Collingwood will make at least one change for Sunday’s blockbuster clash with Richmond at the MCG.
The Magpies named a 26-man squad on Thursday night, with Travis Varcoe, who has been managed, the only player to go out of the team that defeated Essendon on ANZAC Day.
Flynn Appleby, Jarryd Blair, Chris Mayne, Brayden Sier and Josh Smith have come into the squad but all have been named on the extended bench.
The Pies will confirm their final 22-man team on Friday evening.
TIGHT TURNAROUND
Collingwood has just three days to prepare for Sunday’s game. As part of their recovery from the ANZAC Day match, the players visited the Alchemy Cryotherapy Clinic in South Yarra on Thursday where they were exposed to temperatures of -110 degrees in an effort to be at their best for the clash with the Tigers.
SENSATIONAL STEELE
There’s no doubt that Steele Sidebottom is in career-best form at the moment. The star midfielder and part-time forward now leads the AFL Coaches’ Association Champion Player of the Year award. He is the only player to poll votes in each of the first five rounds.
PRESSURE VERSUS PRESSURE
Richmond has won plaudits for its high-pressure game-style, but the Pies are planning to fight fire with fire on Sunday. “We’ll do our best to handle that pressure but then pressure them," defender Sam Murray told Collingwood Media. We’re a high-pressure side as well. We like to hold the footy in our front half … so if we can play out own game, hopefully it will work.”
Will Hoskin-Elliott kicked three goals the last time Collingwood played Richmond (AFL Photos)
Collingwood v Richmond
AFL Round Six
Sunday 29 April
MCG, 3.20pm
Collingwood
B: Sam Murray, Lynden Dunn, Jack Crisp
HB: Brayden Maynard, Matthew Scharenberg, Jeremy Howe
C: Steele Sidebottom, Scott Pendlebury, Tom Phillips
HF: Jordan De Goey, Ben Reid, Will Hoskin-Elliott
F: James Aish, Mason Cox, Jaidyn Stephenson
Foll: Brodie Grundy, Callum Brown, Adam Treloar
Int (from): Jarryd Blair, Josh Smith, Josh Thomas, Flynn Appleby, Chris Mayne, Ben Crocker, Brayden Sier, Tom Langdon
IN: Flynn Appleby, Jarryd Blair, Chris Mayne, Brayden Sier, Josh Smith
OUT: Travis Varcoe (managed)
NEW: Flynn Appleby (19, Greater Western Victoria U18)