WEST Coast has put to bed doubts over Jeremy McGovern’s fitness by naming an unchanged team for Saturday’s grand final against Collingwood.
Fears emerged early in the week that McGovern wouldn’t recover in time for the premiership decider after hurting his hip against Melbourne last week.
McGovern spent Wednesday’s main training session in recovery rather than on the track but is moving freely enough to take his place in West Coast’s back line.
Meanwhile, Collingwood has resisted temptation to draft in key talls Darcy Moore and Ben Reid after extended stints on the sidelines.
Coach Nathan Buckley hinted the club would ponder changes to the outfit that was pipped at the post by West Coast this month.
Collingwood has lost the Eagles twice this year, including at the MCG in round 17 when star ruckman Nic Naitanui went down with a knee injury.
The Magpies will instead field the same 22 that has played throughout their entire finals campaign.
Oscar Allen, Jackson Nelson, Brayden Ainsworth and Brendon Ah Chee are the emergencies for West Coast, while Jarryd Blair, Ben Reid, Callum Brown and Flynn Appelby wait in reserve for the Pies.
Sunday’s forecast of cold and greasy weather is thought to favour Collingwood, though the outlook has improved significantly since Monday.
According to the Bureau of Meteorology, Melburnians can expect temperatures no higher than 14 degrees, with a 40 percent chance of rainfall in the morning.