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Taylor Adams was first man on the track – and also the first off it – in a training session that did little to bolster his hopes of playing in the grand final against Brisbane.
All eyes were on the vice-captain at the Magpies’ open training session on Tuesday morning, attended by about 3000 fans. But Adams completed only about 20 minutes of a 90-minute session in which coach Craig McRae gave a pointer as to who could replace injured key forward Dan McStay.
Taylor Adams leaves training early on Tuesday.Credit: Andrew Wu
Adams, who suffered a “low-grade” hamstring injury on the Friday of semi-final week, ran several 75- and 100-metre run-throughs at close to top speed, picked up some low ground balls and took part in some kicking drills before walking off Olympic Park Oval.
He carried the same stony-faced expression he had throughout training as he left the track, walking past Pies football boss Graham Wright without saying a word before heading down the stairs to the dressing room. He did not return to take part in a match-simulation session.
His expression contrasted with that of Jeremy Howe, who was laughing and joking with a staffer when he left about 15 minutes after Adams. Howe and skipper Darcy Moore also did not participate in the match simulation as they manage minor issues at the end of a long season.
Pies coach Craig McRae said last Friday he and his match committee would “push it to the line” in giving Adams every chance to prove his fitness.
Key defender Billy Frampton was stationed as the deep forward in simulated match practice for the supposed A team, taking a few pack marks in a drill that was conducted at only moderate intensity.
Frampton’s primary position is in defence, but he has played as a ruck/forward this season.
He was wearing the black jumper worn mainly by the players who played in the preliminary final win over Greater Western Sydney.
Replacing McStay with Frampton would maintain the Magpies forward structure of two tall targets and allow ruckmen Mason Cox and Darcy Cameron to continue in their current roles.
Goalsneak Jack Ginnivan, who swapped between the white and the black guernseys, is another contender to take McStay’s place. Defender John Noble, who trained in the white, would be favourite to come in as the sub if Ginnivan is promoted into the starting 22.
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