Luke Ball stretches at Collingwood's recovery session at St Kilda. Picture: Chris Scott Source: Herald Sun
COLLINGWOOD premiership midfielder Luke Ball is tantalisingly close to his AFL comeback this weekend.
Coach Nathan Buckley said Ball was one of several selection topics posers for the team he takes to Perth to play Fremantle on Saturday night.
"Whether the time's right to pull the trigger on Bally ... From a football sense, it makes sense because he has played very good footy, but we need to be absolutely sure that he has had enough match-day conditioning to be right to go,'' Buckley said at recovery at the St Kilda sea baths today.
"Look, he has been sensational. He's a very professional footballer and a great role model for our players around the club.
"We really held him back to give him the best opportunity when he came back. And he has come back in fantastic nick.
"We'll sit down with the medicos as we do at the beginning of every week and see where our players are at. We won't just be looking at who's available for selection this week, we'll be looking what sort of progressions our players need to get back up to full fitness and to be playing their best football.''
Ball has played two VFL games in his return from a knee injury that ruined his 2012 season.
The Barometer: Who's hurt at your club?
Buckley said neither the big, firm Subiaco oval nor the cross-continent flight would be factors in any Ball decision.
"No, jumping on a plane is not going to hurt his knee,'' he said.
Alan Didak is also in the mix after strong VFL form and the Magpies will fight a charge against forward Alex Fasolo at the VFL Tribunal tonight to provide further selection options.
"We've had some really strong performances down there. Along with Dids whose form has been very consistent. He's very damaging with the ball and his running power is building week to week. So, this week is very interesting on the selection table,'' Buckley said.
Dane Swan and Collingwood teammates cool off at St Kilda Beach. Picture: Chris Scott Source: Herald Sun
Best-and-fairest winner Dayne Beams will resume light training next week after recovery from an aggravated thigh injury that has delayed his start to the season.
"It has obviously been disappointing for him and disappointing for us. Six games in and he hasn't played any football in the home-and-away (season),'' the coach said.
"But his leg is coming fine and he's getting a lot of work in. He'll start doing some ball work next week and we're looking forward to welcoming him back in the side sooner rather than later."
On confronting Fremantle's renowned defensive systems, Buckley said: "Every game is an opportunity to practice the way you want to go about it. And we're still looking for that balance.
"Fremantle has obviously got a very heavy defensive focus, but they have been a very dangerous attacking side towards the end of last season in particular.
"We know we're going to go across and face a very tough opponent, same win-loss ratio,, same aspirations to be a top-four club.
"These sort of games show either you're heading in the right direction or you've got a bit of work to do.''
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