Collingwood Coach Craig McRae has named the Magpies’ extended squad for Sunday’s Gather Round encounter against Hawthorn at Adelaide Oval.

Mature age recruit, Joe Richards has been included in the squad for the first time in his career. Named on the extended bench, the 24-year-old’s inclusion comes after he booted a career-high six goals in last week’s VFL clash against Brisbane, which followed three goals in the Pies’ Round one win over Sandringham.

Pies veteran Steele Sidebottom also returns to the side after being managed for last week’s game against Brisbane.

Sunday’s clash will mark Sidebottom’s 313^th in the black and white, which will see him equal 1990 Premiership Captain Tony Shaw’s record for second most games played for the Club. The pair will sit 75 behind club legend Scott Pendlebury who will play his 388^th in black and white.

Richards, a former schoolteacher, was recruited from local football side Wangaratta Magpies in the Ovens and Murray League at Pick 48 in the 2022 National Draft. The small forward is currently the equal leading goal kicker in the VFL, with nine majors from the first two games.

Collingwood’s final lineup will be named on Friday April 5 at 5:00pm (AEDT).

Sunday’s Adelaide Oval clash will be Patrick Lipinski’s 100^th at AFL level. Following 56 games for the Western Bulldogs, the midfielder/forward arrived at the Pies at the beginning of the 2022 season and has since played 43 games for the Club.

Lipinski’s crowing moment was playing a key role in Collingwood’s 2023 Premiership after coming on as substitute early in the second term.

Veteran Magpie Scott Pendlebury requires 29 disposals to reach 10,000 for his career, an achievement he is likely to meet in this week’s clash or in Round Six against Port Adelaide.

In Round 17 last year, Pendlebury overtook Robert Harvey’s record most for most career disposals in V/AFL history with 19,657 and has averaged 25.8 a game since his debut in 2006.

The second edition of the AFL’s Gather Round sees Collingwood play their third interstate game of season 2024 and marks the second consecutive year of the Magpies playing on a Sunday afternoon at  Adelaide Oval.

In last year’s Gather Round, Collingwood defeated St Kilda in a thrilling clash that saw Nick Daicos lead the way with 42 disposals and Bobby Hill boot three goals.

Sunday, April 7
Collingwood V Hawthorn
Adelaide Oval, Kaurna
5:10pm (AEST)/4:40pm (ACST)

IN: Sidebottom, Richards