Collingwood’s Josh Fraser will play his 200th AFL game this weekend, named in the side set to take on Hawthorn on Saturday afternoon.
Fraser has been stranded on 199 games since round 12 but boosted his chances of a recall with a five-goal performance in the VFL win over the Gold Coast last weekend. The first overall pick in the 199 AFL Draft, Fraser will become the 30th Magpie to reach the milestone at the elite level.
The 28-year-old headlines three inclusions for the Magpies with Ben Reid and John McCarthy also named in the 22.
Alan Didak will miss with a bruised shoulder while John Anthony has been omitted. Leigh Brown is forced to the sidelines after receiving a one-week suspension from the AFL tribunal for striking Adelaide’s Graham Johncock.
Reid, who has missed the last two weeks with a quad injury, returns to continue his breakout season at the club. The forward turned defender has played 16 games this year and was nominated as an AFL rising star for his efforts in round 12.
Joining Reid is 20-year-old McCarthy, who will run out for his second game this season and 10th for his career. The midfielder was included in the VFL best last weekend finishing the game with 28 disposals, six marks and one goal.
Leon Davis, Paul Medhurst and Anthony make up the three emergencies.
Hawthorn, meanwhile, has been hit by injury losing vice-captain Luke Hodge -knee (172 games/116 goals) and Grant Birchall - hamstring (105/12) while it brings in Rhan Hooper (53/55) and Clinton Young (84/41)
The VFL Magpies will be commencing their finals campaign at the same time the AFL side runs out to face the Hawks. Gavin Brown’s men will aim to keep pace with the senior side as they face the Northern Bullants at TEAC Oval in an elimination final. Stay tuned to Collingwoodfc.com.au during Saturday afternoon to follow all the action.
Round 22
Hawthorn v Collingwood
Saturday 28 August
MCG, 2:10 PM
Collingwood
B: Nick Maxwell, Nathan Brown, Ben Johnson
HB: Harry O'Brien, Ben Reid, Heath Shaw
C: Sharrod Wellingham, Dane Swan, Alan Toovey
HF: Brent Macaffer, Travis Cloke, Luke Ball
F: Dayne Beams,Chris Dawes, Steele Sidebottom
Foll: Darren Jolly, Scott Pendlebury, Dale Thomas
Int: Jarryd Blair, Tyson Goldsack, Josh Fraser, John McCarthy
Emg: Leon Davis, Paul Medhurst, John Anthony
In: Josh Fraser, John McCarthy, Ben Reid
Out: John Anthony (omitted), Leigh Brown (suspended), Alan Didak (bruised shoulder)
Milestones: Josh Fraser - 200 AFL games
Hawthorn
B: Brent Guerra, Stephen Gilham, Thomas Murphy
HB: Brendan Whitecross, Josh Gibson, Ben Stratton
C: Chance Bateman, Sam Mitchell, Clinton Young
HF: Shaun Burgoyne, Lance Franklin, Cyril Rioli
F: Michael Osborne, Jarryd Roughead, Carl Peterson
Foll: Brent Renouf, Jordan Lewis, Brad Sewell
Int: Campbell Brown, Xavier Ellis, Rhan Hooper, Wayde Skipper
Emg: Rick Ladson, Liam Shiels, Ryan Schoenmakers
In: Young, Hooper
Out: Luke Hodge (knee), Grant Birchall (hamstring)
