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AAP
AAP
Shayne Hope

Heart-and-soul Adams still key to Pies' flag hopes

Taylor Adams remains integral to Collingwood's premiership push. (Joel Carrett/AAP PHOTOS)

Taylor Adams remains integral to Collingwood's premiership push as he fights to prove his fitness for the AFL grand final, Magpies captain Darcy Moore says.

Adams missed the thrilling one-point preliminary final win over GWS with a "very minor" hamstring injury and is a chance to recover in time to face Brisbane at the MCG on Saturday.

But the 30-year-old vice-captain, who Moore describes as the "heart and soul" of the team, still has boxes to tick in the coming days before being given the green light to play.

"He trains so hard, he's super professional, he's so dedicated and he's such a passionate teammate," Moore told reporters on Sunday.

"We really rely on those things on the field as well as off.

"Since he injured himself, he's been amazing. He's been so positive and such a bubbly teammate and supporting us.

"He was there at halftime (against GWS) chewing my ear off and telling me what we had to do, which is just great.

"He's so invested and I'm praying that he can get a couple of good training sessions in and put his hand up to run out there because no one deserves it more than him."

Moore knows intimately what Adams is going through after missing the entire 2018 finals series with a hamstring injury, including the grand final loss to West Coast.

"That was really hard to deal with," Moore said.

"It was something personally that took a long time to get over and move on with my career.

"I've got that experience but Tay's a bit older and a bit more mature than I was, so he's got the tools to handle it.

"He's already been an amazing teammate in the last few weeks so I'm sure that won't change this week."

Collingwood key forward Dan McStay is already a confirmed hard-luck story, ruled out of the grand final with a knee injury.

McStay, who is in his first season with Collingwood after leaving Brisbane, kicked two crucial goals against GWS and now misses the chance to face his former club in the decider.

Replacing McStay presents a headache for coach Craig McRae, who will consider moving Jeremy Howe forward.

The versatile Billy Frampton is another tall option at either end of the ground, and was listed among the emergencies for the preliminary final.

"We can't replace Dan, we're just going to have to find someone to come in and play to their strengths and do their role," Moore said.

"I think (overcoming injuries) has been a real challenge this year for us but we've learnt a lot and it's brought us closer as a team."

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