McPharlin hope for last hurrah seems forlorn
Goodes a possible no-show at grand final
FREMANTLE coach Ross Lyon says he can’t afford to mollycoddle Luke McPharlin as the veteran defender digests the prospect of missing out on a farewell flag.
But Lyon has left the door slightly ajar for Ryan Crowley to make a dream return in Friday night’s preliminary final against Hawthorn in Perth.
McPharlin is no certainty to play again this year after re-injuring his troublesome calf in the lead-up to the qualifying RETIRING Sydney legend Adam Goodes says he hasn’t thought about playing any role in AFL grand final festivities as debate continues over whether he should participate in the annual lap of honour for retired players.
Goodes announced the end of his 372-game career with Sydney after their semi-final final win over Sydney a fortnight ago.
The 33-year-old is almost certain to miss Friday’s match against Hawthorn, and he faces an uphill battle to win back his spot even if Fremantle reach the grand final.
Such is the doubt surrounding McPharlin’s fitness, Lyon even floated the prospect of using the 256-game veteran as a forward in the grand final if he can get up for the game.
Lyon feels for McPharlin’s predicament, especially with the former Hawk set to retire home loss to North Melbourne on Saturday. There was a financial sting in the tail for Goodes, with the match review panel fining him for kicking out at Kangaroos defender Scott Thompson. He can accept a $1000 fine with an early guilty plea.
Goodes isn’t expected to attend the grand final. The dual Brownlow medallist didn’t hold a press conference at the end of the year. But with a spot in the grand final on the line, Lyon isn’t dwelling on McPharlin’s potential heartbreak.
“You can’t sit around and wallow in your own misery,” Lyon said on Monday.
“That doesn’t work at AFL level. I just worry about the ones I have.
“I haven’t got the luxury of cuddling people on a 24-hour basis. I give them a little cuddle and move on.
Crowley’s 12-month ban for doping ends this week, meaning at the club’s Mad Monday function but informally told some media he hadn’t thought about the grand final.
“Rumours are rumours. It’s my last Mad Monday and I want to enjoy it with my teammates,” Goodes told the ABC. “I haven’t even thought about it to be honest. I didn’t think we’d lose this weekend.”
Essendon legend Tim Watson believes the booing of he’s free to play against the Hawks.
In 2010, then-St Kilda coach Lyon recalled Steven Baker for the grand final despite the tagger’s 12-week absence from the team.
Last week, Lyon effectively ruled Crowley out of contention for a recall this year.
But his stance softened somewhat when probed about the issue again on Monday. “He’s a chance isn’t he,” Lyon said. “It’s been done before, it can be done again. It’s unlikely, but it’s a chance. Goodes over much of this season would likely be repeated on grand final day.
“Because after all this, all that took place, after he stood down from the game for a week because of the mental anguish associated with booing, he came back and there was still booing,” Watson told SEN Radio.
Collingwood president Eddie McGuire hoped the
“We’ve had a few injuries around the edges. Does that open it up? Possibly.
“No one will know until the ball’s bounced, will they.”
Forward Matt Taberner is a strong chance to earn a recall after booting five goals in the WAFL two weeks ago.
Skipper Matthew Pavlich, who yesterday flatly dismissed rumours of retirement as “soupy”, is a certainty to play despite wearing a moon boot last week to manage a lingering problem with his achilles tendon. AFL would convince Goodes to attend as he felt fans would want to send him off in appropriate fashion.
“I think all fans would love to send him off. I know there’s been all this booing and at times it’s been gratuitous and other times it’s just been part of the play, but I wouldn’t think anyone would boo Adam Goodes on a farewell lap at the MCG. Surely not.’’