Alan Didak

by Lisa Albergo reporting for AFANA from Chicago 

Veteran Collingwood defender Ben Johnson, who last played in Round Three this year, has succumbed to a run of injuries and announced his retirement just ahead of Round 17. Johnson, 32, said he had nothing left and it was the right time. Johnson has supported the club all his life and said, “It’s been a great ride. We enjoyed some great times, played some great footy and I’ve met some amazing people, including some of my best mates."

Both Collingwood and St Kilda have made minimal changes to the teams which will line up for the Grand Final replay. One good news story is Saint Ben McEvoy, who played 18 games this season as a back up ruckman to Michael Gardiner.

ST KILDA
Steven Baker, toe fracture, test
Raphael Clarke, hamstring, season, long term injury list
Zac Dawson, hand, test
Robert Eddy, hand, test
Michael Gardiner, hamstring, test
Lenny Hayes, back, test
Clint Jones, ankle, indefinite
Jesse Smith, ankle, season, long term injury list

A clash between the two top teams in any sport is guaranteed to get the fans out and the hype up. The Collingwood Magpies had the sit on top spot while their challengers, the Fremantle Dockers, were looking to take it away from them. In their 16 year history as a club the Dockers have never been on the top of the table, and this round was their best chance to change that statistic in front of 42,000 fans at Subiaco Oval.

We can work it out...

Alan Didak looks set to remain with Collingwood despite being essentially sacked for misconduct just two months ago.

One could be forgiven for being certain that Didak had worn the black and white for the final time after he was suspended by the club for a drink driving accident and his subsequent lies to the football club in August.