COLLINGWOOD's ruck depth could be further tested with veteran big man Ben Hudson to face a striking charge at the VFL tribunal on Tuesday night.
First-choice ruckman Darren Jolly successfully returned from his knee injury in the same game on Sunday, notching 17 hit-outs and 10 touches in the club's clash against Williamstown at Victoria Park on Sunday.
However, Hudson – who was also returning from a calf injury – was reported for striking by a VFL field umpire in the same game.
In Hudson and Jolly's absence, young ruckman Brodie Grundy has filled in admirably in the senior team over the past two games and held his own against experienced Bomber pairing Patrick Ryder and Tom Bellchambers at the MCG on Sunday.
Hudson has played seven games for Collingwood as a more than handy back-up, while Jolly has played just nine games after undergoing minor knee surgery in the early part of July.
Youngster Jarrod Witts has also been a player coach Nathan Buckley has decided to lean on through the middle stages of the season.
Jolly is considered a chance to return for the Magpies' crucial match up with the Sydney Swans at ANZ Stadium on Saturday night.
But Nathan Buckley said after Sunday's dominant 79-point win over the Bombers the ruck position was Grundy's to lose.
"We've said to our big fellas it's a horses for courses selection policy, really," Buckley said.
"If we feel a certain ruck setup is going to benefit us against a certain opposition, then we'll go for it.
"But when you've got a young bloke (Grundy), even though it's his second game, when he keeps standing up like that … possession is nine-tenths and he's demanding [that ruck role]."
Ben Guthrie covers Collingwood news for AFL Media. Follow him on Twitter @AFL_BenGuthrie
