PORT Adelaide stalwart Travis Boak is pressing to return from injury for Saturday's showdown against Collingwood.
The ex-skipper missed the Power's 54-point belting of Brisbane because of fractured ribs.
NINE THINGS WE LEARNED Secret weapon unveiled as Dees fire warning shot
Boak on Tuesday was put through a searching fitness test after Port training, with teammates hopeful the 327-gamer can return against the Magpies.
"He is probably saying he's feeling ready to go," Port half-back Kane Farrell told reporters.
"It's really up to the staff to know.
"He's training but not trying to go as hard at the moment as a precaution, but I think he'll be fine to train on Thursday.
"He just a great player, a great leader ... you always stand a little taller when you have got someone like that alongside you so it would be great to get him back out there as soon as we can."
DRAFT HUB Click here for the latest draft news
Boak's return would further strengthen a Port side buoyed by its first-up victory against the Lions.
"With Trav and that out, some people had to step up," Farrell said.
"And for Kenny (coach Ken Hinkley) to go with the younger group, it just shows where we are, we can put trust in each other no matter how many years you have been in the system."
Ports' Jason Horne-Francis and Junior Rioli were prominent on club debut while emerging young core Connor Rozee, Zak Butters and Todd Marshall were influential.
But Farrell said Port's attention would quickly turn to the MCG and the Pies, who dispatched reigning premier Geelong by 22 points to open their season.
"It's going to be huge, they have got a big supporter base which they rely on, they like the noise so they can get up and about," he said.
FANTASY LATEST Tips, strategy, draft, podcasts, more
"For us to minimise the impact of their supporters, hopefully we can do our best to quieten them down.
"They have got plenty of great players, you have seen last year how they played footy – they are a fast side, they rely on speed."
