SAME AGAIN
COLLINGWOOD and West Coast have backed in winning sides by naming unchanged line-ups for tomorrow’s Grand Final, dismissing injury concerns over key defenders.
West Coast defensive linchpin Jeremy McGovern has been named at centre halfback despite a nasty corked hip in their defeat of Melbourne.
And Jeremy Howe showcased his fitness for the biggest occasion in Australian football by training yesterday to take his place in Collingwood’s 22.
Howe tweaked his ankle during the Magpies’ preliminary final win over Richmond but took part in match simulation yesterday morning after failing to train earlier in the week.
“Howie looked fine. He’s done a fair bit and I reckon he’d be rapt with how he’s come up,” Collingwood assistant coach Robert Harvey said.
“He was a bit concerned after the game but he goes in really strong and 100 per cent fit.”
Fellow key defender Darcy Moore loomed as Howe’s likely replacement. But Moore hasn’t even been named on Collingwood’s emergency list, sparing the out-of-contract 22year-old the awkwardness of a place in the grand final parade.
Collingwood flag-winners Ben Reid and Jarryd Blair have been named as emergencies, along with Flynn Appleby and Callum Brown. Appleby has P53 replaced Madgen.
Luke Shuey assuaged doubts on his ankle injury to take his place in the West Coast midfield.
It’s less than 100 per cent clear that McGovern will play given his discomfort shown last Saturday. The three-time All-Australian was rested for most of the last quarter in the preliminary final blitz of Melbourne.
McGovern didn’t train on Monday and didn’t join the main group at Wednesday’s tall defender Jack session. Rumours the 26-yearold had broken ribs circulated, but the Eagles have denied those claims, with assistant coach Jaymie Graham saying their star backman had bruised his hip.
It is just the second time since World War II both grand finalists have gone in unchanged — after Richmond and Adelaide last season.
Collingwood half-forward Will Hoskin-Elliott will play his 100th game, while midfielder Tom Phillips will lace up for his 50th.