Dislocated toe on right foot of Brody Mihocek causing issues ahead of Preliminary final
Brody Mihocek is dealing with significant pain and was a no-show for Collingwood’s captain’s run on Friday. Jon Ralph and Ed Bourke have the latest.
Star Collingwood forward Brody Mihocek is dealing with a painful dislocated toe on his right kicking foot as the in-demand free agent prepares to tackle Brisbane on Saturday.
Mihocek was able to get through training on Thursday but was a no-show for the club’s captain’s run as he ensured he hit the preliminary final in the best possible shape.
Collingwood said on Friday that fitness boss Jarrod Wade was keen to have him off-legs the day before the game with the Pies certain he will take to the field against Brisbane.
It is unlikely that he would have played in a semi-final if the Pies had not beaten Adelaide in the qualifying final.
While his middle toe on his right foot went back into its socket in a clash where the Pies initially said his foot was stepped on, the ligament damage meant he was in a moon boot after the game and is managing the pain.
Collingwood hopes with the aid of painkillers he will be able to get through the game and then if the Pies win, pull up well to play in a grand final.
Mihocek was the only member of the Magpies’ preliminary final squad not sighted on the track as they went through a light 30-minute session at Olympic Park on Friday.
Potential replacements Daniel McStay and Will Hoskin-Elliott both took part in the full session, although McStay pulled on a bib to briefly play as a defender during a ball movement drill.
The 32-year-old unrestricted free agent is keen to remain with Collingwood given his loyalty to the club that drafted him but there is a scenario where he is playing his last game for the Pies.
He has been offered a two-year deal by Collingwood but a three-year contract on superior money by Melbourne.
It would mean he would have to sacrifice years and money to remain, which he still might be prepared to do given he loves the Pies.
North Melbourne is not a suitor despite some reports, with Mihocek to make a decision on his future after the Pies’ finals campaign finishes.
As Collingwood enters a cutthroat finals clash against the team it beat in the 2023 grand final, Mihocek will be desperate to perform against a strong Brisbane defence.
Mihocek and fellow key forward Mason Cox will have to try to deny star defender Harris Andrews’ aerial dominance and bring the ball to ground for the club’s fleet of crumbers.
On Friday Jeremy Howe trained ahead of just his second full game since round 16 because of injuries, while fellow defenders Darcy Moore and Isaac Quaynor again looked slick after delivering superb performances in the qualifying final.
There was little to cheer for about 200 Pies fans in attendance until Dan Houston had some fun with the fierce breeze to the river end of the ground, unloading two torpedoes which carried the distance from the centre of the oval.
The club has not yet ruled out Bobby Hill for a potential grand final but given he has played only 40 minutes of AFL football in three months it would likely take an injury or two to see him elevated into the side next week.
McRae is adamant he will not take injured players into the preliminary final but a massive training session last Friday convinced the Pies that Howe is ready.
Originally published as Dislocated toe on right foot of Brody Mihocek causing issues ahead of Preliminary final
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