AFL finals 2023 LIVE updates: Blues fans descend on Gabba ahead of Lions clash, McStay out of grand final for Pies

Collingwood forward Dan McStay’s grand final dream has been cruelly shattered after scans revealed he had suffered a high-grade medial ligament injury in the Magpies’ epic preliminary final win.

The heartbreaking diagnosis for McStay comes as the Pies sweat on the match review officer’s assessment on Nick Daicos over a tackle that resulted in Greater Western Sydney forward Brent Daniels missing the frantic closing minutes of Friday night’s game. The Pies, though, are confident Daicos will have no case to answer.

McStay had been hoping for the best after undergoing scans on Saturday morning but his worst fears were realised several hours later.

“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,” Pies football boss Graeme Wright said.

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At risk of stroking the bear, welcome back Carlton.

We think. Maybe. Let’s see.

Let’s face it, except to their myriad fans, the Blues were never the most loveable of clubs. They didn’t try to be.

If the history of modern Carlton began with the coup that was the recruiting of Ron Barassi in 1965, it can be said that from that time on, they played hard ball.

Then, they were the only club that could give tyrannical Richmond a run for their money. They weren’t bullies as such, but they were cocky. Think Collingwood, but with lots of premierships. Seven in 20 years, to be precise. Between the Blues and the Tigers, they personified footy then: you couldn’t take your eyes off anything they did.

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