Footy fans jump to the wrong conclusion after AFL star was hit with a hammer blow just before what was supposed to be one of the biggest games of his life
Collingwood fans have reacted to their star Dan McStay being dropped ahead of the Magpies’ qualifying final against Adelaide by incorrectly claiming he deleted his Instagram page as a result.
Coach Craig McRae made the major decision to recall Mason Cox and omit McStay for the showdown with the Crows.
Cox hasn’t had a run for the senior side since round 19, but patchy form from McStay has prompted the call.
McStay has managed to kick just three goals in his last seven outings and has been battling with a shoulder injury.
The move is particularly heartbreaking for McStay, who missed out on playing in the Pies’ 2023 grand final victory after injuring his knee, which came after he missed out on the 2022 grand final when Brisbane had a heavy loss in the prelim.
McStay would go on to tear the ACL in his other knee during the 2024 preseason and miss the entire year.
Dan McStay (pictured with girlfriend Kellie) has had a shocking run of bad luck when it comes to playing finals footy
The 30-year-old’s Instagram account is indeed down – but it has been that way for a month.
Pies fans have been sending supportive messages on X and noting the brutal run of bad luck McStay has endured.
One fan posted: ‘Gutted for him. But he will get there. He’s had terrible luck! Hopefully he’ll find cohesion for himself sooner rather than later.’
Another wrote: ‘Dan McStay being dropped from this side is actually INSANE. Not enough being made of it.’
Others took aim at Collingwood fans for abusing McStay in recent weeks.
One X user posted: ‘Every club has fans that are absolute a**eholes, bur damn Pies have our fair share. Dan McStay had to delete his social media because of the abuse he was getting. From our own fans. If you abused him personally you’re a f**king disgrace to this club.’
Meanwhile, Eddie McGuire says that umpires will be sensitive to any unnecessary aggression directed at Mason Cox after his protective glasses were yanked off by an Adelaide player in 2023.
‘I know Collingwood have spoken to the umpires about “one rule for Mason Cox and one for everyone else”,’ said McGuire.
Footy fans have rallied behind McStay after he was dropped for the qualifying final
‘Just because he’s got long arms doesn’t mean you can’t chop them. [The Crows] went after his eyes and his glasses last time, so everyone will be watching the umpires from the first bounce about the way they go after Mason Cox.’
After the two teams met in August, Crows star Izak Rankine was suspended for four games for using a homophobic slur against a Magpies player.
Rankine served the first game of his four-match ban last weekend after the Crows defeated North Melbourne.
He could play on if the Crows lose their first qualifying final but still make the grand final.
