Magpies blow with key pair to miss blockbuster
Collingwood will be without premiership midfielders Jordan De Goey and Tom Mitchell when it faces Carlton in Friday night’s blockbuster clash.
The Magpies will need to dramatically overhaul their centre bounce mix against their arch rivals after the injured duo were ruled out by coach Craig McRae on Wednesday.
McRae said De Goey’s prospects of overcoming his groin issue before round 9 were unclear as the Magpies “deloaded” his training this week.
De Goey and Mitchell, who is battling a plantar fasciitis flare-up in his foot, were both absent from training on Wednesday.
“Jordy won’t play – he’s got tight groins, so we’re just going to sort of back him off a little bit, hopefully get those things settled down,” McRae said.
Magpies blow with key pair to miss blockbuster
“This is the unknown, we’re not sure how long (his recovery) will be, the reality is it’s come on reasonably quickly.
“My expertise, which is none … the things I’ve been told is if it comes on quickly, it may go away quickly, we’ll have to wait and see.”
McRae said Oleg Markov, untried midfield recruit Lachie Sullivan and Anzac Day sub Harvey Harrison were all in the frame to come into the side as he planned for how to combat a star-studded Blues midfield led by Patrick Cripps and Sam Walsh.