Collingwood has called upon two hardened senior players for Friday night’s match against Sydney.

Levi Greenwood has overcome his hip injury and moved straight back into the senior team, while Travis Varcoe returns after serving a week’s suspension.

They replace rovers Jarryd Blair and James Aish, who have each been omitted.

The pair remain in the frame for a late call up as emergencies, alongside Melbourne recruit Lynden Dunn.



Back in town
Greenwood returns after sustaining a hip injury during the JLT Community Series.

He underwent surgery on the eve of round one, but has made a remarkable recovery, returning after two weeks on the sidelines.

The former Kangaroo missed just one game last season, averaging 17.3 disposals and 6.43 tackles per outing.

Varcoe, meanwhile, sat out last week’s loss to Richmond after receiving a week’s suspension for a late bump on Western Bulldog Luke Dahlhaus.

For Blair, the match marks just the 10th he has missed since making his debut in round 14, 2010.



SCG record
Friday’s match will be the 225th between the two clubs.

Nineteen of those have been played at the SCG, of which Collingwood has won just six.

The club’s last win at the ground was back in round four, 2000, when Anthony Rocca kicked the match winning goal with seconds remaining.

For twelve years, the two teams would only meet at Stadium Australia. Remarkably, Collingwood won 10 of the 13 meetings, including seven in a row between 2006 and 2012.

Sydney v Collingwood
Round 3 2017
Friday 7 April
SCG, 7.50pm

Collingwood
B: Jeremy Howe, Henry Schade, Jackson Ramsay
HB: Josh Smith, Ben Reid, Brayden Maynard
C: Steele Sidebottom, Scott Pendlebury, Jack Crisp
HF: Travis Varcoe, Jesse White, Tim Broomhead
F: Alex Fasolo, Darcy Moore, Chris Mayne
Foll: Brodie Grundy, Adam Treloar, Taylor Adams
Int: Tyson Goldsack, Levi Greenwood, Tom Phillips, Will Hoskin-Elliott
Emg: Jarryd Blair, James Aish, Lynden Dunn

IN: Levi Greenwood, Travis Varcoe
OUT: James Aish, Jarryd Blair