Fringe Collingwood midfielder Fin Macrae has sent a strong message to the Magpies' selection committee just weeks out from the reigning premiers' first game of 2024, putting together a favourable performance at Wednesday evening's intra-club hitout.
The 21-year-old was a large presence in the middle from the opening minutes of the three 30-minute periods of match simulation, headlining a large win for the Ballarat (white) side over Bendigo (black).
Whether it was through centre clearance or in link-up play on the transition, Macrae had no issue leaving his impact on the game as he flexed his burst and ball use in midfield.
The former first-round pick's efforts place him as a near certainty for the Magpies' Opening Round plans should he get through Collingwood's coming practice matches against North Melbourne and Richmond unscathed.
Supplemental Selection Period train-on prospect Lachie Sullivan was often not far away from Macrae in the thick of the action for the white team, with the Footscray skipper strengthening his case to secure one of the three vacant list spots at Olympic Park.
Sullivan popped up early for a goal and would hand off several other opportunities in the front half to sit ahead of his fellow SSP aspirants on Wednesday.
VAFA defender Sam Sofronidis was also promising in defence for the white team, showing off his aerial prowess and poise, while Brynn Teakle battled in the ruck and up forward for the black side and came away with a goal to his name.
The Magpies are likely to recruit at least two of their train-on talents, with the injured Josh Eyre viewed as a front-runner prior to suffering a serious hamstring strain last week.
Coach Craig McRae confirmed post-game that the club will likely come to a decision in the next 24 hours in regard to their list vacancies, with the signing deadline coming on February 19.
Another looming call Collingwood's football heads will come to over the coming weeks will be who spearheads their attack in the absence of Dan McStay this season.
Athletic forward Ash Johnson was lively in the early stages for the white side, kicking the opening goal and assisting the second, while fellow Ballarat representative Nathan Kreuger led all goalkickers with three majors.
Kreuger showed off his contested marking capacity in the front third, while at the other end Reef McInnes was held goalless and left to rue a missed chance from short range that didn't make the distance.
Norm Smith Medal winner Bobby Hill was as threatening as ever at half-forward, booting two goals to join Johnson, Harvey Harrison and Patrick Lipinski as multiple goalkickers.
Hill was the standout small forward on the day as recruit Lachie Schultz nurses a leg injury, with the former Fremantle sharpshooter one of several senior Magpies unable to partake in the midweek match sim session.
Reigning best and fairest winner Josh Daicos is still some time away with a lower leg issue, while draftee Harry DeMattia (finger) and defender Nathan Murphy (concussion) are some time away from returning from their respective concerns.
Collingwood face the Kangaroos and Tigers in pre-season practice matches later this month before turning their attention toward a trip to GIANTS Stadium to meet GWS on Saturday, March 9 to open their premiership defence.
