As Collingwood won't be playing West Coast in Perth during the home and away season, it is the one and only chance for the Eagles fans to see 'the Q-Stick' up close in 2013 after he became a Magpie via Free Agency at the end of last season.
Collingwood's 27-man squad for the trip to Perth is headlined by three untried youngsters.
Midfielders Josh Thomas and Ben Kennedy join rookie flanker Adam Oxley in a team that is without several experienced players who were a part of the first round wins over Essendon and the Western Bulldogs.
Although the match is only a routine NAB Cup encounter, it holds extra significant for Thomas who will finally break through for a senior appearance after three years on the senior list.
The 21-year-old Queensland product has endured a wretched run with foot injuries since he arrived at the Westpac Centre at the end of 2009.
The clouds finally began to clear for Thomas late last season when he strung together several impressive VFL performances, which were rewarded by the match committee that named him as an emergency for the final two home and away matches.
A robust inside midfielder with a good turn of pace, Thomas excels at finding the contested ball where he has drawn comparisons with Luke Ball and 1990 premiership rover Tony Francis.
He is joined in the senior squad by midfielder Ben Kennedy who caught the eye with a bright showing in last Friday's intra-club match.
Head of Development Craig McRae told collingwoodfc.com.au that Kennedy had shown his true colours against his senior teammates during the scratch match at Victoria Park.
"Ben Kennedy, pick No. 19 in the draft, showed today why we drafted him," said McRae. "He was really powerful and strong. He trained well for this game and we saw his best today. He was really pleasing."
The third debutant is 20-year-old Adam Oxley.
A product of Queensland state club Redland, Oxley stands at 191cm and his pace and leap allows him to play at either end of the ground. Dayne Beams, Darren Jolly, Ben Johnson, Brent Macaffer, Andrew Krakouer and Clinton Young are the seven players who played in the first round of the NAB Cup who won't be making the trip to Perth.
Collingwood Squad - NAB Cup Round Two
2. Jordan Russell
5. Nick Maxwell
8. Harry O'Brien
9. Marty Clarke
10. Scott Pendlebury
11. Jarryd Blair
15. Jarrod Witts
19. Jamie Elliott
20. Ben Reid
21. Quinten Lynch
22. Steele Sidebottom
24. Josh Thomas
25. Ben Hudson*
27. Ben Kennedy
28. Ben Sinclair
32. Travis Cloke
34. Alan Toovey
36. Dane Swan
37. Kyle Martin*
38. Peter Yagmoor*
39. Heath Shaw
40. Paul Seedsman
41. Sam Dwyer*
43. Adam Oxley*
45. Jack Frost*
46. Marley Williams
48. Caolan Mooney*
IN: 24. Josh Thomas, 27. Ben Kennedy, 43. Adam Oxley
OUT: 3. Brent Macaffer, 7. Andrew Krakouer, 14. Clinton Young, 17. Dayne Beams, 18. Darren Jolly, 26. Ben Johnson
West Coast
1. Mitch Brown
2. Mark LeCras
3. Andrew Gaff
5. Brad Sheppard
7. Chris Masten
10. Scott Selwood
11. Matt Priddis
13. Luke Shuey
15. Jamie Cripps
16. Eric Mackenzie
17. Josh Kennedy
20. Dean Cox
23. Darren Glass
24. Matt Rosa
25. Shannon Hurn
26. Sam Butler
27. Jack Darling
28. Ashley Smith
29. Scott Lycett
31. Will Schofield
32. Andrew Embley
33. Josh Hill
35. Patrick McGinnity
37. Adam Selwood
42. Jeremy McGovern
43. Ashton Hams
46. Simon Tunbridge
