Melbourne's Jack Viney has timed his rehabilitation from a toe injury to perfection, with the Demons co-captain set to play against Geelong in their elimination final at the MCG.
The star midfielder has been sidelined since round 16 but trained strongly with the main group on Saturday.
Veteran defender Jordan Lewis missed the Gosch's Paddock session due to illness but isn't considered to be in danger of missing the Friday night clash with the Cats.
Hundreds of fans braved wintry conditions to watch the Demons prepare for their first finals appearance since 2006, with all eyes on Viney.
The midfield bull started the session doing individual drills then was met by cheers and applause when he trotted over to join the main group 30 minutes into the spirited hit-out.
"I think he has (done enough to play) ... he's trained with us for the first time today since coming out of rehab," Demons forward Jake Melksham said of Viney.
"So he'll train with the group again all of next week and prepare for the weekend.
"We know what Jack is going to bring every week ... there's no doubt that every time when he plays he lifts us with his intensity around the ball, which we love.
"We were all joking that he's timed it well. He's sat around on his bum for 23 weeks and let us slog it out to get here and now he's going to reap the rewards next week."
Viney didn't start the season until round nine as he worked his way back to fitness after surgery to repair the plantar fascia in his right foot last year.
He has been dogged by complications since, including a stress fracture in his big toe, although the club is confident there was no fresh fracture with the latest setback.
Viney was able to reach top speed and kick off both legs as he took part in full match simulation on Saturday.
He then ran laps while his teammates signed autographs at the conclusion of the session.
Dom Tyson appears less likely to take on Geelong after breaking his left forearm in round 23.
The midfielder, sporting a medical brace, was unable to join the main group, completing non-contact drills and running laps.
