> Watch the 'Magpie Minute' to receive the latest news from inside the Lexus CentreMidfielder Ben Johnson will make his return to the senior side after successfully overcoming a broken leg sustained in round three, to face the Western Bulldogs this Friday night under the roof at the Docklands.
The 28-year-old showed strong form in the preseason competition and continued to impress in the opening two rounds of the premiership season (averaged 17 disposals and 5 marks) before succumbing to a leg injury against Geelong. Johnson has regained his match fitness playing in the VFL over the last month and will be a welcome inclusion to the Magpie midfield this Friday night.
Marty Clarke has moved a step closer to senior selection, named as an emergency this Friday, after 30 possessions and two goals in the VFL win over Frankston last weekend.
Clarke joins Ryan Cook and Ben Reid as emergencies.
2008 All Australian Paul Medhurst will play his 50th career match for the Magpies since arriving at the club in 2006. The small forward ranks second in the competition in goal assists per game while averaging 13 disposals and six marks.
The Magpies will be looking for their seventh consecutive win of the season, a feat last accomplished in 1990 when they won nine in a row before narrowly losing to the Western Bulldogs in round 17.
Collingwood have lost the last three encounters against the Western Bulldogs, a side it will face again in round 22.
The Western Bulldogs have made one change with 22-year-old tall defender Tom Williams (27 AFL) games set to play his ninth match this year for the injured Sam Reid (groin).
Stadium officials are advising all patrons to get to the ground early to avoid delays getting into the arena.
2009 AFL Round 15
Western Bulldogs v Collingwood
Friday 10 July
Docklands, 7:40 pm
Collingwood
B: Harry O’Brien, Simon Prestigiacomo, Tyson Goldsack
HB: Nick Maxwell (c), Leigh Brown, Dale Thomas
C: Brad Dick, Tarkyn Lockyer, Scott Pendlebury
HF: Dayne Beams, Travis Cloke, Paul Medhurst
F: Alan Didak, John Anthony, Heath Shaw
Foll: Josh Fraser, Dane Swan, Shane O’Bree
Int: Ben Johnson, Sharrod Wellingham, Leon Davis, Alan Toovey
Em: Martin Clarke, Ryan Cook, Ben Reid
In: Ben Johnson
Out: Nathan Brown (omitted)
Western Bulldogs
B: Jarrod Harbrow, Brian Lake, Ryan Hargrave
HB: Lindsay Gilbee, Tom Williams, Dale Morris
C: Nathan Eagleton, Matthew Boyd, Daniel Cross
HF: Shaun Higgins, Mitch Hahn, Brad Johnson
F: Jason Akermanis, Scott Welsh, Robert Murphy
Foll: Ben Hudson, Ryan Griffen, Adam Cooney
I/C: Will Minson, Josh Hill, Liam Picken, Callan Ward
Emg: Dylan Addison, Tim Callan, Andrejs Everitt
In: Tom Williams
Out: Sam Reid (groin)
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