Withdrawn from Collingwood’s side last weekend due to back tightness, the reigning Copeland Trophy winner’s impressive efforts on the training track appear to have been enough to convince senior coach Nathan Buckley that he is ready to resume his place in the match day squad.
Excitement at Beams’ inclusion though is tempered somewhat by the absence of fellow midfielder Luke Ball, who will miss the round 23 clash due to a calf injury sustained during the second quarter of Collingwood’s 62-point win over West Coast.
Despite initial optimism that Ball would be able to take his place in the side this weekend, with finals looming, the 2010 Premiership star was ruled out of contention.
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Though Beams’ selection would represent a like-for-like replacement, with fellow inclusions Kyle Martin, Jordan Russell and Ben Hudson named following influential displays at VFL level, Buckley possesses a plethora of options at his disposal.
Arguably best on ground in the VFL Magpies crucial triumph over Werribee at Victoria Park last weekend, Russell’s lockdown effort on key forward Ben Warren was the bedrock upon which Dale Tapping’s side was able to eke out victory.
Though finding himself the subject of a tag for the duration of the contest, Martin meanwhile instead drew plaudits for his intrepid efforts against the Tigers, with the coaching staff drawing attention to his increased defensive pressure.
Veteran ruck Hudson completes the inclusions after the former Crow, Bulldog and Lion once again demonstrated his value with an assured VFL display that places him in line to feature during September.
Highlighting the depth of Collingwood’s ruck stocks, fellow tall Darren Jolly will instead be presented with a chance to demonstrate his case for a senior return via the VFL for the third successive week.
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He will be joined by winger Clinton Young, who will hope to follow his storming efforts at training with an outstanding display at North Port Oval as he seeks to make a late, irresistible bid to feature in the Magpies’ 2013 flag tilt.
With sixth place and a home final secured, Collingwood can likely only climb to fifth should it triumph over North Melbourne, and Richmond fall to Essendon, given the Tigers boast a decisively higher percentage.
Collingwood v North Melbourne
Round 23
Sunday 1 September
MCG, 3.20pm
Collingwood
B: Nathan Brown, Nick Maxwell, Heath Shaw
HB: Marley Williams, Lachlan Keeffe, Tyson Goldsack
C: Harry O'Brien, Josh Thomas, Brent Macaffer
HF: Steele Sidebottom, Quinten Lynch, Jarryd Blair
F: Sam Dwyer, Travis Cloke, Ben Reid
Foll: Brodie Grundy, Scott Pendlebury, Dane Swan
Int (from): Jordan Russell, Alan Didak, Dayne Beams, Ben Hudson, Ben Kennedy, Kyle Martin, Paul Seedsman
IN: Dayne Beams, Ben Hudson, Kyle Martin, Jordan Russell
OUT: Luke Ball (calf)
