AFL grand final: Dan McStay out with injury as race begins to replace him
It’s heartbreak for Dan McStay as Collingwood confirm he will miss the grand final through injury, now the race is on to replace him.
AFL
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Shattered Collingwood forward Dan McStay is out of next Saturday’s AFL grand final after scans revealed a high-grade medial collateral ligament strain with the intrigue on his replacement set to roll on throughout the week.
McStay received the bad news on Saturday afternoon, but he had been expecting the worst after being subbed out of the Magpies’ one-point preliminary final victory over GWS Giants on Friday night.
He had scans early on Saturday morning, telling the media that he knew that his grand final dream was likely to be taken away from him.
The former Lion said it had been “pretty scary” to be “so close” to a grand final and miss out.
He insisted that while he had “mixed emotions” he was so proud of his teammates for getting the job done against the Giants.
Collingwood general manager of football Graham Wright confirmed the news, saying the club would rally around the first-year Magpie as he deals with his grand final heartache.
“It’s unfortunate to confirm Dan has sustained a high-grade medial ligament injury during (the) Preliminary Final with an expected recovery time of six to eight weeks,” Wright said.
“Dan has been an important part of our season this year and played an integral role in the victory against the Giants.
“We are all disappointed for Dan to miss the Grand Final, but we will all rally around him, and he will continue to be a part of the team’s preparations for the week ahead.”
McStay kicked two goals for the Magpies on Friday night and his absence will cause coach Craig McRae and his coaching staff some headaches in terms of grand final selection.,
Wright said the club would look at a range of options in terms of a replacement for McStay.
The Magpies will have to weigh up whether to go in with a smaller, more mobile forward line which could see Jack Ginnivan brought into the 22 with ruck partners Mason Cox and Darcy Cameron spending more time in attack or whether to bring in Billy Frampton, which could see swingman Jeremy Howe used in attack at times.
Luckless defender John Noble could also be back in the mix after missing the first two finals, while mid-forward Taylor Adams will push hard to try and prove his fitness after suffering a minor hamstring strain last Friday week.
Collingwood’s three emergencies Frampton, Noble and Finn Macrae all took part in a training session - with some match simulation - at the AIA Centre on Saturday morning.
McStay said: “For myself, it’s a bit of mixed emotions but I’m just incredibly proud of the boys and the way they played last night, and the way they were able to shut the game down.”
“Just to be a part of it was really special.”
Wright said the Magpies would not take any risks with injured players going into next Saturday’s game, but said Adams would be given the chance this week to prove his case.
“He would have a number of boxes he needs to tick,” Wright said on SEN. “The reality is you take fit players into finals, but we will give him every chance.”
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