Collingwood skipper Darcy Moore says he "feels awesome" as he recovers from a hamstring injury in a bid to take place in Saturday's traditional Anzac Day clash against Essendon.
Moore will need to get through two main sessions this week (Tuesday and Thursday) to put his hand up for selection, but speaking at the Shrine of Remembrance, he is buoyed by his chances following a strong session last week.
"In great news, I had a really good session last Friday," the Pies skipper said. "I made a couple of really big breakthroughs, so body feels awesome coming into this week.
"We've got two sessions before the game, Tuesday and Thursday. I am in a really great position to train fully this week and hopefully put my hand up. I've got to back up and be feeling good going into the weekend (to be selected)."
Throughout the pre-season and early parts of the campaign, Moore has been battling with soft-tissue injuries, and recovered from a calf problem to return against GWS in Round 3.
However, the skipper showed signs that he was clearly underdone, and was ultimately ruled out for another three weeks, only this time, injuring his hamstring.
Collingwood was criticised for its management of Moore.
"I put my hand up, I was ready to go (and) I am accountable for that decision," he said.
"Absolutely was ready to go."
The Pies are also hopeful that Jordan De Goey will exit from concussion protocols after missing last week's clash against Carlton. He trained over the weekend and is tipped to be available.
"I believe (he will be available)," Moore said of De Goey.
"I'm not 100 percent sure on that one. I don't want to speculate on that just with the nature of concussion symptoms."
Waiting in the wings is a pair of key position players that coach Craig McRae will consider on Saturday.
Forward-turned-defender Reef McInnes played a full game in the VFL over the weekend, recording 19 touches and nine marks in an impressing outing.
It was McInnes' first full game since tearing his ACL last year.
Recruit Jack Buller also impressed with two goals and 13 possessions in the loss to the Blues' reserves side.
Buller played the opening two games of the season, but after a pair of goalless outings, was replaced by the high-jumping Oscar Steene, who has been a revelation in the ruck and up forward.
McRae said last week that the former Swan is playing AFL-level football in the state-league competition, and his latest performance has put pressure on Dan McStay and Tim Membrey, with the Steene-Darcy Cameron combination likely to continue.
McStay (10 goals) and Membrey (nine) haven't lit the world alight, but have only gone goalless once in six matches.
