Brisbane face AFL grand final call on Payne’s fitness

Anna Harrington | September 28, 2023

Brisbane defender Jack Payne is set to learn whether he is cleared to return from an ankle injury when the Lions and Collingwood name their teams for the AFL grand final.

The backman has been a mainstay of Brisbane’s defence this season but missed the preliminary final win over Carlton with the injury.

That night, experienced backman Darcy Gardiner filled in with aplomb to keep Charlie Curnow quiet.

At Tuesday’s light session, Payne walked comfortably, ran laps and engaged in some contested marking and stoppage work, before a long discussion with the Lions’ support staff.

But whether he progresses enough to convince coach Chris Fagan, who has been adamant he won’t go into the decider with an unfit player, has yet to be seen.

Collingwood have already had to make two heartbreaking scratchings ahead of Thursday night’s team announcement.

Former Lions forward Dan McStay injured his knee in the preliminary final while Taylor Adams’ hamstring tightened up again at training as he raced the clock to return from missing that game through injury.

Adams’ season ending prematurely for a second consecutive year has been tough for the Magpies.

“It’s really challenging,” defender Jeremy Howe told the Nine Network.

“He’s one of our spiritual leaders the way that he acts on field.

“Especially at this time of year, he seems to thrive when the games get really hard and ultra-competitive. That’s generally what he does best.

“… It’s really hard to see him get his body through the whole season and unfortunately just not quite be able to finish it off for the last game of the year.”

Adams was replaced by Nick Daicos in the preliminary final while big man Billy Frampton has already had his spot as McStay’s replacement confirmed.

“We’re excited for him. He’ll be good for us,” coach Craig McRae told SEN on Wednesday.

“He can play forward for us and go back where need be, and play on the likes of (Joe) Daniher and others, and he can play (as) second ruck.”

Howe added Frampton had “put a mountain of work in” to prepare for his shot at his first final.

The only question is whether McRae flinches and opts for another change.

Jack Ginnivan has impressed as the substitute but dashing defender John Noble, the pre-finals heartbreak story when he was dropped ahead of the qualifying final, could be in the mix for a recall.