Highlighted by the return of Harry O’Brien following a three-week absence, the Magpies will also be bolstered by the inclusion of Jarryd Blair and Nathan Brown from injury enforced lay-offs, while highly-rated rookie Brodie Grundy will feature for the first time at senior level.
The eighth player to make his senior bow in Black and White this season, Grundy’s selection elevates Collingwood to top of the AFL for debutants fielded in 2013, a remarkable feat given the Magpies remain firmly placed to feature in September for the eighth successive season.
Read collingwoodfc.com.au's preview of Saturday's match against Greater Western Sydney now.
Overcoming a back complaint which derailed his pre-season training, and threatened to curb his season, Grundy has fast adapted to the rigours of VFL football, revelling in his responsibility as number one ruckman over the last fortnight as Ben Hudson and Jarrod Witts found themselves called up to the senior side.
Renowned for his athletic prowess, Grundy’s aggression and ferocious attack at the ball has seen the South Australian demonstrated glimpses of the quality which prompted his selection at pick 18 in the 2012 National Draft.
While Collingwood’s top four ambitions were dealt a blow against the fast rising Gold Coast Suns last weekend, coach Nathan Buckley and his charges will be keen to make immediate amends, and consolidate a finals berth on Saturday.
And in the form of additional inclusions Blair, Brown and O’Brien, it would appear Collingwood is well equipped to do so, their respective introductions poised to aid the Magpie cause as the home and away season approaches its final stanza.
While Collingwood will be expected to emerge triumphant against the still green Giants, their crop of fledgling stars are certainly capable of rousing concern, particularly in front of a crowd expected to be the biggest audience in GWS’ short history.
Youngsters Ben Kennedy, Kyle Martin and Caolan Mooney have been listed as emergencies for the match, while Andrew Krakouer (omitted), Ben Hudson (calf) and Paul Seedsman (calf) are the absentees.
Collingwood v Greater Western Sydney
Round 18
Saturday 27 July
MCG, 4.40pm
Collingwood
B: Nathan Brown, Nick Maxwell, Ben Reid
HB: Harry O'Brien, Heath Shaw, Marley Williams
C: Steele Sidebottom, Brent Macaffer, Luke Ball
HF: Jamie Elliott, Brodie Grundy, Dane Swan
F: Dayne Beams, Travis Cloke, Josh Thomas
Foll: Jarrod Witts, Scott Pendlebury, Jarryd Blair
Int: Tyson Goldsack, Lachlan Keeffe, Ben Sinclair, Sam Dwyer
Emg: Ben Kennedy, Kyle Martin, Caolan Mooney
IN: Jarryd Blair, Nathan Brown, Brodie Grundy, Harry O'Brien
OUT: Ben Hudson (calf), Paul Seedsman (calf), Andrew Krakouer, Caolan Mooney (omitted)
NEW: Brodie Grundy (19, Unley/Sturt)
Brodie Grundy receives his No.35 jumper from Simon Prestigiacomo at the Westpac Centre on Thursday morning. It is now custom for the club's first draft selection to wear the No.35 each season, honouring the storied careers of club legends Peter Daicos and Simon Prestigiacomo.
