Collingwood small forward Jamie Elliott has finally been declared fit to play and could provide a welcome injection of energy for the crucial clash with Hawthorn at the MCG on Friday night.
The second-placed Magpies will also await the results of fitness tests for defender James Aish, who was a late withdrawal for the clash with North Melbourne with hamstring soreness, and midfielder Brayden Sier, who suffered concussion symptoms.
Elliott has been sidelined for seven weeks with what was initially described as only a "minor" hamstring injury in a different part of the hamstring to where he'd experienced chronic issues.
Given his extended lay-off, the question is whether the explosive matchwinner will return in the AFL or VFL.
The 26-year-old is favoured to return at AFL level where his speed, power and vigour would enliven the faltering Magpies, who were lifeless in their shock hammering from North Melbourne at Marvel Stadium on Saturday night, after also being poor the previous week in their narrow win over the Western Bulldogs at the same venue.
The presence of the dynamic Elliott in the Pies' attack would take some pressure and defensive heat off emerging superstar Jordan De Goey, and potentially also lessen the loss of both Jaidyn Stephenson to a long-term betting-related suspension and Ben Reid to another calf injury.
Although Elliott's absence has been considerably longer than first expected, Pies coach Nathan Buckley last week insisted he hadn't suffered any further setbacks in his recovery.
"He hasn't missed a beat," Buckley said.
"The sort of (training) volumes he's doing out there at the moment are nearly full-game volumes and with as high intensity as you could get in training.
"Over the years we have been prudent and we have run guys through the VFL, but we'll make that judgement when he gets the green light.
"(He) trained really strongly the past couple of weeks (and) did a massive session on Sunday … We're looking forward to getting him back. He's been real impressive."
Elliott was sidelined the entire 2016 season with a lower back problem and missed all of last season largely due to hamstring issues.
In November he and key defender Darcy Moore travelled to Germany to be treated by world-renowned hamstring injury specialist Hans-Wilhelm Muller-Wohlfahrt.
Before suffering his latest hamstring injury late in the round eight win over Carlton, Elliott, like Moore, appeared to have arrested his issues by playing seven games and kicking 12 goals and setting up another nine for teammates.
In total Elliott has played 96 games and kicked 150 goals.
He was Collingwood's leading goalkicker in 2015 with 35 goals, tallying at least 30 in four successive seasons.
Hawthorn will be celebrating the inaugural Emergency Services match against Collingwood this Friday night at the MCG. Fans are encouraged to be in their seats by 7.15pm to witness an exciting pre-match ceremony.
The BankVic Emergency Services Interactive Fan Zone will be open from 4.30pm.
To donate, head to esf.com.au.
