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Collingwood captain Darcy Moore says he feels awesome and is closing in on an Anzac Day return, but Essendon have ruled out a key defender for the showpiece event.
Moore, 30, has had a terrible run with injury this season, and has managed just one game.
Having hurt a calf during the pre-season, he returned in round three, only to then suffer hamstring and knee issues against Greater Western Sydney.
Moore said on Monday that he had trained strongly on Friday, and was ready to step up his preparation at the Tuesday and Thursday sessions.
“I had a really good session last Friday, made a couple of really big breakthroughs. The body feels awesome,” Moore said.
“So, yeah, I’m in a great position to train fully this week and, hopefully, put my hand up by the end of the week. So, yeah, watch this space.”
Moore denied he had rushed back too soon to face the Giants.
“I put my hand up – I was ready to go. I’m accountable for that decision. So, yeah, I was absolutely ready to go,” he said.
The premiership defender said this season had been a “challenge” personally, but pointed out the campaign was only young.
Midfielder Jordan De Goey has been in concussion protocols, but the Magpies hope he will be fit to resume.
Moore and Essendon counterpart McGrath were at the Shrine of Remembrance on Monday morning for a wreath-laying ceremony as part of preparations for Saturday’s clash – the biggest event on the AFL calendar outside of finals.
The Bombers have been buoyed by their form over the past three weeks, but will be without defender Jordan Ridley (low-grade calf strain), who left the field early in the second half against the Suns on Saturday and did not return.
McGrath confirmed Ridley would not play.
“I don’t think so. At this stage, Jordan has got a little calf injury and, with his history there, they’re just being pretty cautious with his approach,” McGrath said.
“We’ll see how he presents … throughout the week, but I don’t think weekend will be realistic.”
The Magpies eased the pressure with their five-point win over Carlton at the MCG last Thursday, although they were fortunate to escape with the victory when young Blue Talor Byrne botched a set shot to tie the game after the final siren.
Having struggled to score heavily all season, the Magpies put a season-high 88 points on the board on Thursday night, improving their record to 3-3 and ensuring they remain in the finals hunt.
Nick Daicos, in his 100th game, was brilliant all night with 39 disposals, nine score involvements and 449 metres gained, while small forward Jamie Elliott – who struggled to have an impact recently up forward – booted three goals.
Moore said the strong performance of youngsters Will Hayes, Angus Anderson and Roan Steel had been pivotal.
“Sometimes you have got to win pretty, and sometimes you have got to win gritty. And it was a pretty gritty win for us on Thursday night. We certainly didn’t play our best football but, in my experience, there is a lot to take out of games like that when things aren’t quite firing and flowing the way you’d like to be able to,” Moore said.
While the Bombers have just the one win, their past three weeks have been a dramatic improvement on the winless opening four rounds.
An encouraging second half against the Western Bulldogs was followed by a win over Melbourne, before a robust nine-point loss to premiership contenders the Suns on Saturday.
They have changed the way they defend, pushing more often up the field and taking territory, instead of folding back.
McGrath said increased pressure on the ball, particularly by the midfielders, had been crucial.
“We’ve got a lot of our core guys around the midfield, and they’re around contest, and our [lack of] pressure was putting our backs under a whole lot of pressure,” McGrath said.
“We know we’re still not where we want to be, and there’s a gap between us and the best teams in the competition, and we want to close that as fast as we can.”
The Magpies won the corresponding fixture by 41 points last year.
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