CARLTON captain Marc Murphy is confident he will be fit for Sunday night's blockbuster clash against Collingwood at the MCG, but he will need to pass a final fitness test on Friday to confirm his availability.
Murphy was a late withdrawal from last week's encounter with Greater Western Sydney, after suffering hamstring tightness in the warm up.
He watched from the coaches' box as his side dropped its fourth game in a row and Murphy said he was doing everything he could to ensure he was right to go on Sunday night.
"We've got the day off today so I've just got to get some treatment from the physio and then aim to train tomorrow and be right for Sunday night," Murphy said at the MCG on Thursday morning.
"I haven't done a lot this week, just got a lot of treatment and massage and tomorrow I'll give it a test out but I'm confident that I'll be right for Sunday."
Murphy joined Collingwood counterpart Scott Pendlebury, as well as coaches Mick Malthouse and Nathan Buckley for the Peter Mac Breakfast at the MCG.
The fierce rivalry between two of the League’s most famous clubs will again be tested this weekend, and Murphy is looking forward to it.
"It's massive. We always play against Collingwood twice a year and it's at the MCG and that's where you want to play your best football in front of the big crowds and on the big stage," Murphy said.
"It's a great chance for guys in our side to put their hands up and say they want to be on the big stage."
After losing two games in a row, to the Western Bulldogs and Hawthorn, Collingwood will also be eager to return to the winners' list.
The Magpies were resounding 34-point winners over Calrton when the teams met at the MCG in round seven and they will again start favourites.
Collingwood's chances will be aided by the return of Steele Sidebottom from his three-game suspension, while Tyson Goldsack, who has overcome a knee issue, should also make his way into the side.
"I think Steele gives us good flexibility through the forward and middle part of the ground with his running and Goldy's (Goldsack) pressure in the forward line - we've missed that, and it'll be great to get those guys back in," Pendlebury said.
Twitter: @AFL_BenGuthrie
