CTV> O'Bree talks to reporters before the team departs to FremantleCOLLINGWOOD midfielder Shane O'Bree says it's unlikely that Alan Didak and Heath Shaw will play again this year.
The pair were suspended for the rest of the season in early August after a drink-driving incident, and the 29-year-old believes they will not return for the Magpies regardless of how far the team progresses in September.
"I doubt it, but we haven't focussed on it at all," he said on Thursday.
"It's Freo this week, and then we'll worry about it next week."
The veteran said the pair had handled their suspensions well.
"They've been terrific around the club, the amount of work they've been doing, they've been training and doing everything with us.
"They've been great – with the amount of flack that they've copped, they've been fantastic."
Despite midfielder Dane Swan last week strongly endorsing the mercurial forward's retention, O'Bree refused to be drawn on the future of Didak at the club, insisting he had no personal view on the issue.
"Like I said, we haven't really looked at it at all.
"It's something that will probably be discussed at the end of the year, I'm not too sure, but we're worrying about Freo this week."
The Magpies had been free-falling – three consecutive losses seeing them drop from fifth to eighth – until a public and media storm forced them into strong action over the incident, and O'Bree agreed the side has pulled together in the wake of the affair.
"We're a pretty young side at the moment, and all those young guys get an opportunity and they're making the most of it.
"We're back to playing the footy that we like to play, and that is being an intimidating team, putting the pressure on and making the most of the turnovers.
"We're just playing as a team and not relying on too many individuals."
