Magpies expect injured Daicos to play against Kangaroos

Daicos was subbed out in the last quarter on Monday at the MCG because of the leg knock.

He had only managed 15 disposals - his lowest output this season - after a hard tag from Alex Neal-Bullen.

But Magpies coach Craig McRae does not expect Daicos to miss any games, with North Melbourne hosting them next Sunday at Marvel Stadium.

"He got tagged heavily and then he got a corky in his shin, so he will be fine,' McRae said.

Collingwood returned to the top eight with Monday's win, dominating Melbourne by 38 points despite their long injury list.

The reigning premiers continue to be much better than the sum of their parts, with midfielder Jack Crisp best afield.

Brayden Maynard set aside a tough week and the boos of Melbourne fans to dominate in defence alongside Jeremy Howe.

McRae said Maynard had been dealing with personal stress ahead of the game, but would not go into any detail.

Key forward Nathan Kreuger personified the Magpies' ability to overcome their personnel issues, returning to the AFL for the first time in more than a year and kicking three goals.

"It was important, wasn't it? It was a really big game for him," McRae said.

"I know one thing you're going to get from Kreugs is effort, and we were really pleased with that.

"Kreugs played his role really well."

McRae said they were well-prepared for Melbourne, who were coming off a bad loss to Fremantle.

"Watching them from afar, you're just (thinking) 'I'm worried what's coming'. I didn't want to overplay it, but we had to be ready for what's coming, on the rebound," McRae said

"I'm proud of us to stay in that moment and absorb it, accept what's coming and then still play our way."

As Melbourne again struggled in attack, Collingwood set the tone in the first term by kicking three goals to nil.

"You need to start well against a team that wants to come out breathing fire," McRae said.

Australian Associated Press