After a dramatic few days filled with injury and intrigue, Collingwood’s players were back in action to train at the Holden Centre on Wednesday morning.
They did so with an audience, as hundreds of fans lined the oval at Olympic Park to watch a 90-minute training session.
As the sun shone, the Magpies picked up a impressive level of intensity as all looked ahead to a clash against the winless Blues on Friday night.
After being flagged as a potential returnee in round three, Ben Reid trained solidly as a key forward in match simulation duties.
Jamie Elliott, Jordan De Goey, Levi Greenwood and Daniel Wells all completed the full session with the main group, before De Goey and Elliott enjoyed some friendly competition on the speccy bag to conclude the morning’s activities.
They were joined by Adam Oxley, who GM of Football Geoff Walsh flagged on Tuesday as a possibility to return from injury and play VFL on the weekend.
Tim Broomhead was an expected absence after being recently released from hospital after surgery on a fractured tibia and fibula.
However one welcome attendee was livewire forward Kayle Kirby. The 19-year-old watched on from the sidelines after an irregular heart beat saw him hospitalised during Saturday’s VFL practice match against North Melbourne.
You can view the best images from the session in the gallery below.
Jordan De Goey during match simulation.
James Aish leads and marks.
Levi Greenwood takes part as he continues recovering from a knee injury.
Goal kicking practice for Ben Reid.
Tom Phillips spends time with Brad Gotch.
Extra running for De Goey, Greenwood and Daniel Wells.
Ben Crocker prepares to add to his goals tally against Carlton on Friday night.
Jamie Elliott well and truly back into the swing of things.
Elliott again. Not many leap as well as this man.
Jordan De Goey joins in the speccy fest.
We're not sure if assistant coach Justin Longmuir was too impressed with how things were playing out.
Jeremy Howe and a young friend.
The Brodie Grundy junior member socks... as worn by Brodie Grundy.
A man with some fans.
Big smiles from Lynden Dunn and this young supporter.
Gallery: Open training before Carlton clash
Hundreds of fans watched on at the Holden Centre on Wednesday as Collingwood's playing group trained ahead of a round three clash with Carlton.