Collingwood free agent Jordan De Goey is back training after his weekend rib mishap but the Pies will hold him out of full-contact activities for a little longer.
The sight of the 25-year-old at training on Monday was a welcome one after his minor setback, which occurred in some willing match simulation on Saturday as pre-season games near.
The knock left De Goey “feeling a bit sore” but the Magpies insist they are unconcerned and he should resume contact drills soon.
Scott Pendlebury had the day off as part of his pre-season management at age 34 and will return on Tuesday, while recruit Patrick Lipinski and Aiden Begg are in isolation because of Covid-19 protocols.
Midfielder Lipinski’s been a track standout this summer since crossing from the Western Bulldogs after playing only 11 AFL games last year, including missing grand final selection.
The 23-year-old is expected back at training mid-week.
Jordan Roughead (shoulder surgery) and second-year player Isaac Chugg (unwell) were also absent from training ahead of Collingwood’s practice match against Hawthorn at Morwell on February 25.
Rookie-lister Charlie Dean, Jack Madgen and Will Kelly are among the key defensive options to replace Roughead, who could be out for a quarter of the season.
De Goey completed most of training, except for the main contact elements, as he tries to put a tumultuous few months behind him related to a late-night incident in the United States that ended up in court.
The out-of-contract midfielder-forward enjoyed an outstanding end to last season but is entering the most important football year of his life as both he and the Magpies weigh up his future.
Meanwhile, West Coast premiership forward Jamie Cripps will miss the “early rounds” of the 2022 season as he recovers from surgery on a torn pectoral muscle.
Cripps suffered the injury at training on Friday, causing more headaches for the Eagles’ fxjmtzyworward line.
West Coast is already having to move forward without vax-reluctant All-Australian Jack Darling until further notice.
Under the AFL’s vaccine rules, Darling is not permitted to play or train with the Eagles until he has had two doses of an approved Covid-19 vaccine.
