Collingwood forward Beau McCreery is adamant Nick Daicos is fit and ready to take on Fremantle despite the superstar appearing ginger in the Magpies’ final training run ahead of the game.
A day after coach Craig McRae declared Daicos and Scott Pendlebury ready to return from a corked calf and tight achilles respectively, the pair were among the Magpies training at West Adelaide on Thursday night.
Daicos had relatively limited involvement in early running but that was no surprise given captain’s runs the day before a game are always light affairs - and several other players also sat out different drills.
When asked if Daicos was looking a little bit ginger, McCreery said: "I wasn't keeping an eye on him, but no, I don't reckon he would have been.
"Especially playing tomorrow, "I think he'll be fresher."
McCreery was confident both Daicos and Pendlebury would be their usual selves.
"One 100 per cent. They're both great athletes, and a week off probably did them well and get their bodies ready to go.
"And yeah, they look great. So we're keen to get them out there."
Daicos and Pendlebury's respective inclusions would give the Magpies plenty of confidence they can respond strongly to last week's heavy loss to Brisbane.
"Obviously, two massive ins. They've played about 500 games between them," McCreery said.
"It's great to have them both in there for their knowledge ... and then both their skills and just to be able to set everyone else up. Gives us great confidence going in."
Collingwood and Fremantle have had tight contests in recent years and McCreery hoped the inclusion of debutant Angus Anderson could help the Magpies get to grips with star Dockers midfielders Caleb Serong and Andrew Brayshaw.
The Magpies also need a plan for Patrick Voss, who kicked six goals in their last meeting, especially with skipper Darcy Moore sidelined.
"You never know. He's obviously a bit of a character, and he's such a good footballer," McCreery said.
"So I think the boys will do fine with him, and I don't know who goes to him, but they'll sort it out."
Collingwood have won 11 of their past 12 games at Adelaide Oval and South Australian McCreery was relishing the prospect of returning there.
"It puts a bit of confidence in us," McCreery said.
"A lot of the boys love playing in Adelaide Oval - me especially - obviously we've got a great record there."
