Collingwood premiership stars Bobby Hill and Jeremy Howe could return for the Magpies' preliminary final, coach Craig McRae says.
The Pies will host a prelim at the MCG in a fortnight after downing Adelaide by 24 points in an away qualifying final on Thursday night.
Hill, the Norm Smith medallist for best-afield in Collingwood's 2023 premiership, has played only one AFL game since round 15 due to personal reasons.
The dynamic forward may feature in a practice game between Pies players on the weekend.
"We'll wait and see," McRae said after Collingwood's 11.13 (79) to 8.7 (55) win over the Crows.
"There's no expectation on that.
"If he gets some minutes, that would be nice.
"I have said this week after week, one step he takes is a big one, and another one, another one, another one - we will just weigh that up.
"We have still got hope for Bobby."
Star defender Howe missed the qualifying final because of a groin injury suffered in the last home-and-away match.
That ailment continued a troubling stretch for the 35-year-old, who has been substituted out of his past four AFL games.
"He is a good healer, he keeps telling me," McRae said.
"He'll be a chance ... I'm not going to declare that, but it will be watch this space."
Asked if the Pies would be cautious with Howe, McRae replied: "Not caution, we're risk takers.
"He will play, if he's fit to perform."
Collingwood's stirring triumph over the Crows was highlighted by standout displays from several veterans.
Steele Sidebottom, 34, was superb with three goals and 33-year-old Jamie Elliott booted four majors.
And 37-year-old Scott Pendlebury, in his 27th final, gathered 23 disposals despite being subjected to an early tag from the Crows, a sign of the respect he still retains.
Collingwood ran onto Adelaide Oval with a team boasting a collective 214 games of finals experience, compared to 46 of Adelaide, who last played finals in 2017.
McRae said it was "hard to know" how much their experience counted in the result.
"But we certainly talked it up, because you come into a game looking for competitive advantages and internally you go: 'Well, yes'," he said.
"Pendles tonight became the fourth all-time finals player.
"It's pretty handy to have those guys there - Steele Sidebottom kicked three goals, two in critical moments.
"You can't buy it at this time of year, that is real."
