Collingwood will not risk first-choice ruckman Darren Jolly in the Anzac Day AFL clash with Essendon at the MCG.

Magpies coach Nathan Buckley confirmed on Wednesday Jolly, who has missed the Pies’ past two matches with a rib injury, will instead be sent to gain match fitness through the reserves.

“If you look at his last seven weeks, he’s probably played 70 per cent of two games,” Buckley said of Jolly, who also had a kidney concern in the pre-season.

“He’s missed a lot of footy, and missed a lot of training.

“We’ll just give him the opportunity to get up to speed, and trust the incumbents at the moment.

“Darren needs solid training, he needs the football.”

Buckley said veteran ruckman Ben Hudson, who has filled in admirably for Jolly in the Magpies’ past two matches, was in line to play if he showed he had recovered well from the weekend’s 34-point win over Richmond.

Developing ruckman Jarrod Witts is also in line for a possible Anzac Day debut at the MCG – though Hudson appears the front-runner if fit.

Buckley said defender Nathan Brown, who injured his groin against Richmond, and experienced duo Ben Johnson and Tyson Goldsack were over their injury concerns and would be considered for selection.