Blair chasing goals

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Collingwood utility Jarryd Blair will be looking for another bag of goals in Saturday's MCG blockbuster match against Carlton.

Blair was the match winner last time the teams met, with 16 possessions and five goals in the Round 3 clash.

On that occasion, he was greatly assisted by the contested marking of team-mates Chris Dawes and Travis Cloke.

While power forward Dawes is not expected to return for another 3-4 weeks, Blair still believes the Magpies have enough forward firepower to cause havoc.

"The ball might be filtered through Trav a little bit more ... but there are plenty of options going forward," Blair said on Wednesday morning.

"I think last time I was lucky, with the focus on Trav and Dawsy ... but it'll be the same for me this week, to work to Trav's feet or work to Keeffey's (Lachlan Keeffe) feet and try to get on the scoreboard again."

"Hopefully there's another five in me."

In terms of his own game, Blair noted the influence of two players on his career.

He complimented team-mate Scott Pendlebury as being an ideal role model, and reflected on his admiration for Hawthorn great Shane Crawford.

"I was a Hawthorn supporter growing up so I used to love watching Crawf run around and the way he handled himself," he said.

With Collingwood sitting atop the ladder with 13 wins and only one loss and staring at another premiership trophy, there aren't too many issues at the Westpac Centre.

The biggest concern is selection, with a number of players fighting for a spot before finals time.

Blair cited reserve players John McCarthy and Brent Macaffer as threats to his spot.

"There's a lot of blokes playing good footy in the VFL every week." Blair said.

"If you're not getting a kick or have a few quiet weeks, you're a pretty good chance to be out of the side."

"It keeps everyone pretty hungry and desperate to play in the side."

Another player eyeing Blair's position is Alan Didak, who has missed the last two games with a calf injury.

Didak was among the first Magpies to hit the track on Wednesday and has until Friday to prove his fitness.

Dale Thomas, meanwhile, showed no signs of pain at training, and should be fit to play despite a knee scare in last Sunday's massive win ovre the Kangaroos.

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