Collingwood Magpies players emotional after win, Taylor Adams crying, Nick Daicos, Peter Moore and Darcy Moore

In every story of premiership joy, there has to be an element of heartbreak.

And it was written all over the face of Collingwood veteran Taylor Adams on Saturday evening.

Adams was one of the Magpies’ hardluck stories heading into the 2023 Grand Final, joining Dan McStay as being forced out of the side due to injury.

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But McStay had been in black and white for just one year – that’s not to minimise his sadness, but just to explain how much more this would’ve hurt for Adams.

The 30-year-old has played 175 of his 206 career games for Collingwood, but couldn’t add a 207th thanks to a hamstring injury.

Trying to recover in time for the premiership decider, Adams suffered hamstring awareness at training last Tuesday, at which point Collingwood ruled him out from selection.

So on Saturday, with his team celebrating a remarkable win over Brisbane, it had to be hard for the midfielder – who was so close to being part of the side.

Adams was in tears while hugging his teammates, clearly feeling the bittersweet nature of the moment.

He helped bring them to the promised land, so there must be some joy. But also pain. And that’s footy.