Collingwood have confirmed vice-captain Taylor Adams is out for the rest of the season, while the club sweats on the availability of matchwinner Jordan De Goey.
In the heartbreaking six-point loss to Geelong in the qualifying final, De Goey suffered a grade one AC joint sprain in the second quarter, according to the Herald Sun.
However, the 26-year-old managed to play out the game with his shoulder heavily strapped and was a key part of the Pies' chance late in the game, kicking two final term goals.
Not seen on the track on Monday, the club is expecting De Goey to be cleared to play for the semi final against Fremantle on Saturday night.
Steele Sidebottom indicated his confidence that his teammate will get up for the do-or-die clash, saying on SEN he expects him to be ready to go.
"Jordy will be right, he's as tough as nails," Sidebottom said on The Run Home with Andy & Gazey.
"I think it was a bit of a stinger maybe, but I'm confident that Jordy will be right to go.
"He was in here (the club) today, so ... he'll be good to go."
However, with the absence of Adams, coach Craig McRae will be forced into at least one change for the clash with the Dockers.
Medical sub Nathan Kreuger has been touted as an early replacement for the vice-captain, given he came on late in the final quarter to replace Adams.
McRae said in the post-match press conference that Kreuger has an unrivalled energy that he provides the side, while also offering another tall target in attack.
"I like Kreugs, he gives us a bit of energy. I thought he could give us something," McRae said.
"He can play down back if we lost a key back, thought he could go in the ruck if we needed that, up forward he's an energetic guy... didn't think he was quite ready to play a full game."
Other options could be youngsters Finlay Macrae, Josh Carmichael and Callum Brown, while Trent Bianco is another candidate.
Collingwood vs Fremantle (round 10)
Collingwood travelled to Perth to take on Fremantle in round 10, with the Pies on the back foot after suffering back-to-back losses.
The Dockers had won seven of their past nine but failed miserably against Gold Coast the week prior.
In wet, tough conditions, Collingwood looked to quickly adjust to the environment, surging the ball forward and gaining territory.
Aside from leading early in the first term, the Dockers didn't look up to the task for the second week in a row and crumbled to the black-and-white pressure.
Although registering 47 more disposals (396 to 349), the Purple Haze conceded 14 more inside 50s and six more scores in what was the more damning stat, being a 36-point loss.
The conditions prevented the uncontested part of Fremantle's game, reducing their overall marks to 72, 23 less than their average.
Collingwood's pressure was highlighted by their increase in tackles from weeks gone by, recording 89, including 15 inside attacking 50.
With the game all but over, the Magpie performance was epitomised by John Noble's desperate efforts in the final quarter.
The tackle.
— AFL (@AFL) May 22, 2022
The smother.
John Noble refused to be beaten.#AFLDeadly | #AFLFreoPies pic.twitter.com/TrwgoiZMf7
Noble's pair of one percenters was merely a couple of the 74 counted by statisticians, indicating Collingwood's desire to win the game, an area not met by Fremantle.
How will this game be won?
Collingwood
Collingwood's ability to slingshot from defence into attack is arguably one of their greatest strengths, while putting speed on the ball usually puts pressure on the opposition backline.
McRae's men must prevent the Dockers' uncontested possessions and intercept ability and put scoreboard pressure on when they get the chance.
However, an area of focus will be their clearance and stoppage work.
With Adams being absent from the side, Jack Crisp, Josh Daicos, Jordan De Goey and Scott Pendlebury need to be able to compete with the likes of Caleb Serong, Andrew Brayshaw and David Mundy.
Last time they met, the Pies won the clearance count by two in a stat they usually lose, given their 13th ranking (34.7 per game) during the home-and-away season.
If they can get on top in this area, it will go a long way to preventing a straight sets exit.
Fremantle
Fremantle's assets are their defensive structures, highlighted by their ability to limit opponents scoring at will, being ranked second in Points Against (1486) only behind Melbourne.
In a bid to find a blueprint on how to beat the Pies, Justin Longmuir should watch the Sydney/Collingwood game back in round 22.
The Swans put together the perfect performance, guarding the corridor and forcing the Pies to go long down the line, straight into the arms of the McCartin brothers.
They also forced McRae's men into turnovers (73), while also keeping plenty of possessions themselves.
Fremantle need to take a leaf out Sydney's book if they are any chance to win this game.
