DALE THOMAS has revealed he pushed himself to be available for Mick Malthouse's milestone game, but ran out of time.

Instead, the 27-year-old has told AFL.com.au he expects to be ready to play on Sunday week against the Brisbane Lions at Etihad Stadium 

"(I) was pushing to try and get out there this Friday night and be a part of Mick's big game but just wasn't quite there," Thomas said on Thursday. 

"At this stage I'm looking to try and get back for next week," he said.  

"The shoulder's going really well. It's all on track given what was diagnosed straight after the game in round one.”

Thomas’ shoulder was dislocated by a Kamdyn McIntosh tackle inside a minute of the first bounce of the season opener against Richmond.

"Next week's the aim, all going to plan, and fingers crossed I can get back out there and play a decent role for the side going forward in what can hopefully be a big rest of the season for us," he said.

WATCH THE FULL INTERVIEW WITH DALE THOMAS

Thomas has spent the past few weeks nursing his new baby daughter Matilda, as well as his shoulder. 

Paying tribute to his long-time coach, Thomas credited Malthouse at least in part for the midfielder’s move from Collingwood to Carlton.

"He (Malthouse) is really good at understanding each player and their needs and how to get the best out of them," Thomas said.

"He genuinely has a care for his players on something more than a football level.”

Malthouse breaks Jock McHale's record for most games coached when he leads Carlton against the Magpies at the MCG on Friday night.

It will be Malthouse's 715th game in charge, having previously coached at Footscray, West Coast and Collingwood.