Collingwood key forward Anthony Rocca has made an encouraging return from long-term injury a month out from the AFL finals.

Rocca played for the Magpies' VFL side against the Northern Bullants on Sunday and was on the ground for about 70 per cent of the match.

His only physical mishap with a cut above an eye.

"He would have done everything he wanted to and everything we were asking, so it was good," said Collingwood football manager Geoff Walsh.

Rocca has only managed three senior games this season because of ankle and Achilles tendon injuries and last played an AFL in round seven.

He was the third high-profile AFL player to return through the VFL this weekend, with Brad Ottens having a run for Geelong and Matthew Richardson hurting his hamstring while playing for Coburg.

Richardson will have scans on Monday to determine the extent of the injury.

Ottens is returning from a knee injury and the ruck-forward would be a massive boost for the Cats if he can prove his form and fitness ahead of the AFL finals.

But Geelong coach Mark Thompson is still unsure whether Ottens will be ready in time.

"He's going to take a while, we'll probably play him in the reserves for a couple more weeks and he's really going to have to do a fair bit to get back into the side," Thompson told Channel Seven's AFL Game Day.

"We don't know where it's all going to end up, he might do some jumping this week at the centre bounce, but he didn't do any jumping yesterday.

"We don't know whether he's going to make it or not.

"We have a responsibility to the club to play guys in finals who are going to be able to perform - if Brad's not there, well, he's not there."

Ottens played in attack and ran about four kilometres on Saturday in the Skilled Stadium match.

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