Curnow, McKay, McGovern and Williams are considered the most likely to return as they had played for much of the year before their injuries. De Koning and Cerra are short of match practice, both missing the best part of the past month, while Martin has played just three senior games this year.

As spirited as the undermanned Blues’ performance was against St Kilda, they would be next to no hope of beating the Lions at the Gabba without ringing the changes.

Skipper Patrick Cripps broke the news of Docherty’s selection to his close friend in front of jubilant teammates while they were in the spa at Ikon Park on Tuesday. So boisterous were the celebrations, Docherty joked he almost drowned.

Saturday night will be 26 weeks since Docherty ruptured his ACL, four weeks longer than the 22 taken by Collingwood defender Tyson Goldsack in 2018.

Though the injury appeared season-ending for Docherty, the Blues refused to put the line through the club stalwart – who had not only overcome two other knee reconstructions, but also twice beaten cancer – by not placing him on their inactive list as they did with Jack Silvagni.

After resuming running in late May, Docherty progressed to non-contact work in early July before joining in full training for the past six weeks.

“In my mind, I had so many steps to pass,” Docherty said. “I’ve kept my mindset in that way for the whole time. I knew the last step was to get through yesterday’s session, look really good at training and provide enough confidence for the match committee to pick me.

“I feel confident, but if you ask many of the boys I’m generally pretty confident about what I can do anyway. It was a matter of being able to show that in front of the coaches in what was the last big training session before we head up this week.”

Docherty showed he could perform well off a limited preparation in 2022 when he starred against Richmond in round one with 25 disposals and a goal after having chemotherapy for testicular cancer in the preseason.

A much-loved figure at the club, Docherty’s return should provide an emotional lift for his teammates.

“I do have an appreciation for how many guys have been watching and wanting it to come true as much as I have,” Docherty said.

“To have that moment and see how excited they all were for me, as much as anything, just shows a group that cares a lot. Although I nearly went under [the water] for too long it’ll be some funny vision for the fans to watch.”

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While there will be concerns of Docherty either not having the conditioning to get through the game or, worse still, re-injuring his knee, he was given encouragement by Western Bulldogs great Tony Liberatore, who came back after 16 weeks out in 1998.

Liberatore said Docherty would be fine, so long as he had confidence in his knee.

“If you start worrying about your knee, you’ll fail,” Liberatore said. “Psychologically, he’s got to know that his knee is right. If you have any doubts you’re better off not playing. If he’s confident in his knee he’ll be fine.”

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