Experienced VFL players Ben Crocker and Ned Long will return after both sitting out the last fortnight for this weekend’s Round Eight VFL clash against Werribee.

The pair are part of seven inclusions from last week’s game against the Northern Bullants, with exciting AFL-listed players Tew Jiath and Ed Allan also coming back into the side.

Liam Purcell also comes back into the fold for his fifth game of 2024, while Ben Silvagni and Harry Mahoney will play their first games of the season.

Long’s inclusion will be crucial for the Pies’ midfield, with the 21-year-old averaging 24 disposals and nine tackles in his five games for the Club.

Crocker will also add experience to the forward line, having kicked six goals this season from a 139-goal VFL career.

Jiath returns after a week off with an ankle injury that he sustained in the team’s Round Six trip to Southport, while Allan was the AFL side’s carryover emergency last week.

Silvagni, son of Carlton legend Stephen, will pull on the black and white for the first time in 2024 after playing three games last year.

A solid body that can play multiple positions on the ground, the 194cm tall will play a key role in the ruck too after Aiden Begg went down last week with a knee injury.

Mahoney, a 21-year-old who hails from Mansfield in the state’s alpine region, will make his VFL debut after an impressive season so far at local level – with his best effort a six-goal haul last month.

The game is the Club’s second at Victoria Park for the season as they take on a sixth-placed Werribee.

Charlie Dean, coming off the back of a scintillating 14-mark, 27-disposal game last week will again lead in defence, while Wil Parker will look to continue his strong start to life at Collingwood.

The team will wear the Club’s Indigenous guernsey, designed by Collingwood legend Leon Davis’ father Uncle Trevor.

The game is the first of a double-header at the Pies’ traditional home, with the VFLW side taking on the Western Bulldogs later on in the day. 

Saturday May 18
Collingwood v Werribee
Victoria Park, Wurundjeri
11:05am (AEST)