Koroit footballer Levi Nagorcka to manage shoulder injury in the latter stages of Hampden league season

The Saints premiership teammates will front up against Camperdown on Saturday in a Hampden league battle which could have massive ramifications for the Pies’ finals hopes.

Injury-prone Nagorcka returns for his first match in two months, while Goodall is preparing for his first appearance since the Saints’ 2015 grand final win.

“They’re both one-touch players and it doesn’t matter how long they’re out,” Dowie said.

“They are so good with the footy in their hands, particularly Levi below his knees and Ben with the way he moves and kicks the ball.

“He looks like he hasn’t missed a beat. We are confident fitness-wise they will come in and play a role.”

Koroit made five unforced changes, bringing in boom recruit Tim McIntyre for his first match in Saints’ colours and reliable performers James North and James Gow, who is available due to the TAC Cup bye.

Nagorcka, 22, said he would manage a shoulder injury – an issue which has impacted him for the best part of two seasons – in the latter stages of the Saints’ 2016 campaign.

He has watched from the sidelines since round six, having opted to give his battered left shoulder a rest.

“I worked on my fitness a bit more and did rehab to strengthen it up,” Nagorcka said.

“I reckon it (the extra fitness) will come in handy come finals when it’s a little drier and the game opens up.”

Nagorcka said a return to senior football would test his injury out.

But he believes he can play a role, most likely in the Saints’ attacking half.

“I had one surgery nearly two years ago now but I will probably look at next year getting the ligaments tightened up again,” he said.

“It’s fine though. Every now and then it comes out and there’s nothing I can do about it.

“It’s weird, it’s not a common injury. It hurts a bit but I can easily play on if it does come out.”

Nagorcka is keeping his goals simple.

He only played four games last season, including the premiership, and has six to his credit thus far in 2016.

“It’s been pretty frustrating. I can’t get a good run at it and it’s hard to keep form up,” Nagorcka said.

“I am trying to keep it stable and help the team out. Hopefully we can go pretty deep into finals and get a good run at it.

“I’ve been pretty lucky to be able to do it (play in two flags). You talk to people who play their whole lives and don’t even get to play in a grand final.”