Collingwood coach Craig McRae is optimistic ailing midfielder Jordan De Goey shall be cleared to play within the blockbuster AFL conflict with Port Adelaide.
De Goey is battling a virus and was informed to coach away from his teammates on Thursday amid concern over his short-term well being.
The 27-year-old was named within the Magpies’ aspect for Saturday’s journey to Adelaide Oval, the place first meets second.
De Goey, who has performed two video games since serving a three-match suspension for tough conduct, has missed two workforce coaching classes due to sickness this week.
He was additionally ignored of the round-five conflict with St Kilda with an identical subject.
“The latest is he’s viral, so like all our players who are a little bit sick we just don’t want him in the rooms,” Magpies coach Craig McRae informed reporters on Thursday.
“We’re anticipating he’ll be here tomorrow and travel with us.”
Collingwood will welcome again Darcy Cameron (again) and Brody Mihocek (hamstring) from accidents after they missed final week’s thrashing of Fremantle.
Their returns put a squeeze on talls on the choice desk, with Ash Johnson dropped to the emergency checklist and Billy Frampton ignored altogether.
Collingwood, the outright premiership favourites, sit a sport clear on high of the ladder and belted Port by 71 factors of their most up-to-date assembly – on the MCG in spherical two.
But McRae declared the Power the “best team in the competition for 14 or 15 weeks” and expects Ken Hinkley’s aspect to rebound strongly after a slip-up in opposition to Carlton final spherical.
“They’re a proud club, there’s still a lot to play for in the season and they’ll get some key players back,” McRae mentioned.
“A little bit of a sting at this time is not the end of the world.
“We’re anticipating they’ll convey each little bit of their finest.”
A huge crowd will be on hand in a possible grand final preview and McRae was happy to buy into the hype.
“Why would you play this sport down? This is likely one of the finest video games that you will see this yr by way of the chance to point out what you are fabricated from,” McRae mentioned.
“We’re going to step into that. It’s a troublesome draw to go over there and play them at their house floor however it’s what it’s.
“You embrace it all and then it’s all about the process. We’re trying to get better every day and this is another opportunity to see how we’re going.”
Source: www.perthnow.com.au
