Steve Johnson has thrown off knee concerns and is ready to play a key role in Greater Western Sydney’s AFL preliminary final against Richmond.
The Giants completed their preparation for Saturday’s do-or-die clash with a 30-minute training session on Friday at the MCG.
Johnson’s troublesome knee had been a week-to-week proposition this season, but he moved freely on Friday and completed the session without incident.
“(Johnson) is good to go, he’s up and about and we expect him to give us 120 minutes of his best,” GWS assistant coach Mark McVeigh said of last week’s six-goal hero.
Former Tiger Brett Deledio was restricted to stationary drills during the session as part of his ongoing management of a calf issue.
But McVeigh expects GWS to go in as named.
“We’re right to go (as a team) … we got obviously our emergencies if someone was to be sick, but we’re unchanged and ready to go,” he said.
“There would be discussions with Leon Cameron and the coaching staff if it really rained and we had to make a decision.
“But we think we’ve picked the best 22 for whatever conditions may happen.”
Showers are forecast for Melbourne on Saturday afternoon, but the weather isn’t expected to become a major factor.
Emergencies Devon Smith, Harry Perryman and Sam Reid took part in Friday’s captain’s run, along with ruckman Dawson Simpson.
The Giants have played at the MCG 11 times and managed just one win – against Melbourne in 2014 – with their last visit a 19-point loss to Richmond in round 18.
Visiting teams are rarely allowed to train on the MCG and the Giants hope it will help prepare them for the hot reception they are expecting from the Tiger Army.
They will be greeted by a crowd of around 100,000 fans, most of whom will be loudly supporting Richmond.
“We’re rapt that we’ve got the opportunity to come on here,” he said.
“I think our players are really excited by the opportunity that awaits us with regard to the atmosphere.
“I think it’s exciting – you have to embrace all of that. You can’t be overwhelmed. In the first 10 minutes, they’ll notice (the crowd) but, after that, you just get on with the job.”
