After a dominant 66-point win on the road against Adelaide, the Pies look to be gathering form at the right part of the season.
Despite being hampered by a wealth of injuries through the season, Collingwood currently sits in fifth position and should results go their way this weekend, they could remarkably finish inside the top-four.
Regardless of where they finish the season however, their premiership aspirations will be bolstered when they welcome back Jaidyn Stephenson from suspension, as both Darcy Moore (hamstring) and Jordan De Goey (hamstring) are also expected to make their highly-anticipated returns.
Speaking on SEN this morning, Pies defender Jeremy Howe doesn't believe De Goey will return to take on Essendon this Friday, but is more optimistic about Moore's chances.
"I think Jordy (De Goey) won't be available this week. Darcy's (Moore) a chance. I think Jordy and Jaidyn Stephenson will be back in the first final, all going well,” Howe told SEN.
Despite being uncertain of their return this Friday night, Howe believes the return of the three stars will still give the coaches a headache after Collingwood's all-round performance against Adelaide on Saturday night.
“Stephenson will clearly be back. It’s really interesting because on the weekend, it was a strong a performance as we’ve had, and blokes are almost ready to come back in and it’s going to give the coaches a headache,” he said.
“Those blokes, they’re A-graders and hopefully we get them all back and ready to go."