Around The Grounds

• Collingwood's $455k gun midfielder Scott Pendlebury could make a shock return for the Pies this Friday against Essendon after a medial ligament strain. Pies coach Mick Malthouse said on Thursday, “He went well with the fitness test, now it’s up to the medical staff. We will not take chances... but if it is right I can’t see any reason why the player doesn’t play.” Pendlebury is owned by just over 18,000 DT coaches.
  

• Essendon have rated $288k def/forward Adam McPhee a good chance to face Collingwood after a corked calf. Bombers assistant coach Scott Camporeale encouragingly said, "He's got a pretty good record against (Travis) Cloke when we've played previously - he trained fully on Tuesday and he'll have another fitness test today as well, just to make sure he's cherry ripe, ready to go."

• North Melbourne's $309k midfielder Daniel Wells looks set for more time on the sidelines with a niggling groin problem probably keeping him out for another two weeks. Kangas caretaker coach Darren Crocker said, “We just want to make sure that when we bring Daniel back, he is 100 per cent ready to go.” Wells hasn't played since Round 11.

• Essendon's $378k midfielder Jobe Watson is a surprise chance to play the Magpies on Friday after an ankle problem. Camporeale said, "He's recovered pretty well, pretty quickly, so we'll give him a test this morning and we'll weigh it up after that.” It still looks unlikely though, he'll return just yet.