Collingwood are likely to back in their resilient defence and West Coast expect Jeremy McGovern to hold up in the AFL grand final.

Saturday’s opponents at the MCG will probably name unchanged teams, with any changes considered a big surprise.

West Coast’s twin key forward threat of Josh Kennedy and Jack Darling has prompted speculation that the Magpies might recall Ben Reid or Darcy Moore.

While Reid has been an emergency for the last two finals, he has only managed six senior games this season.

His last AFL match was the round 10 win over the Western Bulldogs.

Likewise, Moore has played seven AFL matches this year and a hamstring injury put him out of action during the round 20 loss to Sydney.

Collingwood’s shocking run of injuries this season has hit their backline particularly hard.

But the Magpies defence has been outstanding, with no side scoring more than 86 points against them in their last eight matches.

Collingwood restricted GWS to 59 points in their semi-final win and Richmond could only manage 58 in last week’s preliminary final boilover.

Meanwhile, there is plenty of pre-grand final focus on McGovern in Perth.

The three-time All Australian was rested for most of the last quarter in Saturday”s preliminary final blitz of Melbourne.

McGovern did not train on Monday and did not join the main group at Wednesday’s session.

There are rumours he has broken ribs, but Eagles assistant coach Jaymie Graham said on Wednesday that McGovern only has a cork on his hip pointer.

Star midfielder Luke Shuey (ankle) is also rated a certain starter for the grand final.