Craig McRae has named Collingwood’s side for Friday night’s clash against Essendon at the MCG, with mid-season draftee Ned Long set to make his Club debut.
Long is joined by Lachie Schultz and Charlie Dean as the three inclusions, replacing John Noble (concussion), Beau McCreery (calf) and Lachie Sullivan (omitted).
The tactical substitute will be selected from the extended bench and will be named 60 minutes prior to the first bounce.
The three emergencies are Finlay Macrae, Reef McInnes and Lachie Sullivan.
Long debuts after being selected at Pick 19 of the 2024 Mid-Season Rookie Draft. The former Hawk has played seven games at VFL level for Collingwood across 2024, averaging 22.1 disposals and nine tackles, which include 17 tackles in Round One.
Prior to his time at the Pies, Long spent two years at Hawthorn where he played five games after debuting in Round 22, 2023.
Schultz returns to the side after missing last week’s defeat through illness, while Dean returns after being omitted for last week’s clash.
Schultz has had a productive first year in black and white and is equal second on the Magpies leaderboard with 18 majors, squared with Brody Mihocek and three behind Bobby Hill on 21. The forward leads the Club for tackles inside 50 with 23 and averages 19.1 pressure acts a game.
Friday’s game is the second time Collingwood will come face to face with Essendon in 2024, following the thrilling ANZAC Day draw.
In front of 93,644 fans, both sides couldn’t split after an arm wrestle of a contest that included a Mark of the Year contender from Jamie Elliott and Scott Pendlebury reaching his 10,000th AFL disposal.
In yesterday’s press conference, Senior Coach Craig McRae called on the Collingwood fans to pack the MCG in support of their team on Friday night.
“We’re aiming to get a big crowd there on Friday night. If you haven’t bought your tickets and you’re ‘umming or ahhing’ about whether to go, please turn up. We love you,” said McRae.
“They turned up at the Gold Coast (last weekend) and they’re here at training today. We’re very grateful for our Collingwood Army.”
For more information surrounding the clash, including the March to the ‘G and other pre-game activations, fans are encouraged to visit the Magpie Army Hub.
Friday 5 July
Collingwood v Essendon
MCG, Wurundjeri
7:40pm (AEST)
IN: Schultz, Dean, Long (debut)
OUT: Noble (injury), McCreery (injury), Sullivan (omitted)
| COLLINGWOOD V ESSENDON | |||
| B | Brayden Maynard | Darcy Moore | Isaac Quaynor |
| HB | Charlie Dean | Jeremy Howe | Oleg Markov |
| C | Steele Sidebottom | Scott Pendlebury | Josh Daicos |
| HF | Bobby Hill | Brody Mihocek | Lachie Schultz |
| F | Joe Richards | Patrick Lipinski | Billy Frampton |
| R | Darcy Cameron | Jordan De Goey | Nick Daicos |
| INT | Nathan Kreuger | Jack Crisp | Will Hoskin-Elliott |
| Harvey Harrison | Ned Long | ||
| EMG | Finlay Macrae | Reef McInnes | Lachie Sullivan |
