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Sport
Roger Vaughan

Crows captain Randall named for AFLW final

Adelaide captain Chelsea Randall has been named to return for their AFLW final against Melbourne. (Matt Turner/AAP PHOTOS) (AAP)

Adelaide captain Chelsea Randall has been named to return from injury, giving the Crows a major boost for their AFLW qualifyiing final against Melbourne.

Randall will replace Lisa Whiteley in the only change to the two teams for the Friday night clash at Ikon Park.

The match between last season's grand finalists is a bumper start to the finals series.

Randall has been sidelined for the last two games with a rolled ankle.

It had been unclear whether Randall would recover in time for Friday and coach Matthew Clarke said it was a close call.

He told the club website that the 31-year-old forward had done the majority of Wednesday night's training session.

"All things being equal, she'll play," he said.

"It was touch and go for a while there but it's right on three weeks and she got through training, so she's available.

"We did a version of a match sim for a brief period and she just ran around and played, so she should be alright."

Randall has captained Adelaide's three premiership teams, the first two alongside Erin Phillips.

She then was sole captain last season as the Crows beat the Demons in the grand final.

Randall, who has switched from defence to the forward line this season, is among several players who have fitness queries over them ahead of the finals.

Western Bulldogs captain Ellie Blackburn on Wednesday declared herself a certain starter for Sunday's elimination final against Collingwood.

That was after coach Nathan Burke said she nearly did not play in round 10 because of a health issue.

North Melbourne hope to regain captain Emma Kearney (knee) and ruck Kim Rennie (illness) for Saturday night's elimination final against Geelong at GMHBA Stadium.

Teammate Erika O'Shea is yet to prove her availability after suffering an eye injury in Sunday's draw against Richmond.

Geelong ball magnet Georgie Prespakis is recovering from an ankle injury and must pass a fitness test.

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