Brisbane Lions defender Jack Payne is set to miss the AFL Grand Final, with the club reportedly 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 against Collingwood, according to multiple reports.
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Collingwood’s Patrick Lipinski has been selected as the side’s substitute for the decider, with full squads to be announced later on Thursday.
Jack Ginnivan was the substitute for last week’s win over Greater Western Sydney, while the club confirmed this week key position recruit Billy Frampton would come into the side for the decider.
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.
Dan McStay will also come out of the side after suffering a high-grade MCL injury during the win over the Giants.
Full squads will be announced at 6:20pm AEST on Thursday.
