Callum Brown and Matt Scharenberg have been called into Collingwood’s team for the round two clash against Greater Western Sydney at the MCG on Saturday.

Brown and Scharenberg have replaced big man Mason Cox (suspension) and midfielder Josh Smith (hamstring) as the Magpies look to bounce back from their 34-point loss to Hawthorn in round one.

Brown, who has been named in a forward pocket, didn’t play at any level last weekend after being the held over emergency for the round one loss to the Hawks.

Ultimate Preview: An in-depth look into Saturday's match.

Scharenberg, who has been named on the interchange bench, is back after excelling across half-back in the VFL practice match against Box Hill.

The emergencies are Jarryd Blair, Chris Mayne, Tim Broomhead and Brody Mihocek.

Among the players still missing from Collingwood’s potential best 22 are Jamie Elliott (ankle), Jordan De Goey (hamstring) and Levi Greenwood (knee).

Don’t forget that after Saturday’s clash with the Giants you can walk across to the Holden Centre and watch the VFL side take on North Melbourne.

No Stevie spoiler this time
Who could forget the last time the Pies played GWS in a home and away game?

In round eight last season at Spotless Stadium, Collingwood shot out to 26-point lead at quarter-time, then held sway for much of the contest.

The Magpies were three points up with 43 seconds to go, only for Giants veteran Steve Johnson to bob up with a match-winning goal.

Stevie J is now an assistant coach at the Sydney Swans, so he won’t be around to spoil the party this time.



Callum Brown returns for his first match of the 2018 season.

Matt's back
After his early seasons at the Collingwood were cruelled by injuries, Matt Scharenberg was a regular in the team in the second half of last season, playing 10 games after being recalled in round 10.

Match Day Information: What to expect at the 'G this Saturday.

The 22-year-old played mainly in the backline and tallied more than 20 disposals in a number of matches.

He was overlooked for the AFL game against Hawthorn last weekend, he now gets another chance to cement his spot in the team in what will be his 15th appearance at the highest level.



Until this year, Matthew Scharenberg has never played an AFL match earlier than round 10.

Cal's call up
Callum Brown made his AFL debut in round 12 of last season against Melbourne and ended up playing five games in all.

He showed plenty of improvement and finished the season on a high by gathering 19 disposals in the round 23 win over the Demons.

With Mason Cox sidelined, Brown looks set to start in the forward line.

Buddha's beat
The club’s new stoppages coach, Garry Hocking, has a message for Pies fans weighing up whether to come to the game on Saturday.

“Get there,” Hocking told The Source on Thursday.

“The boys need a lot of support.

“Last week was very disappointing and the boys know that.

“All Collingwood fans know that it wasn’t good enough. And we look to bounce back this week.”

Collingwood v Greater Western Sydney
AFL Round Two
Saturday 31 March
MCG, 4.35pm

Collingwood
B: Sam Murray, Lynden Dunn, Brayden Maynard
HB: Tom Langdon, Darcy Moore, Jeremy Howe
C: Steele Sidebottom, Scott Pendlebury, Tom Phillips
HF: Josh Thomas, Ben Reid, Will Hoskin-Elliott
F: Jaidyn Stephenson, Ben Crocker, Callum Brown
Foll: Brodie Grundy, Adam Treloar, Taylor Adams
Int: Jack Crisp, Travis Varcoe, Matthew Scharenberg, James Aish
Emg: Jarryd Blair, Chris Mayne, Tim Broomhead, Brody Mihocek

IN: Callum Brown, Matthew Scharenberg
OUT: Mason Cox (suspension), Josh Smith (hamstring)