> Click here to watch Maxwell address the media at trainingCOLLINGWOOD skipper Nick Maxwell says injured defender Simon Prestigiacomo and midfielder Sharrod Wellingham are possibilities to return for next Friday night's preliminary final.
Prestigiacomo was left out of the Magpies side that defeated the Western Bulldogs in last week's qualifying final with a corked thigh, which bled and had to be drained several times after round 20.
The full-back trained on Wednesday, and looked to be moving freely in Collingwood’s hit-out on Friday morning.
While Prestigiacomo has showed promising signs in recent days, the extra week off couldn’t have come at a better time for Wellingham, who injured his ankle in the third quarter of last Saturday’s win.
Scans on the ankle revealed he had no structural damage, but the midfielder was a notable absentee from the training track this week.
“We expect both of them to be a really strong chance,” Maxwell said from Gosch’s Paddock on Friday morning.
“But it’s still a week away, and so much can happen in a week these days. Our medical staff have got a really good track record on getting guys up from simple injuries.
“I’m told nine out of the last 12 premiers have had the week off, so I suppose the stats say it’s a good thing. It gives us a chance to get guys right as well. Obviously (with) 'Presti' and Sharrod, there’s a bit of doubt over them and should we have played this week, they probably wouldn’t have played. It’s good to have that extra week for them.”
Aside from the injuries to the key Collingwood duo, Maxwell said everything was falling into place for his club to win its first flag since 1990.
“It’s all gone exactly to plan,” Maxwell said.
“We couldn’t have asked for any more to this stage. Obviously to finish on top, win your first final and have a week off, we’ve given ourselves every chance.”
“But having said that, people don’t remember who finished on top of the ladder or who was the first to win a qualifying final. It means nothing, so we’ve just got to make sure we keep doing our job, and obviously that will start next Friday night.”
The Pies will play the winner of Friday night’s semi-final at the MCG between Geelong and Fremantle.
Punters have Geelong as clear favourites in the do-or-die clash, and if they win, the Cats will be on track to meet Collingwood in a preliminary final for the third consecutive year.
Maxwell said he wasn’t too concerned about who his side would meet next week, but won’t be letting the opportunity of a grand final berth slip away without a fight after consecutive preliminary final losses to the Cats in the last two seasons.
“It doesn’t matter who we play - it’ll just be another preliminary final," he said.
"For me, I’m just trying to get rid of the ghosts of the past. I’ve been a part of two losing preliminary finals, so I just can’t wait to have another crack at it."
