The Dogs last night made a shock selection by including lightly-built runner Dylan Willsher for the cut-throat clash against Panmure at Reid Oval.

Willsher hasn’t played a senior match this season and has run out with the reserves just six times — and only twice since round 11.

But his performances in the twos in round 18 and the second semi-final earned him a surprise reprieve, at the expense of Shane “Bones” Graham.

Graham emerged from the first semi-final triumph against Old Collegians with a tight calf and “didn’t last more than five minutes” at training last night.

Dennington also swapped its substitute, bringing in Matt Dwyer at the expense of Jack Fitzgerald. Dwyer had the flu last week.

Dennington coach Ben Parkinson said Willsher, a member of the losing grand final side in 2013, was “a very lucky boy”.

“Dylan is a really good runner. He played in the finals last year. He’s pretty brave,” he said.

“There were a couple of players ahead of him in the ressies as far as form but they didn’t fit that role we needed to fill.

“Dylan does. He was best on ground in the twos in the last round. He’s got to take (the opportunity) with both hands.”

Parkinson had sympathy for a “shattered” Graham. The veteran onballer broke an ankle in round two, 2013 but successfully returned this season.

“We were doing the warm-up tonight and Bones called me over and said he had a slight twinge and was feeling it jogging,” he said.

“I said ‘see how you go’. He didn’t last more than five minutes. He’s been playing really well as well, it’s pretty shattering.”

Opponent Panmure made two changes, recalling speedster Tommy Jones and James Keane from injuries.

Jones has recovered from a quad tear suffered in round 16. Keane has also missed since round 16 with knee soreness but will take his place in the side.

Dan Ryan suffered a knee injury against Merrivale in the second semi-final and will miss,  as will Matt Smith, who fractured a toe in the same match.

Panmure coach Simon O’Keefe said the Bulldogs had 30 players at training last night, despite the reserves having been knocked out of finals.

“That’s 30 blokes that are pushing for senior footy. Training has been electric this week,” he said.

“With any footy side there are injuries. If you’re not training you’re not going to get a game. Things happen in finals, injuries and that sort of stuff.

“You’ve got to hang in and hang tight. Obviously we’ve got to win this week but if we do and something happens, those boys are ready to go.”