Collingwood will blood Irishman Mark Keane in round nine against Fremantle on Sunday.

The 20-year-old from County Cork will be the third Irishman in the club’s history to run out in the black and white. Senior coach Nathan Buckley made the exciting announcement earlier this week in front of the playing group.

“All the way from the Emerald Isle, he has worked hard for this, but 'Irish' [Keane], well done buddy,” Buckley said.

“You've had a few ups and downs mate, some really good form the last year, this situation threw things up in the air a little bit but we need your aerial, we need your strength."

The Magpies have made a further four changes for the Dockers, with vice-captain Steele Sidebottom a handy inclusion after Scott Pendlebury is out with a quad injury. Sidebottom returns after serving his four-match suspension for breaching COVID-19 protocols.

Brayden Sier makes his long-awaited return to the line-up, the hard-midfielder hasn’t played since round 18, 2019, but has been prolific in recent scratch matches. Defender Jack Madgen comes in for his first game since round two against Richmond.

Veteran defender Travis Varcoe is welcomed back into the side after missing the Eagles clash with a rib complaint, while Callum Brown hasn't come up from rolling his ankle during the second term against the Eagles.

Atu Bosenavulagi, Jordan Roughead, Matt Scharenberg, Rupert Wills have been omitted from the side.

The remaining AFL listed players had an opportunity during a modified training session with the Fremantle on Saturday. 

The first bounce at Optus Stadium is set for 6.10pm (AEST). Tune in live on Fox Footy and on AFL Live Pass.

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Fremantle v Collingwood
AFL Round Nine
Sunday 2 August
Optus Stadium, 6.10pm (AEST)

B: Jack Crisp, Mark Keane, Isaac Quaynor 
HB: Brayden Maynard, Darcy Moore, John Noble
C: Tom Phillips, Steele Sidebottom, Chris Mayne
HF: Jaidyn Stephenson, Brody Mihocek, Will Hoskin-Elliott
F: Josh Thomas, Darcy Cameron, Jamie Elliott
Foll: Brodie Grundy, Taylor Adams, Adam Treloar
Int: Josh Daicos, Brayden Sier, Jack Madgen, Travis Varcoe

Emerg: Ben Reid, Flynn Appleby, Tim Broomhead, Matt Scharenberg

In: Mark Keane, Jack Madgen, Steele Sidebottom, Brayden Sier, Travis Varcoe
Out:Callum Brown (ankle), Atu Bosenavulagi, Jordan Roughead, Matt Scharenberg, Rupert Wills (omitted)

New: Mark Keane