Collingwood head to Marvel Stadium this Sunday for a Mother’s Day clash with the West Coast Eagles.
After games at GIANTS Stadium, the MCG, The Gabba and Adelaide Oval so far this year, Sunday’s clash will be the Magpies’ first at Marvel Stadium in 2024. Following a thrilling victory over Carlton last Friday night, the Pies will be looking for their fifth win of season.
The clash will be the 61st between the two Clubs, with the win/loss ledger slightly in West Coast’s favour with 31 wins, to Collingwood’s 28. West Coast are one of only two Clubs in the competition where the overall win/loss percentage is not in Collingwood’s favour (47.5%) – the other being the Brisbane Lions (42.5%).
Last time they met
A 63-point margin in the West was an exemplar of both Club’s seasons in 2023, with Premiers Collingwood defeating the luckless Eagles in Round 12 at Optus Stadium.
30 disposals, 15 contested possessions and 11 tackles from Tom Mitchell, plus 30 disposals and three goals Nick Daicos led the charge for the Magpies across the middle of the ground. Back in his home state, Darcy Cameron had 31 hit-outs and 15 contested possessions of his own in the ruck.
While another three goals each from forward trio Brody Mihocek, Bobby Hill and Ash Johnson helped the Magpies to their total of 18 goals and 12 behinds.
For the home side, Dom Sheed accumulated 43 disposals and one goal, while Oscar Allen booted three goals.
Ins and Outs
AFL debutant Joe Richards, Club debutant Jack Bytel, forward Reef McInnes and midfielder Finlay Macrae all come into Craig McRae’s side for Sunday’s clash with the Eagles.
The young quartet replace the injured Beau McCreery (concussion), Brody Mihocek (hamstring) and Jamie Elliott (back), as well as Lachie Schultz (suspension).
Players to watch
In his first game of AFL, small forward Joe Richards is certainly a player to watch. Selected at Pick 48 in the 2022 National Draft, Richards has followed a rare pathway to the AFL after being recruited while playing for the Wangaratta Magpies in the Ovens and Murray League.
The then 23-year-old was being coached by Collingwood Premiership Player Ben Reid and had set the league alight. Winning three Senior club best and fairest, two premierships and two second placings in the league best and fairest.
Once roommates, now teammates: Bytel and Quaynor reunited
When Jack Bytel and Isaac Quaynor travelled with the AFL academy to America together in 2018, their bond was forced to form even quicker than they might’ve imagined.
Jack Bytel was signed by Collingwood on the eve of the 2024 season in the supplementary selection period. The midfielder played 22 games for St Kilda at AFL level between 2018 and 2023, after being drafted at Pick 41 in the 2018 National Draft.
The 24-year-old has averaged 23 disposals from six games in the VFL this year, including 27 and five tackles in last week’s defeat to Southport.
Take in the action
The match will be broadcast live on Fox Footy and kayosports.com.au. For local broadcast information, visit the AFL website.
The Magpie Army can stay connected with the team via the Official Collingwood website and social media channels. Visit collingwoodfc.com.au, @collingwood_fc on Instagram and threads, @collingwoodfc on X (formerly Twitter), Collingwood Football Club on Facebook and YouTube for a range of behind-the-scenes content, the latest news and more.
‘Keep an eye on this kid’: Former Pie’s part in debutant’s journey
Former Magpie Ben Reid has been a major force behind the rise of Joe Richards to his AFL debut on Sunday, with the 152-gamer expressing his pride at the small forward's journey.
