Established league footballers Jordan Russell (Carlton) and Quentin Lynch (West Coast) and recently elevated rookie Sam Dwyer (Port Melbourne) have all been named to play their first official match in their new colours.?
Russell (116 games) and Lynch (209 games) boast several years of senior experience but for the 26-year-old Dwyer it will be the first time he has played at the highest level.
The gutsy rover carved a niche in Port Melbourne's midfield in the VFL for the last eight years after originally nominating for the National Draft back in 2004.
He was selected by Collingwood with its second selection in last December's Rookie Draft and featured in each of his new club's five pre-season hitouts.
Last month, Dywer told collingwoodfc.com.au of his desire to be elevated to the senior list, a wish that was granted yesterday when teammate Tim Broomhead was shifted onto the long-term injury list with Glandular Fever.
"That's the apple, but you've just got to work hard to get there. You've got to do everything you can and you would be anyway, regardless of whether there was a spot available or not, you're just going to do everything you can so if a spot does open up then you're ready to go and you've proven that you're up to it."
Russell and Lynch also featured prominently during their adopted club's pre-season campaign.
Untried pair Josh Thomas and Jack Frost join Paul Seedsman as Collingwood's three emergencies.
The feel-good story of the side is the return of Brent Macaffer. The mobile utility's future appeared rosy when he was a member of the 2010 premiership side in only his 26th senior game, but in the years since he has been plagued by injuries. His most recent appearance at senior level was in round 19, 2011.
Macaffer will wear the No. 3 jumper for the first time in a home and away fixture. It will mark a significant touchpoint in his career as he is wearing it in honour of his late teammate and friend John McCarthy.
Collingwood is set to enter the match with only one established ruckman.
Darren Jolly will shoulder a heavy burden in the absence of Jarrod Witts and Ben Hudson against North's ruck division of Todd Goldstein and Drew Petrie.
North Melbourne v Collingwood
Sunday 30 March
Etihad Stadium
4.40pm
Collingwood
B: Nathan Brown, Nick Maxwell, Ben Reid
HB: Alan Toovey, Heath Shaw, Harry O'Brien
C: Steele Sidebottom, Dane Swan, Jarryd Blair
HF: Jamie Elliott, Travis Cloke, Quinten Lynch
F: Ben Sinclair, Tyson Goldsack, Brent Macaffer
Foll: Darren Jolly, Scott Pendlebury, Dayne Beams
Int: Marty Clarke, Sam Dwyer, Ben Johnson, Jordan Russell
Emg: Jack Frost, Paul Seedsman, Josh Thomas
NEW: Sam Dwyer (Port Melbourne), Quinten Lynch (West Coast), Jordan Russell (Carlton)
North Melbourne
B: Shaun Atley, Scott Thompson, Michael Firrito
HB: Jamie Macmillan, Nathan Grima, Ben Jacobs
C: Aaron Mullett, Ryan Bastinac, Kieran Harper
HF: Ben Cunnington, Robbie Tarrant, Daniel Wells
F: Lindsay Thomas, Drew Petrie, Lachlan Hansen
Foll: Todd Goldstein, Andrew Swallow, Jack Ziebell
Int: Liam Anthony, Leigh Adams, Sam Wright, Sam Gibson
Emg: Taylor Hine, Will Sierakowski, Majak Daw
NEW: Ben Jacobs (Port Adelaide)
