Jordan De Goey, Jamie Elliott and Jaiden Stephenson are set to light up Collingwood’s forward line as they open their AFL season against Geelong on Friday night.

De Goey has overcome a foot injury and Stephenson a groin issue, while Elliott is set to play his first AFL game in more than a year.

Collingwood coach Nathan Buckley said Elliott’s long battle with a hamstring injury had matured him, with the results shown in his big pre-season.

“He’s a little bit older, a little bit wiser, a little bit more mature and understanding and appreciative of the opportunities that come along, so I think he’s well placed mentally and emotionally to handle this next phase of his footy career, and physically he’s in great shape,” Buckley said on Wednesday.

Key defender Darcy Moore, whose 2018 season ended prematurely through a hamstring injury, would be another important inclusion for the MCG clash.

“He clearly would’ve been frustrated with the way last year went for him and the disappointment of not being able to put his hand up at the pointy end,” Buckley said.

“He’s really committed to improving himself as a footballer, getting himself as fit as he possibly can be, and ready to take that next step into the early rounds.”

Buckley said he’d also been impressed by the contribution of ex-Western Bulldog Jordan Roughead and hinted he could also have a role against Geelong.