Source :- PERTH NOW NEWS
Brisbane Lions coach Chris Fagan has no plans on agonising over who Collingwood choose to rest for their blockbuster AFL clash.
The two-time reigning premiers need to beat the Magpies at the MCG on Friday night to seal a top-four berth.
As Collingwood are locked in for a wildcard berth, the Pies could consider resting stars like Nick Daicos, Josh Daicos and Darcy Cameron against the reigning premiers.
“I don’t know what to expect,” Fagan said on Tuesday.
“From our perspective, we don’t want to get caught up in who they may or may not play. It’s not our issue, it’s their issue.
“… We’ve got a mature group of players, and generally speaking, like most weeks, we focus on what we need to do rather than what the opposition might be trying to do, or who they might play.
“We’re turning up with our best available team, and we’re trying to win the game – and that’s all we need to focus on and not get caught up in all the debate about what may or may not happen.”
Fagan has his own selection headache to worry about – whether to immediately recall versatile tall Ty Gallop who is available after suspension.
As the Lions’ VFL team has now finished their season, the only way Gallop, 20, can regain match fitness is through the AFL team.
“We might spend two hours on this, this afternoon. Our dilemma is that our reserves team has finished now, so there’s nowhere for him to get a game,” Fagan said.
“He’s a chance to play, but we’re not 100 per cent sold on that either. I’m not worried about his fitness because he’ll work his backside off if he’s not playing a game of footy.
“The thing that’s hard to replicate is match practice.”
But there is no dilemma in regards to star midfielder and vice-captain Hugh McCluggage (calf), who won’t return until finals.
“He’ll be cherry ripe for the finals, particularly if we can get through this weekend and finish in the top six. Then we get the week off,” Fagan said.
“That’ll just make doubly sure that he’s in good shape to play.”
