Sydney co-captain Jarrad McVeigh is far from certain to play against the Western Bulldogs

INJURED co-captain Jarrad McVeigh will be given until Saturday morning to prove he is capable of taking on the Western Bulldogs in the grand final.

Sydney Swans co-captain Jarrad McVeigh is no certainty to play this week. Picture: AAP Images

INJURED co-captain Jarrad McVeigh will be given until Saturday morning to prove he is capable of taking on the Western Bulldogs in the grand final.

McVeigh and Rising Star winner Callum Mills were named in the Swans’ team for Saturday’s Grand Final against the Western Bulldogs but Sydney’s veteran is still a long way from over the line.

Both players have done all that is required of them and will need to complete Friday’s training session before the traditional grand final parade.

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The Daily Telegraph understands McVeigh has until the day of the game to make a call on his fitness and will meet with coach John Longmire Saturday morning to talk through his ability to play in the biggest game of the year.

“He’s an experienced player, he knows what it’s about, he’s smart and plays a really strong brand of football so it’s great to have him back in the side,” Longmire said.

Sydney coach John Longmire talks to Kieren Jack and Jarrad McVeigh at training this week. Picture. Phil Hillyard

Mills has trained more strongly than McVeigh and looks to be the better chance of the two to play. Both players sustained their injuries in the qualifying final against the GWS Giants at ANZ Stadium.

“(Callum) has given himself every possible chance from the moment he got injured,” Longmire said. “He’s done absolutely everything right. He’s trained absolutely flat out this week. In the end it was really hard to keep him out of the team.”

Aliir Aliir failed to recover from a medial ligament strain in last Friday night’s preliminary final win over Geelong.

“It’s really tough on (Aliir), we wanted to give him every possible chance,” Longmire said.

“He’s a really quality person and he’s great for our group and he’s been terrific in the back end of the year as a player.

“Unfortunately his knee didn’t come up. We would have been putting both him and the team at risk.”

Jarrad McVeigh was injured two weeks ago against the Crows. Picture: Phil Hillyard

Harry Marsh was the other unlucky one to miss out but would be first in line for a recall should McVeigh fail to come up for the match. Marsh’s speed is highly valued and while he picked up just eight possessions in the win over the Cats he was number one for pressure acts which the Swans coach rates very highly.

“Harry has played some good footy for us,” Longmire said.

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“It’s always a tough decision, whether it be injury or non-selection. I’m sure the Bulldogs have had their challenges as well, everyone does this time of year, but it’s really about the 22 playing now and those who’ll give us the best possible chance.”

Marsh, Harry Cunningham and Toby Nankervis were named as the emergencies.