COLLINGWOOD captain Scott Pendlebury has declared himself a certain starter for the qualifying final against West Coast after being taken to hospital with a mystery viral illness last Tuesday.
Pendlebury was discharged within the day after undergoing a number of tests, but was limited in his training last week and was quarantined away from his teammates.
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He said he started feeling unwell in the days before the Pies' round 23 clash with Fremantle at Optus Stadium.
He was able to train on the weekend, but said he wouldn't have played had the Pies had their final scheduled in the last two days.
"I feel much better," Pendlebury told AFL.com.au.
"It was definitely something decent … I don't even know if they're sure what it was in the end, but any time you're feeling fairly crook it's best to stay away.
"I've turned a corner so I'm looking forward to jumping in the program this week and preparing to play on Saturday night."
Pendlebury said he wasn't the first victim to the bug in his household.
"Before the Fremantle game my young fella was a bit sick and it went through the house like wildfire," he said.
"Playing a game of footy compounded it and flying back not sleeping much.
"I was in hospital Tuesday just to make sure everything was good and it wasn't anything too sinister. I got out of there pretty quickly.
"If it was this weekend I'd be spewing.
"Four seasons without playing finals and I missed one because I was a bit crook.
"I'm good now and can't wait."
Pendlebury is likely to be lining up alongside teammate Travis Varcoe, who wants to play after the tragic passing of his sister in Adelaide last week.
The Magpies are expected to regain Jeremy Howe from a badly corked thigh that needed draining last month.
Adam Treloar and Tyson Goldsack will be among those discussed at selection committee with both pushing their cases to return from long-term injuries.
Treloar hasn't played since injuring both hamstrings in round 14 and no longer has a VFL game available to gather match fitness in after the Magpies were eliminated from the finals on Sunday.
"I personally would [back him to return] but the medical guys and strength and conditioning guys will have all the information they'll need to make an informed decision," Pendlebury said.
"I think that's the advantage of the bye … if they're confident with 'Adz' that he's done the work, there's no reason why he wouldn't play."
Goldsack now has two VFL games under his belt in what's been a remarkably quick turnaround from his March knee reconstruction.
Pendlebury said the premiership player's potential inclusion would provide a number of different boosts for the team, including "experience and leadership, and a feel-good story as well".
"I think it would be great for the guys if he's done the work, once again, it's probably a medical and coaching decision," he said.
"Once again with the bye, he's now had two games and now doubt his finals experience will be invaluable.
"But 'Magd' [Jack Magden] has been holding up really well, it's probably a decision where the coaching and medical staff, and 'Goldy' himself need to see where he's at and what's best for the side."
