MAX Gawn has jokingly said he was “surprised” Jack Viney didn’t play last week, given his remarkable resilience and ability to overcome injury.
Although Viney couldn’t have played last round anyway – he was suspended for a week for striking Port Adelaide’s Brad Ebert – he was expected to miss a month with a fractured knucklebone.
But Viney has been named in the final 22 for Monday’s clash against Collingwood at the MCG, after getting through Saturday’s training session at Gosch’s Paddock.
Gawn indicated Viney’s ability to bounce back from injuries was testament to his character.
“He’s usually pretty quick to get up from his injuries,” he said.
Meanwhile, the ruckman said he couldn’t wait for the Queen’s Birthday clash and was expecting it to be an even contest.
“The Queen’s Birthday game has eluded us for a while. In my first year, we lost by a point in a pretty good game,” he said.
“Since then it’s always been Collingwood’s way, so it’s going to be a big crowd and there is no better chance to test our brand of footy.
“To me, I see it as a pretty even game, so we’ll go in with that mindset.
“It’s a big game either way, so hopefully we’ll get the chocolates.”