Daniel Wells will make his first appearance of the 2018 season when he lines up against Geelong on Sunday.

It will be the first time supporters have seen Wells in action at the highest level since round 20 last season.

A three-match stint in the VFL followed a delayed start to the season, but Wells has quickly made up for lost time, averaging 15.7 disposals and 5.3 tackles in the state league.

The 32-year-old will be joined by Callum Brown as the two inclusions to this weekend’s senior side.

Brown was rested last week.

They replace Jarryd Blair and Ben Crocker, who have been omitted but remain in the frame as emergencies.

Alex Fasolo and Josh Daicos, who are each yet to appear in the seniors this year, are the other emergencies.

Wells’ return will be music to the ears of the Collingwood faithful.

In the 10 games he played last year, the Magpies were victorious in seven, with one draw. In fact, he has not played in a losing side since the Pies fell three-points short against the Giants in the corresponding round last year.

Collingwood v Geelong
AFL Round Eight
Sunday, May 13
MCG, 3.20pm

Collingwood
B: Flynn Appleby, Lynden Dunn, Jack Crisp
HB: Travis Varcoe, Matthew Scharenberg, Jeremy Howe
C: Steele Sidebottom, Scott Pendlebury, Tom Phillips
HF: Jordan De Goey, Darcy Moore, Will Hoskin-Elliott
F: Josh Thomas, Mason Cox, Jaidyn Stephenson
Foll: Brodie Grundy, Taylor Adams, Adam Treloar
Int:  Callum Brown, Sam Murray, Chris Mayne, Daniel Wells
Emg: Jarryd Blair, Ben Crocker, Josh Daicos, Alex Fasolo

IN: Callum Brown, Daniel Wells
OUT: Jarryd Blair, Ben Crocker (omitted)


Earlier: Thursday, 6.20pm
Scott Pendlebury has been included in Collingwood’s 26-man squad for Sunday’s big clash with Geelong at the MCG.

However, a decision on whether he plays won’t be made until after the team’s main training session at the Holden Centre on Friday.

The skipper suffered an ankle injury in the narrow win over the Brisbane Lions at the Gabba last weekend.

He was subsequently cleared of serious damage but was diagnosed with bruising around his tibia and ankle.

The Pies have added four players to the team that defeated the Lions, with Callum Brown, Josh Daicos, Alex Fasolo and Daniel Wells all named on the extended bench for Sunday’s game. 

Collingwood will name its final 22-man team at 5pm on Friday.

Good record
The Pies should go into the game with plenty of confidence. Not only are they coming off an entertaining win over the Lions, they have won three of their past four games against Geelong. However, they were beaten by the Cats in their most recent clash, which was in round 22 last year.

Pies' high scores
Collingwood has scored 100 points in four of its past five games. It’s a dramatic improvement from the opening two rounds of the season, when the Magpies scored 67 points against Hawthorn and 79 against Greater Western Sydney.

Phillips powering ahead
Pies midfielder Tom Phillips has enjoyed a great season so far. He is averaging 28 disposals and six marks per game and has also kicked four goals. Phillips racked up 38 touches against Richmond in round six and was sensational against the Lions last weekend, finishing the game with 28 disposals, 10 marks and a goal.



Tom Phillips has been in great touch in recent weeks.