‘All disappointed’: Pies confirm brutal Grand Final heartbreak story

A Collingwood star has officially received the brutal news he will be forced to miss the AFL Grand Final after a heartbreaking injury.

McStay’s night ended early in the Magpies’ epic one-point preliminary final win over GWS, with the key forward having already conceded he could miss next weekend’s decider.

The 28-year old, who bagged two goals on Friday night prior to the setback, appeared on crutches on Saturday morning outside club headquarters.

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“Obviously you just hope for the best and I’ll leave that in the hands of the doctors,” McStay said.

“It’s pretty scary so close to playing in a granny and it might have been taken away from me, so we will wait and see.”

The club confirmed later on Saturday that McStay would be unavailable to play in the grand final due to a high-grade medial collateral ligament stain that would sideline him for up to two months.

Heartbreak for McStay. Picture: Andrew Henshaw

The Pies player had a big impact on Friday night. Picture: Andrew Henshaw

“It‘s unfortunate to confirm that Dan has sustained a high-grade medial ligament injury during last night’s preliminary final with an expected recovery time of six to eight weeks,” Wright said.

“Dan has been an important part of our season this year and played an integral role in the last night’s victory against the Giants.

“We are all disappointed for Dan to miss the grand final, but we will all rally around him, and he will continue to be a part of the team’s preparations for the week ahead.”

It came after Collingwood coach Craig McRae suggested post-match McStay might be an “unlucky” omission for the grand final without able to disclose specific details on the injury.

Earlier on Saturday, Magpies footy boss Graham Wright told SEN McStay was “really disappointed” and “fearing the worst” as the club awaited scan results.

“It’s obviously a medial strain but at what level … we just had him scanned this morning (Saturday), so we haven’t had any update in relation to that yet,” Wright said on SEN’s Crunch Time.

“I think it would be fair to say he would be in some doubt.”

McStay’s night ended early in the Magpies’ epic one-point preliminary final win over GWS, with the key forward having already conceded he could miss next weekend’s decider.

The 28-year old, who bagged two goals on Friday night prior to the setback, appeared on crutches on Saturday morning outside club headquarters.

Watch every game until the Grand Final of the 2023 Toyota AFL Premiership Season LIVE on Kayo Sports. New to Kayo? Start your free trial now >

“Obviously you just hope for the best and I’ll leave that in the hands of the doctors,” McStay said.

“It’s pretty scary so close to playing in a granny and it might have been taken away from me, so we will wait and see.”

The club confirmed later on Saturday that McStay would be unavailable to play in the grand final due to a high-grade medial collateral ligament stain that would sideline him for up to two months.

Heartbreak for McStay. Picture: Andrew Henshaw

The Pies player had a big impact on Friday night. Picture: Andrew Henshaw

“It‘s unfortunate to confirm that Dan has sustained a high-grade medial ligament injury during last night’s preliminary final with an expected recovery time of six to eight weeks,” Wright said.

“Dan has been an important part of our season this year and played an integral role in the last night’s victory against the Giants.

“We are all disappointed for Dan to miss the grand final, but we will all rally around him, and he will continue to be a part of the team’s preparations for the week ahead.”

It came after Collingwood coach Craig McRae suggested post-match McStay might be an “unlucky” omission for the grand final without able to disclose specific details on the injury.

Earlier on Saturday, Magpies footy boss Graham Wright told SEN McStay was “really disappointed” and “fearing the worst” as the club awaited scan results.

“It’s obviously a medial strain but at what level … we just had him scanned this morning (Saturday), so we haven’t had any update in relation to that yet,” Wright said on SEN’s Crunch Time.

“I think it would be fair to say he would be in some doubt.”

The Pies will be forced to make at least one change. Photo by Michael Klein.

McStay joined the Pies as a free agent last off-season after moving from Brisbane.

Billy Frampton could be the most obvious replacement for McStay, while John Noble and Fin Macrae were Collingwood’s other emergencies on Friday night.

Meanwhile Mitchell also underwent scans on Saturday as he manages a back problem, but the midfield recruit is expected to be available for next week’s blockbuster against either Brisbane or Carlton.

“It’s just a sore back. He’s had back and neck issues … it was just a precautionary scan to make sure everything is okay with that,” Wright added on Crunch Time.

“I don’t think there will be any problem with him for being available for next week, it’ll be hard-pressed to keep him out… it’s a management issue and we’ve been dealing with that and he’s been able to get through.”

As for Taylor Adams, who missed the preliminary final against GWS with a hamstring issue, Wright wasn’t able to provide any more clarity around the vice-captain’s bid to return and that it hadn’t been discussed ahead of Friday night’s prelim.

The Collingwood footy boss said Adams would still “have a number of boxes to tick” if he were to return in the decider.

“The reality is you take fit players into finals, but we will give him every chance,” Wright told SEN.

Darcy Moore suffered a rolled ankle on Friday night that caused the area to swell up badly, but the Magpies skipper isn’t considered to be in any sort of doubt for next week.