Collingwood coach Nathan Buckley spoke to the media at the Westpac Centre on Thursday morning.

Collingwoodfc.com.au has published a summation of the key points of interest to arise from the press conference.

Has the match committee come to any conclusion about the team that will take on Fremantle?
“We will need tomorrow's training session to be positive about the make up of our 22,” Buckley told reporters. “We won't be taking any risk with any players.” Buckley noted that round one is often the fastest game of the home and away season, and that despite experienced stars Dayne Beams and Heath Shaw pulling out with injury and illness pre-game, the team “performed better last year with fit players.”

On the fitness of key position players Jesse White and Ben Reid:
“White has a bit of soreness in his calf. He pulled up really well today and will play tomorrow,” Buckley said. “Reid will have to train well tomorrow. He has tightness in his calf,” which is something he has managed that since the club’s practice match against Gold Coast on 2 March.

Will Alan Toovey make his return against Fremantle?
“Tooves has been really good for us,” said Buckley. “In the last six weeks he has been able to work back to match fitness in practice scenarios…he proved himself in that VFL game (against Richmond last Friday) and in the game against Gold Coast...he has ticked every box and is feeling strong in himself.”

Any early thoughts on Friday night’s match?
“One player or another won't be the difference for us against a side toured as premiership favourites. Ross (Lyon) said himself (they are) three weeks shy so it’s not a bad time to have a real crack at them,” said Buckley, admitting that combatting the power of Aaron Sandilands will be a real challenge to Collingwood’s ruck stocks. Ben Hudson is one player Buckley noted could be called upon to take on the competition’s tallest player.

Praise for Alan Toovey:
“One guy doesn't make the difference but there are certainly characters in the playing group who are the heart and soul…teammates will walk taller around him.”

How far away are Josh Thomas, Alex Fasolo and Sam Dwyer from returning?
Buckley said the trio is currently unavailable, and will need more game time and preparation before they put their hands up for senior selection.

Buckley also paid tribute to Dean Bailey, who passed away aged 47 after a short battle with cancer. Bailey, who coached Melbourne between 2008 and 2011, travelled with Buckley to London during a coaching seminar last October in his guise as an Adelaide assistant coach.