Collingwood forward Daniel McStay has been ruled out of next Saturday's Grand Final against his old side Brisbane due to a high-grade medial collateral ligament strain suffered against the Giants.
The strong-marking Pie's Grand Final chances appeared in significant doubt after the ex-Lion was substituted out of Friday night's preliminary final win at the MCG.
The forward was removed from Friday's contest at the final break after sustaining a knee injury in the third quarter. He was replaced by tactical substitute Jack Ginnivan.
On Saturday morning, following Collingwood's barnstorming win, McStay was sighted heading in to get scans on the bothersome ailment; sporting crutches and a brace.
The injury was caused by GWS defender Jack Buckley, who incidentally rolled onto McStay's leg after an attempted tackle, in doing so hampering the Pies attacker.
On Saturday afternoon, Collingwood confirmed McStay's absence for the decider.
General Manager of Football Graham Wright expressed his disappointment with McStay's outcome.
"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,” Wright said on Saturday.
“Dan has been an important part of our season this year and played an integral role in the last night's victory against the Giants.
“We are all disappointed for Dan to miss the Grand Final, but we will all rally around him, and he will continue to be a part of the team's preparations for the week ahead.”
Meanwhile, in other Collingwood injury news, veteran midfielder Taylor Adams will have his eyes on a return after a promising beginning to his rehabilitation from a recent hamstring injury.
Adams' untimely setback came as second-year star Nick Daicos made his return in time for the preliminary final, with the latter recovering from a knee injury sustained in Round 21.
The pair would be part of the only change for McRae's squad for the GWS encounter, with Adams' potential return to cause a selection conundrum for the final game of the season.
"That's gonna be a watch the clock. Every second is going to be needed," McRae said of Adams' chances.
"We'll push it to the line and see what we get."
With McStay now ruled out, the Pies are likely to have a more extensive understanding of the playing status of Adams in the coming days.