Watch Chris Dawes on 'The Club' on FOX FOOTY ahead of his 50th game.
Collingwood has recalled a pair of experienced stars as it seeks its first win of the 2012 season on Saturday night against Richmond at the MCG.
Premiership midfielder Dayne Beams and key-position veteran Chris Tarrant return to the side that lost to Hawthorn by 22 points in the opening round last week.
Youngsters Luke Rounds and Peter Yagmoor have both been omitted, and are emergencies along with 19-year-old defender Tom Young.
Beams, who has battled shin problems during the pre-season, excelled at VFL level last week with 28 disposals and will add depth and class to the Magpies’ midfield group for the club’s first home game of 2012.
The most recent of the 22-year-old’s 59 AFL appearances came in last year’s preliminary final win over Hawthorn. He missed the Grand Final due to a groin injury.
Tarrant, who is the oldest and most experienced player on the Collingwood list at 31 years of age with 256 games (184 for Collingwood) to his name, also played at VFL level last week, his first competitive outing of the pre-season after a foot injury suffered in February held him back.
Key forward Chris Dawes will make his 50th AFL appearance against the Tigers while Luke Ball will also play his 50th game in black and white stripes after playing 142 games for St Kilda from 2003-2009.
The club urges fans to get to the game and acknowledge the magnificent career of former coach Mick Malthouse, who will complete a lap of honour at half time.
Malthouse led Collingwood to eight finals campaigns and the 2010 flag in a 12-season tenure at Collingwood that yielded 162 wins from 284 games from 2000-11.
As for those players still missing from AFL action, captain Nick Maxwell will continue his recovery from an ankle injury suffered in the NAB Cup against St Kilda on March 16, while Alan Didak, Ben Johnson and Nathan Brown are all a chance to play in the Magpies’ VFL team against North Ballarat at Victoria Park on Saturday afternoon.
Sharrod Wellingham will also be in action in the VFL as he has one game to serve of a club-imposed two-game ban.
Richmond have made two changes with Jake King returning from a one-match suspension and young defender Jake Batchelor earning a place in the side after a strong performance in the VFL last weekend.
Collingwood v Richmond
Saturday 7 April
MCG, 7.40 pm
Collingwood
B: Harry O'Brien, Lachlan Keeffe, Heath Shaw
HB: Chris Tarrant, Ben Reid, Tyson Goldsack
C: Dane Swan, Luke Ball, Dayne Beams
HF: Dale Thomas, Jackson Paine, Ben Sinclair
F: Travis Cloke, Chris Dawes, Alex Fasolo
Foll: Darren Jolly, Scott Pendlebury, Steele Sidebottom
Int: Martin Clarke, Jarryd Blair, Alan Toovey, Paul Seedsman
Emg: Tom Young, Luke Rounds, Peter Yagmoor
In: Tarrant, Beams
Out: Rounds, Yagmoor (omitted)
Milestone: Chris Dawes (50 games), Luke Ball (50 CFC games)
Richmond
B: Steven Morris, Alex Rance, Chris Newman
HB: Bachar Houli, Dylan Grimes, Brandon Ellis
C: Shaun Grigg, Dustin Martin, Daniel Jackson
HF: Brett Deledio, Tyrone Vickery, Shane Edwards
F: Brad Miller, Jack Riewoldt, Jake King
Foll: Ivan Maric, Trent Cotchin, Nathan Foley
Int: Shane Tuck, Robin Nahas, Reece Conca, Jake Batchelor
Emg: Angus Graham, Matthew White, Addam Maric
In: King, Batchelor
Out: Post, Maric (omitted)
Milestone: Bachar Houli (50 games)
