Hailed as a hero for sacrificing his AFL grand final berth, veteran Collingwood defender Simon Prestigiacomo might get his chance after all next Saturday.

The 32-year-old was a late withdrawal from Saturday's draw against the Saints, coach Mick Malthouse revealing the experienced fullback ruled himself out on Friday after experiencing groin tightness.

While replacement Nathan Brown did a solid job on St Kilda star Nick Riewoldt, fresh players are likely to be considered for the replay given the gruelling nature of the initial contest.

Prestigiacomo had been due to return from six weeks out with a thigh injury, before experiencing the latest blow, but Malthouse said the length of his lay-off would not be a factor.

He said the veteran of Collingwood's 2002-03 grand final losses deserved enormous credit for giving up his spot.

"He really is one of those unsung heroes that you read about, you hear about, that will put the team first," Malthouse said.

"We all say `Oh yeah, but it's a grand final,' and he did it, he just said `I'm not ready to play and give 100 per cent in a game of football that will demand 100 per cent,' I just thought it was outstanding."

He said Prestigiacomo was in tears when he made the decision, an even tougher call given he is near the end of his career.

"We always regard Presti as one of the most honest, giving people that we've got at the football club ... if anyone had any doubt, you could just see how fantastic he was."

But Malthouse said the latest injury was not major and Prestigiacomo would certainly be in consideration for the replay, although he praised Brown's performance.

He said the club's other emergencies this weekend, Tarkyn Lockyer and Tyson Goldsack, would also be in contention, among other squad members.

"We look at Goldsack, he was in then he was out of the side so he's relatively fresh," Malthouse said.

"Tarkyn Lockyer was certainly under massive consideration for today, so he'll certainly come under consideration."

Malthouse said sports science director David Buttifant would be one of the most important people at the club this week, given the recovery demands, but the initial impression was positive.

"The first thing I asked the players straight after the match was how is everyone and every player said they're okay," he said.

"They've obviously still got the adrenaline pumping through the body, so you suspect there might be a few bumps and bruises, in fact there will be bumps and bruises.

"But I would say by the look of them that they're pretty much available for selection."

While inaccuracy in front of goal was extremely costly for Collingwood, with five more scoring shots than the Saints, Malthouse said the bigger issue to fix next weekend was delivery into attack.

"I wouldn't have thought kicking for goal lost it, I would have thought option-taking into our forward line did," he said.

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