Dick has played just 22 senior matches, but is highly rated by coach Mick Malthouse.
The young West Australian has been cruelled by injury in his three-and-a-half years at Collingwood, missing one season with a serious knee injury and the first half of 2010 after undergoing a shoulder reconstruction.
But with his joints now sound, and the injury gods on his side, the Pies may welcome him back against a side that is probably not overly keen to see him.
Dick booted five goals against Melbourne in the Queen's Birthday fixture last season, announcing himself as a player to watch.
Watching is something he’s had plenty of time to this season, as he’s nursed his shoulder back to health after an innocuous fall during a drill on a training camp in Arizona.
But with three VFL matches now under his belt, the 21-year-old, a late inclusion to the Pies’ extended squad following Shane O’Bree’s ankle injury at training on Friday, is bursting to return to AFL action - be it this week or in the near future.
“I can’t wait,” Dick said of his eagerness to return to the top level.
“Hopefully I get another chance at it.”
Dick, who booted 22 goals in 16 games last year, last played in the Pies’ preliminary final loss to Geelong last season.
Since then, he has spent most of his time either strengthening his shoulder, maintaining fitness or watching his teammates in action.
“It’s frustrating, not playing football and watching all your mates playing when I couldn’t play,” Dick said.
“All my mates are always ringing me saying ‘do you reckon you’ll be able to get back in the team?’ but hopefully I’ll be able to soon enough. We’ll see how I go.
“I’ve played all right the last couple of weeks.”
Last week, Malthouse spoke of the importance of not rushing back players who weren’t ready for senior action.
“He works very hard on his game,” Malthouse said of the speedy forward.
“I’d be very disappointed if he hasn’t got that impact [in the second half of the year].
“It’ll only not come because he’s maybe sustained an injury, but I think he will add value to our side.”
