Collingwood will unveil premiership star Jordan De Goey for the first time in 2025 after overcoming a spate of pre-season and lingering injuries.
De Goey has been sidelined with groin and abdomen issues on multiple occasions throughout the last 18 months, but the latest complaint was bone bruising following a knock at training last month.
The 29-year-old has been sorely missed in Craig McRae's senior side, but will be a welcome return against the Western Bulldogs on Friday night at the MCG.
The Victorian powerhouse has taken a cautious approach with De Goey after playing a measly 13 games in 2024 due to multiple injuries.
McRae has gone on record saying he wants his players fit to perform, not just fit to play.
"We rapt to have Jordy back," McRae said on Tuesday.
"It's exciting. (We've) had his magnet get closer and closer. So it's nice to say he's available and be fit to play and fit to perform, which is something we've been working hard to get.
"We played the long game with him. We put a lot of load into him and making sure that he's ready to take on the season. It's a long season.
"He could've played last week. He probably could've played the week before, but at a level that we want him to be able to play consistently throughout, we're playing the long game."
McRae also ruled out that De Goey will be managed throughout Friday's contest.
Utility Will Hoskin-Elliott will also come into consideration for selection after he missed Round 1 against Port Adelaide after he copped a direct knee to the back.
Hoskin-Elliott has been a starter for the Pies and could force a change in Friday's line-up.
Collingwood will also celebrate club legends Scott Pendlebury and Steele Sidebottom breaking the all-time games played together (308), surpassing the previous record held by Adelaide duo Andrew McLeod and Tyson Edwards.
"Remarkable, isn't it?" McRae said.
"To see Steele do his stuff last week and running on top of the ground, and then you don't see the work that Pendles does for us.
"The guys within our four walls appreciate the little things that he does, role models... incredible statesman for the game and for our footy club, and we'll definitely celebrate that.
"Steele's always got a cheeky smile on his face which I love. And so he brings energy into the group consistently. And Pendles is an unbelievable professional that has role-modelled for so many years, (showing) what our young players need to do to be an AFL footballer and then how to perform regularly at a high level"
McRae didn't rule Pendlebury out of the sub role, which for the first time in his 405-game career, started in the position last week.
"We got to realise that ideally, we get ourselves in a position where we play beyond August, and that's a long time away," McRae said.
"So we stay in the moment.
"We stay process driven, and we look for opportunities for our players to be ready for whatever is in front of them."
The Pies will look to celebrate the milestone between the two champions, whilst also spoiling Western Bulldogs', who will be known as Footscray this week, 100th-year marking.
