COLLINGWOOD forward Jamie Elliott is confident he is over the worst of his hamstring issues, but says it is something he will have to monitor throughout the season.
Elliott was diagnosed with hamstring tendinitis in his left hamstring in March last year, which caused increased tension in his right hamstring.
As a result, he tore the hamstring twice in the final five weeks of the 2014 season.
But a light off-season and a carefully managed pre-season program have the 22-year-old raring to go in 2015.
"I've had to manage it (the hamstring issue) throughout the whole pre-season, but I haven't had too many issues where I've missed sessions," Elliott told AFL.com.au.
"Hopefully I can manage it through the season and it won't give me any grief.
"I'm pretty confident that I won't miss games because of it, so hopefully it stays like that."
Collingwood club doctors continue to pay close attention to Elliott's training regime to ensure he doesn't put too much stress on his body on the track or in the gym.
Elliott said the injury concern was something he was learning to live with.
"It's still there. I can feel it," he said.
"It's more after a big training session or a game that it gets sore, but after a couple of days it tends to quieten down a little bit.
"I've spoken to the docs and Bucks (Collingwood coach Nathan Buckley) and it's finding a balance where I can tolerate it but also making sure I'm not overdoing it.
"It's more about getting the right (training) load in."
The Magpies decided to rest Elliott for last Sunday's NAB Challenge clash against Carlton after he played against Hawthorn on February 26.
However he has been picked to play against the Western Bulldogs in the club's final NAB Challenge hit-out of the pre-season at Etihad Stadium on Saturday night.
Elliott was one of the most popular Magpies when Collingwood headed to Bendigo for its Australia Post Community Camp at the start of the week.
He was on the bus that ventured to Wycheproof on Monday, a little country town one hour and 35 minutes northwest of Bendigo.
On his return to the Queen Elizabeth Oval, for Collingwood's super clinic that evening, the promising young forward spent up to an hour signing autographs for fans.
He says parents of young supporters have already taken him to task about his decision to change from the No. 19 guernsey (now worn by recruit Levi Greenwood) to the prestigious No. 5, in 2015, made famous by Buckley and 2010 premiership winning skipper Nick Maxwell.
"I've had a few comments out there asking why I've changed, because it's costing money to buy a new jumper," Elliott said with a laugh.
But Elliott, who booted a career-high 33 goals in 17 games last season, is still overwhelmed by the level of support he receives from the Magpie army.
"I still get taken aback by it," he said.
"When you jump on someone's head people love that and they love the excitement of the game.
"But I just love being here and playing for this club."
