Collingwood will host the Footscray Bulldogs in a Marvel Stadium curtain-raiser on Friday in Round 10 of the VFL.
The clash will be the first time the Club’s VFL side has played at the venue since 2019 and comes after a week off last weekend.
The Pies will take on the top of the table Bulldogs who are yet to lose in 2024 from eight games.
Josh Fraser’s men will be hunting their third win of the season on Friday as they aim to get back on the winner's list.
Last time we met
It was the Bulldogs who triumphed by 20 points in Round 16 last year at Chirnside Park.
The Pies started well with a strong opening term, however the Bulldogs took the ascendancy from there.
The Pies did manage to wrestle back the lead through the middle stages of the final term, however Footscray kicked away for a three-goal victory.
Finlay Macrae was a standout on the day with 38 disposals, while Josh Carmichael had one of his better games of the year with a goal from 25 touches.
Harvey Harrison kicked three goals for the day, while former Pie Jack Ginnivan kicked two.
Team news
Defender Kaden Schreiber will pull on the black and white stripes for the first time in 411 days, having overcome a knee injury he suffered last season.
He'll be joined by Ed Allan and Nathan Krueger from the AFL list who come back into the team, while Jedd Longmire and Harry Flynn also return.
Luke Quaynor, brother of AFL defender Isaac, will make his VFL debut on Friday night, while young midfielder Josh Mathey will also line up for his maiden appearance for the Club.
The season so far
With the Pies observing a bye last week during Round Nine, an opportunity to refresh was provided following a tough start to 2024.
Things started positively through a 28-point win over Sandringham in Round One, before narrow games against Brisbane (two-point loss) and Carlton (one-point win).
However, the Pies have been unable to win since then following a five-game stretch before last week’s bye.
Ned Long has been a shining light, having averaged 24 disposals and nine tackles, while Joe Richards still sits atop the team’s goal-kicking charts with 13 after being elevated to the Club’s AFL side three weeks ago.
Double-header at Marvel
The Pies will take to Marvel Stadium in the late afternoon on Friday ahead of the Club’s AFL side taking on the Western Bulldogs.
It will be the first time Collingwood’s VFL side has staged a curtain-raiser for the AFL team all year, and the first time they’ll run out onto the Docklands stadium in five years.
How can I watch?
Given the game is a double-header, patrons will need an AFL ticket to enter Marvel Stadium early for the VFL match.
The game can also be streamed live on the official AFL Live app and AFL.com.au.
