Sidelined for a fortnight after suffering a dislocated shoulder during the Magpies round two victory over Sydney at ANZ Stadium, Brown overcame initial long term injury fears to make a swift return to VFL action within a fortnight.
However, the 25-year old found his path back to the senior team blocked by the irrepressible form of young defensive pair, Jack Frost and Lachlan Keeffe.
Read collingwoodfc.com.au's Ultimate Preview of Saturday evening's match.
Forced to mount a compelling case for his selection via the VFL, Brown’s persistence has been rewarded following last week’s 21-point loss to Adelaide, with the 2010 Premiership player poised to resume his post in defence, with Keeffe relegated at his expense.
Utility Alex Fasolo meanwhile will feature for the first time at senior level since ANZAC Day, when a foot complaint saw him substituted during the third quarter and subsequently unavailable for the following week as he sought to return to fitness.
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Named as an emergency last week, Fasolo offered an ultimately insurmountable argument for his return with a 24 disposal performance against Bendigo in the VFL, replacing Sam Dwyer, who has been named on the emergencies list.
Lauded for his contributions in attack and defence by VFL coach Dale Tapping, Fasolo’s continued development into a playmaking half back continued apace, proving remarkably efficient in disposing by hand and foot as he produced three rebound 50s.
Watch Dane Swan host this week's Black and White Show, dedicated to milestone man Dayne Beams.
Joining Dwyer as an emergency for the Eagles clash are Keeffe, and midfielder Josh Thomas, whose 28 disposals, including six clearances and six inside 50s were insufficient to force his way back into the side, highlighting the impressive depth at the Magpies disposal.
Relive the best of Dayne Beams' first 99 games as a Magpie.
The result of such depth is an imperious seeming VFL side, with Ben Kennedy, Martin Clarke, Taylor Adams, Ben Hudson, Tony Armstrong, Ben Sinclair, Tim Broomhead, Patrick Karnezis and Paul Seedsman among the names poised to line up against Geelong at Victoria Park on Saturday.
Collingwood v West Coast
Round 10
Saturday 24 May
MCG, 4.40pm
Collingwood
B: Nick Maxwell, Jack Frost, Alan Toovey
HB: Heritier Lumumba, Nathan Brown, Tom Langdon
C: Clinton Young, Brent Macaffer, Steele Sidebottom
HF: Jarryd Blair, Jesse White, Luke Ball
F: Jamie Elliott, Travis Cloke, Dane Swan
Foll: Brodie Grundy, Dayne Beams, Scott Pendlebury
Int: Alex Fasolo, Tyson Goldsack, Marley Williams, Jarrod Witts
Emg: Sam Dwyer, Lachlan Keeffe, Josh Thomas
IN: Nathan Brown, Alex Fasolo
OUT: Sam Dwyer, Lachlan Keeffe
West Coast
B: Eric Mackenzie, Darren Glass, Jamie Bennell
HB: Elliot Yeo, Mitch Brown, Xavier Ellis
C: Shannon Hurn, Matt Priddis, Chris Masten
HF: Jamie Cripps, Jack Darling, Sharrod Wellingham
F: Josh Hill, Josh Kennedy, Nic Naitanui
Foll: Dean, Scott Selwood, Luke Shuey
Int: Mark Hutchings, Brad Sheppard, Andrew Gaff, Matt Rosa
Emg: Will Schofield, Patrick McGinnity, Sam Butler
IN: Josh Hill
OUT: Mark LeCras (suspension)
