Collingwood has made one change to the team ahead of Saturday night’s semi final against St Kilda at the MCG.

Captain Scott Burns has successfully recovered from a calf injury to return to the Collingwood line-up after missing the last two games.

Rhyce Shaw has been omitted.

Burns sustained a calf injury in round 21 against Sydney and will bring a wealth of experience into a young Magpie team.

He will play in his fifth finals campaign in his 14th season of AFL.

The skipper’s recent record against St Kilda is encouraging having averaged 23 possessions a game in the last two encounters with the Saints.

Shaw, Ben Reid and Shane Wakelin are the three emergencies.

Reid played his last senior game in round 13 when he suffered a broken foot.  The 195 centimetre 19-year-old has endured a tough rehabilitation regime working on strengthening his body for the rigours of senior football, and adds depth to the list of available Magpies.

The match will also mark Dane Swan's 100th apperance for the Magpies since debuting in 2003. The 24-year-old has enjoyed another outstanding season averaging 24 possessions a game, and has developed into one of the game's elite midfielders.

St Kilda has selected midfielder Luke Ball, who looks to have fully recovered from a hamstring injury he sustained in round 18 against Port Adelaide, while 20-year-old David Armitage will play his 11th game for the Saints this year after playing in the VFL side for the last month.


2008 AFL Premiership Season Semi-Final
St Kilda v Collingwood
Saturday 13 September
MCG, 7:30 pm

Collingwood
B: Simon Prestigiacomo, Nathan Brown, Tyson Goldsack
HB: Martin Clarke, Nick Maxwell, Heritier O’Brien
C: Tarkyn Lockyer, Scott Burns, Shannon Cox
HF: Scott Pendlebury, Travis Cloke, Leon Davis
F: Chris Dawes, Paul Medhurst, John Anthony
Foll: Josh Fraser, Dane Swan, Shane O’Bree
I/C: John McCarthy, Dale Thomas, Chris Bryan, Ryan Cook
EMG: Ben Reid, Rhyce Shaw, Shane Wakelin

In: Scott Burns
Out: Rhyce Shaw (omitted)
Milestone: Dane Swan – 100 games

St Kilda
B: Jason Blake, Max Hudghton, Brendon Goddard
HB: Sam Gilbert, Sam Fisher, Jason Gram
C: Clint Jones, Nick Dal Santo, Robert Harvey
HF: James Gwilt, Nick Riewoldt, Leigh Montagna
F: Stephen Milne, Justin Koschitzke, Luke Ball
Foll: Steven King, Lenny Hayes, Adam Schneider
I/C: David Armitage, Andrew McQualter, Raphael Clarke, Robert Eddy
EMG: Jarryd Allen, Shane Birss, Jack Steven

In: Luke Ball, David Armitage
Out: Xavier Clarke, Charlie Gardiner