Nathan Wilson said he wouldn’t be surprised to see tall forward Joel Hamling play a lock down role on Collingwood’s Jordan de Goey, if the star Magpie forward returns from a shin injury in time for Saturday’s clash at the MCG.

De Goey has kicked 19 goals from eight games in 2019 and has missed the Magpies’ wins in the past fortnight against Sydney and St Kilda.

Wilson was impressed with the work that Hamling did on Brisbane’s Charlie Cameron in round 10, helping limit Cameron’s impact after the Lion kicked three goals in the opening term.

Wilson agreed with the suggestion that Hamling thrives off playing as the last defender. 

“I reckon Joel does (play his best football in the last line of defence), we’ve seen that the past couple of weeks,” Wilson said.

“Last week Charlie Cameron got on top of us and then ‘Hammer’ went back to him and sort of got the job done.

“I think (de Goey) sort of plays a bit more deeper so it would be someone like a Hamling or a Luke Ryan I’m guessing.”

Wilson said he was confident that Fremantle ruckman Rory Lobb could stand up to the challenge of taking on Brodie Grundy. 

Lobb appeared to hurt his right ankle against Brisbane but has recovered well and trained with the group on Wednesday and Thursday.

Wilson has been impressed with Lobb’s ability to deliver in big games when the pair were teammates at the Giants. 

“It’s exciting, Rory will be fine and ready to go,” Wilson said.

“He’s a big time player, he’s played in a few prelims and finals so I think he can take the challenge of Brodie Grundy. Grundy is a very good player and obviously Rory’s excited, he can’t wait to get on the bird and get over (to Melbourne).

“Grundy is a big runner so it’s going to be a big task. It’s not just going to be Lobb it’s going to be a whole team focus. We can’t just leave it to one player.”