AFL 2024: Collingwood forward Brody Mihocek shrugs off injury as Josh Daicos takes it easy

A key Magpie was nowhere to be seen while a premiership forward stepped up after a calf injury had nagged his pre-season. Get the latest from the Pies.

Collingwood spearhead Brody Mihocek has shown he is moving past a calf injury while Josh Daicos was not on track on Wednesday as he manages a sore foot.

The reigning premier had healthy numbers on track through wintry conditions, with forward Ash Johnson on light duties as he managed his training loads.

Mihocek had been largely staying out of drills in recent weeks after picking up the minor calf complaint but joined in with the main group in some action.

“He will be back in (full training) later this week or early next week,” Magpies assistant coach Hayden Skipworth said after the session.

“He is so important with us so we don’t want to take a risk with him.”

The risk-averse Magpies are staying cautious with Daicos, who has had a similar foot injury in the past and played through it.

Skipworth said the All-Australian could play this week if needed but he was being held back.

“Fitness wise he is cherry ripe … we could probably roll him out there if we wanted to but there are no risks in summer,” Skipworth said.

Brody Mihocek on the move at training. Picture: David Crosling

MIDFIELD JUMBLE

The Pies worked on centre bounces with a vast cast of new faces as Skipworth got a look at a bunch of options, with defender Jeremy Howe even getting a look.

Beau McCreery showed some spark, winning a centre clearance at speed and dishing out a strong fend off.

Skipworth touted the Pies as the No. 1 side for point differential from centre restarts last year and said he was always on the look out for more power in the guts.

“I generally like speed and power guys in centre bounces,” he said.

“It is a really good score source for us … we just have to keep an open mind to who can add value there.”

While the midfield magnets were thrown around, Will Hoskin-Elliott and Scott Pendlebury both played at half-back, Nathan Kreuger and Reef McInnes shared one forward line and Billy Frampton played in defence.

With Taylor Adams now at Sydney, Skipworth said there was plenty of minutes to be used by young Magpies such as Finn Macrae, Ed Allan and Josh Carmichael.

SIGNING WAIT

Collingwood is in no rush to fill out the three open spots on its list and have no plans at this stage to open a fourth by moving Dan McStay to the inactive list.

The six players training with the Pies hunting for three spots have all impressed Skipworth, who has had a close look at midfield prospects Jack Bytel and Lachie Sullivan.

“They have added to our culture and fit in really well, all of them have shown they can play at this level so (it will) probably come down to a list needs spot,” the assistant coach said.

“As we get closer to the cut off date, we will start to sit down and have some serious conversations about who will get the nod.”

The summer signing period closes on February 19.

Mason Cox holds Oleg Markov at bay. Picture: David Crosling

WEIGHING IN

A 55-game AFL player through the 2000s and now a long-term assistant, Skipworth said he understood the rationale behind not publishing player weights.

The AFL season guide will no longer carry player weights and the AFL Record is due to follow suit.

Steele Sidebottom in action. Picture: David Crosling

Skipworth said he has seen players in the system battling eating disorders or body dysmorphia.

“You have to be mindful that there are eating disorders out there that does go through he AFL … there are players that probably do struggle with some stuff around (their) weight,” he said.

Skipworth said Collingwood has little interest in the baseline weight figure in its players, with the emphasis on fitness.

“We are a high transition team so we need our guys getting up and back (the ground) so if they can carry their weight, fine, if not we work on their fitness levels,” he said.