Scott Pendlebury has been included in Collingwood’s 26-man squad for Sunday’s big clash with Geelong at the MCG.
However, a decision on whether he plays won’t be made until after the team’s main training session at the Holden Centre on Friday.
The skipper suffered an ankle injury in the narrow win over the Brisbane Lions at the Gabba last weekend.
He was subsequently cleared of serious damage but was diagnosed with bruising around his tibia and ankle.
The Pies have added four players to the team that defeated the Lions, with Callum Brown, Josh Daicos, Alex Fasolo and Daniel Wells all named on the extended bench for Sunday’s game.
Collingwood will name its final 22-man team at 5pm on Friday.
GOOD RECORD
The Pies should go into the game with plenty of confidence. Not only are they coming off an entertaining win over the Lions, they have won three of their past four games against Geelong. However, they were beaten by the Cats in their most recent clash, which was in round 22 last year.
PIES’ HIGH SCORES
Collingwood has scored 100 points in four of its past five games. It’s a dramatic improvement from the opening two rounds of the season, when the Magpies scored 67 points against Hawthorn and 79 against Greater Western Sydney.
PHILLIPS POWERING AHEAD
Pies midfielder Tom Phillips has enjoyed a great season so far. He is averaging 28 disposals and six marks per game and has also kicked four goals. Phillips racked up 38 touches against Richmond in round six and was sensational against the Lions last weekend, finishing the game with 28 disposals, 10 marks and a goal.
Tom Phillips has been in great touch in recent weeks (AFL Photos)
Collingwood v Geelong
AFL Round 8
Sunday, May 13
MCG, 3.20pm
Collingwood
B: Flynn Appleby, Lynden Dunn, Jack Crisp
HB: Travis Varcoe, Matthew Scharenberg, Jeremy Howe
C: Steele Sidebottom, Scott Pendlebury, Tom Phillips
HF: Jordan De Goey, Darcy Moore, Will Hoskin-Elliott
F: Josh Thomas, Mason Cox, Jaidyn Stephenson
Foll: Brodie Grundy, Taylor Adams, Adam Treloar
Int (from): Jarryd Blair, Callum Brown, Sam Murray, Josh Daicos, Chris Mayne, Ben Crocker, Daniel Wells, Alex Fasolo
IN: Callum Brown, Josh Daicos, Alex Fasolo, Daniel Wells
Gary Ablett had 53 touches last time he lined up against Collingwood at the G (but we won by 97 points!) - https://t.co/xod7hQcN7d Get the lowdown on the Cats in our Opposition Analysis #FOREVER pic.twitter.com/PgzAsyvIJE
— Collingwood FC (@CollingwoodFC) May 10, 2018