Scott Burns has declared himself 100-percent fit to lead the Magpies into battle in Saturday night's cut-throat AFL semi-final.
And the Collingwood skipper laughed-off suggestions that key forward and reigning Copeland Trophy winner Travis Cloke was suffering from glandular fever.
Both players took part in a light 40-minute session at Gosch's Paddock on Friday morning designed to have the Pies primed to take on the Saints at the MCG.
Just two days ago coach Mick Malthouse declared that Burns, who missed the club's first-up finals win over Adelaide at AAMI Stadium with a corked calf, still had several boxes to tick before being cleared to play.
But Burns said he's been able to move freely and without discomfort for the past week-and-a-half.
"I feel really good," said Burns.
"A solid week of training is always a good sign and I've been pulling up really well so unless I wake up tomorrow walking on eggshells, I'm confident I'll be playing tomorrow night."
"I'm 100 (percent) - anything less than that and I wouldn’t be playing."
Burns said Cloke's appearance on the training track on Friday was proof enough that he's not suffering from glandular fever or any other virus.
Queries about the 21-year-old's fitness were prompted by his non-appearance at the club's mid-week session on Wednesday.
"It was just a matter of freshening him up and getting his legs right," was Burns' explanation.
"We want him to be light-legged when we start tomorrow night - that was the main reason."
"He trained today and looked pretty good and he's certainly in touch with his body and … what he needs to do to play a good game of football, so I expect him to play pretty well tomorrow."
Burns said he expected veteran defender Simon Prestigiacomo to take his place in the line-up despite a shoulder injury picked up against the Crows last Saturday.
The mood among the group, he said, was positive and the players were encouraged by a run of three tight wins in the club's past three clashes with the Saints.
"We're confident if we do everything right we can get the result," said Burns.
"They've been pretty tough, close games and we expect that again, we're just hoping we get over the line when the final siren sounds."
"Both games this weekend are a flip of the coin."