Craig McRae has named Collingwood’s side for Friday night’s clash with the Western Bulldogs at Marvel Stadium.

There are five changes to the side that played out a thrilling draw at Optus Stadium last Friday night, with Oleg Markov, Jack Bytel, Ash Johnson, Jeremy Howe and Finlay Macrae all returning to the team.

Scott Pendlebury (arm), Brody Mihocek (hamstring), Mason Cox (concussion/leg), Joe Richards (foot) and Edward Allan (omitted) are the five players to make way.

The tactical substitute will be selected from the extended bench and will be named 60 minutes before the first bounce of Friday night’s clash.

Nathan Kreuger, Edward Allan and Tew Jiath are the three emergencies, marking the first time the Magpies’ 2023 Pick 37, Jiath has been named in the AFL squad.

Jiath has played seven games at VFL level in 2024, averaging 4.2 marks and 15.4 disposals playing off half back.  

Collingwood’s second game at Marvel Stadium for 2024 will mark Billy Frampton’s 50^th at AFL level. The tall played three games for Port Adelaide after being drafted at Pick 84 in the 2014 National Draft, before moving to cross-town rival the Adelaide Crows at the end of 2020 where he played a further 21.

The Premiership Magpie has since played 25 games in black and white after joining the Club at the end of the 2022 season.

Craig McRae spoke highly of Frampton’s performances and versatility this year, in yesterday’s press conference.

“He's been really important. This year, we're seeing way more of his ability to defend really tall and we've missed that in our program since we've had Murph out,” McRae said.

“He stepped up at that point. And now, he may go forward, he might go back. We've got a bit of flexibility with him, he might even play ruck.

“So. we've got someone in our team that has the ability to be a bit of a swing man. And Bill's had a great year for us so far.”

Jack Crisp will play his 226^th consecutive AFL game in tomorrow night’s clash, equalling current Richmond Senior Coach and former Melbourne player, Adem Yze with the second longest streak in V/AFL history.

Crisp will be 18 games away from the record of 244 consecutive games, set by Melbourne legend Jim Stynes.

Fans are encouraged to get to Marvel Stadium early to take in all the action of the curtain raiser VFL clash between Collingwood and Footscray, with the first bounce at 4:05pm. AFL ticketing prices apply to all VFL curtain raisers. 

Friday May 31
Collingwood v Western Bulldogs
Marvel Stadium, Wurundjeri
7:40pm (AEST)

In: Markov, Bytel, Johnson, Howe and Macrae 
Out: Pendlebury (arm), Mihocek (hamstring), Cox (concussion, leg), Richards (foot), Allan (omitted)