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“I wouldn’t be playing them if they weren’t 100 per cent. They’re ready to go,” Goodwin said.

“Both guys were really touch and go to get up for last week,” Goodwin said. “Max had an incredibly strong session on Saturday in Adelaide and ‘Jacko’ was very similar back in Melbourne.”

Goodwin said the timing could not be better as they prepare to come head-to-head with the team that most threatens their position at the top this season.

“They’re a big part of our footy team and to get them both back in at once is really exciting,” Goodwin said.

Goodwin believes his team is up for the challenge presented by the Cats, who have won six consecutive matches and will be playing at home.

“It’s exciting, it feels like a final and our players are looking forward to it,” Goodwin said.

“There’s no bigger challenge than to head down to Geelong and play on their home ground.”

Geelong veteran Isaac Smith insists there are no lingering scars from heartbreaking defeats to Melbourne but admits there will be “a bit of feeling” in their first-versus-second battle.

Cats skipper Joel Selwood (managed) and key defender Sam De Koning (cork) will return after one match each on the sidelines.

Gawn and the Demons loomed large over Geelong late last season, with the All-Australian ruckman kicking an after-the-siren goal to sink the Cats in round 23. He then booted a career-best five goals in an 83-point preliminary final drubbing before Melbourne went on to claim a drought-breaking flag.

The two sides meet for the first time since then at a sold-out GMHBA Stadium.

“Individually you don’t like losing big games but if you look at history, you’re going to lose them [sometimes],” Smith said.

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“We came up against a white-hot Melbourne that proved to be the best team in the competition. Does that make you angry? To be honest, it would be a hard life if you were angry for a long time about that.

“But to have a top-of-the-table clash against them at our home ground, obviously there will be a bit of feeling there.”

After the preliminary final, it emerged Geelong had a virus sweep through the side in Perth during the build-up. The Cats (11-4) are back purring now, buoyed by six straight wins, including last week’s 112-point thrashing of North Melbourne, in a streak that has seen them surge into second spot.

A win over Melbourne (12-3) could see them leap into first place on percentage.

“The circumstances are very, very different this time,” Geelong coach Chris Scott said. “[The preliminary final] is certainly relevant to the discussion [but] it’s just not as relevant to us.”

With AAP

‘Rapt’ Pies sign Daicos and Macrae for two more years

Nell Geraets

Collingwood midfielders Josh Daicos and Finlay Macrae will remain in the black and white stripes until the end of 2024 after each signing two-year deals.

The club announced on Wednesday that the duo put pen to paper, with Collingwood general manager of football Graham Wright delighted the Pies have retained them.

“Josh has been in career-best form in 2022 across the wing and half-forward and at 23 years old is an important part of our future. We’re rapt he’s agreed to a new two-year deal that will take him out to 2024,” Wright said.

“Although ‘Fin’ has found it difficult to break into our AFL team, we’ve been more than happy with his development as an inside mid [midfielder]. ‘Fin’ is hard-working, diligent and committed to his own development, which we’re convinced will see him push into the AFL team in the near future.”

The 23-year-old was selected as a father-son pick in 2016 and this year has joined forces with his brother Nick, who has had immediate impact in his debut AFL season. Josh Daicos has kicked 35 goals in 67 career games, and has averaged 20 disposals across 16 rounds this season.

Fellow midfielder Macrae, brother of star Bulldog Jack Macrae, debuted with Collingwood in 2021 and was taken as first-round pick. He has since played 10 games while averaging 22 touches per game at VFL level.

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