Collingwood captain Darcy Moore has backed himself to be fit for AFL opening round while Geelong skipper Patrick Dangerfield expects goalkicking sensation Jeremy Cameron to be available.
Star Magpies defender Moore, 29, suffered a calf strain in January, along with veteran backman Jeremy Howe, and has been building fitness.
"Going really well. Yeah, had a minor sort of calf niggle in January so I've been on a bit of a modified training program, building up," Moore said.
"But had a really big last couple of weeks with training loads and stuff. So feeling really great and body feels ready to go."
When asked if he would play in Collingwood's practice match against North Melbourne on Sunday, Moore said: "Not sure yet. Haven't made plans for this week or next week. But looking pretty good.
"Still a couple of weeks to go (until opening round) and got to map out loads and that sort of stuff with the high performance team. But it's looking pretty good."
Howe, 35, appears less likely for the opening round clash with St Kilda at the MCG on March 8, but Moore stressed his injury was "definitely" minor.
"He's in a similar position. Yeah, potentially touch-and-go for the first game," Moore said.
"But, again, not exactly sure what the timeline (is). But he's definitely not far away. Like, definitely a minor injury."
Livewire forward Bobby Hill won't be involved, having spent an extended time away from the club on personal leave.
"The latest is really that nothing's changed," Moore said.
"Like, he's clearly taken an extended period of leave. The focus for him and us is his wellbeing.
"So we're not putting any timelines or pressure on him."
Geelong kick off their season away to Gold Coast on Friday March 6 and captain Dangerfield backed Cameron, who will miss Wednesday's practice match against Carlton, to be there.
Cameron was ruled out of State of Origin with the broken arm suffered in last year's grand final loss against the Brisbane Lions, then had a minor quad strain.
"He's on track," Dangerfield said.
"Obviously he's had a hiccup with his quad. He would have played in that game (on Wednesday) if it wasn't for the quad.
"But all signs at the moment, his full training today, point towards there being no issue around opening round. So he'll be ready to go."
Dangerfield confirmed Tanner Bruhn is definitely fit for Wednesday and opening round after missing Geelong's scratch match against Hawthorn following a procedure to remove a cyst from his neck.
Tyson Stengle won't be involved as he continues his own build-up after taking personal leave in pre-season.
"Tyson's going well. It's still a progressive build-up for us," Dangerfield said.
"We want to make sure by the time he's ready to play, it's sustainable.
"So we're really mindful of the challenges that he's had over the pre-season.
"So we'll slowly work towards reintegration and playing and that sort of thing. But it's a work in progress."
