Collingwood has made four changes to its side ahead of Sunday’s match against the Western Bulldogs with Paul Medhurst, Josh Fraser, Leon Davis and Leigh Brown all included into the named 22.
The four outs are all omissions with Shane O’Bree, John Anthony, Chris Dawes and Cameron Wood expected to play in the VFL on Saturday afternoon.
Medhurst, who has recovered from a foot injury which forced him to the sidelines for three weeks, will look to emulate his four-goal performance in the club’s round one win over the Dogs. The 2008 All-Australian was in good form prior to his injury kicking three goals in consecutive rounds.
Joining Medhurst is Davis who should be feeling fresh after missing last week with a calf complaint. The 28-year-old will bring much-needed pace to the Magpie forward line ranking third in the AFL with tackles inside 50 (20).
Deemed best on ground in the VFL last week, 208-game veteran Brown will play his fifth senior game this year. The tall utility was outstanding in sluggish conditions in Southport finishing the win with 22 possessions and six marks.
Also returning is Fraser who has not seen AFL action since round six. The 202-centimetre ruckman missed a week with a knee problem then played two weeks in the VFL before rolling his ankle at training but now is deemed ready to go.
Wood, Dawes and Tarkyn Lockyer make up the three emergencies.
It's not just the four points on offer as both sides will compete for the annual Robert Rose Cup, commemorating Robert’s contribution to sport and, more importantly, to raise funds for the Robert Rose Foundation.
Round 11
Collingwood v Western Bulldogs
Sunday 6 June
Etihad Stadium, 4:40 pm
Collingwood
B: Heath Shaw, Ben Reid, Ben Johnson
HB: Harry O’Brien, Simon Prestigiacomo, Nick Maxwell
C: Luke Ball, Dane Swan, Alan Toovey
HF: Paul Medhurst, Travis Cloke, Alan Didak
F: Dayne Beams, Brent Macaffer, Leon Davis
Foll: Darren Jolly, Scott Pendlebury, Dale Thomas
I/C: Sharrod Wellingham, Steele Sidebottom, Josh Fraser, Leigh Brown
Emg: Tarkyn Lockyer, Cameron Wood, Chris Dawes
In: Paul Medhurst, Josh Fraser, Leon Davis, Leigh Brown
Out: Shane O’Bree, John Anthony, Chris Dawes, Cameron Wood (all omitted)
Western Bulldogs
B: Jarrod Harbrow, Brian Lake, Dale Morris
HB: Dylan Addison, Tom Williams, Lindsay Gilbee
C: Ryan Griffen, Matthew Boyd, Daniel Cross
HF: Shaun Higgins, Mitch Hahn, Josh Hill
F: Jarrad Grant, Barry Hall, Daniel Giansiracusa
Foll: Ben Hudson, Adam Cooney, Liam Picken
I/C: Nathan Eagleton, Brennan Stack, Will Minson, Brodie Moles
Emg: Andrejs Everitt, Sam Reid, Easton Wood
In: Eagleton, Moles
Out: Jason Akermanis (hamstring), Ryan Hargrave (ankle)
