COLLINGWOOD veteran Daniel Wells played a half, while forward Alex Fasolo put his hand up for an AFL recall in a VFL practice match on Friday.

Returning from lingering Achilles soreness, Wells played his first competitive minutes of the pre-season at the Magpies' Olympic Park headquarters against Box Hill. 

Rotating between midfield and forward with coach Nathan Buckley watching on, he booted a goal in the first term before he was put on ice after half-time.

"We wanted to grade his comeback into competitive footy, (and) planned to play a half," Collingwood football boss Geoff Walsh told AFL.com.au. 

"He looked OK early, he just needs to get some more conditioning under his belt.

"The VFL don't start until the AFL round three but they'll play competitive footy between now and then."

Fasolo finished with two goals in his third VFL outing of the summer following off-season shoulder surgery and featured across half-forward.

Walsh declared he would be in contention for the Pies' round two clash with GWS.

"I think we'd be pleased and he would be pleased," Walsh said.

"He's got his hands on the footy a bit and he would've got some good competitive running in today.

"The fact he's got three games under his belt would suggest he'd be approaching AFL fitness."

Ahead of Saturday's AFL season opener against Hawthorn, emergencies Brody Mihocek, Chris Mayne and Tim Broomhead (three goals) played, while Callum Brown was held over.

Matt Scharenberg looked at home across half-back, Jarryd Blair was everywhere across half-forward and midfield and Josh Daicos impressed early among 12 AFL-listed Pies. 

For Box Hill, Hawthorn-listed duo Kieran Lovell and Brendan Whitecross collected plenty of ball, while former No.2 draft pick Jono O'Rourke looked like he hadn't missed a beat after a hamstring.

After playing for Hawthorn in AFLX, draftee James Worpel showed he was ready for an AFL debut.

With three senior matches to his name, Marc Pittonet impressed in the ruck against Max Lynch.

Along with Pittonet and Whitecross, emergency Harry Morrison played while Conor Glass was held over. 

David Mirra and Kurt Heatherley played in key defensive posts while second-year youngsters Oliver Hanrahan and James Cousins were busy.