Billy Frampton will replace injured forward Dan McStay in Collingwood’s AFL grand final side, with coach Craig McRae saying the versatile 26-year-old provides added flexibility.
Frampton has not played since round 24, but McRae told him on Tuesday he would return against the Brisbane Lions for Saturday’s AFL showpiece at the MCG.
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McStay injured his knee in Friday night’s preliminary final win over Greater Western Sydney.
“We’re excited for him. He’ll be good for us,” McRae told SEN on Wednesday.
“He can play forward for us and go back where need be, and play on the likes of (Joe) Daniher and others, and he can play (as) second ruck.”
Billy Frampton has emerged as the feel-good story of this year’s grand final. Credit: Getty Images
Midfielder Taylor Adams will stay out of the side after reporting hamstring tightness at Tuesday’s training, while the Magpies must decide whether Jack Ginnivan or John Noble will be their sub.
Collingwood defender Brayden Maynard has taken careful note of the hard and fast Carlton start that put Brisbane on the back foot in their preliminary final.
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The half back says the Magpies must take the game to the Lions from the start.
Brisbane were left reeling when Carlton kicked the first five goals last Saturday at the Gabba, but the Blues could not keep them on the ropes.
The Lions were only three points down at the main break and controlled the second half to make their first grand final since 2004.
“They got a jump on them early. They kept the game in a pretty fast manner,” he said.
“You have to go at Brisbane. They like a bit of a slow game, kick-mark, so we have to be ‘on’ from the minute we get out there.
“Carlton played really well in the first half, but weren ‘t able to adapt in the second half.
“Brisbane are a great team, they’re in the grand final for a reason.”
Maynard is prepared to step in if the Lions try to put the heat on Magpies star Nick Daicos – regularly the focus of tagging attention.
“I will be the first (to step in) and I will be the last,” Maynard said, with a semi-serious smile.
Maynard is determined that this grand final will go better than his first.
In 2018, he was crunched early by West Coast’s Liam Ryan and then was on the wrong end of the famous coast-to-coast Eagles play that ended up winning them the premiership.
Dom Sheed marked and goalled, but Maynard protested in vain that Willie Rioli had blocked him from spoiling the famous grab.
“To this day, I still think it was a block. It really frustrated me,” Maynard said.
“We couldn’t change anything – they won. I have another chance to go out there this Saturday with the team and have a red-hot crack.
“We deserve to be in this position, now we just have to go out and do what we do best.”
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