Jeremy Howe might have been a chance for an AFL return this weekend if Collingwood's game was in Melbourne.
While Adam Treloar's timeline remains a mystery as the star midfielder recovers from hamstring surgery, Howe should be back for week one of the finals.
Saturday's Optus Stadium game against Fremantle will be the fourth game that Howe misses after he was hurt in the loss to Richmond.
Initially it was concussion but then a corked thigh refused to heal and eventually Howe had surgery last week.
"If it was a home game, he might have had more of a chance to play," coach Nathan Buckley said.
"He should be right to go - I mean, we thought he'd be right three weeks ago.
"For us to want to go and operate on a perfectly healthy thigh, apart from the cork, shows you where we'd gotten to with that.
"The docs had worked through plenty of normal possibilities and it hadn't acted or responded normally but post-surgery he's come along really well."
Buckley doubts that Treloar will be ready for their opening final.
"He's progressing; he still has some sessions to go," Buckley said.
"Even the first final might be a stretch.
"He has a few hurdles to jump."
Defender Tyson Goldsack will return through the VFL this weekend after making a speedy return from his knee reconstruction.
But Buckley is in no mood to discuss a potential AFL finals return yet for Goldsack.
"Let's just let him play his first game of VFL first," he said.
First-year player Sam Murray was absent from training as he continues to deal with a personal issue.
While the Magpies are in the box seat for a top-four spot, Buckley said there would be no letting up against the Dockers.
Fremantle are coming off a horrible loss to Geelong, who kicked a record 23 successive goals.
"Fremantle will be smarting, we understand that and like last week, we have no idea what the makeup of their side will be," Buckley said.
"We just need to make sure we're ready to go.
"This isn't a game we're going to manage through, this is a game that we need to attack and win."
Buckley expects Fremantle to hit back after their embarrassing trip to Geelong.
"You don't make it to this level without an element of pride in your performances," he said.
"I dare say there would be a bounce back from last week.
"Last rounds of the year can throw up different results."
