Logan McDonald

All eyes were on Sam Reid and Max Holmes at selection, but Sydney have made a shock call on another Swan.

McLean played the first eight games of the season, kicking 10 goals, but hasn’t been seen since. Stream them all for free on [Geelong](https://7news.com.au/sport/geelong-cats), Max Holmes has been named and seems increasingly likely to take his place in the side after recovering from a hamstring injury sustained last week, which wasn’t as bad as first thought. Holmes was at long odds to be fit for the game when he was taken off in the Cats’ thumping win over Brisbane last week, but looks to have proved his fitness and will play in the decider. Mark O’Connor, Sam Menegola and Brandan Parfitt are all waiting in the wings if Scott does decide to throw a spanner in the works, while Jon Ceglar is the other emergency. [but didn’t train with the main group during Thursday’s match simulation](https://7news.com.au/sport/afl/ominous-sign-for-sydney-swans-star-sam-reid-at-training-with-grand-final-hopes-in-the-balance-c-8322012) and is still racing the clock to be fit for the big dance. [Sydney](https://7news.com.au/sport/sydney-swans) key forward Logan McDonald has joined the most unenviable group in football after being left out of the Swans’ side to face [Geelong](https://7news.com.au/sport/geelong-cats) in this weekend’s [AFL](https://7news.com.au/sport/afl) grand final. Justin McInerney has also been named for the Swans and moved freely at training on Thursday despite foot soreness which threatened to sideline the 22-year-old. He has edged out Joel Amartey for the spot, who was also vying for an unlikely call up to the side. McDonald becomes the latest in a long list of names to be dropped for a grand final, which also includes Geelong ruckman Mark Blake (2007), Geelong defender Brenton Sanderson (1995), Collingwood full back Ron McKeown (1990) and, most famously, Essendon livewire, Derek Kickett (1993). The 30-year-old key forward has been named to play, The No.4 pick from the 2020 national draft has played 17 games this year, including the past five in a row - all five of which were wins - and kicked 15 goals.

The Sydney Swans axe Logan McDonald for the season decider at the MCG, while Geelong names Max Holmes despite his injury concerns.

Swans swingman Reid — who offers ruck support in addition to his key forward role — and Geelong's 20-year-old Holmes are expected to face fitness tests to determine if they play on Saturday. The Cats included winger Max Holmes — who sustained a hamstring injury in the preliminary-final win over Brisbane — in their unchanged line-up for the premiership decider. Sydney's Justin McInerney was also included in the side with the winger overcoming an ankle sprain sustained in the preliminary-final victory over Collingwood.

Sydney coach John Longmire says he agonised on the tough call to axe young forward Logan McDonald for the AFL grand final against Geelong.

“It is a big game and we just have to make sure we back in what we do. 🗣 "It is a big game and we just have to make sure we back in what we do." The Cats enter the decider on a 15-match winning streak and finished top of the ladder after the home-and-away fixtures. “It’s tough to go out of the team at any time but particularly for a grand final. Hear from John Longmire who talks through the team changes and his final words of advice in the Grand Final Team Selection, presented by The Cats included Max Holmes in their unchanged team despite the winger battling a hamstring injury.