Plenty of intrigue will surround Collingwood superstar Nick Daicos' availability for this Saturday's State of Origin clash after he emerged from training with a heavily strapped left leg.
Daicos rejoined the main group after a visit to the changerooms, and looked bothered early in the session before hitting the drills at full flight.
The Brownlow Medal fancy was selective in moments to deploy his trademark burst but ended the session doing shuttle runs alongside midfield teammates and half-backs.
The Pies' son-of-a-gun had been on a modified training program throughout the pre-season, having dealt with plantar fasciitis and a PCL injury ahead of the club's preliminary final loss.
Daicos is set to line up for Victoria this weekend against Western Australia at Optus Stadium.
The Vics have already lost 2025 Coleman Medallist Jeremy Cameron for the match due to the broken arm he suffered in the grand final loss to Brisbane. He was replaced by Ben King.
Captain Darcy Moore continued to complete his calf rehab away from the group, and was put through a gruelling solo session on the sidelines of Olympic Park.
Moore handed in the GPS and left the track halfway through the session. The premiership skipper is in a race against time to be available for the Opening Round match against St Kilda.
Matchwinners Jamie Elliott and Jordan De Goey were absent from training, as was recruit Jack Buller.
On the track, speedster Beau McCreery looked unimpeded following off-season foot surgery.
McCreery completed all drills and will be rebuilding his loads as he strives to be fit for the Saints battle.
Youngsters Charlie West and Joel Cochran's pursuit of more senior opportunities looks promising.
West is expected to lock in a key forward role and showed his craft and football IQ against his veteran teammates, while Cochran poses as an option if Moore isn't available in the early stages of the 2026 season.
Rookie and NGA draftee Jai Saxena's confidence continues to grow, displaying his evasiveness and good ball use to take the football from inside the contest to out, freeing up teammates in drills.
With the indefinite absence of 2023 Norm Smith medallist Bobby Hill, Saxena's development has pushed him into early debut calculations.
