Collingwood coach Craig McRae has urged Brayden Maynard to not alter his “exhausting, uncompromising” strategy in an AFL preliminary ultimate battle with Higher Western Sydney that may doubtless have him in direct competitors with Giants match-winner Toby Greene.
Key factors:
- Brayden Maynard beat a tough conduct cost from the primary week of finals to permit him to face GWS
- McRae says Maynard matches up nicely in opposition to Greene
- Collingwood thrashed GWS by 65 factors of their solely earlier conflict this season
Maynard was cleared to play when he beat a tough conduct cost on the tribunal over his smothering try that left Melbourne’s Angus Brayshaw knocked out.
The hotly debated incident, and its fallout, has offered an undesirable distraction for the Magpies of their premiership quest.
Nevertheless it will not end in any particular directions from McRae forward of Friday night time’s blockbuster at a sold-out MCG.
“I steer away from telling gamers easy methods to play to their strengths,” McRae mentioned.
“We wish to encourage them to be the most effective model of themselves and [Maynard] is a tough, uncompromising participant.
“Sadly, that one simply treaded on the road and Brayshaw … I nonetheless hope he is OK. Two or three weeks later, we nonetheless care in regards to the man.
“We lose sight of that once we transfer on to the following factor however hopefully he is going nicely.”
Brayshaw missed Melbourne’s semifinal defeat to Carlton underneath concussion protocols and would have been unsure for a preliminary ultimate had the Demons progressed.
Maynard, in the meantime, shapes as a key determine in Collingwood’s defensive construction and the perfect match-up for GWS celebrity Greene.
Greene has kicked a career-best 64 objectives this season, together with three in final week’s semifinal win over Port Adelaide, and was named All-Australian captain.
“He has a very good file in opposition to [Greene] however he is a high quality participant and so vital in the way in which they’re enjoying,” McRae mentioned.
“They’re in nice kind, so it will likely be a match-up to observe.”
Collingwood thrashed GWS by 65 factors within the rivals’ solely earlier conflict this season.
That was again in spherical 9, when Greene and key defender Sam Taylor had been sidelined with hamstring accidents.
“It is a very long time in the past … a lot has modified,” McRae mentioned.
“They’ve gained 10 of their final 12 or no matter it seems like and so they’re enjoying some tremendous footy.
“We will must convey our greatest defensive recreation to match their offence.”
Be part of the ABC Sport staff at abc.web.au/sport as we dwell weblog all of the motion from the Magpies v Giants match on Friday, and Lions v Blues match on Saturday.
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