Dawes in, Didak likely out for Magpies

Updated September 19, 2012 12:17:54

Collingwood half-forward Alan Didak seems certain to miss Friday's preliminary final with Sydney, but Chris Dawes is set to take his place in the side.

Didak, who injured his calf in Saturday night's qualifying final win over West Coast, failed to appear at the Magpies' training session on Wednesday.

He and key forward Dawes, who is battling a knee medial ligament injury, were expected to push their selection claims today ahead of the Olympic stadium clash.

In front of hundreds of fans, Dawes was able to run and kick in a dramatic improvement on his showing in Tuesday's recovery session, to bolster his chances.

Before the session, Magpies director of coaching Rodney Eade had expressed confidence that both Didak and Dawes could prove their fitness.

"Obviously they'll be sent through a program that the medical staff are going to set for them," Eade said.

"It will be mainly some straight lines and some running, giving them as much chance as possible to get up for Friday.

"The word before training is that the medical staff are reasonably confident but only time will tell."

Despite Dawes limping noticeably on Tuesday, Eade said it had been expected he could improve quickly.

"There's a little bit of a strain there, but with the impact too he had a bit of bone bruising," Eade said.

"So there's a bit of pain there, I think that probably causes the limp.

"We think that will subside relatively quickly and also it's just a management issue from Chris to be able to cope with that."

Eade said Didak was still feeling discomfort in his calf, after receiving a knock in Saturday night's match then being subbed off after experiencing calf tightness.

AAP

Tags: sport, australian-football-league, collingwood-3066

First posted September 19, 2012 12:17:54

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Folau likely to leap into ruck

Updated March 02, 2012 18:04:39

Greater Western Sydney will leave no stone unturned as it seeks to find Israel Folau's best fit on the AFL field.

Folau was expected to play predominantly as a key forward this year, having looked his best in attack during the 2011 NEAFL season, but coach Kevin Sheedy revealed that may not be the case.

"He'll learn to play AFL in lots of positions," Sheedy said.

"We'll play him in the ruck, so he'll learn about that. He's got a fantastic spring. He's got magnificent, huge hands - so he can push the ball down.

"We're exploring all of those avenues for him to develop and keep improving."

Former Port Adelaide veteran Dean Brogan is the side's premier ruckman, while mature-age recruit Jonathan Giles was one of the Giants' most impressive in their competitive preseason start.

Giles, who spent four seasons on the Power's books without playing a game, is likely to shoulder the brunt of the ruck work this year.

Young ruck duo Tom Downie and Andrew Phillips have both been selected for GWS's clash with Hawthorn in Launceston on Saturday, meaning Folau might have to bide his time before entering the ruck.

Folau's imposing frame, height, reach and leap will be more than handy assets at a centre bounce, and the move is not without history.

The former rugby league international had stints in the ruck in the NEAFL last year.

Meanwhile, Sheedy expects his side will face a fired-up Hawks in Tasmania.

"I think that the Hawthorn machine will be down there in full force," he said.

"They'll want to try and make sure they nail the NAB Cup, setting them up for an excellent season.

"And I don't blame them.

"I've been in that position myself. When you've been beaten in the preliminary final by a kick, you want to make sure you get back into that next grand final.

"We're alert to all of that."

AAP

Tags: australian-football-league, sport, sydney-2000

First posted March 02, 2012 18:04:39

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