There’s always a heartbreak story in grand final week.
This year, it could be Dan McStay.
The Collingwood power forward was subbed off with a suspected knee injury during the Magpies’ epic one-point AFL win over the GWS Giants at the MCG on Friday night.
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The Magpies managed to get it done without him, scraping over the line by just a single point to book their spot in the big dance next week.
They will now await the winner of Carlton and Brisbane to see who will stand in between them and the premiership.
But while happy for his mates, McStay cut a shattered figure in the moments after the final siren as teammates got around him.
Jack Ginnivan gave him a hug, while Will Hoskin-Elliott and Isaac Quaynor were also pictured showing him support.
Even more heartbreaking for McStay is the possibility that the grand final could be against his old side.
The 28-year-old moved to Collingwood from Brisbane as a free agent at the end of last year.
Brisbane play Carlton on Saturday night in the other preliminary final.
He was within one match of the grand final last year as well, but fell short in different circumstances, with Brisbane going down to Geelong in the preliminary final last year.
More to come …
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