The return of Lachie Sullivan will bolster Collingwood’s VFL side as they travel down to Frankston for the second year in a row for an important Round 15 match-up.

Sullivan returns to the side for the first time since Round Five against Essendon, having begun his AFL career in brilliant fashion over the past two months.

Joining him in returning to Sunday’s team is ruckman Liam Purcell who will be in for his eighth game of 2024, and exciting small forward Harry Mahoney who will line for his fifth game in Pies colours.

Yu Yu Ashwin and the injured Jakob Ryan will miss this week after playing against the Bombers last Saturday, as will Ned Long who has been elevated to the senior team.

Long’s opportunity at AFL level comes after averaging 22 disposals and nine tackles through seven games at VFL level.

The mid-season draftee kicked two goals against the Bombers last week and will play his sixth AFL game on Friday night and first in black and white.

The Pies head down to Frankston on Sunday in search of their third win of the season, with one of their stronger sides of the year ready to pounce.

With a midfield of Sullivan, Jack Bytel, and Finlay Macrae all primed to distribute the ball, and exciting forwards Reef McInnes, Ash Johnson and Josh Eyre all coming off the back of two-goal games last week, the Pies will come into the clash with a strong presence on the park.

McInnes has good memories of playing at Kinetic Stadium in Frankston, after he kicked six goals in his most recent match at the venue – a 95-point win in Round 15 last year.

Macrae was also strong that day as he amassed 27 disposals in a game where the Pies kicked 18 goals.

Frankston sit 15^th on the VFL ladder heading into Sunday’s clash and will be intent on knocking off the Pies for their sixth win of 2024.

Having started the season in blistering form with three wins from their opening four games, they haven’t registered a win since Round Eight.

Co-Captains Sam Glover and Campbell Lane continue to be shining lights for the Pies, leading from the front each week in. young group.

VFL-listed midfielder Ryan Sparkes continues to impress, while young stars Harry DeMattia and Tew Jiath continue to ply their trade in their first season at the Club.

The match kicks off at 1:05pm in Frankston on Sunday, with tickets just $5 for Collingwood members.

Sunday 7 July
Frankston v Collingwood 
Kinetic Stadium, Boon Wurrung/Bunerong
1:05pm (AEST)
IN: Sullivan, Mahoney, Purcell 
OUT: Ryan (injury), Long (AFL), Ashwin