Collingwood spearhead forward Brody Mihocek was all but certain to miss the remainder of the 2024 home and away season after rupturing his pectoral tendon during the Round 17 loss to Essendon.
Mihocek - who is a key ingredient in the Pies' forward line - has characteristically shouldered through injuries to be one of the club's most consistent performers, leading the goalkicking since 2019.
Speaking onย SEN, teammate Jack Crisp gave the 31-year-old every chance to return before the regular campaign ends, while Collingwood is still fighting to keep their premiership defence alive.
"He seems to feel that's a chance, still," Crisp said.
"I wouldn't put it past him. He's just a warrior. He just backs up and keeps going and going.
"I don't know how he does it. His body is probably cooked at times but just finds a way
"I'd give him a chance."
The Pies' dramatic three-point win over Carlton does keep the door slightly ajar to make finals in 2024, but the reigning remiers will need to win games against Sydney (away), Brisbane and Melbourne to be in with a sniff.
However, their challenges suffered a setback with the club ruling out match-winner Jordan De Goey for the rest of the season.
In Saturday's narrow victory, De Goey hobbled from the ground after an innocuous leg injury, with scans confirming a hamstring strain and tendon damage.
Crisp says there is a range of options coach Craig McRae could lean on to replace the 28-year-old, which he believes will trouble the Swans on Friday at the SCG.
"It's a good question (who replaces De Goey)," Crisp said.
"If we're thinking for someone up forward, Harvey Harrison, another pressure forward can come back in.
"Or if we look for a key forward, we might get Nathan Kreuger, who can play a bit of a contest, bring the ball to ground and play deep for us.
"It'll be interesting."
