In what the Brownlow Medallist described as a frustrating past two months, he was still trying to convince coach Michael Voss he was fully over a bout of flu that kept him out of Saturday's win over the West Coast Eagles.
Black broke his hand in a pre-season training mishap before being hit with a dose of gastro in the weeks leading up to round one, which then degenerated into the flu.
But with a week's training now under his belt, the vice-captain said he was ready to play.
“I've got to get through training this week but if he (Voss) selects me I'm right to go,” Black said.
“I wouldn't play a full game if I played, probably a half or something like that, but I'm just looking forward to getting back into it and having a run again.
“It's been a frustrating past couple of months really ... there's not much you can do about it though.”
Despite Carlton being moved into third favourite with the bookmakers to take out this year's premiership, Black would not be drawn into lavish praise of Saturday's opponent.
He was quick to complement their midfield, but said he found it funny how the media could have teams in the grand final one week and then as strugglers a week later.
The 29-year-old said it would be “nice to get one back” on Carlton after the Blues derailed the Lions' finals hopes last year with a huge final quarter turnaround in round 21 at the Gabba.
“They're a pretty exciting team and it'll be a tough game for us but we can go down there with confidence,” he said.
“They are on the way up though and they keep improving so you could certainly look to them to make the finals.
“It's a talented midfield. There are a lot of guys that can win their own ball and use it well and that's what you want from a midfield.
“They can distribute it and hit their targets well. Murphy and Gibbs have really improved in the last 12 months and of course there's Judd.
“It's certainly a big challenge.”
