Collingwood has made the call to manage four of their premiership stalwarts for this week's trip to face Fremantle.
Senior quartet Scott Pendlebury, Brayden Maynard, Jordan De Goey and Brody Mihocek have all been rested for the Round 9 clash, with the latter dealing with an abdominal strain.
Pies coach Craig McRae said there was a plan surrounding the experienced group to manage them throughout the early stages of the year, but mentioned Mihocek's battling a minor abdominal strain, which is remarkable following his four-goal performance against Geelong.
"They all won't play," McRae said.
"Somewhat deliberate for most of them. (Brody) 'Checkers has got a bit of an abdominal strain, which will keep him out, hopefully only for one week.
"And the other three we'll manage, and we planned this a long time ago. We saw the draw when it came out, and thought, let's be strategic with this."
Maynard was seen on Monday getting a scan, but McRae denied his absence from the trip west as injury-related, despite carrying a lingering foot issue since the pre-season.
The selection calls come after the Magpies rested veteran defender Jeremy Howe for last week's meeting with Geelong, with the high-flying backman set to return to the senior side for the interstate clash.
The Magpies have a five-day break heading into Round 9, having played the Cats on Saturday and now preparing for a Thursday night bout with the Dockers.
Lachie Sullivan, Ed Allan and Oleg Markov are set to come into McRae's side along with Howe.
Pies coach Craig McRae confirms four changes to Thursday’s line up against Fremantle.
De goey. Pendlebury. Mihocek (abdominal strain). Maynard. Out.
Howe. Sullivan. Allan. Markov. In.
A watch on Charlie West but unlikely to debut following a minor foot issue.
More @zerohanger
— Aidan Harrison Cellini (@aidancellini4) May 6, 2025
Young forward Charlie West was in the selection frame and would be a suitable replacement for Mihocek, however, a "minor" foot injury has hampered his chances of making the trip to Perth.
"Not sure about Charlie, but he's definitely in the mix," McRae added.
"As long as I've been a coach, I like setting people up to be successful has always been my philosophy,and he hasn't trained over the weekend.
"We managed him for this game, but he didn't train."
The extent of Mihocek's setback is not yet known, meaning West could still be in the mix for a maiden AFL appearance in the coming weeks when Collingwood faces Adelaide, North Melbourne and Hawthorn after this week.
The Pick 50 in last year's draft was selected on a needs basis to bolster the key forward stocks at the AIA Centre, and McRae is excited about what he can produce, likening him to former Melbourne and Footscray player Allan Jakovich.
"He's an old-fashioned full forward," McRae said.
"Like Allan Jakovich. Big, barrel chest coming out and taking contested marks. He's got sticky hands and we're excited for what he can be."
The Magpies will face Fremantle at Optus Stadium on Thursday, with the match to commence at 8:10 (AEST). Teams will be named on Wednesday evening, while finals sides will be confirmed an hour prior to the opening bounce.
