Jmac's funeral priority for players ahead of Swans clash

[ClokingDevice]

COLLINGWOOD will cram four days of finals preparation into three, with players determined to honour former teammate John McCarthy at his funeral.

The Magpies plan to board a bus at 9.30am on Thursday - when they would normally be training - for the near two-hour drive to Sorrento on the Mornington Peninsula.

Players and club officials will join AFL colleagues and players from McCarthy's junior club, Sorrento, at an 11.30am service at St Mary's Star of the Sea church.

The Magpies will then drive to Melbourne Airport for a late afternoon flight to Sydney, arriving about six hours later than normal.

The players will spend four hours on a bus and an hour on a plane the day before fighting for a spot in the Grand Final.

Club officials said yesterday there had never been any thought of not attending.

"We don't care when it is, even if it is the day before the match. We're not going to miss an opportunity to say goodbye to one of our mates," captain Nick Maxwell said.

Collingwood, which will have recovery and review sessions today, will train tomorrow and conduct its main session on Wednesday, which is normally a day off.
McCarthy, 22, died a week ago when he fell from a building while in Las Vegas with Port Adelaide teammates.

McCarthy's death has rocked his former club, with Dayne Beams (right) and Jarryd Blair visibly emotional after Saturday night's semi-final win against West Coast.

"It puts everything into perspective, it was a tough week, the boys rallied together throughout the week," forward Tyson Goldsack said yesterday.

"In that minute of silence (before the game) you reflect on him at the club and things you have been through with him and with the jumper on. You remember him and the good person he was and what you can do to honour him," he told Channel 7.

Sharrod Wellingham said he'd never played in such a game: "The emotion ... was a bit up and down; you didn't really know how to feel ... but for everybody to come together like that and to put in such a great performance was amazing.

The boys realised it was a professional sport and we needed to come and play and for everybody to turn up and give the performance was really special.
"It will be around for the rest of the year and I think it will be something everyone thinks about forever."

http://www.news.com.au/sport/afl/john-mccarthys-funeral-priority-for-collingwood-players-ahead-of-swans-showdown/story-fnelctok-1226475232743

[die4pies]

We will have a 19th player on the field Friday night.

[Joel]

Two hours to Sorrento? Try an hour and a half. An hour to Rosebud, then 30 mins to Sorrento (if that).

During summer it would take 4 hours.

[die4pies]

[Tanks1966]

Good on the players for going to his funeral!

[burnsy17]

[Piesnchess]

ITS all about respect and priorities. ! WE have it in spades, and it can move mountains. Look out Swannies. !

[Carro]

The boys will be hurt after attending this, but sensational that it is the priority. I am sure come Friday they will again be firing and playing in honour of their dear mate.

I have been so proud of the club in the last week.

Side by Side fellow fans.

[Darkstranger]

Weird room on one of the radio stations this morning mentioning that the Swans will deliberately make traffic from Sorrento to Airport as bad as possible, meaning cause a delay of some sort...

Now if that’s true (which I doubt) would be very American of them and downright dirty !!!

[Piesnchess]

[uuuuu..... The LoneSTAR]

I'm glad the players have this opportunity.

[Dave The Man]

Will Fans go down to it like they did for Darren Milane?

[Ev5Magpies]

[jack_spain]

As it should be. Very pleased the club has taken this approach. Well done. I think it will mean we really are switched on against Sydney.

[Hiss]

Proud of the way the Club is handling this very difficult issue. Wouldn't it just be the perfect send off to then go up to Sydney and kick their arses.