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Collingwood will take a conservative approach with Jordan De Goey after the star forward was a late withdrawal from their AFL clash with Sydney on Sunday.
Collingwood will take no risks with Jordan De Goey ahead of the finals after the star forward suffered another injury setback and missed their top-four clash with Sydney.
De Goey pulled up sore after training on Friday with a hip flexor issue but made the trip to the Harbour City in hope of recovering in time to face the Swans on Sunday.
However, the call was made the day before the game to rest De Goey, and Magpies coach Craig McRae is only "somewhat" confident he will be available for the crucial match against Carlton that will decide their top-four fate.
"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 after the 27-point loss to the Swans at the SCG.
"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."
De Goey had quickly looked back to his best after missing rounds 17-19 with injury, averaging 24 touches and kicking three goals in the Magpies' rousing victories over Port Adelaide and Melbourne.
But with De Goey a late withdrawal and Jack Ginnivan subbed out of the match at half-time with a hamstring injury, the Magpies lacked their usual forward threat and only kicked seven goals.
De Goey now looms as an increasingly important player as the Magpies turn one eye toward the finals with only the last round left to play.
"We're trying to manage his loads and try to get him fit and stronger," McRae said.
"A couple of weeks ago he had a mini pre-season which we saw the benefit of for a couple of weeks."
The Magpies were unable to match the Swans' controlled ball movement, especially with young gun Nick Daicos kept in check by Ryan Clarke.
Daicos still gathered 20 disposals - his third lowest tally in an incredible debut season - but failed to have his usual influence on the contest.
"We went into the game knowing that (Clarke) was likely to go to Nick. He's been in outstanding form," McRae said.
"We tried to get Nick as a forward-mid early, because Jordan was out, to sort of play Jordan's role. He just didn't get around the ball enough.
"We thought, 'Let's get him to half-back', and then Clarke went to him again. It was a fascinating duel.
"Nick's a terrific young player, and this is part and parcel of becoming an elite player."
