Co-captain Kieren Jack says it was too big a risk for him to play in Saturday night’s Semi Final against North Melbourne at ANZ Stadium.

Jack trained with the main group on Thursday morning as he looked to return from a knee injury that has sidelined him since the club’s Round 23 clash against Gold Coast.

Despite getting through most of the session it was the soreness he felt afterwards which had the co-captain cautious about where he would be able to run out a full game.

“There is too much on the line if it went pear-shaped early. Unless you are really sure you can come through, it’s not worth it,” Jack said.

“We were really close. It was touch and go.

“In the end, common sense prevailed. It’s frustrating because you are so close. You’re just that little bit off performing at that level that warrants your place in the team.”

Jack said it was too risky to play in a final unsure of whether he would be able to get through an entire game.

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"There's still some soreness there. I don't want to come into the team and compromise getting injured again early,” he said.

"It's a real tricky one. I could potentially play but the risk is too big of re-injurying it. I'd be filthy if I cost the team.

"The players last week were super, and we've got some good young kids in there and I'm confident they will perform at a really high level."