Collingwood star Dale Thomas is ready for an AFL comeback against Hawthorn at the MCG on Sunday.
The midfielder was hampered by an ankle injury late last season and after off-season surgery has built fitness through the VFL over the past two rounds.
Thomas said the club’s cautious approach in not rushing his AFL return would benefit him long-term.
But it’s also been a frustrating wait and he’ll be telling coach Nathan Buckley it’s been long enough.
“I’ll be having a chat with Nathan throughout the week,” Thomas told reporters on Monday.
“I’ll be certainly telling him that if he’s happy to pick me I’ll be more than happy to play.”
Thomas said Alex Fasolo and Alan Didak, who also played in the VFL, would be pressing for senior selection.
But with young small forward Jamie Elliott having starred with a match-winning five-goal haul against Carlton on Sunday and rookie-list recruit Sam Dwyer also performing well, it will be hard to find players to drop from a winning side.
“It’s a good problem to have,” Thomas said.
“A lot of the blokes who are coming into the senior team are doing a fantastic job.”
The Magpies are still assessing a rib injury to ruckman Darren Jolly, with Thomas saying either veteran Ben Hudson or young giant Jarrod Witts would be able replacements if Jolly can’t face Hawthorn.
The Hawks beat the Magpies all three times they met last season and kicked at least 20 goals on each occasion.
It makes Sunday’s clash a good early test of the Magpies’ improvement this season, particularly to the defensive side of their game.
Thomas said the signs were good from the first two rounds but there was still plenty of improvement needed.
“To get two wins under a bit of duress, obviously on the weekend with Jolls going down and the weekend before with players stepping out late and injuries, there’s certainly some positive signs,” he said.