Collingwood coach Craig McRae has issued fitness updates on Nick Daicos and Jeremy Howe.
McRae says Daicos has been carrying some back soreness but expects the Magpies young gun to play in their Qualifying Final blockbuster against Geelong at the MCG.
Daicos and key defender Howe both missed training on Tuesday ahead of the club’s first final on Saturday.
The 19-year-old was crowned the 2022 AFL Rising Star winner last week after a stunning debut season.
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Nick Daicos is said to be right to play in Saturday's showdown with Geelong, despite missing two training sessions in recent days. My understanding is the Rising Star winner pulled up a bit tight from a weights session over the weekend.
— Sam Edmund (@Sammy__Edmund) August 31, 2022
“He’s had a little bit of a sore back. Nothing untoward,” McRae told SEN’s The Run Home.
“It’s almost like put your Ferrari in the garage and we’ll just keep it nice and smooth, and we might even give it a bit of a clean.”
SEN host Andy Maher asked: “Is there no doubt at all that he takes his place this week?”
McRae replied: “Not that I’m aware of. Not unless something’s changed today.”
McRae also said Howe is “good to go” to face the Cats.
The winner of Saturday’s Qualifying Final clash will advance directly to a Preliminary Final in two weeks’ time.