Tyson Goldsack's inspirational cameo in Collingwood's charge to the Grand Final last year has made the veteran utility even more determined to play a part this season.

Goldsack partially ruptured the anterior cruciate ligament in his left knee in a JLT Community Series hitout in early March but made an incredible return to become the first player in history whose only four games in a season were finals, the last of which was a heart-breaking five-point loss to West Coast in the grand final.

Adding to the 31-year-old's effort, and his value, was the fact he had been slated for a forward role in the pre-season but returned as an undersized key defender in an injury-ravaged defence.

"Last year I worked so hard to get back and only be able to play the finals, which was nice, but (I want) to go through the whole process this year from the start now and play the games and actually join in on the journey throughout the year," Goldsack told reporters at Southport during the Pies' week-long camp on the Gold Coast.

"The guys did so much work during the year. Week in, week out, they kept fronting up and I couldn't be part of that. So I'd like to be part of that process and win the games throughout the year that get us to the finals and win one more final this year."

The popular Pie reported he was feeling good and hoped for a better run to the premiership season.

"I was probably in a similar position last year (before injury) and this time I'm hoping to get to the JLT (Community Series) and actually make it to the start of the season, which would be nice," he said.

The Pies' other major casualties with serious knee injuries last year were experienced full-back Lynden Dunn and fellow defender Matt Scharenberg, both of whom Goldsack said were "moving well".

"'Dunny' was talking himself up – he hit (a speed of) 29kmh today, so I'll give him a little pat on the back for that. Well done, Dunny. He's not the quickest guy going around so it's a great effort," Goldsack said.

Asked to reveal his own top recorded speed, Goldsack joked, "Oh, about 50 (kmh)," before admitting it was actually about 33kmh.

He expected returning Magpie star Dayne Beams and former Bulldogs big man Jordan Roughead to boost the club's hopes of success.

"You want to keep your list nice and bolstered; you don't want to get lean (in terms of) senior players.

"(Roughead) has experienced what it's like to play in a Grand Final and win one so we'll take all the experience we can get. We get 'Beamsy' back, who's won one as well. (We're) just trying to get all these parts together and hopefully go one step further," he said.