COLLINGWOOD coach Nathan Buckley has declared Darcy Moore is "cherry ripe" to face minor premier Geelong in the qualifying final at the MCG on Friday night, insisting the key defender's hamstring issues have not become a mental hurdle.

The final-round clash with Essendon was Moore's first game in six weeks after returning from another hamstring injury and he ended up sitting out most of the last quarter with tightness in the muscle.

Moore leaves the MCG after the round 23 win over Essendon.



Scans failed to reveal a problem, and Moore was again impressive again on the track on Wednesday morning, training with speed and intensity.

"No question for us," Buckley told reporters about the 23-year-old's most recent ailment.

"He's trained really well the last three or four weeks. He's cherry ripe and ready to go."

Asked if Moore's problems had become a mental issue, Buckley replied simply: "No."

Moore might well receive aerial support in defence from versatile big man Jordan Roughead, who trained with the defenders after playing the past three games as a key forward and back-up ruckman. Buckley gave little away, saying he was glad to have "flexibility" with Roughead.

Buckley refused to declare what changes would be made to the Pies' team but it seems they will regain vice-captain Steele Sidebottom (who missed one game with a ruptured testicle) and star forwards Jordan De Goey (hamstring, five weeks) and Jaidyn Stephenson (gambling suspension, 12 weeks), while they could also consider defender James Aish (shoulder, six weeks).

'I WAS DOWN ON ALL FOURS' Steele on the injury that floored him instantly

The Pies coach dismissed a suggestion that they risked recalling too many players after significant time on the sidelines.

"We'll be a really well-balanced team. The long lay-off question is, if you really wanted to dig deep on it, it really doesn't make any sense," Buckley said.

"Steele's missed one, Jaidyn's now had a hitout (at VFL level) coming back, Jordy plays really well off a break, and Darcy's had a hitout and (he's) ready to go … 'Aishy' has trained up really well.

"We believe that we're in good shape. Our preparation's been pretty good, our availability's as good as it's been all year. There's really no reason for us not to shine."

Exciting forward trio De Goey, Stephenson and Elliott have played together just seven times, most recently in round eight, but Buckley said it would come down to each of them playing their roles.

With Stephenson set to play his first game since round 12, Buckley encouraged him to simply play his role well and enjoy himself. The coach said the youngster had received some great advice from a perhaps unlikely source – De Goey.

"Jordy's advice was good from what I'd heard, pulling him aside and saying, 'You're gonna cop a whack pretty early. Don't worry about the external noise, come back to your teammates, come back to your family and listen to the people that love you'," he said.

"I think that was pretty wise words from Jordy. That was advice that I think Jaidyn's heeded and taken on board."

Jaidyn Stephenson hasn't played a senior match since round 12. Picture: AFL Photos



Buckley admitted the club "did battle with internal expectations a little bit early" this season before getting their campaign back on track.

"I know that the fundamentals and the chemistry we have in the place is in good stead and we're in a really good position to have a real crack at the next month," he said.

The 2018 runner-up enters the finals with some momentum after winning their past four games to claim fourth spot on the ladder.

The Magpies and Cats have clashed just once this season – back in round one when Geelong prevailed by seven points despite unveiling four debutants. Buckley said the strengths the Cats showcased that night – their strong defence and stoppage work – had continued to be hallmarks of their game.

Geelong has won the past three head-to-head encounters, each time in close, low-scoring affairs, and Buckley said a similar style of game could unfold given the expected wet conditions.

Find AFL Exchange on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts and Spotify.