Collingwood captain Darcy Moore ‘praying’ for AFL grand final miracle for Taylor Adams

Taylor Adams remains integral to Collingwood’s premiership push as he fights to prove his fitness for the AFL grand final, Magpies captain Darcy Moore says.

Adams missed the thrilling one-point preliminary final win over GWS with a “very minor” hamstring injury and is a chance to recover in time to face Brisbane at the MCG on Saturday.

But the 30-year-old vice-captain, who Moore describes as the “heart and soul” of the team, still has boxes to tick in the coming days before being given the green light to play.

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“He trains so hard, he’s super professional, he’s so dedicated and he’s such a passionate teammate,” Moore told reporters on Sunday.

“We really rely on those things on the field as well as off.

“Since he injured himself, he’s been amazing. He’s been so positive and such a bubbly teammate and supporting us.

“He was there at half-time (against GWS) chewing my ear off and telling me what we had to do, which is just great.

“He’s so invested and I’m praying that he can get a couple of good training sessions in and put his hand up to run out there because no one deserves it more than him.”

John Noble and Taylor Adams are hoping for a selection miracle. Right: Moore hugs Adams after the win. Credit: 7AFL

Moore knows intimately what Adams is going through after missing the entire 2018 finals series with a hamstring injury, including the grand final loss to West Coast.

“That was really hard to deal with,” Moore said.

“It was something personally that took a long time to get over and move on with my career.

“I’ve got that experience but Tay’s a bit older and a bit more mature than I was, so he’s got the tools to handle it.

“He’s already been an amazing teammate in the last few weeks so I’m sure that won’t change this week.”

Collingwood key forward Dan McStay is already a confirmed hard-luck story, ruled out of the grand final with a knee injury.

McStay, who is in his first season with Collingwood after leaving Brisbane, kicked two crucial goals against GWS and now misses the chance to face his former club in the decider.

“It’s your worst nightmare as a player when you’ve played with the team all year, been a solid contributor, and then you get to a grand final and can’t play because you’re injured,” Lions coach Chris Fagan said after winning through to the grand final.

“That’s the worst thing. Our thoughts go out to him because our rise over the last seven years he played a really important role in. He’s a bloke we all like and admire.”

Dan McStay has been ruled out of the AFL grand final. Credit: Getty Images

Replacing McStay presents a headache for his current coach Craig McRae, who will consider moving Jeremy Howe forward.

The versatile Billy Frampton is another tall option at either end of the ground, and was listed among the emergencies for the preliminary final.

“We can’t replace Dan, we’re just going to have to find someone to come in and play to their strengths and do their role,” Moore said.

“I think (overcoming injuries) has been a real challenge this year for us but we’ve learnt a lot and it’s brought us closer as a team.”

John Noble remains in the mix should any other injury issues or tactical queries arise ahead of the match-up with the Lions.

Like Adams, he was heavily involved in the immediate celebrations in the rooms after beating GWS.

“It’s amazing for all our hard work to finally pay off,” he told Channel 7’s Brian Taylor.

“You can only put your best foot forward and whatever’s best for the team the coach will decide that.

“I think we just enjoy this moment now and take this week as it comes.”

– with 7NEWS

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