Collingwood has fortified its backline, with the addition of one defensive stalwart and the rapid recovery of another from injury.
Back pocket Alan Toovey slots straight back into the 25-man squad to face North Melbourne on Sunday afternoon, while Jack Frost is set to take his place after ending last week’s match with a corked hamstring.
Toovey joins Sam Dwyer and uncapped defender Jonathon Marsh in the extended squad.
The team will be finalised and trimmed to 22 with three emergencies on Friday at 5pm.
The return of Toovey comes ahead of a match in which Collingwood will need to lockdown on the dangerous Kangaroo forward Lindsay Thomas.
“He missed just the one game, and we were hoping that would be the case,” Director of Football told Collingwood Media’s Team Sheet.
“It was just jarred. He’s a pretty resilient guy.”
Dwyer has been on the fringe of senior selection all year, yo-yoing between the AFL and VFL teams during the first eight rounds.
He has been involved as the sub in two of his four senior games and has found his feet in the state league where he won 21 disposals, three clearances and carried the ball between the arcs with trademark efficiency against Richmond at Punt Road a fortnight ago.
Marsh, meanwhile, has been in superb form in the VFL where he has developed into the one of the best defenders in the competition during his 19 games at the level.
VIDEO: DID YOU KNOW? - North Melbourne.
Standing 193cm, he has averaged 16.0 disposals, 4.8 marks and 6.0 rebounds across the first five games of the season.
The West Australian has prior experience as a senior emergency but is still yet to break through for his first AFL game.
Indigenous Round
The Collingwood players will wear a special guernsey to celebrate Indigenous Round in the round nine clash against North Melbourne.
The circles within circles represent Indigenous and non-Indigenous communities, as they come together to celebrate the Indigenous Round.
The football motif is depicted, as they are coming together for the love of the game. The hands depict Collingwood's athletes reaching high.
The semi-circles depict our old people (ancestors) guiding them on their journey. The boomerang shapes are placed to mimic the fast-paced high energy movement in the game of football.
The guernsey was created by Indigenous designer Dixon Patten.
Kick to Kick on the MCG
Fans will be able to grace the hallowed MCG turf after the final siren for a kick-to-kick with their families and friends after Sunday's match.
Whether your hero was Peter McKenna, Jamie Elliott or anyone in between, get out onto the 'G and emulate Collingwood's stars after the game this Sunday.
Kids Under 15 enter for FREE
Kids under 15 will also be able to enter the stadium free of charge at all Sunday games.
Collingwood v North Melbourne
Round 9 2015
Sunday 31 May
MCG, 3.20pm
Collingwood
B: Tom Langdon, Nathan Brown, Marley Williams
HB: Alan Toovey, Jack Frost, Tyson Goldsack
C: Travis Varcoe, Dane Swan, Paul Seedsman
HF: Jamie Elliott, Jesse White, Steele Sidebottom
F: Alex Fasolo, Travis Cloke, Jarryd Blair
Foll: Brodie Grundy, Taylor Adams, Scott Pendlebury
Int (from): Sam Dwyer, Jarrod Witts, Jonathon Marsh, Jack Crisp, Tim Broomhead, Jordan De Goey, Adam Oxley
IN: Sam Dwyer, Jonathon Marsh, Alan Toovey
OUT: Nil
NEW: Jonathon Marsh (19, East Fremantle)
North Melbourne
B: Lachlan Hansen, Scott Thompson, Michael Firrito
HB: Shaun Atley, Robbie Tarrant, Jamie Macmillan
C: Sam Wright, Brent Harvey, Sam Gibson
HF: Shaun Higgins, Ben Brown, Ryan Bastinac
F: Lindsay Thomas, Drew Petrie, Robin Nahas
Foll: Todd Goldstein, Ben Cunnington, Jack Ziebell
Int (from): Andrew Swallow, Trent Dumont, Luke McDonald, Jarrad Waite, Majar Daw, Kayne Taylor, Scott McMahon
IN: Ben Brown, Majak Daw, Scott McMahon, Andrew Swallow, Kayne Turner
OUT: Ben Jacobs, Mason Wood (omitted)
Did you know?
He wasn’t a big name. In fact, he played only 14 senior games. But John Barnett owns a unique record.
The Kangaroo-turned-Magpie holds the record for the most reserves games played by an AFL player during the 1990s.
Barnett played 121 reserves games for both clubs (as well as a prior stint at Hawthorn) and was a member of North’s back-to-back reserve grade premierships in 1995 and 1996.
Travis Varcoe models Collingwood's Indigenous guernsey, which recognises the Barrawarn Program. Click here to purchase yours now.
