AFL grand final teams: How luckless Lions ruckman Darcy Fort could follow same fate as Eagles premiership player
Updated . First published at
It's a big weekend for Brisbane ruckman Darcy Fort, who will get his chance to prove his worth during Saturday's grand final against Sydney at the MCG.
The one catch?
This will be Fort's third game this season. And, he has only played 26 across his entire career.
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But Saturday's grand final will be the perfect chance to slide right back in, as he replaces injured Lions ruckman Oscar McInerney.
McInerney dislocated his shoulder in Brisbane's 10-point prelim final win twice last Saturday, with coach Chris Fagan ruling him out of the grand final hours after their win.
Darcy Fort has played less than 50 AFL level games. AFL Photos via Getty Images
Now, Fort will get his chance on the biggest day on the AFL calendar, in front of around 100,000 fans at the MCG.
The 31-year-old will go up against Swans big man Brodie Grundy, who has found some solid form in September.
Lions coach Chris Fagan backed in Fort on Wednesday.
"He's (McInerney) a big loss, but equally, Darcy Fort is a guy who really deserves an opportunity. He's been so understanding of playing the role as second fiddle," he said.
Darcy Fort will make his return during the 2024 grand final. Getty
Only eight of Fort's games have been with Brisbane, while the other 19 came when he played with Geelong between 2019 and 2020.
It's a similar story to another former Geelong ruckman.
Nathan Vardy, who struggled with injury during his time at the Cattery, joined West Coast in 2017 and replaced an injured ruckman, Nic Natinui, in the 2018 grand final.
The Eagles would go on to win the premiership, defeating Collingwood by five points, making Vardy a premiership hero.
Could Fort do the same on Saturday?
Nathan Vardy of the Eagles during the 2018 grand final. Getty
Meantime, the Swans have opted to go in unchanged, meaning veteran midfielder Taylor Adams will miss out on another chance to win a premiership medal.
Adams also missed out last year, when he played for 2023 premiers, Collingwood, due to an injury sustained on the eve of the grand final.
Skipper Callum Mills was ruled out on Wednesday, with his hamstring concerns enough for coach John Longmire to keep him out of the side.
Taylor Adams of the Swans and Braeden Campbell celebrate their preliminary final win. AFL Photos via Getty Images
2024 AFL grand final teams
SYDNEY
In: Nil
Out: Nil
Preliminary Final sub: Robbie Fox
B: D.Rampe - C, T.McCartin, N.Blakey
HB: J.Lloyds, H.Cunningham, L.Melican
C: J.Jordan, Ch.Warner, O.Florent
HF: L.Parker, L.McDonald, E.Gulden
F: T.Papley, J.Amartey, W.Hayward
FOLL: B.Grundy, I.Heeney, J.Rowbottom
I/C: M.Roberts, B.Campbell, J.McInerney, H.McLean, R.Fox
Emergencies: A.Francis, P.Ladhams, C.Cleary
BRISBANE
In: Darcy Fort
Out: Oscar McInerney (shoulder)
Preliminary Final sub: Conor McKenna
B: D.Zorko, H.Andrews, C.McKenna
HB: D.Wilmot, J.Payne, R.Lester
C: J.Fletcher, W.Ashcroft, H.McCluggage
HF: C.Rayner, J.Daniher, J.Berry
F: C.Cameron, E.Hipwood, Z.Bailey
FOLL: D. Fort, J.Dunkley, L.Neale - C
I/C: K.Lohmann, C.Ah Chee, L.Morris, B.Starcevich, N.Answerth
Emergencies: H.Sharp, H.Smith, D.Joyce
The subs for each side will be confirmed one hour before the grand final on Saturday afternoon.
The grand final will kick off on Saturday from 2.30pm (AEST) at the MCG.
