Defenders John Noble and Will Hoskin-Elliott come into the side to take on the Lions, while Supplementary Selection Period signing Lachie Sullivan, comes into the squad for the first time as an emergency.

Joining Sullivan as emergences for the clash will be Harvey Harrison and Oleg Markov.

Midfielder Steele Sidebottom will be managed and will miss the clash, while Oleg Markov has been omitted.

McRae has named an extended bench, with the tactical substitute to be named 60 minutes before the first bounce.

In Tuesday’s press conference McRae highlighted the performance of Noble as well as a host of other AFL listed in players in last week’s Round One VFL victory.

“I was wrapped with our VFL and Josh Fraser and all the gang, the way that they’ve set our young players up,” he said.

“They had a terrific performance in Round One, I went there energised by what I saw and left energised with what I saw.

“Young players are playing above the level, Nobes (John Noble) was one that looked really sharp, (Harvey) Harrison, Ed Allan’s showing some real signs, TJ (Tew Jiath).

“There’s some excitement amongst the group as much as the broader world doesn’t want to hear it, but there is some excitement here."

McRae also spoke about the focus of the group in the lead up to the clash against Brisbane.

“There’s elements of what we do well against Brisbane that stack up,” McRae said.

“They’ve got some great strengths as well and we’ve got huge respect for Brisbane.

“Three games ago we were playing against each other in a Grand Final and I’d like to think there’s a lot of good players in both teams.

“This is a great challenge and we’re going to enjoy gritting our teeth.”

John Noble returns to the side after a 29-disposal performance in Collingwood’s VFL Round One victory against Sandringham last Friday night.

Noble will play his second game for the season after coming on as the substitute in the Magpies Opening Round Clash, while Hoskin-Elliott returns after being managed for last Thursday’s clash against St Kilda.

The Thursday night clash is the Magpies second interstate game of 2024 after Opening Round’s trip to Sydney to face the GIANTS, and the first time Collingwood and Brisbane will come face to face since last year’s AFL Grand Final.

Sullivan makes his first appearance in the AFL squad after signing with the Club during the pre-season. The 26-year-old midfielder previously plied his trade as Captain of Footscray in the VFL, while working as an electrician and during his time at the Kennel, won back-to-back best and fairest awards.

The clash will mark Tom Mitchell's 200th game at AFL level. After crossing to the Pies from Hawthorn at the end of 2022, Mitchell has played 28 games, averaging 24.1 disposals and 5.9 tackles. Originally selected by Sydney at Pick 21 of the 2011 National Draft as a Father Son selection, Mitchell played 65 games for the Swans and 106 games for Hawthorn, including a stellar 2018 season that saw him crowned with the Brownlow Medal as the League's Best and Fairest player.

Collingwood’s VFL side will also take on the Lions in Brisbane this week, playing at Brighton Homes Arena on Friday at 12:05pm (AEDT)/ 11:05pm (AEDT). Collingwood’s side for the clash will be named at 6:20pm (AEDT) on Thursday evening.

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Thursday, March 28
Collingwood V Brisbane
Gabba, Brisbane, Yuggera-Turrbal
6:30pm (AEST)/7:30pm (AEDT)

IN: Noble, Hoskin-Elliott
OUT: Sidebottom (Managed), Markov (Omitted)