Young gun Isaac Quaynor has enhanced his chances of an early season debut with an impressive showing in an intraclub hit out dominated by fellow defender Darcy Moore.

In a willing two-and-a-half-hour match simulation session adjudicated by AFL umpires at Olympic Park on Friday, the Magpies also began to regather their forces, with stars Jordan De Goey, Jamie Elliott and Adam Treloar – each of whom have had hamstring issues – increasing their workloads and showing their class.

However, it wasn't all good news with the club revealing gun recruit Dayne Beams has been laid low all week by illness.

Meanwhile, the mature-bodied Quaynor – the No.13 pick in the NAB AFL Draft in November – showed all the attributes that earned him rave reviews as a junior: he was sharp, decisive and hard at it in the back half and adapted well to the high intensity and tempo.

The Magpies' Next Generation Academy graduate, who turned 19 last month, appears to be right in the mix for a senior berth, particularly given the Pies could have a defensive vacancy to fill given Jack Crisp is still yet to train fully as he builds fitness after hip and back issues.

Moore showed no ill-effects from the head knock that forced him to leave the track on Monday, reinforcing that he could become the Pies' best virtual recruit this season.

The peroxided swingman was an attacking weapon at centre half-back, regularly intercepting opposition forward thrusts with great timing and anticipation before delivering to teammates with long, precise kicking. 

With Hawthorn assistant coaches Sam Mitchell, Scott Burns and Adam Yze watching on, along with Carlton counterparts Josh Fraser and Shane Watson, the pacy Moore also continued to explore his potential at kick-ins. He often burst clear of the goalsquare and on one occasion took two bounces at full-speed – a passage that seemed to prove he was over the hamstring problems that restricted him to just seven games last year.

The brilliant De Goey, the Pies' leading goalkicker last year with 48 in 21 games, returned to the main group after being on a modified program and was as explosive as ever in the midfield but still managed to nail a set shot from 55m. 

Midway through the session, De Goey and veteran Ben Reid were strategically taken out of match play to some running as both steadily rebuild their fitness levels.

Reid moved well in attack but hit the post twice with set shots.

Fellow match-winner Elliott had Pies fans salivating as he slotted a couple of goals: the first from a free kick after standing his ground and out-bodying defender Tom Langdon, and another from a run-around snap after floating in to take a contested high mark. 

Treloar was his usual hard-working, hard-running self, while other welcome participants included Flynn Appleby and Levi Greenwood, both of whom have spent time in the rehab group this summer. 

Tough defender Brayden Maynard is fitter again and appears primed for a big season, and the same could be said of midfielder Taylor Adams, whose skills and leadership have gone to another level. 

Team leaders Scott Pendlebury and Steele Sidebottom gathered possessions at will, while young runners Josh Daicos and the Brown brothers, Callum and Tyler, demonstrated their continued development.

Jordan Roughead was solid as a key backman and will provide the Pies with some options in the big-man stocks.

Their biggest man, Mason Cox, hauled in some big marks and slotted a few goals while spending more time than usual in the ruck, given No.1 ruckman Brodie Grundy was running laps as he recovers from a toe injury.

Forward Will Hoskin-Elliott was also restricted to running, although it's believed his workload was being managed.

Others who sat it out included midfielder Daniel Wells, defenders Jeremy Howe, Lynden Dunn and Matthew Scharenberg, rookie-listed Tim Broomhead and draftee Will Kelly.

If the Pies have close to a full list to choose from there will certainly be some selection headaches for coach Nathan Buckley and co. 

Collingwood will host Melbourne in a scratch match at Olympic Park on the morning of Friday, February 22.

The Pies will open their JLT Community Series campaign against Fremantle in Joondalup on Monday, March 4.