Collingwood star Taylor Adams has been ruled out of Saturday’s AFL grand final after suffering “hamstring awareness” at training.
Adams left the track early during Tuesday’s open training session.
“Unfortunate news for Taylor Adams who experienced hamstring awareness during training today which will see him miss the grand final,” Collingwood football boss Graham Wright said.
“Taylor is an ultimate professional and a true leader both on and off the field and we will wrap our arms around him and continue to support him this week.
“Taylor was incredibly eager to be out there with his teammates and left no stone unturned in his rehabilitation and recovery and we all share in his disappointment.”
Adams initially suffered a low-grade hamstring injury in Collingwood’s qualifying final win over Melbourne on September 15.
He is the second Collingwood star to be officially ruled out of the grand final in a matter of days after forward Dan McStay’s absence was also confirmed due to a knee injury.
Adams was one of Collingwood’s best players in the losing 2018 grand final, tallying 31 disposals and nine clearances. He finished second to West Coast’s Luke Shuey in the Norm Smith Medal voting.
The 30-year-old played an equal career-high 23 games this season, averaging 18.4 disposals per game and kicking a career-high 13 goals.
Many thought McStay’s injury would mean Adams would come in as a straight swap, with the Magpies looking to go smaller, but now coach Craig McRae has been left with a selection headache.
Off-season acquisition Billy Frampton could come into the side if McRae opts to stay tall, with the 26-year-old big man playing alongside Brody Mihocek during match simulation on Tuesday.
Other options for McRae include Jack Ginnivan, who has started both finals as the substitute, and John Noble, who was dropped on the eve of Collingwood’s finals campaign.
