Collingwood forward Dan McStay is set to miss the entire 2024 season with the club confirming he suffered a ruptured anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) in his left knee during training on Friday.
The 28-year-old had only returned to pre-training this week following a medial collateral ligament strain in his right knee.
Executive General Manager of Football Graham Wright said: “This is unfortunate news for Dan who is likely to miss the 2024 season,” Wright said.
“Dan sustained an anterior cruciate ligament injury during today’s training session. He had returned to training this week after recovering from a medial ligament injury sustained in our Preliminary Final last season.
“We are all extremely disappointed for Dan, and our entire Club will rally around him during this difficult time and throughout his rehab journey.”
McStay was the heartbreak story leading into the 2023 grand final after injuring his right knee in the preliminary-final win over GWS.
His two goals in the preliminary final proved crucial as Collingwood secured a one-point win.
McStay had booted 20.7 across 14 games in 2023, but given the knee MCL injury needed a rehabilitation time of about eight weeks he was no chance of featuring in the grand final.
Collingwood went on to beat Brisbane by four points in one of the all-time great grand finals.
PeteB
Roar Rookie
Oh, that’s bad luck. He was just starting to find his place in that Pies line up.
Milo
Roar Rookie
165? Anyways youre right its about time Frampton comes alive.
nostats
Roar Rookie
you maybe right about moore going to the forward line , but from what ive seen of him there for an agile athletic player he has a very wide turning circle and he wasnt sent to the backline to bolster the defence, the coaches saw he wasnt going to make it as a forward
DingoGray
Roar Guru
165? I reckon McStay probably a bit taller than that.....
B@W2024
Roar Rookie
In my view McLaughlin is on the short side for a Key Forward and even McStay was border line at 165cm. I would move Darcy Moore back as a Forward and I believe he would be the favourite to take out the Coleman Medal in 2024. The Pies have an experienced/mature defence group so with their support I reckon Billy Frampton could become a great key defence player based on his performance from last season. He's got the height, strength and speed and with additional experience he could be very useful.
nostats
Roar Rookie
was looking forward to seeing him add more to the forwards next year, hopefully recovers fully with no complications.
Topper Headon
Roar Rookie
Terrible news, played well in the qualifying & preliminary finals, very unlucky! Opens up a spot for Ash Johnson to claim as his own! Or could the Pies do it again and look at another Gold Coast delisting in 2023 VFL leading goal scorer Brodie McLaughlin?
Knoxy
Roar Rookie
First he misses the grand final now this. Heartbreaking. Hang in there McStay.
Johnno
Roar Rookie
Agree, must be bl@@#y hard for the player & close supporters of them. Wish him the best. It’s also amazing how many times a player changes clubs & then gets a serious injury.
nostats
Roar Rookie
these stories make you feel sick in the guts no matter what player or club