COLLINGWOOD star Dayne Beams is in doubt for the Magpies’ AFL clash with Carlton, having failed to take part in Thursday’s main training session.
Beams is battling a sore hip and could be set to join Mason Cox, already ruled out with an ankle injury, on the sidelines for Saturday’s encounter with their arch rivals at the MCG.
“He wasn’t able to do the session today, which would count against him in some shape or form but there’s still a couple of days for us to go yet,” coach Nathan Buckley told reporters about Beams.
“He’s 50-50 at the moment but he’s an elite player for us, so we’ll give him right up until the death.”
Beams will likely be in the 22 announced on Thursday night, with Rupert Wills the leading candidate to take his spot if he is a late withdrawal on Saturday.
The absence of former Brisbane skipper Beams would compound the Magpies’ midfield concerns after Taylor Adams was ruled out for up to a month with a groin injury sustained in the win against Port Adelaide.
In better news for Collingwood, Chris Mayne is in the selection frame after recovering from a back fracture suffered in his 200th game.
Cox will likely return next week, with the Pies keen to take a cautious approach with the 211cm giant.
That would leave Buckley with a tough call to make at the selection table given the promising return of forward Ben Reid last week after his wretched run of injuries.
“Last week it wasn’t about putting pressure on (Reid) to be something that he’s not,” Buckley said.
“We just want to see the best of him.
“His aerial competitiveness is an important part of the role that he plays and he brought that to the table.
“He put pressure on the opposition and was able to chop out Brodie (Grundy) in the ruck at times, so it was a really encouraging re-entry into AFL level.
“I’m sure Reidy would like to take more steps again.”
© AAP 2019
