The Sydney Swans weren't the only ones going into Thursday's selection deadline with injury concerns after Geelong forward Daniel Menzel was ruled out at the last minute.

Menzel has reportedly dealt with a groin complaint in recent weeks, the injury flaring up during the week which ultimately forced the Cats' hand.

It's a bitter blow for the talented forward, who's had a wretched run with serious knee injuries.

Menzel, who's kicked 33 goals in his 18 matches this season, was replaced in the selected side by swingman Lachie Henderson while rebound defender Jed Bews comes in for Tom Ruggles to make up the two changes for Geelong.

The last-minute shuffle follows a week of speculation centred around a number of players from the Sydney Swans including Gary Rohan who, despite being carried off on a medi-cab with a suspected knee injury against Adelaide, was named to play in Friday's preliminary final at the MCG.

Kurt Tippett returns from a fractured jaw, replacing Toby Nankervis, in the hope of putting further pressure on the Cats' strong defence boasting premiership backmen Harry Taylor and Tom Lonergan.

The Swans and Cats have met in three finals matches overall with the former coming away with a win in each, the latest in the famous 2005 semi final.

They've only met twice before at the MCG, in 1919 and 1934.