Daisy 'ready to go'

Collingwood's Dale Thomas is back. Picture: Wayne Ludbey Source: Herald Sun

Collingwood ruckman Darren Jolly leaves the ground in pain during the Magpies' clash against Carlton. Source: Getty Images

COLLINGWOOD has lost ruckman Darren Jolly and captain Nick Maxwell but regained Dale Thomas for Sunday's heavyweight clash with Hawthorn.

Magpies coach Nathan Buckley said the match presented significant challenge for his unbeaten team considering its recent record against the Hawks.

The Magpies have lost the past three games against Hawthorn - and eight of the past 11 - and will chase their first win since the 2011 preliminary final without their No.1 big man and their captain.

"It's going to be a great test against an opposition that knocked us over three times last year," Buckley said.

"(They) scored 130 points each time. They are a great side. They have some great talent."

Jolly remains sore after a rib injury suffered against Carlton last week. He was reduced to walking laps of the new Olympic Park oval, officially opened yesterday.

Ben Hudson, 34 and at his fourth AFL club, will replace Jolly in the ruck after Buckley opted for experience over youth - Jarrod Witts narrowly missed selection.

It will be Hudson's first game for Collingwood.

"He (Jolly) won't come up. He wasn't able to train today and is still mitigating the pain," Buckley said.

"The rib condition has affected his ability to get out on the field on the weekend and it won't be right for Sunday."

Buckley said Maxwell, who will miss up to two months with a fractured wrist, would be missed, but insisted the skipper's absence would create opportunities for others.

Thomas has been named for his first game of the season after two appearances in the VFL following off-season ankle surgery.

"He is ready to go," Buckley said.

"We will use him as we see fit and we will work out whether that is as the sub."

Buckley revealed it would be at least another two weeks before midfielder Luke Ball made his comeback through the VFL after a knee reconstruction.

"We are conscious of making sure that we get enough match simulated training to players who have missed large chunks of the pre-season," Buckley said.

He said the new Olympic Park oval - which is the same size as the MCG - would help the Pies become a better offensive team.

"Gosch's (Paddock) is actually 16 per cent smaller than the MCG as far as surface size goes," he said.
"In training it is going to challenge our defence and have us exploring our offence a little bit more."

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