Tyson Goldsack believes he's done enough to play his part in Collingwood's AFL premiership tilt this month as he guns for a second flag with the Magpies.
Goldsack hasn't played since last season after an ACL tear in March.
But after a fast-tracked recovery, the 31-year-old has now featured twice in the VFL in an effort to convince senior coach Nathan Buckley of his worth.
He was an unspectacular contributor in Collingwood's elimination final loss to Essendon on Sunday at North Port Oval.
Goldsack hopes the combination of his fitness and his pedigree proven over 12 seasons will see him take on West Coast on Saturday.
"I have done all I can in the time we had, and we always knew it would be a tight turn around ... hopefully I am on that plane to Perth," he said after the match.
"If I can be just a piece of the puzzle in going over there and dismantling West Coast, then I'd take it with two hands.
"That's the whole reason I was aggressive with the comeback and wanted to be back for finals.
"(My timing) was way out last week and we felt I'd want to improve a lot from last week to this week to give myself any sort of chance and it was an improvement. Still areas to sharpen up but I am taking some good steps."
As well as overcoming the major knee injury, Goldsack said he'd also put his late-season back woes behind him.
Collingwood's defensive unavailabilities leave the door open for the unlikely return.
The Magpies back six has seen many players shuffle through over the back half of the season after a spate of injuries.
First-choice backmen Darcy Moore and Jeremy Howe are also close to a return.
Jack Madgen and Adam Oxley, who have played in late season matches, also played in the 34-point loss to the Bombers.
Callum Brown was Collingwood's best, but it remains to be seen whether the son of premiership captain Gavin Brown works his way into senior selection discussions.
Goldsack is one of just three Magpies left at the club from their 2010 premiership triumph, a club that also includes skipper Scott Pendlebury and Steele Sidebottom.
