Brisbane defender Jack Payne has reportedly missed out on selection Saturday's grand final, while Collingwood has confirmed their tactical sub for the season decider.
Payne has been battling an ankle injury throughout the back half of this season which was aggravated further in Brisbane's qualifying final win over Port Adelaide three weeks ago.
Payne missed the Lions' grand final-booking win over Carlton last Saturday due to the ailment, with fringe defender Darcy Gardiner taking his place in the preliminary final.
The Lions had given Payne Tuesday's lighter session and Thursday's main training slot to prove his fitness to club trainers and selectors, however the 23-year-old has reportedly been overlooked at selection.
According toย 7 News'ย Mitch Cleary, while Payne did enough to get his name cleared to play, the club has favoured Gardiner in a decision that won't see them risk a change to a winning formula.
Gardiner was impressive in his return against the Blues in what was just his third game of the season.
Jack Payne has missed selection for Brisbane.
Understand he did enough from a fitness perspective this morningโฆ. but the Lions have backed in Darcy Gardiner to keep his spot after doing the job on Charlie Curnow last week@7NewsMelbourne @7NewsBrisbane— Mitch Cleary (@cleary_mitch) September 28, 2023
Meanwhile, Collingwood has confirmed midfielder Patrick Lipinski will be the tactical sub for Saturday's match.
The club revealed the decision on Thursday afternoon ahead of the initial selection release.
"We wish to confirm that Patrick Lipinski has been selected as our substitute for the match this weekend,โ Magpies football boss Graham Wright said.
โPat's elite running ability will no doubt inject energy into the game and we look forward to seeing him make an impact on Saturday.โ
Lipinski's move to starting on the interchange will open a selection spot in the starting 22, with Jack Ginnivan and John Noble in the running for the role.
According toย SEN'sย Sam Edmund, Ginnivan looms as the Magpie that has won the race for Lipinski's spot in the starting 22.
Jack Ginnivan is in the Piesโ starting 22 for the Grand Final. Sub in two finals and started only eight games this year.
— Sam Edmund (@Sammy__Edmund) September 28, 2023
Collingwood have already confirmed Billy Frampton will also come into the side in place of the injured Dan McStay.
Both clubs will confirm their squads at 6:20pm (AEST) on Thursday night.
