Should you choose to believe his older brother, injured Pie Nick Daicos remains a live chance to feature during Collingwood's blockbuster qualifying final clash against Melbourne on Thursday night.

A 2023 All-Australian and noted Brownlow fancy, Daicos had been enjoying perhaps the most glittering sophomore season on record before going down with a hairline fracture in his knee in Round 21.

And despite finishing the home and away season atop the league's ladder, the Pies missed their barometer's presence, dropping a pre-finals tester against Brisbane along the road to September.

While those with hearts that pump black and white blood have been sweating on the 20-year-old's fitness in the weeks since scans diagnose the fracture, brother Josh provided an update on Nick's chances for the Woods' date with the Dees, claiming he "might be right" for Thursday night.

“I think he was just meant to be jogging – but he picked up to a little sprint to show he might be right for Thursday night,” Josh was quoted by News Corp on Sunday.

“It's so good for him to just be out back with the group.

“Obviously it's pretty tough being injured and you don't feel part of it, but we appreciate his support throughout the time and we can't wait to have him back.”

Collingwood and Melbourne will do battle before a sold out MCG crowd on Thursday night, with the opening bounce of the old rivals' first final since 1989 scheduled for 7:20pm.