Having emerged from its last two outings unscathed and boasting soaring form, coach Nathan Buckley has been able to once again call upon the side which delivered resounding triumphs over Sydney and Essendon, and catapulted the Magpies into top four contention.
Preview Friday night's blockbuster now.
While unchanged sides are hardly a rare occurrence, for a team to remain static for a third consecutive week harks back to eras gone by, with the last instance of Collingwood fielding the same side for a third consecutive week transpiring against Geelong in round 15 of 1999.
Though Collingwood has been heralded as one of the in-form teams of the competition, Hawthorn poses a unique challenge for the Magpies, remaining as it is as the sole team yet to be conquered under Buckley’s impressive tenure at the helm of the club.
In the side’s last meeting during round three, Collingwood was made to rue its early profligacy in front of goal, as it squandered a 22-point advantage midway through the second quarter before suffering a comprehensive nine-goal defeat.
However, with only 14 players who featured in that encounter poised to face the Hawks again, it is clear the Magpies will undoubtedly pose a different proposition this time around, buoyed by what may prove to be season transforming victories over the last fortnight.
The stable nature of the Collingwood line-up means Ben Kennedy, Paul Seedsman and Ben Hudson are consigned to the role of match-day emergency, while the likes of Alan Didak, Andrew Krakouer, Kyle Martin and Caolon Mooney continue to lay their claims for selection via the VFL.
And the number of Collingwood stars seeking to force their way into the senior side is likely to increase by at least two this weekend, with Dale Thomas and Darren Jolly making a return in their bid to feature come finals time.
Hawthorn v Collingwood
Round 21
Friday 16 August
MCG, 7.50pm
Collingwood
B: Nathan Brown, Nick Maxwell, Heath Shaw
HB: Brent Macaffer, Lachlan Keeffe, Tyson Goldsack
C: Harry O'Brien, Luke Ball, Josh Thomas
HF: Steele Sidebottom, Quinten Lynch, Jamie Elliott
F: Dayne Beams, Travis Cloke, Ben Reid
Foll: Brodie Grundy, Scott Pendlebury, Dane Swan
Int: Jarryd Blair, Ben Sinclair, Sam Dwyer, Marley Williams
Emg: Ben Hudson, Ben Kennedy, Paul Seedsman
NO CHANGE
Hawthorn
B: Ben Stratton, Brian Lake, Brent Guerra
HB: Shaun Burgoyne, Josh Gibson, Taylor Duryea
C: Isaac Smith, Sam Mitchell, Brendan Whitecross
HF: Luke Hodge, Lance Franklin, Jack Gunston
F: Luke Breust, Jarryd Roughead, Cyril Rioli
Foll: David Hale, Brad Sewell, Jordan Lewis
Int: Grant Birchall, Bradley Hill, Shane Savage, Paul Puopolo
Emg: Max Bailey, Jonathan Simpkin, Kyle Cheney
IN: Grant Birchall, Lance Franklin, Luke Hodge
OUT: Sam Grimley, Jonathan Simpkin, Matthew Spangher
