Pies ready to repel West Coast’s power forwards ON THE DEFENSIVE
COLLINGWOOD’S defenders are primed for the challenge against West Coast’s twin power forwards in tomorrow’s grand final, Magpies assistant coach Robert Harvey has declared.
As the Magpies finalised their preparations in front of thousands of fans at Olympic Park yesterday, backman Jeremy Howe was confirmed as “100 per cent fit” after overcoming an ankle injury.
The Magpies’ backline faces one of the biggest tests in the premiership decider to contain Eagles’ two tall forwards Josh Kennedy and Jack Darling. WEST Coast midfielder Andrew Gaff is doing it tough but admits he’s only got himself to blame for missing out on tomorrow’s grand final against Collingwood.
Gaff copped an eightmatch suspension for punching Fremantle’s Andrew Brayshaw in the Round 20 western derby.
Although Nic Naitanui ( knee), Eric Mackenzie ( foot) and Brad Sheppard ( hamstring) will also miss the grand final, Gaff will find it harder to swallow given his absence is self- inflicted.
“It’s really tough,” Gaff told Perth radio station 94.5.
“I played in 2015 ( grand final), and while it was a great experience we didn’t have the result we wanted to.
“You pride yourself on making the most of the opportunity next time around … but I won’t be out there.
“But I’ve got no one else to blame but myself.”
Gaff insists he is still to
But Harvey said the Magpies’ defence was ready to stand up against the attacking threat.
“I think we have had that threat all year to be honest and our defenders have stood up so well,’’ Harvey said.
“It’s been a lot of guys go through there this year and I think they have handled it so well that one- in, one- out mentality that we’ve had has been really good.
“Our back six is nearly as strong as it gets now, I think we’ll handle it as we have handled it this year and those guys will put their best foot forward and so far, so good, that’s been good enough.’’ make a decision on his future.
The restricted free agent is being pursued by North Melbourne. St Kilda, Melbourne and Essendon are also reportedly in the hunt. Gaff hails
Howe missed the Magpies’ training session on Tuesday and Harvey said he had “done a fair bit” of work this week to ensure his fitness for the grand final.
“I reckon he would be rapt with how he has come up,’’ Harvey said.
“He was a bit concerned after the game, but he goes in from Victoria and his dad’s recent heart scare could convince him to return home.
“I honestly haven’t made my decision,” Gaff said.
“Once the season finishes, really strong and 100 per cent fit.
“Today was just his final session just to tick off and he did that really well. So all systems go for ‘ Howey’.’’
The Magpies lapped up the atmosphere in front of the black and white faithful on the track, but Harvey said the big build- up would not distract from their flag assignment.
“Behind that enjoyment and laughter there is a steely focus for this group and we have had that all year,’’ Harvey said.
“That remains – there is a job there to do … we couldn’t be better prepared for a grand final.’’ I’ll definitely be making my decision pretty quickly.”
Gaff’s father Paul, who underwent major heart surgery in August, got released from hospital on Wednesday.
Magpies vice- captain Steele Sidebottom is expected to face plenty of attention from the Eagles after a standout finals series.
But Harvey said Sidebottom would not be fazed by a heavy tag.
“The good ‘ Sidey’ is that he Harvey said.
“Whether he gets tagged or he doesn’t get tagged, he’s output is usually pretty similar.
“His workrate is what gets him through and whether that’s with a tagger or not, the same Sidey will turn up. His leadership, his hunger and desire for this group has been massive.’’ thing with is unfazed,’’