Senior Coach Craig McRae addressed the media ahead of Collingwood’s blockbuster Thursday night clash against Hawthorn.

McRae confirmed some team news, spoke about the dangers posed by the third-placed Hawks and praised his side for their improvement week on week.

Skipper to return

“Darcy will play. We said this time last week that we were ambitious that he’d play and he’s fit and available,” McRae said.

Pendlebury rested

“Funnily enough we had a conversation yesterday and he was pretty keen to miss this game, so he’ll be managed,” he said.

“38-year-old’s, five day breaks, all those things – but it’s not like it’s reacting to this game, it was planned to some degree.

“Certainly the minutes going into the game was something we were conscious of.

“We talk to the athlete and the athlete says ‘’l'll enjoy the break'.”

Pendlebury’s remarkable Anzac Day performance and its impact on this week

“There was a level of 'this guy’s going well and let’s let him enjoy the day',” he said.

“I don’t want to forecast the future, but it might be his last ever Anzac Day, so enjoy that whole experience.

“Athletes in the zone – they’re in flow. Ultimately, we listen to our athletes and what they want to do, and we never ruled out next week, but it was sort of more leaning toward him not playing this game.

“We have a players’ player (award) and all the players voted for him.”

Hawthorn’s strong form

“Hawthorn are such a good intercept team, critical to the way they play the game so how we move the ball can make that harder for them,” he said.

“We’re under no illusion, they’re the best team in the competition right now, I can see that from afar.

“We’ve got a big challenge ahead of us … it’s another opportunity to see where we’re at.”

The key players to restrict on Thursday

“(Jai) Newcombe’s a star player, he’s probably underestimated in the competition,” he said.

“Watching him live in Gather Round, he was so important for them around clearances.

“They’ve got lots (of good players) and that’s why they’re the best team in the competition because they’ve got so many threats.

“Well coached, in good form, looks like they’re injury free, they’ve got a good system going – it’s going to be a big challenge.”

Supporting Reef McInnes

“It’s really hard – poor Reef has done two knees in two years,” he said.

“The reality is I can’t imagine what that’s like. I’ve been trying to keep my distance but be there for him.

“At the appropriate time we’ll get him in here and get our arms around him.

The Pies’ improvement

“I think every week we can see we’re improving,” he said.

“We’re getting little bits better here and there.

“We haven’t got a pattern of behaviour with our scoring but we’re working extremely hard behind the scenes to get better.”