Lions confirm Darcy Fort as Oscar McInerney's replacement for AFL ...
The Brisbane Lions have named Darcy Fort in place of injured ruck Oscar McInerney for Saturday's grand final against the Sydney Swans at the MCG.
The Swans announced they had made no changes when confirming their squad, meaning midfielder Taylor Adams was unable to earn a call-up to the emergencies list for Saturday's season decider.
As revealed by Lions coach Chris Fagan earlier in the week, 31-year-old Fort replaces McInerney, who twice dislocated his shoulder during last week's thrilling preliminary-final win over Geelong.
Fort has only played two matches in the 2024 season, with his most recent appearance coming in round seven in April.
The inclusion of Fort is Brisbane's only change, with star midfielder Lachie Neale named despite battling an ongoing heel injury.
Swans forward Logan McDonald, who was subbed out of his team's 36-point preliminary-final win over Port Adelaide with a left-ankle injury, has recovered in time for the grand final.
Adams missed Collingwood's grand-final win over Brisbane last year due to a hamstring injury.
A move to Sydney was meant to spark a fresh chapter for Adams and he played 19 matches during the regular season.
But the 31-year-old's waning output resulted in him being dropped for the qualifying final against GWS.
Adams was a notable omission on Sydney's emergency list for the grand final.
Taylor Adams (left) could not force his way onto the Swans' emergencies list. (Getty Images/AFL Photos: Michael Willson)
Swans captain Callum Mills was ruled out of contention for the grand final on Wednesday because of a hamstring injury.
Mills injured his hamstring at training on September 10, just three days after Sydney's qualifying-final win over GWS.
The 27-year-old said he trained "100 per cent" on Wednesday and declared he was physically ready to play in the grand final.
But just hours later Swans coach John Longmire and the club's medical staff decided against the risk, with Mills not even named as an emergency when the teams were unveiled on Thursday evening.
"Really difficult for Millsy, no question about that," Longmire told Swans media.
"He did everything he needed to do at training, trained absolutely flat out.
"But then when we sat down without the emotion of it and looked at it, and thought the challenges of getting through four quarters was always going to be there and we had to make the tough call.
"It was a tough one for him, but hopefully best for the team."
Dane Rampe will captain Sydney in Mills's absence.
Aaron Francis, Peter Ladhams and Caiden Cleary have been named as the Swans' three emergencies.
Darragh Joyce, Henry Smith and Harry Sharp are the emergencies for the Lions, who lost last year's grand final to the Magpies.
AAP
