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<\/p>\nCollingwood captain Darcy Moore has backed himself to be fit for AFL’s Opening Round while Geelong skipper Patrick Dangerfield expects goal-kicking sensation Jeremy Cameron to also be available.<\/p>\n
Star Magpies defender Moore, 29, suffered a calf strain in January, as did veteran backman Jeremy Howe, and has been building fitness in the weeks since.<\/p>\n
“Going really well. Yeah, had a minor sort of calf niggle in January so I’ve been on a bit of a modified training program, building up,” Moore said.<\/p>\n
“But had a really big last couple of weeks with training loads and stuff. So feeling really great and body feels ready to go.”<\/p>\n
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Veteran defender Jeremy Howe (left) appears less likely to be fit to take on St Kilda on March 6. (Getty Images: Daniel Pockett)<\/p>\n
When asked if he would play in Collingwood’s practice match against North Melbourne on Sunday, Moore said: “Not sure yet. Haven’t made plans for this week or next week. But looking pretty good.”<\/p>\n
“Still a couple of weeks to go [until the opening round] and got to map out loads and that sort of stuff with the high performance team. But it’s looking pretty good,” he said.<\/p>\n
Howe, 35, appears less likely for the opening-round clash with St Kilda at the MCG on March 8, but Moore stressed his injury was “definitely” minor.<\/p>\n
“He’s in a similar position. Yeah, potentially touch-and-go for the first game,” Moore said.<\/p>\n
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Collingwood refuses to put a timeline on the return of 2023 Norm Smith Medal winner Bobby Hill. (Getty Images: Daniel Pockett)<\/p>\n
“But, again, not exactly sure what the timeline [is]. But he’s definitely not far away. Like, definitely a minor injury.”<\/p>\n
Livewire forward Bobby Hill will not be involved, having spent an extended time away from the club on personal leave.<\/p>\n
“The latest is really that nothing’s changed,” Moore said.<\/p>\n
“Like, he’s clearly taken an extended period of leave. The focus for him and us is his wellbeing, so we’re not putting any timelines or pressure on him.”<\/p>\n
Dangerfield confident Cameron will be fit for opener![\"A](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/14f8e212fe25a10cf623c2db769afa94.jpeg\")
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Geelong veteran Jeremy Cameron has endured an interrupted preseason after being injured in last year’s grand final. (AAP: James Ross\u00a0)<\/p>\n
Geelong kicks off its season away to Gold Coast on Friday, March 6 and captain Dangerfield backed Cameron, who will miss Wednesday’s practice match against Carlton, to be there.<\/p>\n
Cameron was ruled out of State of Origin with the broken arm suffered in last year’s grand final loss against the Brisbane Lions, then had a minor quad strain.<\/p>\n
“He’s on track,” Dangerfield said.<\/p>\n
“Obviously he’s had a hiccup with his quad. He would have played in that game [on Wednesday] if it wasn’t for the quad.<\/p>\n
“But all [good] signs at the moment. His full training today points toward there being no issue around opening round. So he’ll be ready to go.”<\/p>\n