Brisbane Lions defender Jack Payne has been left out of the starting 22 for the AFL Grand Final, with the club opting to continue on with Darcy Gardiner for Saturday’s match.
Payne missed last week’s preliminary final win with an ankle injury, with Gardiner instead playing his first senior game since round 13 and keeping Charlie Curnow subdued for much of the match.
While it’s understood Payne had passed all fitness tests necessary up until Thursday, the Lions have opted for Gardiner, with Payne named as an emergency.
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Jarryd Lyons, last week’s sub, also remains in the emergencies, along with James Tunstill and ruck Darcy Fort.
Collingwood’s Patrick Lipinski has been selected as the side’s substitute for the decider, with Jack Ginnivan coming into the starting 22 after being the substitute the week prior.
Ginnivan’s elevation was first touted by Ginnivan’s father, Craig, via his Facebook page on Thursday afternoon.
“He’s in the 22, wow we go pies,” Craig Ginnivan wrote.
Key position recruit Billy Frampton has also been named for the decider, replacing the injured Dan McStay.
Earlier this week, it was confirmed midfielder Taylor Adams would not be part of the selected side, after experiencing hamstring awareness at training during his bid to make a speedy return from injury.
Collingwood’s other emergencies are John Noble, Finlay Macrae and Harvey Harrison.
PIES
B: Murphy, Moore, Howe
HB: Maynard, Frampton, Quaynor
C: Sidebottom, Pendlebury, Markov
HF: Hill, Mihocek, Elliott
F: McCreery, De Goey, J.Daicos
FOL: Cox, N.Daicos, Crisp
I/C: Mitchell, Cameron, Hoskin-Elliott, Ginnivan
EMG: Lipinski, Noble, Macrae, Harrison
IN: Frampton
OUT: Lipinski (Sub), McStay (injured)
LIONS
B: Starcevich, Andrews, Gardiner
HB: McKenna, Lester, Coleman
C: McCluggage, Dunkley, Zorko
HF: Cameron, Hipwood, Ah Chee
F: Rayner, Daniher, Bailey
FOL: McInerney, Neale, Berry
I/C: Robertson, McCarthy, Fletcher, Wilmot
EMG: Lyons, Tunstill, Fort, Payne
IN: None
OUT: Lyons (Sub)
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