Craig McRae has named Collingwood’s side for the 2023 Toyota AFL Grand Final against the Brisbane Lions at the MCG on Saturday.
Tall Billy Frampton comes into the side for his first AFL Final, replacing Daniel McStay who suffered a knee injury in Collingwood’s one-point Preliminary Final victory against the GWS Giants.
Small forward Jack Ginnivan also comes into the starting 22 after starting as the tactical substitute in the Qualifying and Preliminary Finals.
Midfielder Patrick Lipinski will be the tactical substitute for Saturday’s Grand Final, in what will be the 25-year old’s 95th AFL Game.
201cm tall Frampton has played 15 games in the black and white since joining the Club during the 2022 Trade Period, averaging 4.6 spoils and 9.8 disposals across a season that has seen him play in forward, in defence and the ruck.
Coach Craig McRae said Frampton will be a versatile replacement for McStay, when confirming the 26-year-old’s inclusion in an interview with SEN yesterday afternoon.
“He can play second ruck so he gives us good flexibility for the team,” said McRae.
“For every heartache story (McStay’s injury) there’s an opportunity and Bill gets that.”
Saturday’s Grand Final will be Ginnivan’s sixth Final and 42nd career game. The livewire 20-year-old has contributed strongly to the side after entering both Finals in the second half, accumulating a total 188 metres gained from limited game time.
Collingwood’s General Manager of Football Graham Wright said Lipinski will have influence on the Grand Final through his running prowess.
“Pat’s elite running ability will no doubt inject energy into the game and we look forward to seeing him make an impact on Saturday,” said Wright.
Lipinski has averaged 17.9 disposals from his 13 games across 2023, including a season high 25 against Geelong in Round 22. Saturday’s Grand Final will be his eighth career Final.
John Noble, Finlay Macrae and Harvey Harrison will be the three Emergencies for Saturday’s clash.
The Grand Final will be Collingwood’s 45th at senior level in their 131-year history, and sixth against Brisbane/Fitzroy.
2023 Toyota AFL Grand Final
Collingwood v Brisbane Lions
Saturday 30 September, 2:30pm
MCG, Wurundjeri
IN: Frampton, Ginnivan
OUT: McStay (knee)
The Full Team:
| COLLINGWOOD v BRISBANE | |||
| B | Nathan Murphy | Darcy Moore | Jeremy Howe |
| HB | Brayden Maynard | Billy Frampton | Isaac Quaynor |
| C | Steele Sidebottom | Scott Pendlebury | Oleg Markov |
| HF | Bobby Hill | Brody Mihocek | Jamie Elliott |
| F | Beau McCreery | Jordan De Goey | Josh Daicos |
| R | Mason Cox | Nick Daicos | Jack Crisp |
| INT | Tom Mitchell | Darcy Cameron | Will Hoskin-Elliott |
| Jack Ginnivan | |||
| SUB | Patrick Lipinski | ||
| EMG | John Noble | Finlay Macrae | Harvey Harrison |
