"Probably not as many as last year, we were in the same position last year," Buckley said. "The position we were in was exactly the same spot on the ladder with more guys unavailable and we were able to look after the last six or seven weeks of the season and give ourselves a real shot at it. Brodie Grundy in action during last year's grand final. Credit:Justin McManus "We don't see ourselves in too dissimilar a situation. It's on us to make the most of the situation and bring our best to the table. "We will get some guys back but we are confident whatever team we present will get the job done."

Grundy will face-off with his likely opponent for the All-Australian ruck position in Melbourne's Max Gawn, and Buckley made the case for Grundy to win that role regardless of who takes the points on Saturday. "I'm not a selector, if I was it would already be done as Brodie has had an exceptional year," Buckley said. "They both made it last year and had exceptional seasons. "The people adjudicating that will probably be looking at a game like this and how it pans out but all I can talk about is our guy and the season he has put together is exceptional. "His attitude and competitiveness are elite and he just keeps backing up. I'm sure he will be pretty keen to perform well for his teammate more than anything else."

Loading Who will spell Grundy has been a difficult question in recent weeks as injuries claimed those who usually share his load, such as Mason Cox. Rupert Wills played a "pinch hit" role in their last game but Buckley is casting a broad eye across who can step into it with only captain Scott Pendlebury completely ruled out as back-up ruckman. The inclusion of defender Jack Madgen may signal that the Magpies could push key defender Jordan Roughead or one of their other backs into the middle when Grundy rests but there is a thought that disrupting the form of someone like Roughead will see them look elsewhere. "Anyone really," Buckley said.

"We used Rupert at a pinch in the second half last week, we know he is a big body who can disrupt in the hit-outs and then get busy on the ground. "Pendles put his hand up, I'm trying to protect the old body. There is various options we have but we'll try a couple in the next few weeks and see where we get to." Darcy Moore, another tall option, is training well ahead of his return in round 22 or 23. "I'm pretty confident we will see him again before the end of this year," Buckley said.