By Andrew Wu
Collingwood forward Dan McStay’s grand final dream has been cruelly shattered by a knee injury, leaving the Magpies with a major selection call as they chase a record-equalling 16th VFL/AFL premiership.
The Pies breathed a sigh of relief after superstar youngster Nick Daicos was cleared by the match review officer for his tackle on Greater Western Sydney forward Brent Daniels, but there was no miracle for McStay, who was ruled out of the decider with a high-grade medial ligament injury to his knee. The injury requires six to eight weeks’ recovery.
Dan McStay is consoled by teammates after Collingwood’s preliminary final victory.Credit: AFL Photos
McStay’s heartbreaking diagnosis leaves the door ajar for John Noble, who was dropped on the eve of the finals after 83 consecutive games, to regain his place, but there is no direct like-for-like replacement available to coach Craig McRae.
Noble and preliminary final emergencies Billy Frampton and Finlay Macrae took part in match simulation on Saturday. Midfielder Tom Mitchell underwent precautionary scans on his back and neck but the Pies do not believe he is in danger of missing.
Vice-captain Taylor Adams will be given every chance to prove he has recovered from a minor hamstring strain, but he is racing the clock and far from a certainty to return.
McStay had been hoping for the best after undergoing scans on Saturday morning, but his worst fears were realised several hours later.
“It’s unfortunate to confirm that Dan has sustained a high-grade medial ligament injury during last night’s preliminary final with an expected recovery time of six to eight weeks,” Pies football boss Graeme Wright said.
“Dan has been an important part of our season this year and played an integral role in the last night’s 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 had been resigned to his fate when he spoke to reporters after the scan. The damage occurred after Giants defender Jack Buckley accidentally fell across his knee in the third quarter of the preliminary final. He was subbed out soon after.
“It’s pretty scary so close to playing in a grannie and it might have been taken away from me, so we will wait and see,” McStay said.
“We’ve just had the scans, so we’re not entirely sure.”
McStay was recruited from Brisbane last year to be the difference as a contested marking forward. Despite being limited to just 14 of 25 games due to injury, the 28-year-old honoured his end of the bargain with two priceless goals in a low-scoring final against star defender Sam Taylor.
There is no readymade key forward waiting in the wings for the Pies, which means rucks Mason Cox or Darcy Cameron may need to spend more time forward as a marking target inside 50.
The Pies may also consider promoting goalsneak Jack Ginnivan from the sub into the starting 22, and using defender John Noble as the 23rd man to come on if they need to move swingman Jeremy Howe forward.
Another option would be to recall Frampton to play in defence, which would also free up Howe to play at the other end of the ground.
Speaking on Friday night before the diagnosis on McStay was confirmed, McRae said the forward would leave a void in the side.
“He had moments, he really did,” McRae said. “Early, he was significant, jumping and marking the ball. You can see why we get him, why he’s important to us. We need someone who can mark it forward of centre. And if he doesn’t quite get up well he’ll be missed.”
Daicos has no case to answer for his tackle on Daniels from the MRO. The league deemed the incident not requiring a detailed explanation from Michael Christian.
Daniels was cleared of concussion but the mandatory 15 minutes required to conduct the SCAT5 test meant he could not play out the game.
Giants coach Adam Kingsley was extremely disappointed after the game Daniels had to undergo a concussion test, but the club was more measured on Saturday when it emerged their medical staff had the final say after being alerted to a potential incident by an AFL spotter.
“They were gutted like everyone with the result,” Giants football boss Jason McCartney told 3AW. “We talk about being proud of the players, I’m incredibly proud of the role our doctors play and our medical team. They stood up under enormous pressure and made a call that had to be done.
“They acted with the utmost duty of care to the player, and that’s what you want in these situations.”
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