Injured Magpies forward Daniel McStay ruled out for AFL grand final following one-point win over Giants

Collingwood forward Daniel McStay has been ruled out of the AFL grand final after suffering a high-grade medial injury in the Magpies’ pulsating one-point win over the Giants in the first preliminary final.

McStay kicked two goals in the Magpies’ thrilling one-point preliminary final win over GWS at the MCG on Friday night.

He injured his right knee during the third quarter of the 8.10 (58) to 8.9 (57) victory and was ruled out at the final change when the match still hung in the balance.

“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,” Collingwood’s GM of football Graham 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.”

The 28-year-old had scans on his injured knee on Saturday morning.

“It’s pretty scary so close to playing in a granny (grand final) and it might have been taken away from me, so we will wait and see,” McStay told reporters before the scan results came back in.

“Obviously for myself, it’s a bit of mixed emotions but I’m just incredibly proud of the boys and the way they played last night and the way they were able to shut the game down.”

After the match, Magpies coach Craig McRae said he feared McStay would miss the grand final.

I don’t want to put a definite decision on it but I think he might be unlucky to miss out. We’ll wait and see,” McRae said on Friday night.

“At the moment, until you really know, you put your arms around him and show love and support as best you can.

“That’ll play out pretty quickly, I would’ve thought.”

McStay moved from Brisbane as a free agent at the end of last year and missed three months of his first season at Collingwood with an injured finger, which was operated on and then became infected.

He returned in round 18 and has kicked multiple goals in eight of the Magpies’ last nine matches, taking his tally to 20 in 14 appearances for the club.

McStay kicked Collingwood’s first goal in the preliminary final and caused problems for the Giants’ defence in a low-scoring contest.

“He had moments. Early he was significant, jumping and marking the ball,” McRae said.

“You could see why he’s important to us. We need someone who can mark the ball forward of centre.

“If he doesn’t quite get up, he’ll be missed.”

Collingwood vice-captain Taylor Adams is also in significant doubt for the season decider after sitting out the preliminary final with a hamstring injury.

“That’s going to be a watch the clock,” McRae said.

“I think every second is going to be needed. We’ll push it to the line and see how we go.”

The Magpies will face either the Brisbane Lions or Carlton in the grand final.

The Lions and Blues face each other in the second preliminary final at the Gabba on Saturday night.