Collingwood onballer Taylor Adams will make a welcome return for the Grand Final rematch against West Coast at the MCG on Saturday night.
Adams passed his final test during the Magpies' main session at Olympic Park Oval on Thursday when, wearing a glove to protect the repaired finger on his left hand, he handled the ball cleanly and trained to full capacity.
Pies coach Nathan Buckley confirmed Adams would face the Eagles and would continue to don the glove "as a form of support" after using it at training for the past fortnight.
"Tay's fit, he's a leader of the football club (and) one of our best performers over a number of years. He got through today and he'll play this week. He's as running fit as he's been and ready to go," Buckley told reporters after training.
The inside midfielder's availability finally enables the Pies to unleash the full force of their powerful midfield – a tantalising prospect for their clash with the reigning premier.
The 25-year-old was this week cleared for action by his surgeon.
The 120-gamer, in his fourth season in the club's leadership group, was superb in his most recent outing against the Eagles, finishing second in the voting for the Norm Smith Medal in the Pies' five-point Grand Final loss.
More to come
