Track watch: All the latest news and updates ahead of week one of finals

The veteran midfielder has been rarely sighted in 2025 as he battled injury and form concerns, playing just seven games - four as the starting substitute - but he will feature in the elimination final against Fremantle.

Coach Damien Hardwick confirmed the former No.1 pick would play on AFL 360.

“The man will play,” he said.

“We’re not giving him a game, he’s earned the game. He’s been an outstanding contributor to our football club.

“He stayed when others left - he optimises what our footy club is built on the back of.

“He’s earned the right to play a finals game... he’ll go well.

“Emotion can go one of two ways, you can either go over the top or it can inspire.

“I think our players can only benefit from that buzz and that excitement, and we’ll play for him, no question.”

MCSTAY IN DANGER OF BEING DROPPED FOR PIES FINAL

Collingwood forward Dan McStay is teetering on the verge of being axed for the qualifying final in Adelaide as speedster Beau McCreery punched his ticket by passing a fitness test.

Pies coach Craig McRae revealed McStay’s spot in the side would be debated at team selection before the crunch Crows clash, with Mason Cox the most likely replacement.

Runner Wil Parker is likely to replace the injured Jeremy Howe in defence as McRae declared “his magnet will be hard to remove from the team”.

McStay has kicked three goals in his last seven games and registered less than 10 disposals in four of those matches in a quiet end to the home-and-away season.

Collingwood broke into match play at training on Tuesday, with players wearing black predominantly in the senior side and others win white.

McStay was in the white side and played exclusively at full-forward and his ability to swing into defence to help slow a tall Crows forward line not seen as an important factor in his selection.

The former Lion was a hard luck story of the 2023 finals when he injured his knee in a preliminary final and missed a premiership.

Just before that finals series, McRae proved he was not afraid of a tough selection call when he dropped John Noble, who had played every game of the year before September.

“(McStay’s) magnet will come up for discussion where we need him, we will weigh up whether we go with Dan or some other options, maybe Mason as well, his name might be there in consideration,” McRae told reporters on Tuesday.

The coach said he was “not sure Dan will be considered as a back much to be honest” and the selection quandary was “probably” between McStay and Cox to fill the forward-ruck role.

McCreery will play after proving he is over his foot injury during a test under the eyes of fitness staff at training.

The forward pushed off the foot that was stepped on when playing against Melbourne in round 24 during several sprints and was told to push himself.

He received the tick off and hi-fived support staff before being let loose to join teammates at training.

“He has done everything he needed to to prove his fitness,” McRae said.

“We will back him in and back our medical department in and he will be available.”

McRae backed his defence to curtail the giant Crows having held Adelaide to 37 inside-50s and just 59 points in a loss at Adelaide Oval in round 23.

Midfielder Jordan De Goey sent a brief scare through fans watching when he went down near the end of training but despite McRae being “a bit worried about that” at first, he was cleared of injury.

Forward Bobby Hill was absent from training on Tuesday but was never in real consideration to face the Crows as he gets miles into his legs following an interrupted season.

“Bobby has got some family stuff today … he missed today but he is training exceptionally well,” McRae said.

“Hopefully he is here tomorrow and the next day to set him up for hopefully a tilt (at the finals).

“He has taken a few big strides this week, the way he has trained and been part of match play. We are excited to have him back smiling, that is the main part.”

WEDDLE MAKES CASE FOR ELIMINATION FINAL BERTH

Gun defender Josh Weddle has put in a strong showing at training on Tuesday as he pushes for selection in Hawthorn’s elimination final side

The 21-year-old is tipped to make his highly anticipated return against GWS, after being sidelined since round 16 with a back injury.

Hawks captain James Sicily backed Weddle’s return on Monday, saying he would name the speedy defender if he were in charge of team selection.

Weddle looked to be in strong form during match play at Waverley Park on Tuesday, moving the ball fast through the centre for the ‘A’ side.

Following the game, he checked in with physio staff who appeared to briefly assess his back.

He did not return to the field for any final drills, but appeared to indicate to staff he felt good.

Retiring forward Luke Breust was sidelined for most of training as he remains on the fringe of Hawthorn’s best 23.

The veteran Hawk, who was named as the starting sub in Round 24, spent most of Tuesday’s session running and avoided contact drills.

He did not join the match sim, instead talking strategy with forward coach Adrian Hickmott on the sideline.

The three-time premiership player is set to hang up his boots at the end of the season.

Swingman Jarman Impey and defender Karl Amon were also working away from the main group, with Impey running laps alone for the bulk of training.