Sidelined after sustaining a wrist injury with Carlton in round two, Maxwell was slated to miss up to two months of football action after undergoing surgery.
However, the 29-year old has demonstrated remarkable recuperative powers to recover in time for the trip across the Nullarbor, joining elevated rookie Caolan Mooney as the additions to a Magpie side which recorded a 26-point win over St Kilda last week.
With youngsters Jackson Ramsay and Tim Broomhead on the long term injury list, Mooney has been rewarded for his rapid development and stellar form at VFL level with a call-up to the senior side.
Booting five-goals against Williamstown last weekend, Mooney has consistently impressed during his three outings for Dale Tapping’s side this season, with his forward pressure earning plaudits from the club’s coaching staff.
Playing four games during his debut season last year, Mooney has rapidly adapted to the rigours of AFL, his raw speed and impressive vertical leap offering the physical platform to aid his transition from Gaelic football to the Australian game.
Director of Football Geoff Walsh said Mooney’s elevation to the senior list represented due reward for the Irishman’s recent exponential improvement.
“Certainly, his last month has been pretty solid. He was someone who played four matches last year and simply remained on the rookie list in the interests of list management,” Walsh said.
“Reports on his progress at VFL level have been quite promising, and given the opportunity, he deserves his chance at senior selection.”
The inclusions of Maxwell and Mooney come at the expense of injured defender Tyson Goldsack, ruled out with a hip injury, and ruckman Jarrod Witts, who has been named as an emergency alongside Jordan Russell and Marley Williams.
Reigning Copeland Trophy winner Dayne Beams (quad) and Clinton Young (hamstring) remain a fortnight away from selection, while Alex Fasolo is unavailable after receiving a one-match suspension at VFL level last weekend.
With the VFL enjoying a one-week hiatus to accommodate its state league clash against the WAFL representative side, senior players Luke Ball, Ben Hudson and Ben Johnson will look to the training track to press their claims for a recall against Geelong next week.
Fremantle v Collingwood
Round Seven
Saturday 11 May
Patersons Stadium, 5.40pm WST
Collingwood
B: Nathan Brown, Ben Reid, Nick Maxwell
HB: Marty Clarke, Heath Shaw, Harry O'Brien
C: Steele Sidebottom, Dane Swan, Dale Thomas
HF: Jamie Elliott, Quinten Lynch, Brent Macaffer
F: Ben Kennedy, Travis Cloke, Sam Dwyer
Foll: Darren Jolly, Scott Pendlebury, Jarryd Blair
Int: Andrew Krakouer, Josh Thomas, Paul Seedsman, Caolan Mooney
Emg: Jordan Russell, Jarrod Witts, Marley Williams
IN: Caolan Mooney, Nick Maxwell
OUT: Tyson Goldsack (hip), Jarrod Witts (omitted)
Fremantle
B: Lee Spurr, Zac Dawson, Paul Duffield
HB: Michael Johnson, Luke McPharlin, Garrick Ibbotson
C: Danyle Pearce, Michael Barlow, Stephen Hill
HF: Matt de Boer, Jack Hannath, Hayden Crozier
F: Matthew Walters, Chris Mayne, Hayden Ballantyne
Foll: Jonathon Griffin, David Mundy, Ryan Crowley
Int: Nick Suban, Alex Silvagni, Clancee Pearce, Tendai Mzungu
Emg: Cameron Sutcliffe, Tanner Smith, Tom Sheridan
IN: Stephen Hill
OUT: Cameron Sutcliffe
