AFL Finals news: All the latest selection news ahead of the preliminary finals

Pies defender Nathan Murphy has sent a sound warning to the Giants ahead of Nick Daicos’ return as the Pies look to cover the loss of veteran midfielder Taylor Adams.

MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - August 5, 2023. AFL. Injured Pies Taylor Adams, Brody Mihocek, Nick Daicos, Nathan Murphy and Tom Mitchell back row on the bench last qtr during the round 21 match between the Hawthorn and Collingwood at Marvel Stadium in Melbourne. Photo by Michael Klein.

Collingwood defender Nathan Murphy has warned GWS a fully fit Nick Daicos is ready to “light up the MCG” as Taylor Adams’ teammates made clear his September campaign was not over.

Adams’ minor hamstring strain in a Friday night match simulation session means he could be the club’s only change as Daicos prepares to return for his first game in 41 days off a leg fracture.

The Giants’ second straight demolition of a September rival against Port Adelaide is another reminder the Pies need Brownlow Medal favourite Daicos at his best.

But Murphy told this masthead his exceptional scratch match form last Friday was a reminder he would not be entering the contest any less than fully fit.

“Nick is back to what Nick is capable of,” he said.

Adams will miss the Pies’ final against the Giants. Picture: David Crosling

“I think our rehab group guys are really good at making sure that the person is fully fit to be able to play. And they’re just not throwing someone in the deep end for a preliminary final just to hope that it’s going to go well so they give us a lot of trust.

“I think we saw on Friday that Nick’s definitely ready to go no matter where he plays. I think the AFL world and Collingwood supporters should be really excited that Nick Daicos is back playing finals football because this is a 20-year old man who is going to light up the MCG. I am still in awe of him doing what he does. So I think we’re really excited to have him back and see what he’s capable of.”

Fellow Pies stalwart Will Hoskin-Elliott says it took only a few minutes of Daicos’ match simulation return to know he was ready to make his mark.

“He is flying,” Hoskin-Elliott said. “He hasn’t missed a beat. Coming into the first quarter of match play … he had about 10 touches in the first few minutes. He is ready to go.”

Daicos started at half-back in the first part of match practice but also spent some time in the midfield, with the club confident he will be conditioned well enough to play any required role.

While Melbourne’s Steven May played in the 2021 Grand Final despite a hamstring tear the Pies have such a fit list they might be cautious about playing Adams if they make it through to the decider.

But given he has already begun running he will clearly push hard to force the same kind of decision the Cats had last year with midfielder Max Holmes, who was ultimately overlooked.

Nick Daicos is a certainty to return. (Photo by Darrian Traynor/Getty Images)

“Tay’s been so positive about it. It’s why he’s our vice-captain. It’s been awesome,” Murphy said.

“We’ve been in here this morning doing swimming and a bit of running as well. So whatever he can do to get back and hopefully we’ll get to the grand final and he’ll put his name up but he’s been the ultimate professional and he’s so positive about it that it’s become about the team with him and that’s what he’s so good at,

“So whilst it’s been disappointing for him and for us he has been awesome the way he’s kind of gone about it.”

Said Hoskin-Elliott of Adams: “Fingers crossed, if we get over the line (against the Giants), he can push to play the next week. He is going to do absolutely everything he can to play. He was out there doing some strides (on Sunday), he was doing some mechanical work and just getting it moving. He will be pushing (to play if the Pies make the grand final).”

Murphy made clear captain Darcy Moore would not be hindered by a tendon issue in his hand that had him wearing a brace early last week.

“He’s all good. He trained really well on Friday so I didn’t know much about the wrist until last week. He’s just a bit of a sook sometimes….”