Overview
- Collingwood confirmed this week that Isaac Quaynor and Brayden Maynard will miss Friday’s match while Jeremy Howe and Steele Sidebottom are recalled to the side.
- Coach Craig McRae said he had 'sleepless nights' over resting players and acknowledged he had not read an AFL memo that warns clubs against mass omissions.
- Brisbane coach Chris Fagan said the Lions will pick their best available team because a win would guarantee a top-four spot and the safety of a double chance in September.
- Ty Gallop is available to return from a three-game suspension but faces a lack of match practice because Brisbane’s VFL season has finished, complicating selection decisions.
- Coaches and the AFL must balance competitive integrity and player management under the new finals structure, which makes a top-four finish materially more valuable than the wildcard bracket.