Players fight for spots in Magpies team - Sports News - Fanatics - the world's biggest events

Players fight for spots in Magpies team

13/07/2011 05:08:42 PM Comments (0)

Being the game-breaker last time might not be enough to save Collingwood's Jarryd Blair, who has some heavy names breathing down his neck this week.

Chief among them is forward Alan Didak who is racing to be fit for Saturday's blockbuster clash with Carlton at the MCG.

Didak has been out for two games with a calf problem but trained easily on Wednesday and is set to be in this week's selection mix.

Blair starred in Collingwood's 28-point round-two win over Carlton along with big forwards Chris Dawes and Travis Cloke.

Dawes remains sidelined for up to four weeks but Blair is confident the Magpies will have enough depth to provide a potent attack this weekend.

"The ball might be filtered through Trav a little bit more," he said on Wednesday. "But there are plenty of options going forward.

"I think last time I was lucky, with the focus on Trav and Dawsy ... but it'll be the same for me this week, to work to Trav's feet or work to Keeffey's (Lachlan Keeffe) feet and try to get on the scoreboard again."

Collingwood's major problem ahead of the Blues game is selection, with several players vying for a spot in the side.

Blair might be trying to hold off Didak but he said reserve players John McCarthy and Brent Macaffer also pose threats to him.

"There's a lot of blokes playing good footy in the VFL every week," he said.

"If you're not getting a kick or have a few quiet weeks, you're a pretty good chance to be out of the side.

"It keeps everyone pretty hungry and desperate to play in the side."

He said the club will leave a decision on Didak until the last minute but said there is no problem with Dale Thomas, who also trained well, scotching reports of a knee injury from last Sunday's huge victory over the Kangaroos.

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