Eagles skipper touch and go for grand final

McIntyre copped the injury in the qualifying final on 23 August, meaning he will have had 20 days to recover if he lines up in the decider against Werribee Centrals.

The star midfielder said he will likely make a final call at training on Thursday rather than game day on Saturday, but was leaning towards being available.

“Rehab’s going well, as good as it can go,” he said.

“You have to weigh up the risks. You take risks to win footy games…I’ll just be going through training Tuesday and Thursday (and) if I get through that then I’ll play.

“If I can’t get through Thursday that will probably be the call. I won’t put myself out there. I think if I’m going to ping it in the first five minutes it won’t be worth going out there if someone can obviously do a better job. 

“It’ll be more a Thursday night thing, rather than a last minute feeling.”

Eagles playing assistant coach Jake McLean has been out since round 18 with a hamstring strain and even with six extra days of recovery than McIntyre, will also make a decision on Thursday.

“(He is) moving really well, really fast,” McIntyre said.

“Same situation as me. Being able to get through Tuesday and Thursday training and go from there.”

McIntyre said it has been tough watching the Eagles’ two finals from the sidelines.

“It is difficult to watch, but in saying that, I’ve been really proud of the group,” he said.

“Having probably the two most experienced guys myself and Jake McLean not play… to be able to win (I’ve) been really proud of how the boys have done it. 

“They’ve shown that they don’t need to rely on myself or Jake to do it, so if either of us don’t get up, the boys are able to do it.”

One player who definitely won’t be lining up is Sam Lowe, who dislocated his hip and fractured his pelvis early in the second semi-final.

Lowe dislocated his shoulder in a practice match in March and the semi-final was his first senior game this season.

McIntyre said his own injury “puts it into a bit of perspective”.

“A hamstring for Jake and I doesn’t really mean too much when Sam’s been in hospital,” he said.

“He’s not moving too well and he’s got a long recovery ahead of him. And obviously, he won’t be playing footy again this year or maybe at all, but it’s more his work and social life that’s being affected. 

“So that’s just a bit of perspective for guys like me that have a three week, four week injury.

“We have been thinking of him and we will continue to.”