AFL Blues v Pies: All the news out of Collingwood and Carlton ahead of the round 23 blockbuster

Collingwood has provided an update on the fitness of Jordan De Goey and Jack Ginnivan, and refused to rule either out of Sunday’s mini-final against Carlton. LATEST NEWS

Collingwood received a double dose of good news ahead of Sunday’s final-round blockbuster against Carlton with both livewire Jack Ginnivan and Jordan De Goey a chance to take on the Blues.

Ginnivan was subbed out during the second term of Sunday’s clash with Sydney with a suspected hamstring injury, and booed by Swans fans while he was on the bench, much to the disgust of his teammates.

But scans cleared him of any structural damage and he was able to run around at training on Wednesday “at around 80-85 per cent”, which has put him in line to make an appearance against Carlton, where a win could lock in a top-four spot.

“He’s been cleared of any structural damage, that’s kind of the first box ticked as far as his prognosis goes,” Collingwood high performance boss Jarrod Wade said.

“Now we just go on function and what he’s able to do. He’s not 100 per cent yet, he’s about 80-85 per cent as far as his speed output, which we know is the most important thing for a hamstring. It’s really an assessment on Friday to see what level of function we have.”

Watch every blockbuster AFL match this weekend Live & Ad-Break Free In-Play on Kayo. New to Kayo? Start your free trial now >

Jack Ginnivan is a chance to play against Carlton on Sunday. Picture: Daniel Pockett/Getty Images

De Goey only just fell short of getting up for the Swans game last weekend as he battled a hip flexor issue.

He has run on both Tuesday and Wednesday but has not yet been given the green light to play.

“He ran at a really high level, he hit 95 per cent max speed,” Wade said.

“We know because it’s that adductor, hip flexor region that it’s the change of direction we need to have a look at. He was able to do some of that at a medium intensity.

“The fact he is running and sprinting in straight lines gives us some level of confidence, but we just need to see what we get on Friday.”

Taylor Adams also remains on track to return in the first week of finals as he overcomes an adductor issue.

Big name plots Blues return

Carlton defender Zac Williams will be given every chance to prove his fitness this week and play in Sunday’s massive must-win clash with Collingwood at the MCG.

The Blues must win to play finals, with coach Michael Voss labelling the showdown with the Magpies coach as an “elimination final.”

The stakes are equally high for Collingwood, with the Magpies fighting for a prized top four spot and the double chance in September.

Williams (calf) has not played since mid-May, but the club has had him tracking for round 23 return on its injury report for about a month now.

He has been training with the group for awhile now, and was involved in match simulation with his teammates last week.

It will be a decision for match committee if Williams can get through training this week.

A club spokesman told the Herald Sun the Blues were “hopeful” that midfielder Adam Cerra (adductor strain) would be back to try and help the club seal a finals spot.

Cerra, who was a late out in the heartbreaking loss to Melbourne last Saturday night, will be looked at along with Williams during the club’s main session on Wednesday.

Star recruit George Hewett (back) won’t play this Sunday but the club has not ruled out a finals return should the Blues qualify.

Matt Kennedy (foot) will miss the remainder of the season.

Zac Williams could play his first game in months. Picture: Getty Images

At Collingwood, the club is still sweating on the severity of forward Jack Ginnivan’s hamstring and star Jordan De Goey’s hip flexor issue.

The club did not put out an update on the pair on Monday, with one expected on Tuesday or Wednesday.

Although, Ginnivan is all but certain to be ruled out of Sunday’s clash with the Blues.

After his side’s loss to Sydney at the SCG last Sunday, Magpies coach Craig McRae was only “somewhat” confident De Goey would be available to face Carlton.

“There is a lot to lose this time year, if I put out a guy not at 100 per cent and he could potentially do a lot of damage,” McRae said.

“If he’s not fit, he won’t play.

“Coming into the game we could’ve potentially played him, probably unlikely, but if we did and he did something wrong then his season is done.

“We live on the edge of that, so there has to be some critical decisions made later in the week.”

A crowd of over 80,000 is expected for what will be the biggest home-and-away clash between the two great rivals this century.