The return of Darcy Moore headlines the changes made to Craig McRae’s side for Thursday night’s Qualifying Final against Melbourne at the MCG.
Nathan Murphy and Beau McCreery are the other inclusions to the Round 24 victorious side against Essendon.
John Noble, Billy Frampton and Finlay Macrae have been omitted, while live-wire forward Jack Ginnivan will start as the Substitute.
Moore returns after missing the Club’s Round 23 and 24 clashes against Brisbane and Essendon respectively due to a hamstring injury. Thursday night’s clash will be the eighth final of his career, but his first tossing the coin as Captain of the side.
Collingwood’s Head of High-Performance Jarrod Wade highlighted Moore’s diligence during his recovery.
“He’s put in a really big block over the past three weeks, he was full training last week as well and will continue to be in full training in the lead into the game,” said Wade.
Murphy was absent from Collingwood’s win over Essendon due to a back and glute complaint and will strengthen the defensive unit alongside Moore. The clash will the fourth final of Murphy’s 54-game career.
After missing the last Home and Away clash of the year through suspension, Beau McCreery will return to the side for what will also be a fourth career final, after playing in all three of Collingwood’s Finals in 2022.
A crucial part of Collingwood’s game plan during Thursday night’s clash will be the voice of the Magpie Army, with Coach Craig McRae highlighting their importance during the week.
“We’ve got an incredible advantage in our supporter base. The Magpie Army is fierce and last year was significant in getting us over the line in so many games,” said McRae.
“There’s no doubt that you inspire us, all the players talk about it often after the game.”
The Magpie Army will have extra responsibility ahead of the game as well, being tasked to not only paint the town black and white, but to march a new flag to the MCG which will be be presented to the team.
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First Qualifying Final
Collingwood v Melbourne
Thursday 7 September, 7:20pm
MCG, Wurundjeri
IN: Moore, Murphy, McCreery
OUT: Frampton (Omitted), Macrae (Omitted), Noble (Omitted)
The Full Team:
| COLLINGWOOD v MELBOURNE | |||
| B | Nathan Murphy | Darcy Moore | Isaac Quaynor |
| HB | Brayden Maynard | Oleg Markov | Scott Pendlebury |
| C | Steele Sidebottom | Taylor Adams | Josh Daicos |
| HF | Bobby Hill | Brody Mihocek | Jeremy Howe |
| F | Jamie Elliott | Daniel McStay | Jordan De Goey |
| R | Mason Cox | Beau McCreery | Jack Crisp |
| INT | Patrick Lipinski | Tom Mitchell | Darcy Cameron |
| Will Hoskin-Elliott | |||
| SUB | Jack Ginnivan | ||
| EMG | John Noble | Finlay Macrae | Billy Frampton |
