He trained well on Wednesday but was away from the main group and did not take part in match simulation. He has been running and kicking.
Holmes said earlier this week he expected to play,and has been given every opportunity to do so. If there had been a tear in the hamstring,he would have already been ruled out.
He was one of the Cats’ best against the Lions,having 12 touches and a goal,before hobbling off midway through the third term.
The Cats still face a difficult decision because Holmes has been an important cog in their rise this season,but they cannot afford for him to be reinjured early in the grand final.
Irishman Mark O’Connor was the medical substitute last week and is a strong chance to replace Holmes should a late change be made. Brandan Parfitt and Sam Menegola are also in the mix.
The Swans made a shock call,dropping Logan McDonald,the forward having played 17 games this season,including both finals,although he had 10 combined disposals in those two games.
McDonald’s axing provided room for Hayden McLean to return,the forward-ruck having not played a senior game since round eight,managing 10 goals.
Sam Reid and Justin McInerney faced their moment of truth at training on Thursday,and both were named to play.
Reid,who has an adductor strain,was named to play despite training lightly in a closed session at the SCG but flew with teammates to Melbourne.
“He’s progressed really well throughout the week ... we’ve been confident all week,he was a bit sore throughout the game,so we didn’t want to take any risks,we’ll just have to wait for today and see how he goes,” Swans assistant coach Jarrad McVeigh said.
“He’s played in a few grand finals before,so he understands the week and the pressure that comes with it all. Obviously,you want to be flying 100 per cent,but he’s recovered really well,and we’re really happy with the way he’s progressed.”
If there is a late change,McDonald could replace Reid. McInerney,battling foot soreness,completed full training and will play.
Big Nick to present Jock McHale medal
Jon Pierik
Carlton premiership great John Nicholls will present the Jock McHale medal to the winning coach on Saturday,coming after Paul Roos and Mark Thompson were unavailable.
Nicholls,the Blues’ team of the century ruckman,and one of the 12 inaugural legends of the game,said it was an honour to have asked.
“I’ve always regarded myself as a very loyal VFL and AFL person and if I get asked to do these things,you do them,” Nicholls,a five-time best-and-fairest winner,said.
Nicholls led the Blues to premierships as captain in 1968 and 1970,and was captain-coach in the famous 1972 victory,where a brilliant change of gameplan - the Blues attacked at all costs - was pivotal in what remains the highest scoring grand final of all time.
Carlton’s Alex Jesaulenko (left) and captain-coach John Nicholls (right) hold the 1972 premiership cup after the Blues’ pulled a tactical masterstroke.Credit:The Age
This is the second time Nicholls has presented the medal,having done so in 2009. Thompson,the 2007 and 2009 Cats premiership coach,and Roos,the 2005 Swans premiership coach,were eligible to do so but both are travelling and could not participate.
Nicholls said it was too tough to pick a winner on Saturday.
“It is a 50-50 contest. Geelong are the favourites,but Sydney in the last four or five games have been unbelievable. I wouldn’t choose one team over the other as I respect both teams so much,” Nicholls said.
Saints sound out Geoff Walsh to be new football department head
Jon Pierik
St Kilda have sounded out veteran football administrator Geoff Walsh to be their new head of football,as the club continues an off-season review.
Industry sources have confirmed the Saints have approached Walsh about joining the club,but discussions have not progressed.
Incoming Saints chief executive Simon Lethlean said on Thursday that the football program was still under review and no recommendations had been acted upon,nor appointments made.
The Saints are hunting a new head of football,for Lethlean,who is about to replace Matt Finnis as chief executive,had the title of chief operating officer but was also the head of football. They also had David Rath (head of football program) and Danny Sexton (head of football operations).
Geoff Walsh (left) and coach Mick Malthouse helped the Magpies to the 2010 premiership.Credit:Fairfax Photographic
Walsh’s most recent role was at North Melbournewhere he conducted a review of the football department,which led to the departure of coach David Noble after round 17.
He has been in AFL administration for 36 years at four different clubs,including two stints with the Kangaroos,one involving five years as chief executive,and two stints at Collingwood,including as football boss in the 2010 premiership. Overall,he has had a hand in four premierships,10 grand final appearances and 25 finals series,and had this year also been involved with list management for a new Tasmanian side.
The Saints are coming off a disappointing season when they finished 10th with an 11-11 win-loss record,sparking an extensive review. The working party features club president Andrew Bassat,new board member Jason Blake,Noble - who is an experienced football administrator - and Lethlean.
Coach Brett Ratten’s role as coach is not in question,with the focus on other areas of the department. Ratten,who has signed a two-year contract extension,until the end of 2024,has welcomed the review.
“The review is something that we’re all open to;review all parts of our program and have a look at our list and making sure that the process is better than what it was this year in certain areas because at the end of the day we’re trying to improve,” Ratten said.