THE FINAL number of available Collingwood players for the NAB AFL Women's qualifying final against Brisbane is still unknown but the Pies are already bracing themselves to call on top-ups.
The final was originally scheduled for last week, but was postponed to this Sunday after a COVID-19 outbreak at Collingwood.
The Pies will also be without Brit Bonnici and Bri Davey (ACLs), Olivia Meagher (concussion), Ash Brazill (netball commitments) and Sophie Casey (suspension), and can call on up to five top-up players – mostly from their VFLW program – if required.
Collingwood will hold its major training session for the week on Wednesday evening, where the health of players and their ability to recover from physical activity will be accurately assessed, with another group of players set to be released from isolation in time for Friday's final session.
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"We've gone through all those measures, because the likelihood is strong that we may have to tap into one or two of them," coach Steve Symonds said on Wednesday, ahead of the main session.
"We've had a few training with us over the last couple of weeks to make sure we have numbers, they're aware of what it is.
"A number of players from our train-ons are involved with our VFLW team, and we align our VFLW team very closely with our AFLW squad, the way we play and the way we do things as well, so that's one advantage.
"Most players will be able to come straight in and fit in, hopefully. But again, it's going to be pretty daunting experience for a train-on player who has never played at AFLW level, to have to come in and play a final as their first game.
"They're all unknowns at the moment, nothing's clear, but hopefully as we get our players out (of isolation), hopefully they're in good shape and able to get through."
Symonds confirmed several coaching and support staff had also been caught up in health and safety protocols, and cover for those affected had been arranged.
"We've had a real rollercoaster of a year with a wide range of things, and this is just another chapter towards the end of it," he said.
"We know Brisbane, they're the reigning premiers and a really strong team, we understand that. But the one thing we will do, regardless of the players – yes, we won't be able to play our best team – but we know the players we will take up there will be giving it their all.
"We've got two intriguing game-styles that complement each other in a way. That's why our clashes over the years have been so close and so hard-fought, so we expect nothing different this week."
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