Collingwood has named a team comprising eight ANZAC Day debutants for Saturday’s blockbuster against Essendon.
The eight – Taylor Adams, Tim Broomhead, Corey Gault, Adam Oxley, Jackson Ramsay, Marley Williams and new recruits Jack Crisp and Travis Varcoe – will run out in front of a crowd of more than 90,000 at the Melbourne Cricket Ground.
Of the six who were on Collingwood’s list prior to 2015, none have played in front of more than 79,000 people.
VIDEO: Watch the highlights of the first 20 years of ANZAC Day football.
Adams is the only inclusion for Saturday’s match, returning from a toe injury to replace Patrick Karnezis.
It’s a timely return for the 21-year-old who cited the prospect of playing in front of big crowds at the home of football as one of the key factors behind his move to Collingwood in the October of 2013.
The story of Collingwood's ANZACs.
The solitary change is indicative of a settled side following the Magpies’ 74-point win over St Kilda last Friday night.
In fact, the match committee has named the exact same 25-man combination as it did ahead of the Saints match seven days ago.
As a result, Karnezis joins teenage pair Jordan De Goey (one game) and Darcy Moore (yet to debut) as emergencies.
ANZAC DAY BY THE NUMBERS: Collingwood and Essendon.
The team is without 10 members from its last meeting with Essendon, which resulted in a 64-point loss in round 17, 2014, a full 286 days prior to Saturday’s match.
To emphasise how much has changed in the months since, two players have retired while others are playing for clubs elsewhere.
IN PROFILE: The stories of our 57 ANZACs.
It’s a reflection of the way several new faces have taken hold on their spots in the senior side during the early weeks of the season.
Collingwood enters the match with recent history on its side, having won seven of the past nine ANZAC Day encounters between the two clubs.
In 20 meetings since 1995, the head-to-head ledger stands at 11-8 (one draw) in Collingwood’s favour.
Essendon v Collingwood
Round 4 2015: ANZAC Day
Saturday 25 April
MCG, 2.40pm (EST)
Collingwood
B: Alan Toovey, Nathan Brown, Marley Williams
HB: Tom Langdon, Jack Frost, Jackson Ramsay
C: Travis Varcoe, Dane Swan, Jack Crisp
HF: Jamie Elliott, Jesse White, Tim Broomhead
F: Tyson Goldsack, Travis Cloke, Jarryd Blair
Foll: Brodie Grundy, Taylor Adams, Scott Pendlebury
Int: Sam Dwyer, Paul Seedsman, Adam Oxley, Corey Gault
Emerg: Darcy Moore, Patrick Karnezis, Jordan De Goey
IN: Taylor Adams
OUT: Patrick Karnezis (omitted)
Fast Fact
Travis Cloke and Dane Swan are set to become Collingwood's most experienced ANZAC Day players. The pair has each played 10 times on 25 April, equal with former teammates Scott Burns, Josh Fraser, Ben Johnson and Anthony Rocca. Essendon's Dustin Fletcher is set to line up for his 18th ANZAC Day match, ahead of the famous forward duo of Matthew Lloyd and Scott Lucas (13 and 12 respectively).
Essendon
B: Mark Baguley, Dustin Fletcher, Jake Carlisle
HB: Michael Hibberd, Cale Hooker, Martin Gleeson
C: Brent Stanton, Jobe Watson, Jake Melksham
HF: Zach Merrett, Joe Daniher, Dyson Heppell
F: Patrick Ambrose, Michael Hurley, Brendon Goddard
Foll: Tom Bellchambers, Paul Chapman, Travis Colyer
Int: Courtenay Dempsey, Ben Howlett, David Zaharakis, Will Hams
Emg: James Gwilt, Kyle Langford, Jackson Merrett
IN: Courtenay Dempsey, Will Hams
OUT: Adam Cooney (hamstring), Jason Ashby (omitted)
Milestones: Jake Melksham (100 games), Travis Colyer (50 games)
Selection: Eight ANZAC Day debutants
Collingwood has named a team comprising eight ANZAC Day debutants for Saturday’s blockbuster against Essendon.