade Rawlings said.