“They both got through training and it looks like they are both available and both likely to play,” he said.

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“Jordy’s actions suggest that his top speed running and agility is there. Right now, he’s declared himself fit.”

Ginnivan has been a key figure up forward, booting 33 goals, although he has only four in the past month, while De Goey is a legitimate match winner, either up forward or as a clearance king through the midfield.

The Blues also held training on Friday, with coach Michael Voss confident Williams is ready to provide his rebound and run from half-back. Williams has not played since round nine because of a long-term calf issue.

Williams was one of four major names included in a 26-man squad, to be cut to 22 plus a medical substitute on Friday evening.

“If you look at Zac Williams, who has had the longest lay off, he has had a good month where he has been on the training track, so he has all the loads in,” Voss said on Friday.

“The great thing about our modern environment is that we track them pretty closely - there is not a metre missed in terms of how they prepare themselves. He has been fantastic in the way he has gone about it. He will be a great inclusion for us.”

The Blues have also drafted midfielder Adam Cerra, ruckman Sam De Koning and George Hewett into the squad, the latter having battled a significant back problem recently.

“He has progressed all right. He has increased his training loads, he is on track but it’s also how he pulls up, so we have to be mindful of that,” Voss said of Hewett.

“A couple of other boys have missed a little bit of footy. They have had a fair bit of footy under their belt, so I feel pretty confident.”

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The Blues need to win on Sunday to rubber-stamp their first finals campaign since 2013, while the Magpies are seeking top-four confirmation. The stakes add to what already is the league’s most famous rivalry.

“Obviously, there is a great history between the clubs but, for us, this week, it’s another opposition we have to work our way through. It’s a great rivalry, we embrace the rivalry as we did the last time we played against them, we don’t step away from that. If anything, we lean into it,” Voss said.

The two clubs met in round 11, when the Magpies prevailed by four points. The Blues did not have Harry McKay that day, while Jacob Weitering was hurt early and subbed off.

“Finals don’t start for a couple of weeks but we understand this isn’t a normal week - there’s a lot at stake for both teams and we’re not going to shy away from that,” McRae said.

In another boost for the Blues, Charlie Curnow has signed a six-year deal, committing to the club at least the end of 2029. This means he will not explore free agency, which had been on the agenda after his current deal expired next year.

The 25-year-old arrived at Ikon Park after being taken at No.12 in the 2015 national draft and has since played 83 senior games.

He missed the 2020 season and only played four games in 2021 but has had a breakout 2022 season, currently leading the Coleman Medal race on 62 goals.

“It’s just something I didn’t think I’d maybe get back to but to be back here now and enjoying very moment, it’s really special,” Curnow said on Friday.

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“There’s always doubts, I guess you always know you can do it, but there’s definitely doubts some things might not go your way.

“But you can’t look long-term in those situations, you’ve just got to keep you head down and do what you can to get back.

“You try to look at ways to enjoy the game when you’re not playing so I’m really happy to find myself in this position and repay those years out back to the fans.”

Blues’ head of list management Nick Austin said Curnow had expressed a desire to stay early.

“[He] said he wanted to play for this football club and was not interested in any other offers – that tells you everything you need to know about who he is,” Austin said.

“Everyone sees what Charlie can do on the field, but it is what he brings to our football club off it which is what we really value and few get to see.”

Harry McKay, Curnow’s partner in the forward line, is also out of contract next year.

Port’s barbs cross the line: Crows coach

Port Adelaide’s leaders have crossed the proverbial line by branding Adelaide as arrogant and entitled, Crows coach Matthew Nicks says.

Nicks is disappointed in comments from Power captain Tom Jonas and vice-captain Ollie Wines in the lead-up to Saturday night’s grudge match between the South Australian foes.

Both Jonas and Wines described the Crows as “arrogant and entitled” in separate paid television spots this week.

“I think there’s a line you draw,” Nicks said on Friday. “Port Power this time may have overstepped it.”

Nicks said the comments have overshadowed the last game of Power great Robbie Gray, who will retire after Saturday night.

“It’s disappointing isn’t it,” he said. “We’re talking about arrogant and entitled and we have got a superstar of the game about to retire. Unbelievable.

“ ... I can tell you that this club [Adelaide] prioritises others. It’s football. A contest. We cross the white line and we go to war.

“It’s an interesting one because we’re talking about something right now that I am amazed.

“When we played West Coast two weeks ago, Josh Kennedy’s final game, superstar of the club, [the Eagles] couldn’t have done it better in the lead-in as a football club, atmosphere was amazing. We’re not doing that here, are we?”

Adelaide’s players had yet to discuss the Power barbs.

“The war of words can often get out of hand,” Nicks said. “That’s OK. We like to think we get it done on the ground.

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“We encourage our guys to always think before they speak and we will go into this game with that mindset. We are coming to perform. But that is rivalries, there is just a line I guess and sometimes you cross it.”

Port coach Ken Hinkley refused to say whether he agreed with Jonas and Wines.

“I talk around our footy club, I don’t talk around other football clubs,” he said.

“You would have to ask the boys. But I think there’s some honesty in what they talk like, for them, is how they must feel.

“Was this manufactured by me or anything to do with the game? We don’t need that for a Showdown.”

AAP

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