CTV > Mick Malthouse's Thursday press conference
MAGPIE RADIO > Sharrod Wellingham & Chris Bryan on The Squawk

Vice-captain Josh Fraser returns for the Friday night blockbuster clash with Geelong at the MCG.

Fraser, 26, missed one match after straining the posterior cruciate ligament in his right knee during the Hall of Fame Tribute Match between Victoria and the Dream Team a fortnight ago, but has trained strongly this week and returns to the side.

Fraser comes in for young ruckman Cameron Wood, who has played all eight games so far this season but will this week play for the club’s VFL team against Werribee on Saturday afternoon.

Wood has been listed as an emergency alongside Ryan Cook and Ryan Lonie.

Exciting Magpie Dale Thomas this week notches his 50th AFL game, having made his debut in round one of the 2006 season. Thomas has played 49 of a possible 56 since his debut and is proving a tremendously durable and reliable contributor.

This weekend the contribution of indigenous people to our great game is being acknowledged. Two indigenous players – Leon Davis and Sharrod Wellingham – will represent the Magpies against the Cats.

Geelong, meanwhile, has made two changes, recalling half forward Mathew Stokes and young ruckman Trent West at the expense of Max Rooke and Shane Mumford.

2008 AFL Premiership Season – Round 9
Collingwood v Geelong

Friday 23 May 2008
MCG, 7:40pm

COLLINGWOOD
B: Heath Shaw, Shane Wakelin, Rhyce Shaw
HB:  Nick Maxwell, Nathan Brown, Heritier O’Brien
C:  Scott Pendlebury, Scott Burns, Tarkyn Lockyer
HF: Alan Didak, Anthony Rocca, Paul Medhurst
F: Dane Swan, Travis Cloke, Dale Thomas
Foll: Josh Fraser, Shane O’Bree, Leon Davis
Int: Martin Clarke, Ben Johnson, Sharrod Wellingham, Chris Bryan
Emg: Ryan Cook, Ryan Lonie, Cameron Wood

In: Josh Fraser
Out: Cameron Wood (omitted)

Milestone: Dale Thomas (50 games)

GEELONG
B: Tom Harley, Matthew Scarlett, Josh Hunt
HB: Darren Milburn, Harry Taylor, Corey Enright
C: Cameron Ling, Joel Selwood, Jimmy Bartel
HF: Steve Johnson, Cameron Mooney, Paul Chapman
F: James Kelly, Tom Hawkins, Mathew Stokes
Foll: Mark Blake, Gary Ablett, Joel Corey
Int: Trent West, Andrew Mackie, Ryan Gamble, David Wojcinski

In: Mathew Stokes, Trent West
Out: Max Rooke, Shane Mumford