Jack Ginnivan has been named in Collingwood's team for Sunday's Round Five clash against St Kilda, replacing Will Hoskin-Elliott (illness), who did not travel with the team on Friday morning due to a virus. 

The 20-year-old has been named in the starting 22 and will play alongside Bobby Hill for the first time. 

Ginnivan has played the most recent two matches at VFL level, including two goals to go with 13 disposals against Port Melbourne in Round Two.

"Jack is going to play. We announced that to the playing group at training just before. He will play a role and we are excited to see what he can do," McRae said. 

“I did notice him walking up and down my hallway during the week a couple more times than what he normally does. He's sort of looking for where he is at.”

“It’s been a journey for him.”

“This has been six or seven weeks of looking for opportunity and trying to make himself a better person, and now he gets a chance to do that on the footy field.”

McRae also confirmed that Nathan Kreuger will return to competitive football through the VFL.

“He’s going to play VFL this week and get some solid minutes in,” said McRae.

“Hopefully he comes through that fine and we’ll make a judgement for next week or whenever that is, post game.”

After starting as the substitute against Brisbane last Thursday night, dashing defender Oleg Markov has also been named as a starter, coming into the side for forward Reef McInnes.

On the Ruck position, McRae confirmed that it will be ‘similar names’ who fill that role on Sunday afternoon.

Sunday’s game will be the final fixture of the inaugural Gather Round, with the Pies up for the challenge of St Kilda, who are yet to be defeated in 2023.

"Ross and I don't get a kick, we don't get too many tackles. We don't have to worry about each other. But their game style is really strong. It is a great thing to have," McRae said. 

"They are hard to move the ball against at the moment. They are No.1 team in terms of scores against. We are going to have to try and score through that. 

"Then the way they transition the ball really well from D50 to forward 50. There is lots to be worried about."

Ahead of Sunday’s match, Collingwood will host a second open training session on Saturday morning.  

It will be the Pies’ final training session before Sunday’s match, from 10.00am – 11.30am at the Sturt Football Club (39 Oxford Terrace, Unley).

The four emergencies for the match are Trent Bianco, Tom Wilson, Trey Ruscoe, and Will Hoskin-Elliott.

The substitute will be named 60 minutes prior to the first bounce.

Collingwood v St Kilda
AFL Round Five
Sunday 16 April
4.50pm, Adelaide Oval

INS: Ginnivan, Markov
OUTS: Hoskin-Elliott (Illness), McInnes (Omitted)