Key Pies may miss season opener

NATHAN Buckley could face a Round 1 Groundhog Day this year by hitting the season opener without matchwinners Jamie Elliott, Daniel Wells and Jordan De Goey.

But, in a major positive for the Pies, star trio Adam Treloar (soreness), Jeremy Howe (calf) and Darcy Moore (achilles) will return for the Bulldogs clash in Moe tomorrow.

De Goey had seemed a strong chance to return from an internal suspension for Round 1, only to tweak his hamstring at training this week. Elliott (ankle) and Wells (achilles) were not selected for tomorrow’s JLT clash.

The Pies said yesterday they would “possibly” play a VFL game before Round 1 — the VFL side plays Coburg next Friday — but they remain unlikely for the season opener.

Treloar, Howe and Moore will play their first official contests of the year, perfect timing ahead of the Round 1 clash against GWS on Sunday, March 25.

Collingwood believes Howe and Moore, named at full-back, can team up as an elite intercepting duo in Collingwood’s back six.

The Pies lost four of their first five games last year and missed the finals, with none of Elliott, Wells or De Goey available in the first three rounds.

Football boss Geoff Walsh said the Pies had 39 of 45 players fit to play this weekend.

“It is obviously every club’s plan to have as many of its players as possible well prepared and available for the start of the season,” he said.

“We’re in good shape in that regard.”