Demons, Cats regain stars for blockbuster; Moore 'sneaky chance' to take on Roos; Pies re-signed the duo

Goodwin said Wednesday morning that he believes the star combo is in good shape to return to the fold.

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“I wouldn’t play them if they weren’t 100 per cent. They’re ready to go,” Goodwin said.

“Both are really touching and up for the last week,” Goodwin said. “Max had a very strong session on Saturday in Adelaide and ‘Jacko’ was very similar in Melbourne.”

Goodwin says the timing couldn’t be better as they prepare to face the team that most threatens their position at the top of the season.

“They are a huge part of our footy team and to have them both back at once is really exciting,” said Goodwin.

Goodwin believes his team is up to the challenge posed by the Cats, who have won six games in a row and have the home advantage.

“It’s exciting, it feels like a final and our players are looking forward to it,” Goodwin said.

“There is no bigger challenge than going to Geelong and playing at their home ground.”

Geelong veteran Isaac Smith insists no scars remain from the heartbreaking defeat to Melbourne but admits there will be “a bit of feeling” in their first-half clash.

Selwood (managed) and De Koning (cork) returned after one game each on the touchline.

Gawn and the Demons towered over Geelong late last season, with the All-Australian bum scoring after the sirens to sink the Cats in round 23. He went on to score a career-best five goals in the 83-point playoff final. defeat before Melbourne went on to claim the drought-breaking flag.

The two sides will meet for the first time since at the sold-out GMHBA Stadium.

“Individually you don’t like to lose big games, but if you look at history you will lose. [sometimes]said Smith.

Isaac Smith’s cat star.Credit:AFL Photo

“We faced a very hot Melbourne who proved to be the best team in the competition. Does that make you angry? To be honest, it will be a tough life if you are angry for a long time about it.

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“But to have a top-flight game against them at our home, obviously there will be a bit of feeling there.”

After the preliminaries, it turned out that Geelong caught a virus on the side in Perth during the build-up. The Cats (11-4) are snoring again now, buoyed by a six-game winning streak, including a 112-point win over North Melbourne last week, in a streak that saw them jump to second.

A win over Melbourne (12-3) could see them jump to first place by percentage.

“The situation is very, very different this time,” said Geelong coach Chris Scott. “[The preliminary final] certainly relevant to the discussion [but] it’s irrelevant to us.”

With AAP

Moore with ‘sneaky chance’ to face Kangaroo

Nell Geraets

Darcy Moore used crutches after the win over the Gold Coast Suns but revealed on Monday that he had escaped structural damage.Credit:AFL Photo

Collingwood coach Craig McRae said star defender Darcy Moore had a “sneaky chance” to play on Saturday as they prepare to face North Melbourne at MCG.

Moore limped off the pitch after hyperextending his knee in the final few minutes of Pies’ thrilling win over the Gold Coast in the round of 16. Scans revealed bone bruising and a capsule strain, but no structural damage to the left knee.

Despite not sustaining a serious injury, the 26-year-old is taking things slowly – only finishing swimming and gym work on Monday and not training on Tuesday.

McRae said the key defender would return to the track for training on Thursday, where the final assessment and the player’s prospects for selection would be confirmed.

“He’s a sneaky chance to play this week,” McRae told SEN on Wednesday afternoon.

“He has to get through some hurdles, but we’ll see.

“He didn’t train this week and he’s a little bit sick, but we’ll see how he develops tomorrow.”

The Pies also hope that Jeremy Howe will return to the line-up against Kangaroo. Howe missed last week’s game against the Gold Coast due to illness.

The defender completed a course of antibiotics and was allowed by doctors to continue training. He now has a good chance of selection this weekend.

Pie ‘Rapt’ signed Daicos and Macrae for two more years

Nell Geraets

Collingwood midfielders Josh Daicos and Finlay Macrae will remain on the black and white line until the end of 2024 after signing two-year contracts each.

The club announced on Wednesday that the two had signed contracts, with Collingwood football general manager Graham Wright delighted Pies has kept them.

“Josh is in the best form of his career in 2022 on the wing and in attacking half and at 23 is an important part of our future. We are delighted that he has agreed a new two-year contract that will take him to 2024,” Wright said.

“Although ‘Fin’ found it difficult to break into our AFL team, we are very pleased with his development as a deep midfielder. [midfielder]. Fin is hardworking, diligent and committed to his own development, which we believe will propel him into the AFL team in the near future.”

Josh Daicos will stay with the Magpies until 2024.Credit:AFL Photo

The 23-year-old was voted father-son in 2016 and this year has joined his brother Nick, who had an immediate impact on his debut season in the AFL. Josh Daicos has scored 35 goals in 67 career games, and has averaged 20 releases across 16 rounds this season.

Macrae’s fellow midfielder, brother of Bulldog star Jack Macrae, made his debut with Collingwood in 2021 and was picked up as a first-round pick. He has played 10 games averaging 22 touches per game at VFL level.

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