LUCKLESS Collingwood defender Matt Scharenberg will return from his third ACL reconstruction in career-best shape in the VFL on Sunday.

After posting personal best sprint and 2km time trial times in his latest recovery, the 23-year-old will play his first match since July last season against Port Melbourne.

The news was met with rapturous applause from teammates before training on Thursday.



'IT'S TRAGIC FOR HIM' It could be the end for Pies midfielder

"Not only are the boys getting back a good person and a good footballer, they're getting back a better athlete than they've ever had before," Collingwood rehab co-ordinator Ben Shipperd told the group.

Scharenberg ruptured his left ACL for the second time last season after first tearing it in August 2014. The South Australian also required a reconstruction on his right knee in November 2015.



"It's been a long journey for a bloke like 'Shaz' who hasn't played as much footy as he would've liked to over the time, but you can't do anything about what's gone," coach Nathan Buckley said.

"He's been pretty good about coming back to today and what he's in control of and what he can impact.

"These are good times when you get to the end of a rehab and recovery, especially long ones, and players get the opportunity to get back and play."

Exciting news coming out of the Collingwood this morning. Shaz will play VFL on Sunday



Hats off to him and the medical staff for the hard work and dedication they've put in over the last 10 months. pic.twitter.com/vEiSyuGjaN — Collingwood FC (@CollingwoodFC) May 30, 2019

Meantime, the Pies could be strengthened by the return of star trio Jordan De Goey, Darcy Moore and Mason Cox for its clash with Fremantle at the MCG on Saturday.

All three completed the Magpies' main training session on Thursday and the club will wait to see how they recover before deciding on their availability.

The inclusion of explosive forward/midfielder De Goey (shin), athletic key defender Moore (shin) and beanpole forward Cox (ankle) would boost the second-placed Pies' hopes of posting eight successive wins for the first time since 2012, Buckley's first season as coach.

De Goey and Moore have both missed the past two games while Cox has been sidelined for four games, a lengthy layoff that could force him to resume in the VFL given the solid form of forward targets Brody Mihocek and Ben Reid.

"I stood here last week and told you 'Jordy' was going to play because he got through training. I might hold my fire until we get the feedback from how the boys have pulled up and we get an extra couple of hours to finalise the squad this arvo," Buckley said.



Pies fans will be hoping this week is the week for Jordan De Goey's return. Picture: AFL Photos



Travis Varcoe, who has served a one-match suspension, appears certain to replace veteran Daniel Wells, who suffered a potentially career-ending knee injury in his long-awaited return against Sydney last round.

Despite seven consecutive wins, Buckley said his side hadn't yet reached its ceiling.

"You don't win when you're not playing well because the competition's fierce, but we don't think we're knocking it out of the park, either," he said.

"We see that there's plenty of improvement in us, but we're pretty content that the way we're backing up week after week."

The Woods have won their past four games against eighth-placed Freo, and have been victorious in their past six clashes with the Dockers at the MCG, including a 61-point hammering in round 11 last year.

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