Collingwood will travel to Coburg for the first time in two seasons this Sunday when it takes on the standalone team in Round Four.
The Pies are coming off the back of a rollercoaster start to 2024, having won two close games and lost one to Brisbane by just two points.
Coburg are yet to win after two games in 2024, however lost by only six points to current equal ladder-leaders Williamstown in Round Two before their bye last week.
Last time we met
The Pies opened their 2023 season with a clash with Coburg at Victoria Park that saw them run out 92-point winners.
A relatively even first half saw the Pies lead by 16 points at the main break, however a 13-goal to one second half saw the margin blow out.
Midfielders Finlay Macrae (34 disposals) and Campbell Lane (31 disposals) racked up the ball all day, while both Ash Johnson and Sam Glover started their years strong with four goals.
Jakob Ryan and Ed Allan also both impressed in their Club debuts with 25 disposals.
Having won by 104 points in their clash with Coburg in 2022, the Pies’ average winning margin over Coburg since the VFL restructured into an Eastern seaboard competition is 98 points.
Team news
Category B rookie Wil Parker will make his Club debut this weekend having joined the list in February.
The former Victorian cricketer hasn’t played a game of football since 2019 when he played in the NAB League for the Eastern Ranges and has spent the past two months building his fitness.
The 21-year-old will line up in defence.
Parker is part of four inclusions, with VFL-listed players Liam Purcell, Conor Willis, and Patrick Farrant also coming into the side.
Willis and Farrant will make their VFL debuts, while Purcell will line up for his third game of 2024.
Ins: Wil Parker, Liam Purcell, Conor Willis, Patrick Farrant
Out: Jett Hartman, Oscar Steene, Lachie Sullivan, Harvey Harrison
The season so far
It’s been an enthralling start to 2024 for the Pies, with three fantastic games of football kick-starting their season.
A fantastic comeback after trailing by five goals at quarter-time in Round One saw the Pies defeat Sandringham by 28 points.
A trip to Brisbane ensued the following week, with the Pies falling by an agonising two points to the Lions at Brighton Homes Arena, before they flipped the outcome with a one-point win over Carlton last Sunday.
Joe Richards has been one of the stars of the show so far with 10 goals across the first three games, while new VFL recruit Ned Long has been the standout in the midfield.
With the addition of this week’s three debutants, the Pies will have now fielded 12 new players in 2024.
Sam Glover’s 50th game
Co-captain Sam Glover will play his 50th VFL game in the Sunday afternoon match up.
The utility joined the Club in 2019 and has been a regular fixture in both defence and attack across his time at Collingwood.
Having this year stepped up into the role of Captain alongside Campbell Lane, Glover has blossomed into one of the side’s most experienced and respected players.
How can I watch?
The game will be broadcast live on AFL.com.au and the Official AFL app
Coverage will start at 1:00pm AEST.
Entry to Piranha Park is $10 for adults, with the first bounce scheduled for 1:05pm AEST.
Sunday April 21
Coburg v Collingwood
Piranha Park, Coburg
1:05pm (AEST)
