Sydney forward Logan McDonald will hope to avoid being the heartbreak grand final selection story for the second time in three years after failing to see out Friday's preliminary final due to an ankle injury.
McDonald was left hampered in the wake of a marking contest during the third term of Sydney's 36-point win over Port Adelaide at the SCG, with the young Swan requiring some medical treatment in the rooms before the final break.
The 22-year-old underwent fitness tests during three-quarter time and started the fourth quarter on the ground, only for another contest early into the last stanza seeing him head straight for the interchange with a limp.
Logan McDonald underwent a fitness test following this incident in the third quarter.#AFLFinals | #AFLSwansPower pic.twitter.com/aYR2jwzMU5
— AFL (@AFL) September 20, 2024
McDonald was immediately placed on the back of Sydney's bench and subbed out of the contest due to the ankle injury, with Robbie Fox injected into the game in his place.
Swans coach John Longmire said after the grand-final-securing victory that there was some optimism around McDonald's ankle.
"He's OK. He was just seeing the Docs as I left," Longmire said post-game.
"He seemed OK and himself, so we'll see how his ankle pulls up. He rolled it."
The fourth-year Swan kicked two goals from 10 disposals and seven marks against the Power before being subbed out. He ranks third for goals this year at Sydney with 37 from his 25 games.
McDonald missed out on the 2022 AFL Grand Final in a difficult selection call from Longmire, who dropped the former Pick 4 draftee due to form in favour of fellow tall forward Hayden McLean.
Further selection headaches await Longmire in the coming days, with captain Callum Mills potentially available to return after a hamstring injury saw him miss this week's game against the Power.
"He trained today and trained quite well, which is a good sign" Longmire said of his skipper.
"We'll see how the week progresses."
Sydney will learn their grand final opponent on Saturday night, with Geelong and Brisbane battling for the other spot in next weekend's decider.
