The players the calibre of Dane Swan, Scott Pendlebury, Travis Cloke, Heath Shaw, Harry O'Brien and Alan Toovey all make their way back into the line up after they were rested during last Saturday's NAB Cup loss to Brisbane.
Retained in the 26-man squad are rookies Sam Dwyer, Jack Frost and Caolan Mooney. All three are in contention to be named as the club's second nominated rookie (the other is likely to be ruckman Ben Hudson) when the lists are finalised on 19 March.
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The influx of some of the club's biggest names is the most obvious indication that the coaching staff has begun to finalise its preparations ahead of the first home and away match against North Melbourne in two week's time.
After Saturday's loss to the Lions, Nathan Buckley told of his relief to be reaching the stage where his players will be able to get vital match fitness under their belts in home and away conditions.
"We've been really happy with our preparation to date so the opportunity now is to take on a Geelong side that's young and full of running at the moment but obviously got some experience as well.
"They're not in a dissimilar position to where we are list wise so that'll be a good challenge for us.
"It'll be our last opportunity to get game time into our squad before round one versus North Melbourne.
"The other real big positive is that we'll play 3-1 (three interchange players with one substitute) with unlimited rotations and we will be able to practice and get a feel for what home and away feels like.
"We've played under three different interchange systems over the last three weeks and we're looking forward to getting back to what we know."
Experienced ruckman Ben Hudson has not been named, meaning that the ruck division will be carried by Darren Jolly and Jarrod Witts. The 20-year-old Witts is yet to feature at senior level, but has been named in each of Collingwood's five pre-season teams which indicates that he may be in the frame for a round one debut.
Those who were a part of last week's 24-man team to have been left out of Friday's squad include Josh Thomas, Ben Kennedy, Kyle Martin, Adam Oxley and Marley Williams.
Match Information
Geelong v Collingwood
Friday 15 March
Simonds Stadium (formerly Kardinia Park), 4pm
Member Entitlements: All club and AFL members will receive access free of charge to any round four practice match regardless of the teams competing. Club and AFL members will be allowed access into the ground upon presentation of their 2013 membership card at the gate.
General Public: There will be no tickets available for pre-purchase for round four matches. For all games, general public patrons may purchase a ticket at the gate.
Ticket Prices:
Adult/Concession: $5.00
Juniors (under 15): Free
Collingwood's Practice Match Squad
2. Jordan Russell
3. Brent Macaffer
5. Nick Maxwell
6. Tyson Goldsack
8. Harry O'Brien
9. Marty Clarke
10. Scott Pendlebury
11. Jarryd Blair
14. Clinton Young
15. Jarrod Witts
16. Nathan Brown
17. Dayne Beams
18. Darren Jolly
19. Jamie Elliott
21. Quinten Lynch
22. Steele Sidebottom
26. Ben Johnson
28. Ben Sinclair
32. Travis Cloke
34. Alan Toovey
36. Dane Swan
39. Heath Shaw
40. Paul Seedsman
41. Sam Dwyer*
45. Jack Frost*
48. Caolan Mooney*
*Denotes rookies
IN: Travis Cloke, Jamie Elliott, Harry O'Brien, Scott Pendlebury, Heath Shaw, Dane Swan, Alan Toovey
OUT: Ben Kennedy, Kyle Martin*, Adam Oxley*, Josh Thomas, Marley Williams
Not Named: Luke Ball, Alan Didak, Alex Fasolo, Ben Hudson*, Lachlan Keeffe, Andrew Krakouer, Jackson Paine, Ben Reid, Dale Thomas.
Geelong Squad: 1. Mitch Brown, 2. Billie Smedts, 3. Jimmy Bartel, 4. Andrew Mackie, 5. Travis Varcoe, 7. Harry Taylor, 11. Joel Corey, 13. Tom Lonergan, 14. Joel Selwood, 19. Taylor Hunt, 21. Jordan Murdoch, 22. Mitch Duncan, 23. Josh Caddy, 25. Jared Rivers, 26. Tom Hawkins, 27. Matthew Stokes, 28. Allen Christensen, 29. Cameron Guthrie, 31. James Podsiadly, 32. Steven Motlop, 33. George Horlin-Smith, 34. Josh Walker, 35. Paul Chapman, 37. Cameron Eardley, 38. Jackson Sheringham, 41. Jesse Stringer, 44. Corey Enright, 46. Mark Blicavs
IN: Jimmy Bartel, Josh Caddy, Allen Christensen, Corey Enright, Billie Smedts, Mitch Duncan, Jared Rivers, Harry Taylor
OUT: Joel Hamling, Shane Kersten, Jordan Schroder, Jackson Thurlow
